Determining fish dimensions

The following information should be included in the well profile:

OD, ID, and length of the fish
OD, ID, and length of the fishing tool assembly
OD, ID, and length of the work string
location of the top of the fish
tensile and torsional strengths

Tally book abbreviations:-

The following abbreviations are acceptable for use in the tally book.
RPM rounds per minute TOF top of fish.
SPM strokes per minute MD measured depth.
WOB weight on bit TVD true vertical depth.
BHA bottom hole assembly BF buoyancy factor.
WOC wait on cement DP drill pipe.
WOO wait on orders DC drill collar.
WOW wait on weather Dh diameter of hole in inches.
TIH trip in hole e stretch in inches.
POH pull out hole P over pull in pounds.
GPM gallons per minute ESP estimated stuck point.
AV annular velocity MOP margin of over pull.
ECD equivalent circulation density.
NP neutral point.
FV funnel viscosity OPT optimum
C&C circulate and condition mud MW mud weight in ppg
HHP hydraulic horsepower Lbs pounds
LC loss circulation Len length in feet
LCM loss circulation material LOT leak off test
YP yield point BOP blow out preventer
WL water loss SLM steel line measurement or strap in/out hole

Objectives:-

When you complete this chapter, you will be able to:

decide how to fish junk
use a magnet
use a junk mill
use a boot basket
use a globe type basket
use a reverse circulating basket
use a junk shot
use a poor boy basket.
Determining cone dimensions
If you know the junk is a bit cone, the dimensions of the cone must be known before deciding which tool to
run. Find out the size of the bit from which the cone was lost, and verify the maximum OD of the cone.
Select a tool that has an ID at least 1/8" larger than the OD of the cone.
For example, a 7 7/8" bit cone is 5 15/64" OD. A 7 1/8" OD Bowen Itco Type Junk Basket has an ID size of
5 28/64". This tool will get over the bit cone.

Tools for fishing junk:-

Common methods for fishing junk include:
fishing magnet
junk mill
boot basket
globe type junk basket
reverse circulating junk basket
junk shot
poor boy basket.

Fishing Magnet with a Cripple Type Guide Attached

Type of baskets:-

*globe basket “have teeth” ** reverse circ. Sub “basket” ***boot basket. **** poor boy basket

Using apoor boy basket :-

*Poor boy baskets are primarily used when the fish is irregularly shaped or too large for conventional junk
baskets.
*Poor boy baskets should be about ½" smaller than the ID of the hole
*Poor boy baskets are constructed of mild steel to allow bending without breaking.
*When the poor boy basket goes over the junk, the fishing man pulls up on the string. The dimples or cuts in

the ID of the tool create friction, engaging the junk.

Using a Poor B

Drill Bit Cone

*Magnet **Core Type Basket *** Reverse Circulating
24-in. pipe wrench
*Core Type Basket **Reverse Circulating ***Poor Boy Basket ****Wire Catcher Basket.

Tong dies
*Magnet **Reverse Circulating ***Poor Boy Basket ****Wire Catcher Basket

Drill Bit
*Impression Block **Taper Tap
Chain
*Magnet **Reverse Circulating ***Poor Boy Basket ****Wire Catcher Basket .

Hammer
*Ping Shoe * *Magnet ***Reverse Circulating ****Poor Boy Basket *****Wire Catcher Basket .

Wire Rope
*Rope Spear – Center Spear

Rubber
*Core Type Basket **Reverse Circulating ***Poor Boy Basket ***Wire Catcher Basket

Lead
*Core Type Basket **Reverse Circulating ***Poor Boy Basket ***Wire Catcher Basket

Shepherd’s Hook
*Ping Shoe **Wire Catcher Basket ***Spring Tine Basket

Perforating Gun
*Ping Shoe **Wire Catcher Basket ***Spring Tine Basket
There are several methods of separating pipe in the well bore, including
back offs
chemical cutters
jet cutters
severing tools
mechanical cutters.

The method and the tool that you use will depend on the:
value of fish
location of the fish
type of fish
conditions in the hole.

Electrical free point surveys “FPI”.

As torsion or stretch is applied to the drill string, the degree of pipe movement is measured at the surface.

Note: Torsional movement is more important in deviated holes

**Free point tools can be run in conjunction with a string shot to permit a back off once the free point has
been determined.

Using a pipe recovery log

* A pipe recovery log allows you to determine the range of the stuck drill pipe or drill collars as well as the
severity of the sticking. The pipe recovery log has also been useful for evaluating the stuck condition of
wash pipe, casing, tubing, and liners.
** The pipe recovery log sends a vibration through the stuck pipe. A receiver measures the frequency of the
vibrations at different intervals in the stuck pipe. These frequencies correspond to the severity of the
sticking at each point in the pipe. As the severity of the sticking increases, the frequency of the vibration
decreases.

***A pipe recovery log is not always run. You should run a pipe recovery log if the free point indicator
shows that the pipe is stuck in a shallow location.
In this case, it would be important to know whether the entire string was stuck to the total depth or only a
few hundred feet.

Determining the location of the back off

do not intend to fish the well, THEN back off as deep as possible.
intend to fish the well, THEN back off at least one free joint above stuck point.
When backing off, there should always be:
two free joints above a key seat
100 feet below a casing seat.
You should never back off immediately below a dogleg or a drop in angle.

Making strg shot back off:-

Purpose:-
* A string shot back off is the process of unscrewing a tool joint or coupling with explosives at a
predetermined depth. The string shot is the primacord and blasting cap that is used to perform the back off.
Procedure
1-Set the hook load at the calculated neutral weight of the string at the desired back-off depth.
2-Tighten the work string to the right, up to 80% of the make up torque for the specific work string.
3- Mark the pipe with chalk at the neutral point, and as you tighten the pipe to the right, work the torque
down in increments. Work to 30,000 lbs. above and below the neutral point.
4- Depending on the size and type of pipe to be backed off, tighten the pipe up using the chart below as a
guide.
5- After the pipe has been tightened, work the required torque down to the left, incrementally. The basic
measure is ¾ rounds per 1,000´ for drill pipe, and 1 round per 1,000´ for tubing.
6- Use a long snub line with a torque load cell on it to monitor the loss of torque as the pipe is being worked
up and down.
7- Once 50% of the make up torque has been applied, the pipe should not be lowered below the neutral
weight at the desired back-off depth.
8- Continue to apply and work the torque down until the desired number of rounds has been achieved.
9- With the torque held in place and the weight set correctly, the shot is fired.
10- After the back off is complete, the string is raised 10 feet so the collar locator can check to see if the next

collar up has also been raised 10 feet. If the connection is not 10 feet higher than it was prior to firing the
shot, then the string has backed off high.

Making blind back off:-

You would consider making a blind back off when the ID of the stuck pipe is plugged preventing you from
running a string shot.

Procedure
1-Set the hook load at the calculated neutral weight of the string at the desired back-off depth.
2- Tighten the work string to the right, up to 80% of the make up torque for the specific work string.
3- Mark the pipe with chalk at the neutral point, and as you tighten the pipe to the right, work the torque
down in increments. Work to 30,000 lbs. above and below the neutral point.
4- Depending on the size and type of pipe to be backed off, tighten the pipe up using the chart below as a
guide.
5- After the pipe has been tightened, work the required torque down to the left, incrementally. The basic
measure is ¾ rounds per 1,000´ for drill pipe, and 1 round per 1,000´ for tubing.
6- Use a long snub line with a torque load cell on it to monitor the loss of torque as the pipe is being worked
up and down.
7-Once 50% of the make up torque has been applied, the pipe should not be lowered below the neutral
weight at the desired back-off depth.
8-Torque is applied until a back off is made or 80% of the make up torque has been reached and a blind back

off cannot be made.

The following are the five requirements for a successful back off:-
The connection to be backed off must be free.
The correct amount of left-hand torque is needed.
The connection being shot must be at neutral weight.
The proper size string shot is required.
The shot must be across the tool joint when fired.
A string shot can be used for:
an outside back-off
as a jar shot, such as to jar a test plug out of a wellhead
knocking nozzles out of a bit
knocking plastic and corrosion off the ID of pipe prior to making achemical cut.
Chemical cutter :-
* is the preferred method for parting tubing because it does not flare the top of the fish. Parting the pipe with
a chemical cutter is successful approximately 85% of the time.

The chemical cutter has several advantages in fishing operations, including that it:
does not flare the top of the fish
leaves no debris behind in the well
will not damage an adjacent string.

The chemical cutter also has several disadvantages, including that:

heavy mud can cause problems
ithas depth limitations
the slips can punch through corroded tubing.

The chemical cutter functions by the following process:-

Note: You must have fluid in the hole or the cutter will try to jump up the hole. Apply a 10,000 pound up-
strain on the tubing prior to firing the cutter.
1- The cutter is activated when an igniter initiates the gas generator grain, causing the gas pressure to set the
slips.
2- As the pressure increases, the seal disc cylinder is ruptured, releasing bromine trifluoride.
3- The bromine trifluoride is forced through the catalyst and reacts with the oil, igniting the steel wool. The
combination of the chemical and reactant causes the temperature and pressure to increase inside the
cylinder.
4- When the internal pressure exceeds the hydraulic well pressure, a piston is pushed down, forcing the
activated chemical out of the cutting head orifices at a high pressure, severing the tubing.
5- The pressure inside the cutter equalizes and the slips retract. The cutter is now ready to be removed from
the well.

Jet cutter:-
*are used when a back-off or chemical cutter is not an option, or they have been tried unsuccessfully. Jet
cutters are used mostly for plug and abandonment work because they may damage the pipe by flaring it

Shaped charges
*Several of the tools used to part pipe in plug and abandon jobs, including jet cutters and severing tools,
operate by shaped charges

Super jet cutter

The super jet cutter works on the same shaped charge principal as the jet cutter, but uses more explosives.
This cutter is used for:
passing through restrictions
cutting thick wall tubulars
cutting deeper
cutting under higher hydrostatic pressure.

Severing tools :-
The severing tool is used for drill pipe, heavyweight drill pipe, and drill collars. It will cut wall thickness that
conventional cutters cannot sever and is able to go through small restrictions.
* This tool should only be used in open hole environments.
* The severing tool is used mostly in plug and abandon situations because it badly flares and splits the pipe
The tool should be fired in the tool joint, splitting the tool joint pin. If the shot is fired in the tube, it
only swells or balloons the tube and will not sever the pipe.
Internal mechanical cutters:-
*Internal mechanical cutters are run on drill pipe instead of wire line. They are cost effective when used for
making shallow cuts or working in large OD tubulars.

Freeing pipe stuck by mechanical sticking :-

There are three options for freeing pipe stuck by mechanical sticking:
jarring
jet cutting
washing over.

Choosing the wash pipe :-

* Run the minimum size wash pipe that will cover the fish and still provide adequate room for circulation.
When running wash pipe in soft or shale formations, a clearance of at least ½" is recommended between the

OD of the wash pipe and the ID of the hole. However, if the formation is hard rock, a ¼" clearance is
adequate. There should be ¼" of clearance between the ID of the wash pipe and the OD of the fish being
washed over.
** The length of the wash pipe depends on the hole conditions, clearances, and customer requirements. A
good rule of thumb is to use 600 feet for drill pipe and 300 feet for drill collars in a straight hole.

Selecting arotary shoe

*The rotary shoe design should cut maximum clearance between the borehole and the wash pipe. The OD of
the rotary shoe should be ¼" less than the hole size .

Preparing to run wash over pipe:-

Running a bit trip, Prior to running wash pipe, it is a good idea to first make a bit trip to condition the mud.
The bit trip also gives the Fishing Supervisor the opportunity to tag the top of the fish to determine
the exact depth of the top of the fish.

Making up the wash-pipe assembly:-

Run a safety joint, jars, and drill collars above the wash pipe.

Using feeler pins

*It is important to know when you have gotten over the fish. If you have feeler pins welded to the ID of the
shoe, you will know that you are over the fish when the rotary shoe sets down on the feeler pins, breaking
them off.

*Feeler pins are tack welded ½" diameter pipe nipples. They should be positioned approximately three feet
inside the top of the shoe.

Running shorter wash pipe

*Running shorter wash pipe allows for better maneuvering of the wash pipe over the fish in the cavity. It
enables the wash pipe to fit into the larger OD area below a smaller OD section of the hole
Using a cripple shoe:-
*In order to maximize the chances of getting over a fish in a cavity, you can run a cripple shoe on a shorter
string of wash pipe. The cripple shoe is shaped in a way that “rakes” or pulls the fish into the wash pipe
*You can make a cripple shoe by cutting away about one third of the shoe, six inches up from the end.

RE-TOPPING THE TOP FISH BY WITH D/C SPEAR:-

*If you cannot align the wash pipe over the fish and engage the fish in a cavity, a possible solution is to
change the top of the fish. One method of “re-topping” the fish is to hang a limber joint of drill pipe out the
bottom of the wash pipe. This is made possible by using a drill collar spear to hold the pipe in place.

*An advantage of re-topping the fish with a drill collar spear is that you can re-top, wash over, and back off
the fish in only one trip in the hole.

Re-topping the fish with kick sub:-

*A kick sub, with a “J” type safety joint one stand up, is a good way to re-top a fish moving it up out of the
cavity so that the wash pipe can get over it. The three joints of pipe (one stand) above the kick sub ensure
that the new top of the fish is above the cavity.

Using aknuckle joint to reach the fish:-

* The knuckle joint adds lateral reach to a fishing tool. Unlike other methods for fishing pipe in cavities, the
knuckle joint does not go into the hole already bent
*Once in the hole, dropping a restriction plug activates the knuckle joint. Pump pressure is applied, causing
the tool to pivot a maximum of 7 degrees.

Using bent joint and reach extenders:-

Bent joints:-
*If you have a tool joint box looking up on the top of the fish, using a bent joint is usually the best method
for screwing into the fish. The curvature of the bent joint allows the tool to engage the fish and bring it out of
the cavity so that fishing can proceed.

Reach extenders:-
*Because the angle of the bent joint is limited by the size of the hole, you can maximize its reach by using a
reach extender. Two common reach extenders that may be used in conjunction with a bent joint are:
mule shoe or cripple joint
wall hook.
 Fish parted pipe

Designing the bottom hole assembly:-

attachment tool
bumper jar
oil jar
drill collars or hevi-wate drill pipe
accelerators
drill pipe or tubing.

The following tools, in the order of most desirable to least desirable, may be attached to the end of the BHA :
screw in sub, a joint of drill pipe, or a drill collar below the jars
overshot
spear assembly
box tap
taper tap.

Screw In Sub:-

OVERSHOT:-
*The overshot is the best tool for externally engaging the fish.
An overshoot offers the most fishing options because it allows you to:
run wire line through it
pump through it
torque it
jar with it
release it
dress and engage a fish in one run.

Types of overshots:-
full strength bowl : heavy pulling, torsional, or jarring loads.
extra full strength : extreme environments
semi full strength special hole conditions.
slim hole: heavy pulling loads only.
extra slim hole: for a pick-up job only.
Bowen overshots uses :-
*sucker rod overshot **short catch sucker rod overshot *** short catch overshot ****main releasing and
circulating overshot
Overshot components:-
Important components of an overshot assembly include:
cut lip guide, bowl, extension, and top sub
grapple.
grapple control.
grapple stop.

Grapple components:-
The grapple assembly consists of:
a bowl that houses the grapple
a tapered helix on the outside of the grapple that correspond to the bowl
a grapple control that locks the grapple in place
a guide that holds the grapple control in place
a grapple stop that helps to prevent bulldogging

Common types of grapple assemblies include:-

standard basket grapple
long catch stop basket
short catch stop basket
spiral grapple.
Grapple assemblies:-

Designing overshot assy:-

When you are designing an overshot assembly, you will need to select the:
overshot size
connection on the top sub
grapple type
grapple size
pack-off type
grapple control type
overshot guide type
overshot extension size.

Selecting the overshot size:-

Page 176-177 , w.ford fishing manual .

Grapple catch size:-

Grapples are manufactured with small tolerances in catch sizes. Forexample:
The tolerance for a catch size of spiral/basket type grapples is 3/32" undersize to 1/32" oversize. This only

applies to FS type overshots.

Basket grapple tolerances for slim hole overshots are 1/16" undersize with no oversize tolerance.
Tolerances for slim hole spiral grapples are 1/16" oversize and undersize.
Selecting the overshot guide type:-
You should be aware that the fish may be:
off-centered in the hole
much smaller than the hole
in a washed out area of the hole.