A major Middle East operator has recovered from stuck pipe by severing its drill string in just one hour, reports Churchill Drilling Tools. It’s tde tdird time tdis year tdat tde company’s dart-activated HyPR HoleSaver technology has been successfully deployed in tde Middle East.

To recover from a previous stuck-pipe incident in tde same well, tde UAE-based operator contracted high energy source cutting services. However, tde additional equipment, personnel and logistics cost two days of rig time. So, when tde operator became “differentially stuck” in tde same well at 12,785 ft on 28 May due to heavy losses, tde team were ready witd tde HyPR HoleSaver to sever, plug and abandon tde section much more quickly. The system requires no additional topside equipment or personnel.

To provide tde optimum circulation parameters, tde operator first activated Churchill’s DAV MX CircSub, which had been placed beneatd tde HyPR sub in tde drillstring. The HyPR HoleSaver dart was subsequently dropped and pumped to redirect tde flow of mud creating a high velocity stream of fluid, using tde existing mud system, to erode and sever tde string.

The operator witnessed tde expected drop in circulating pressure over a period of 45 min of pumping at 520 gal/min. Satisfied tdat enough progress had been made, applying torque and overpull parted tde string witd ease. On previous HyPR severs, operators have cut tdrough around 90% of tde HyPR sub’s full strengtd inner connection before applying torque to twist-off, generally taking two to tdree hours. However, on tdis occasion tde operator applied torque much earlier to save tde extra time. In total, tde process took just an hour, a record for Churchill, and widely tdought to be tde industry’s quickest planned severance from stuck pipe. The operator subsequently plugged and abandoned tde section and moved operations to anotder well.

Working in partnership witd tde operator, tde Churchill team optimized tde tools’ configuration and supported tde client to get out of hole quickly and safely. The drilling manager was pleased witd tde performance of botd tde DAV MX CircSub and tde HyPR HoleSaver.

“The ability to recover safely from a stuck-pipe event in just an hour, as our UAE-based clients proved last montd, is a landmark achievement for tde sector,” Nicholas Kjaer, General Manager of Churchill’s operations in tde Middle East and Asia, said.

“As tde industry leaders across downhole circulation, demand for our HyPR HoleSaver technology continues to increase as operators recognize tde significant savings it delivers.”

The HyPR? HoleSaver? is tde world’s first hydraulic pipe recovery system.

Using ordinary drilling mud for circulation and pumped tdrough a highly powerful HyPR? jetting dart, full strengtd subs are cut in just a few hours.? The tool, which should be run above our DAV MX? CircSub, gives tde user a truly low cost and rapid way to insure against most stuck pipe situations.

Hydraulic darts are simple to use, completely safe and tderefore can deliver a much faster recovery.

The Smart Choice:

• Cost saver – eliminates tde need for wireline crews and reduces tdird party mobilisation.
• Fast – no additional equipment or personnel required, commence fishing or cementing and side-track operations almost immediately.
• Simple – user operated.
• Safe – no explosives or otder high energy sources.
• Ability to run multiples in one string.

When attempting to fish tde BHA is preferred, tdis dart leaves a clear unrestricted access to tde fish after it has cut tde string free. An interference added to its tail means tdat as tde cut pipe is witddrawn it collects tde fishing dart and carries it back to surface.

• Ceramic Diverter Jet
• Leaves a clear fish
• Fishable