HYDRAULIC SET WHIPSTOCK SYSTEM

SCOPE

The following procedures are intended to provide concise but definitive steps to follow in operations involving the milling of lateral hole sections from a parent well using the Hydraulic SetWhipstock System.

The Hydraulic Set Whipstock System is a hydraulically set whipstock that requires a hydraulic force to activate the packer assembly, setting itself in the casing.

Milling a window in casing using a whipstock usually consists of one run for setting the Whipstock in place and milling and completing the window through the casing wall and into the formation, while dressing the window to eliminate drag.

Note: If discrepancies are found in this procedure or any other, please discuss the matter with a ASMARY Supervisor.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

Hole Preparation Run Equipment

  • A Full Gauge Drift Mill
  • Casing Scrapper
  • Cross Over Sub
  • String Stabilizer
  • Pony Drill Collar or 1 Joint of Drill collar
  • String Stabilizer
  • Drill Collars
  • Drilling Jar
  • Drill Collars
  • HWDP’s
  • Balance Of Drill Pipes To Surface

The stiffness of this assembly will serve to identify any problem doglegs or restrictions in the hole that may hamper running of the whipstock assembly.

Whipstock Run Equipment

  • Hydraulic Set Whipstock
  • Running Tools
  • Nuzzle plug Assembly
  • Flex Joint (1 joint of HWDP)
  • Universal Bottom Hole Orientation Sub (UBHO sub) or MWD
  • Pup joints (for space-out if necessary)
  • Tool kit

PRE-OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Collar Log

ASMARY strongly recommends that a collar log be run prior to running any whipstock. The whipstock should be positioned so that the window is milled through the wall of the casing joint and not across a casing collar/connection. This milling practice will help avoid the possibility of the casing string parting in case the cement behind the casing is poorly set and unconsolidated.

Caution

Omission of the collar log run could cause damage to the structure of the well.

Pre-Run Checklist

As part of the Pre-operational Procedures, all whipstock jobs should include a completed Pre- Run Preparation Checklist.

  • The Packer slip is in place, is in good condition, and is the correct size for the casing size and weight and the Allen screws are tight.

  • The shear pins are properly installed and in good condition and the Number of Shear pins are enough.

  • The shear screw is the proper size, and it will make up into the Whipface.

  • The shear screw will fit through the Rugby/Lead Mill hole.

  • Running tools, nozzle plug Assembly and Hydraulic Lines and Fittings are in good condition and properly installed.

  • All mills are on location and the OD’s are correct for the casing’s size/weight. (Check mill OD’s with a gauge ring that is OD + 1/32″).

  • All downhole equipment has been properly measured and OD’s, ID’s, and lengths have been properly recorded.

  • The slots on the gyro match and are compatible with the lug assembly on the orientation sub.

  • The survey tools will pass through all drill string tool joints and drill collar ID’s.

  • All rotary connections are compatible.

  • All rotary shouldered connections are made up to the recommended torque.

  • Enough Pump Pressure is available on Site for setting the Packer.

Note: Any deviation from established running or milling procedures must be approved by ASMARY Management, PRIOR to changing any procedures.

Note: Any deviation from established running or milling procedures must be approved by ASMARY Management, PRIOR to changing any procedures.

Making the Hole Preparation Run

1. Make a run to ensure that the casing is clean and there is smooth and clean place for setting the packer. The run should include the following (from the bottom):

  • A Full Gauge Drift Mill
  • Casing Scrapper (Do not run casing scrapers across open perforations.)
  • Cross Over Sub (Bit Sub with Float)
  • String Stabilizer
  • Pony Drill Collar or 1 Joint of Drill collar
  • String Stabilizer
  • Drill Collars
  • Drilling Jar
  • Drill Collars
  • HWDP’s
  • Balance of Drill Pipes to Surface

The stiffness of this assembly will serve to identify any problem doglegs or restrictions in the hole that may hamper running of the whipstock assembly.

Note: The wellbore must be clean and free of any obstruction to the desired setting depth for the Whipstock. Omission of this gauge run could result in the failure of setting the Whipstock later.

2. Run this assembly in the well to the Packer setting depth.

3. Tally the pipe while running in or out of the well to get an accurate measurement to the Packer setting depth.

4. Record the measurements to ensure that:

    • the whipstock can be run and set at the desired depth
    • the depth measurement to the Packer setting depth is accurate
    • the casing wall is clean where the whipstock is to be set

Note: Scrape Packer setting depth twice.

Note: It is very important to get an accurate measurement for the packer setting depth so the Whipstock will be oriented as to setting depth as possible. Using this measurement facilitates proper placement of the Whipstock.

Note: Scrape Packer setting depth twice.

Note: It is very important to get an accurate measurement for the packer setting depth so the Whipstock will be oriented as to setting depth as possible. Using this measurement facilitates proper placement of the Whipstock.

Test the MWD tool prior, to running the assembly in hole.

1.Pick up the following assembly:

  • Blank Sub or Kelly Valve (valve to be closed and run pin up)
  • Crossover Sub
  • One joint of S-135 Drill Pipe
  • Flow Through Valve
  • One joint of S-135 Drill Pipe
  • 6 joints of HWDP
  • MWD
  • One joint of S-135 Drill Pipe
  • Crossover Sub
  • KellyorTopDrive
    2.RIH to top of Drill Pipe. With top drive or Kelly connected, record the flow rate required to obtain a survey. The Flow Through Valve will remain open.

Preparing the Milling Equipment

1. Lay the whipstock on the catwalk, face up, with the top of the whipstock pointing toward the rig.

  1. Complete the whipstock assembly, checking all OD’s, ID’s, and descriptions.

  2. Pick up a joint of S-135 Drill Pipe (FLEXJOINT) and make up the Flow Through Valve to the top of the drill pipe and make up the Mill Assembly covered with Running Tool to the bottom of Drill Pipe.

Note: If the window is exiting through two or more strings of casing or into a known hard formation, exclude the Watermelon Mills (in the case of using combination mills), using only the Rugby Mill below the single joint of DP. Depending on the casing size and grade, more than one Rugby Mill may be required to make multiple exits.

 

Once the casing string(s) has been exited into the formation, pull out of the hole. Make up the Back Mill (and Window Mill) in the assembly as described above and run in the hole, reaming through the window with the Watermelon Mills.

  1. Make up one joint of S-135 Drill Pipe (with cone type DP strainer installed) to the top of Flow Through Valve and make Up MWD to the top of Drill Pipe. (or Make up UBHO Sub to the top of Flow Through Valve).

  2. If a bit float has to be used, place the bit float sub above the Flow Through Valve and beneath the UBHO sub.

  1. Make up all connections to the recommended torque.

  2. Ensure that everything is properly made up before continuing.

  3. There is a hole in a one of Rugby/Lead Mill blades for screwing the shear screw and attaching Rugby Mill to the Whipface. Mark the opposite blade of the blade with shear screw hole on the Rugby Mill and scribe a line from this blade, up the Back Mill (and Window Mill), Bit Sub, and the single joint of HWDP to the top of the UBHO Sub.

  4. Have the survey company representative back out the set screws that hold the internal key in the UBHO Sub, and rotate the key until it is aligned with the scribed line. After it is in position, tighten the setscrews to lock the key in alignment with the scribed line.

  5. Run the Mill assembly through the BOP stack and into the casing liner/hanger (being
    careful not to damage the wear bushings or strike any closed BOP rams) to ensure that the whipstock’s OD is compatible with the drift diameter of the casing. Remove wear bushing if necessary.

  6. Pull the assembly out of hole.

  7. Secure a safety clamp around the whipstock body about halfway down the face of the Whipface while the whipstock is lying on the pipe deck/catwalk.

  8. Pick up the Whipstock with tugger from the catwalk. A whip handling device is provided which is bolted onto the back of whipstock. This is to be used as a false rotary to support the assembly in the Rotary Table when making up the mill to whip via the shear screw. Assist with a crane as necessary.

  9. Set Whipstock in the rotary table (rams shut).

  10. Lower the whipstock into the mouse hole (or other suitable work hole on the drill floor), allowing both the safety clamp and the winch/tugger line to support the whipstock’s weight.

Note: Larger Whipstocks (95?8 to 20 inches) are usually too big for the mouse hole and must be set in the rotary to attach to the Mill assembly. Properly sized rotary slips must be used. The 133?8” whipstock will not fit through the standard rotary (105?8″ ID) and the rotary bushing, in this event must be pulled. Use of an API bowl and slips to hold the whipstock in the rotary is required.

Caution
  • Close the BOP Shear/Blind ram when working on Whipstock.
  • Do not drop anything in the wellbore when working over the wellbore.
  • Use extreme caution when handling the whipstock, setting drill collar slips, safety

    clamps, etc. to prevent dropping the whipstock in the hole.

  • Run the draw works in low. Pick up and set down the whipstock easily in the slips to

    prevent damage or premature setting.

  • Ensure the lead tongs have most of the slack out of the snub line to prevent jerking

    against the back-up tongs.

16. Put a light amount of thread compound on the shear screw, adjust Rugby Mill hole and Whipface and connect the whipstock assembly to the mill assembly with shear screw.

Shear screws with a higher value should be considered when:

  • running the whipstock in a highly deviated hole
  • heavy mud is in the well
  • other wellbore restrictions such as a liner hanger may be encountered

    Shear screws with a lower shear value should be considered when:

  • whipstock is being set shallow (less than 1500 m)
  • running and setting Whipstock with coiled tubing
  1. Attach the Hydraulic Line to the connection on the bottom of the Milling Assembly and

    back of whipstock.

  2. Fill Whipstock and Mill Assembly / Running Tool with Hydraulic Oil, allow air to bleed out, fit piston ensuring the top of piston is below the top running tool box connection.
  3. Run the Whipstock & Mill Assembly below the rotary table to the top of UBHO sub, Break the connection and top-up with Hydraulic Oil.
  4. Pick up the Milling / whipstock assembly.
  5. Install the rotary table cover.
  6. Remove the safety clamp and whip handling device which is bolted onto the back of whipstock.
  7. Remove the rotary table cover.
  8. Lower the whipstock slowly into the well, setting the rotary slips on the DP.
  9. Check the orientation of the key in the UBHO sub, make any adjustments necessary, and tighten the setscrews again.

Note: For safety purposes, install a drill pipe wiper to prevent dropping the Allen wrench in the hole.

Caution

Run the draw works in low. Pick up and set down the whipstock gently in the slips to prevent damage or premature setting. Make sure the lead tongs have most of the slack out of the snub line to prevent jerking against the back-up tongs.
  • RUNNING PROCEDURE
Running and Orienting the Whipstock
  1. Lower the whipstock assembly slowly into the wellbore and do not pump anything in the well to prevent premature setting of the whipstock.
  2. Refer to dogleg checklist for doglegs greater than 4 degrees. Watch the weight indicator carefully and record up-weights regularly.
  3. Monitor trip-tank for proper fill up.
  4. Run the whipstock slowly, like a packer assembly, at a rate of 2 to 3 minutes per stand.
  5. Do not turn string.
  6. Do not Pump in the Well (unless an open Flow Throgh Valve is Run above the Running Tools).
  7. Fill the drill string every 5 strands.
  8. Run slowly into the hole until approximately 30 feet off the bottom.
  9. Slowly move the whipstock assembly up and down from 5 to 20 feet to remove all trapped torque from the drill string.
  10. Record up and down free weights.
  11. Run survey tools on wireline to the UBHO sub if using a survey.
  12. Take survey readings.
  13. To orient the whipstock, rotate the drill pipe to the right in 1?4 turn increments (no more that 1?2 turn at a time) until the whipstock assembly is oriented in the correct position.
  14. Take another survey, making additional corrections as needed and lowering 4 to 5 feet after each increment.
  15. Continue taking readings until 3 sequential reading are within a 5° range before assuming the direction is correct.
  16. After reaching and verifying the proper direction, call a meeting with the customer, driller, and survey/MWD company representative to review the orientation of the whipstock’s Whipface once more.
  17. Continue the procedure if everyone agrees.
  18. POOH the survey tools and make a mark on the rotary table and the Drill Pipe, make up the Kelly (or Top Drive), DO NOT ALTER THE ORIENTATION WHILE MAKING UP THE KELLY.
  19. Lower the whipstock assembly slowly to the setting depth.
  20. Start pump and increase pressure until the packer shear pins are sheared and the packer sets in place (at 1200-1400 psi), hold pressure for 10 minutes to confirm the setting).
  21. Slack off 10-15klbs and over pull 10-15k lbs to prove packer is set.
  22. Pick-up 35,000-55,000 lbs (Depend on whipstock size) over pull, continue over pull on the screw as required to initiate the shear. A sharp drop in the pipe occurs when the shear screw shears.
  23. Raise the drill string approximately 1 to 2 feet.
  24. Set the drill string back down to make sure the shear screw has sheared. Repeat if necessary.
  25. Mark the depth on the pipe each time. It should read the same each time.
  26. Set the pipe back down with approximately 20,000 lb of pressure to ensure that the Whipface is over against the casing wall.
  27. Raise the drill string so that the Rugby Mill is 5 to 10 feet above the top of the whipstock.
  28. Lay down the necessary drill pipe to pick up the kelly.
  29. Start pump with maximum allowable GPM (According to the standpipe pressure). engage with Whipface with Reduced RPM (20-30). Monitor pressure drop due to breaking Nozzle plugs.
  30. Displace the Mud in the well (if needed) and check mud properties for proper rheology for steel removal.
  31. The milling operation can now begin.

Running Milling Assembly and Opening the Window

This section assumes that the Rugby Mill has been sheared from the whipstock and raised 5 to 10 feet above the whipstock.

  1. Make up the kelly to the drill string.
  2. Record string weight up and down.
  3. Engage the pumps, slowly increasing to the planned circulation rate, and record pump pressure and rate.
  4. Engage the rotary and slowly increase the speed between 20 and 40 RPM.
  5. After the rotary has stabilized, slowly increase between 50 and 75 RPM (depending on the mill size).
  6. Record the following information:-Free rotary torque-Pump pressure-Pump rate-Free weight – up and down (string weight with zero weight on mill)
  7. While rotating, slowly lower the drill string until the Rugby Mill contacts the whipstock and the casing wall, causing an immediate and substantial increase in rotary torque.
  8. Mark the kelly. This is the starting point for the Rugby Mill run.
  9. After making the initial mark on the kelly, raise the Mill 3 to 5 feet.
  10. While rotating, slowly lower the drill string again to see if the increase in rotary torque is indicated at the same place. Work slowly and carefully; repeat if necessary.
  11. After marking the kelly with the correct starting point for the Mill, begin milling, using light weights on the Mill (1,000 to 3,000 lb depending on the size of the mill and grade of the casing). As the window milling process begins, an increase in torque and decrease in weight will be indicated.
  12. As the torque increases, increase the rotary speed to the recommended RPM (based on the mill size).
  13. Continue milling with a constant rotary torque and weight (1,000 to 3,000 lb) on the mill. Additional weight may be required if the rate of penetration (ROP) begins to slow.
  14. Monitor returns for cuttings during milling operations and pump high viscosity sweeps

    as needed to remove cuttings from the well. This practice is especially important if the window is being milled in a lateral section.

  15. The Window Mill run is completed after milling down the Whipface’s face into the formation AND when the Dress Mill is centered at the bottom of the window.
  16. Ream back and forth through the window until no signs of additional torque or drag are indicated.
  17. Stop the rotary and slide the Mill assembly through the window several times. If any weight or drag is indicated, start the rotary and ream back and forth through the window until weight or drag is eliminated.
  18. Stop the rotary and check for weight or drag again. Repeat this process as necessary.
  19. Once the window is complete, stop the rotary, clean the hole of cuttings with high viscosity sweeps, and pull out of the hole without rotating.
  20. Closely inspect and gauge all mills for wear using a gauge ring of OD + 1/32″
  21. Determine the estimated size of the window.
  22. Review the window requirements with the customer to determine if the Elongation Run is required.You have run a bi-Mill Assembly for opening the Window and:
  • You have run a bi-Mill Assembly for opening the Window and:
  • The customer requests it.
  • PDC bit will be used through the window for additional drilling
  • Drill collars and stabilizers will be used through the window for additional drilling
  • Liner will be installed through the window

  • Double bent sub and PDM assembly will be used through the window for additional drilling

  • Unusual wear is indicated on the Rugby Mill, resulting in an under-gauge hole