Wellbore Sidetracking Guidelines

The following guidelines are used to aid in understanding and in establishing some protocol in the event of
having to sidetrack while drilling. Although this may not cover all circumstances, it gives useful information for
both the desk and field engineer.
General Principles
Sidetracking a Harder Target Formation - a diamond sidetrack bit should be employed. aution needs to
be e!ercised when using a diamond sidetrack bit as, it can produce very high doglegs. "otor settings
typically used with sidetrack bits should be between #-#.$. Sidetrack bits are used only to establish the
%ledge&.
'enerally only $-(m is cut with a sidetrack bit, as this is the distance that the ledge will be the same
width as the bit face )typically*the actual amount drilled will vary+. ,nce the entire bit face is off, and
is cutting new hole, the bit will generally stop drilling, and typically an increase in S-- will be seen.
These two signs indicate that a good ledge is started, and the assembly should be pulled out in favour of
a traditional .irectional .rilling assembly. Sidetracking from a ement -lug - a new bit of the same
type used to drill the original wellbore should be used. The ideal situation is the cement plug is harder
)drills slower+ than the formation, for the natural tendency is drilling in the path of least resistance.
Should the formation be harder, than the cement plug, a higher motor setting, and a less aggressive
)slower+ time drilling program should be considered.
The type of -." ideally to use is a medium speed configuration, as higher bit speeds typically result in
easier sidetracking. /it and formation types need to be considered when making this decision.
Sidetracking Hori0ontals - it is important not to begin drilling out of the bottom of the wellbore )123
toolface+, as is the natural tendency. A setting of appro!imately 1#$4 either left or right toolface will
work. 5sing gravity somewhat and a sharp directional change in either direction will aid in the process.
This scenario allows a greater ability to return to either wellbore.
6!ercise e!treme caution when e!iting out of casing. Sidetracking should not be commenced less than
1$-#3m out of the H0 casing shoe. This ensures there is no magnetic interference and to eliminate any
damage to the casing.
"aintain a distance of 1$-#3m separation between multi-lateral 7,-8s, This distance allows an easier
determination of which sidetrack you are re-entering.
-rior to beginning your sidetrack and when re entering, always re-strap, and check pipe tally to be
assured of bit depth. .ouble checking measurements will ensure confidence that the sidetrack is being
initiated in the proper place.
,nce a sidetrack ledge is established, it is very important not to drill ahead aggressively, for the ledge
may break off and one would have to re start the entire process again.
Higher than normal doglegs are typically e!perienced when sidetracking, so e!ercise caution when
sidetracking.
Sidetracking off Cement Plugs
A minimum of 133m of cement should be used. 7eep a minimum of $3m above and $3m below the
estimated sidetrack point.
To begin drilling )polishing+ the cement plug, a %slick& assembly can be used or to begin faster a -."
can be employed to drill up the cement. 9f using a slick assembly to polish the plug, follow the rule of
$8s for drilling a hard cement plug : with $333da; <,/, and rotary table at $3=-", =,- should be
>?-$min?meter. 9f polishing with a -.", noticeable weight and differential pressure should be observed,
and =,- should be somewhat close to formation =,- when originally drilled.
.rill up 13-1$m to polish the plug while the cement is somewhat soft to be @ust above the proposed
sidetrack point or 7ick ,ff -oint )7,-+. 9f polishing cement with an "<. system in the hole be aware
that this may damage and?or plug up the "<. tool. arefully monitor samples to determine amount of
cement returns : onsite geology should be consulted for this information. Anything less than A3B
cement returns and the assembly should be changed out for directional eCuipment.
<ith the directional assembly in the hole begin drilling the last 13-1$m of cement in a staged approach
to the 7,-. For high compressive strength formations a diamond sidetrack bit should be used. -atience
is critical in this hole section as, one can easily, rush the process and waste the cement plug. <ith the
motor setting set between 1.2D4 and #.24 begin time drilling. The ideal motor is a medium speed or EF$
Gobe configuration. The motor type and motor setting will be dictated by the bit type being, used,
formation hardness, aggressiveness tendency to come off the cement plug and build reCuirement.
Time .rill in a staged approach.
Staged Approach to Sidetracking off Cement Plugs
Survey freCuently and closely observe tool face as <,/ is increased. Steer accordingly to establish
correct a0imuth for sidetrack.
.o not increase weight on bit until completely off plug to minimi0e the breaking of established ledge,
and falling back into softer cement.
9f a lower motor setting, or a bit change is needed, trip out of hole and change /HA including bit. Ad@ust
motor setting to a lower rate for the new bit, formation and well plan. 5se a motor with a HF2 lobe
configuration and monitor cuttings for cement percentage.
9t is good practice to strap pipe and conduct an additional pipe tally when tripping out of the hole after a
sidetrack. heck all physical measurements such as the tool face offset ),TF+ as frictional forces along
with torCue may cause a change in the make up torCues of the /HA and drill string. "onitor tool face,
and a0imuth on any subseCuent trips to assure one is in the correct wellbore. ,nce again, patience is
reCuired when returning back into the sidetracked wellbore and you may have to orient the /HA to re-
enter the correct path.
Sidetracking in Open Hole Wellbores
hoose an area in the wellbore with a well established dogleg or positive change in angle . 9deally this
area would also have a good penetration rate to make for a Cuicker sidetrack.
/egin to establish a trough. This will be dictated by the type of formation and compressive strength of
the rock. ;ormally a D-Em slide or stroke is practiced for 3.$ to 1 hour maintaining a constant toolface.
Start the sidetrack in the desired direction and time drill I Emin?inch for #-Dm. A staged approach
should be used as below.
onscientiously add weight conservatively to determine if the ledge has been established. 9f the
sidetrack is able to handle a slight increase in <,/ continue to time drill at a reduced weight for
another D-Em, ,nce the ledge is fully established, resume drilling with normal <,/.
<hen drilling ahead and making connections always orient the string in the direction of the sidetrack to
avoid e!isting. For the connection, when on bottom, shut off pumps, pull up appro!imately 1m and set
slips on rig. To resume drilling and avoid breaking the ledge, go back to bottom, kick in pumps and
begin drilling. .o not allow the rotation of the drill string out until back on bottom and then turning on
pumps.
Trip out of hole to change /HA and bit. 5se a motor with a HF2 Gobe configurations. Ad@ust motor
setting to a lower setting for use with the new bit, and appropriate for the well plan.
Staged Approach to Sidetracking in Open Hole Wellbores
9t is good practice to strap pipe and conduct an additional pipe tally when tripping out of the hole after a
sidetrack. heck all physical measurements such as the tool face offset ),TF+ as frictional forces along
with torCue may cause a change in the make up torCues of the /HA and drill string. "onitor tool face,
and a0imuth on any subseCuent trips to assure one is in the correct wellbore. ,nce again, patience is
reCuired when returning back into the sidetracked wellbore and you may have to orient oneself to re-
enter the correct path.
Whipstocking inside of Casing
9t is common to come off a %,ne Trip& whipstock system. <hen doing so, it is ideal to have a
directional driller present when the whipstock is being set in casing. The .irectional .riller aids in the
orientation of the whipstock to assure it is set at the right a0imuth. <hipstocks can be set at upwards of
2$4. <hipstocks should be set #m above casing collars, as recommended by the whipstock
manufacturer.
<hipstocks are oriented with reference to high side of the wellbore e!cept for truly vertical wells,
which are set by a0imuth.
-rior to setting the whipstock it is best to choose a point in the casing which is not at a tool @oint or upset
in the casing. 9f there is some angle in the hole it is best to come off the low side of the hole to allow
gravitational forces to help in coming off.
For Jertical wells )3-E degrees+ a gyro is used to set the whipstock . As the casing is metal, the use of
the gyro is necessary, due to magnetic interference with "<. telemetry. 9t is always best to set the
whipstock, mill, and drill out of the window with the gyro placed directly above, and oriented to the
motor. This enables the directional driller to Ksee8 actual angle built, and the resulting dogleg severity
sooner, so that a better informed decision can be made regarding motor setting for drilling ahead. 9n
some instances it can beneficial to drill with an "<. with the gyro %piggy backed& on top. ,nce the
window is milled and the "<. is 1$-#3m out side and away from the casing the "<. begins to
function normally and the 'yro can then be pulled and normal drilling operations can continue. aution
must be e!ercised as the e!tent of the vibration and the harsh environment may cause a "<. failure
when conducting this procedure. 9t is not always a recommended practice.
Staged Approach to Whipstocking Outside of Casing
ontinue drilling ahead, steering high side with "<. surveys and separation is evident from a lack of
influence from the casing. The "<. will begin producing valid surveys beyond D4. The tool goes from
gravity toolface to magnetic toolface.
.oglegs produced by <hipstocks can be as high as 1E4?D3m )or more+ for the first (-2m drilled by the
milling assembly.