NYMPHEA

Chapter :
Page : 1/3

OPERATING PROCEDURE
Approved by :

BACK OFF

Revision Number :
03-06/01

BACK OFF OPERATION USING TDS.

A back-off string operation is generally needed when a string is stuck down the hole.
Generality:
Getting stuck down hole can happen from several different problems: The most common is by
differential pressure, when drilling a zone with high porosity. Other problems can come from hole profile (doglegs, key seats), from the formation itself (hole getting tight, walls not consolidated), etc, etc
Most of the time, some signs are visible before the extreme end of getting stuck: variation of the string torque,
variations of drags, variations of ROP, variations of parameters as mud pressure, variations of quantity and form
or size of cuttings coming out. Any change on the normality of drilling operation must be taken into consideration
and persons in charge must be advised. Regarding mud pressure, a slow circulating rate must be performed and
pressure registered. This one will be taken as reference in case of doubt or problem. It will also be compared to
the previous one, considering depth and mud weight.
Back Off when drilling (or tripping):
Always have a drill pipe on catwalk ready to be used (Means with drift already passed inside).
If heave is acceptable, better to work the string with compensator closed.
A string can get stuck at any time, at any TDS position. Depending of that, working the string will
be possible or not. If the actual stick-up doesnt permit to work the string, several things can be done, depending
of the position of TDS. Always try to have a connection accessible at the rotary table level. This will permit later
in case of instrumentation to break the string and run tools with wire line unit. Ideal for instrumentation is to have
a full joint above RT with connection at one meter above, string at neutral weight.
If string gets stuck just after a connection: a) With tool joint above rotary table, rack back the stand
and pick up one drill pipe, stick up will be a full joint and will permit to work string up and down.
b) With tool joint already inside rotary table, if distance
from traveling assembly to crown block is not sufficient to work the string, tool-joint can becomes accessible by
over-pulling the string to an acceptable value, and / or rig can be ballasted (around 80 cm). The stand will be
removed from the string and one drill pipe added as before.
In general, to access a connection, compression or over-pull can be applied on string, also the rig
can be ballasted or deballasted according to the rig stability. Spacing out the string will be done by removing one
joint or adding a pup joint as per calculations.
When slips have to be set far away from a tool joint, and specially when a string is in over tension,
safety clamp should be installed.
When spacing out is done, to perform a backoff, left torque will be applied on string to a
maximum of 80% of the weakest connection. Then a string shot is performed using wire line unit at the more
sensitive connection (connection which was made up at last trip). This one will normally be determinated after
performing a Free point . This run is also done using the wire line unit and will indicate the stuck part of the
string.

NYMPHEA

Chapter :
Page : 2/3

OPERATING PROCEDURE
Approved by :

BACK OFF

Revision Number :
03-06/01

Wire line installation: Review the procedure, and hold a prejob meeting. Take the time to
explain step by step the operation.
When space out is correct, we should have as said previously, a complete drill pipe joint above the rotary
table when string is at neutral weight.
As the string will have to be worked up and down while giving some torque, the wire line will have to be
engaged at the top of the swivel by first removing the wash pipe then the gooseneck. To avoid the wire line to
drag along the traveling assembly, a double sheave system ( the bicycle) will be installed in place of the
gooseneck tightened by all 8 bolts and secured up to the bail using two slings (5/8 dia) and fastened down,
using a camelon, to the link adaptor.
To make this installation, its much better to disconnect and lay down the drill pipe sticking up, to install a safety
valve on the string (operation will take around 1 to 2 hrs) with a cover on top and to lower the TDS as much as
possible to avoid working at an excessive height. Always have the trip tank running on the well and monitored,
alarms set. All working at height precautions will have to be taken, refer to risk analysis. All tools to be
secured, canvas to be installed all around the slips.
For wire line installation, a bottom sheave is installed at the traditional pad eye and chain, located in the
mud bucket receiver tank, another top sheave will be hooked up on a starboard pad-eye at the crown block level.
For this, two men will climb to the crown (Assistant driller and derrickman) with safety belts, one radio and
work from the boards installed below crown block. The sheave with the wire already passed inside and the proper
hanging and safety slings and shackles hooked up and secured, will be lifted to the crown using a tugger fitted
with an adequate counter weight. Enough slack will be given to the wire when pulling up the sheave to keep the
wire end at rig floor level. When sheave is at the correct level, it will be shackled on pad eye by its hanging
sling. Then another safety sling must be installed by passing it around a beam. Communication is done between
assistant driller and driller in charge of the operation on rig floor. A tugger operator must be designated.
When installation is completed, the tugger line will be lowered down, taking care for the counter weight not to
hang-up in the derrick beams or boards or on block assembly. During all this operation, rig floor must be
barriered off.
When installation is completed, pick-up the drill pipe again from the mouse hole and make it up on TDS
at the full string torque. Lift up TDS and drill pipe a few meters above string. Using riding belt and man riding
tugger, the wire can be engaged and passed through the swivel, TDS assembly and drill pipe down to the rig
floor. Tool is made up, engaged inside the drill pipe. Kelly valve is removed from the string and tool is lowered
down inside the string for a few tens of meters. Connection is done on string to the normal string torque. String is
lifted from slips and wire line tool ran in string to the desired depth.
Working on string:
Access to the rig floor must be forbidden. Barriers to be installed also at a safe distance around the ramp.
The weight of string after back off must be calculated, considering the mud weight.
The string will be worked from this value to same value + 20%. Depending of hole profile and previous
drags, these values may be changed.
Step by step, the string will be torqued left, while working the string up and down, to a maximum of 80%
of the make-up torque of the connections. This operation depending also of the hole profile and type of
connection to release, can take a few tens of minutes to a few hours.
When the torque is expected to be down at the desired connection, string shot is ran to that depth,
correlation is done using a CCL.
Some over-pull is applied on the string (5 to 8% above the calculated weight). Torque on string is checked
and confirmed correct, a mark on the string is done at rotary table level (Or using the index cable).

NYMPHEA

Chapter :
Page : 3/3

OPERATING PROCEDURE
Approved by :

BACK OFF

Revision Number :
03-06/01

The string is then shotted. Movement on string should be visible, and it should come up a few
centimeters. Wire line is pulled immediately for a few tens of meters. String is confirmed released or not by
pulling it up. Wire line is pulled to surface and rigged down, reversing the operation.
Severing tool:
The maximum tension is applied on the string (90 to 95% of strength). Compensator must be closed and locked.
Trip tank will be kept running on the well, filled-up at 2/3 of its volume. Verification is done on BOP control
panel pressures. Choke manifold is confirmed correctly lined-up. Rig pumps ready for use. CrownMatic set at
correct position.
When a severing tool is performed on the string, some precautions must be taken for the following
reasons: As soon as the cut is done, string must be lifted at a maximum height in case of hole sloughing. For that
reason only a few meters of stick-up is recommended. To avoid additional problems, bicycle will not be used.
The equipment is installed in the same way as described before.