CHAPTER-19

WORK-OVER RIG AND OPERATIONS

INTRODUCTION
Works over operations are basically remedial measures that are carried out in a well
to add/ restore the production from the well. The work over performance is gauged
through Work-Over-Index which is defined as average number of wells worked over
per rig per year.

NEED FOR WORK-OVER

Several problems contribute to a decrease in productivity from a well such as: 1. Well bore and reservoir problems:
a. Reservoir problems Low reservoir pressure & small pay zone thickness
b. Fluid related problems water & gas coning, formation of precipitates &
scale, flow of heavy viscous oil
c. Around well bore problems accumulation of formation fines in well bore &
plugging of perforations
2. Casing damage/ leak or wellhead component/ seal failures
3. Production of sand, paraffin and scale deposition in flow conduit
4. Failure of completion or A/L equipment.
5. Bad cementation and channeling behind casing resulting in production of
undesired water and gas from other layers
6. Loss of hydrocarbon of present layer to other layer.
All the above problems cause a loss in production. In addition, the casing damage
and well head or completion equipment failures lead to unsafe well conditions that
need earliest possible mitigation. Works over jobs are necessary to restore/
increase production in a safe manner.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF WORK-OVER RIG: WORKOVER RIGS: Land-based work-over rigs (commonly referred to as well
servicing rigs), there are truck-mounted mast with winches, cables and sheaves
capable of pulling tubing, as well as performing the other functions of a
WORKOVER. It consists of a mobile carrier, engine, draw-works and a mast. The
primary function of a work-over rig is to act as a hoist so that pipe, sucker rods and
down-hole equipment can be run into and out of a well. Land-based work-over rigs
are easier to move between well sites and different geographical areas of operations
than drilling rigs. Typically, the rigs are self-propelled and have less auxiliary
equipment to move. Because of size and cost considerations, work-over rigs are
used for these operations rather than the larger drilling rig. Fig 19-01 &19-02 shows
land based work-over rigs before Mast-up & after Mast-up. These rigs are moved
from one location to the other in mast down condition.
PLATFORM RIGS or MODULAR RIG: A platform is a stationary offshore oil and/or
gas production facility. Platform rigs or Modular Rigs are designed to provide
offshore work-over, drilling and re-entry services at these facilities. These rigs have
drilling and/or work-over equipment and machinery arranged in modular packages
those are transported to, and assembled and installed on, fixed offshore platforms.
Fixed offshore platforms are steel-like structures that either stand on the ocean floor
or are moored floating structures. The top portion, or platform, sits above the water
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level and provides the foundation upon which the rig is placed; it is shown at Fig 1903.
JACK-UP RIGS: Jack-up rigs, Fig19-04, are mobile, self-elevating, offshore drilling
and work-over platforms equipped with legs that can be lowered to the ocean floor
until a foundation is established to support the hull, which contains the drilling and/or
work-over equipment, jacking system, crew quarters, loading and unloading
facilities, storage areas for bulk and liquid materials, helicopter landing deck and
other related equipment. Many of our jack-up rigs are of cantilever design, a feature
that permits the drilling platform to be extended out from the hull, allowing it
to perform drilling or work-over operations over adjacent, fixed platforms. The water
depth limit of a particular rig is determined by the length of the rigs legs and the
operating environment. Moving a rig from one drill site to another involves lowering
the hull down into the water until it is afloat and then jacking up its legs with the hull
floating. The jack-up rig is then towed to the new drilling site.
INLAND BARGE RIGS: Inland barge rigs, Fig19-05, are mobile, self-contained,
drilling and/or work-over vessels. When moved from one location to another, the
barge floats; when stationed on the drill or work-over site, the barge is submerged to
rest on the bottom. Typically, inland barge rigs are used to drill or work-over wells in
marshes, shallow inland bays and offshore where the water covering the drill site is
not too deep.

COMPONENTS OF A DRILLING/ WORK-OVER RIG: Fig19-06 shows

different components of a drilling/ work-over rig. There may be a few components
those may not be the part of a work-over rig due to the specific operation being
carried by that rig.
Following is the descriptions of the different components those certainly be there at
the drilling rig, but may be optional at the work over rig based on its application,
please refer Fig19 -06: 01. Mud Tank: A mud tank is an open-top container, typically made of steel, to store
drilling fluid on a rig. They are also called mud pits, because they used to be
nothing more than pits dug out of the earth.
02. Shale Shakers: Shale shakers are devices that remove drill cuttings from the
drilling fluid that is used for boring/ drilling/ servicing the holes into the earth.
03. Suction Pipe: A suction line is the pipe work linking the mud tanks /pits with the
mud pumps. This may be gravity fed or charged by centrifugal pumps to provide
additional volumetric efficiency to the mud pumps.
04. Mud Pump: A mud pump is a reciprocating piston/ plunger device designed to
circulate drilling fluid under high pressure down the drilling string and back up
the annulus.
05. Power Source: Power source can be engine of the prime mover or a separate
electrical motor. This gives power to the draw works which in tern up &
06. Hose: These are the flexible hoses to carry mud to goose-neck or swivel/ top
drive, to hole.
07. Draw-Works: A draw-works is the primary hoisting machinery. Its main function
is to provide a means of raising and lowering the travelling blocks. The wire-rope
drilling line winds on the draw-works drum and extends to the crown block and
traveling blocks, allowing the drill string to be moved up and down as the drum
turns. The wire-rope enters the sheaves of the crown block and is makes
several passes between the crown block and traveling block
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pulleys for mechanical advantage. The line then exits the last sheave on the
crown block and is fastened to a derrick leg on the other side of the rig floor.
This section of drilling line (wire-rope) is called the "dead line".
08. Stand-pipe: Stand-pipe is a thick metal tubing, situated vertically along the
derrick, that facilitates the flow of drilling fluid and has attached to it and
supports one end of the kelly hose.
09. Kelly Hose: A Kelly hose (also known as a mud hose or rotary hose) is a
flexible, steel reinforced, high pressure hose that connects the standpipe to the
kelly (or more specifically to the goose-neck on the swivel above the kelly) and
allows free vertical movement of the kelly while facilitating the flow of drilling
fluid through the system and down the drill string/ tubular into the hole.
10. Goose-neck: Goose-neck is a thick metal elbows connected to the swivel and
standpipe that supports the weight of and provides a downward angle for the
kelly hose to hang from.
11. Travelling Block: A Travelling Block is the free moving section of a block and
tackle that contains a set of pulleys or sheaves through which the drill line (wire
rope) is threaded or reeves and is opposite (and under) the crown block (the
stationary section).
12. Drill line: The drill line is a multi-thread, twisted wire rope that is threaded or
reeves through the travelling block and crown block to facilitate the lowering and
lifting of the drill string into and out of the wellbore.
13. Crown Block: A Crown Block is the stationary section of a block and tackle that
contains a set of pulleys or sheaves through which the drill line (wire rope) is
threaded or reeves and is opposite and above the travelling block, refer Fig1907 A & B.
14. Derrick: A derrick is the support structure for the equipment used to lower and
raise the drill string into and out of the wellbore.
15. Monkey board: The Monkey board the structure used to support the top-end of
the stand of drill pipe vertically situated in the derrick.
16. Stand: Stand is the sections of 2 or 3 joints of drill pipe or tubings connected
together and stood upright in the derrick. When pulling out of the hole, instead of
laying down each joint of drill pipe, 2 or 3 joints are left connected together and
stood in the derrick to save time.
17. Pipe Rack: A Pipe rack is a set of steel framed structures (typically triangularly
shaped) over which drill pipes, tubings or other tubular are stacked on for
storage prior to running-in or after pulling-out of the hole. Pipe rack also refers to
the wooden pad on the drill floor where the stands of the drill pipe/ tubings are
vertically stacked when tripping pipe (pulling pipe out of or running pipe into the
wellbore).
18. Swivel: A Swivel is a mechanical device used on a drilling rig/ work-over rig that
hangs directly under the travelling block and directly above the kelly, that
provides the ability for the kelly (and subsequently the drill string) to rotate while
allowing the traveling block to remain in a stationary rotational position (yet allow
vertical movement up and down the derrick) while simultaneously allowing the
introduction of drilling fluid into the drill string.
19. Kelly drive: A kelly drive refers to a type of well drilling device on an oil drilling
rig/ work-over rig that employs a section of pipe with an outer surface that is
square, hexagonal or octagonal, which passes through the kelly bushing and
rotary table. This bushing is rotated via the rotary table and thus the pipe and
the attached drill string turn. When drilling, the drill bit is attached at the end of
the drill string and thus the kelly drive provides the means to turn the bit
(assuming that a down-hole motor is not being used).
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20. Rotary table: A rotary table is a mechanical device on a drilling rig that provides
clockwise (as viewed from above) rotational force to the drill string to facilitate
the process of drilling a borehole or performing milling/ drilling operations.
21. Drill floor: The Drill Floor is the heart of any drilling rig/ work-over rig and is also
known as the pad. This is the area from where the drill string begins its trip into
the earth. It is traditionally where joints of pipe are assembled, as well as the
BHA (bottom-hole assembly), drilling bit, and various other tools. This is the
primary work location for work-over or drilling crew and driller/ tool pusher. The
drill floor is located directly under the derrick.
22. Bell nipple: A Bell-nipple is a section of large diameter pipe fitted to the top of
the blow out preventer that the flow lines attaches to via a side outlet, to allow
the drilling fluid to flow back over the shale shakers & or to the mud tanks.
23. & 24. Blow Out Preventer (BOP) Pipe-Rams & Blind-Rams: Blow out
Preventer (BOPs) are devices installed at the wellhead to prevent fluids and
gases from unintentionally escaping from the wellbore. This can be the annular
type (often referred to as Hydril named after a manufacturer), and the pipe
rams and blind rams type, but the object in both cases remains the same.
During drilling or well interventions, the BOP may be closed if overpressure from
an underground zone causes formation fluids such as oil or natural gas to enter
the wellbore and threaten the rig. By closing BOP (usually operated remotely
via hydraulic actuators), the drilling crew/ work-over crew can prevent
uncontrolled pressure release, thus regaining control of the down-hole pressure,
by means of increasing mud weight, mud circulation or any other appropriate
action(s) required based on the reasons/ situation. Once this is accomplished,
often the drilling mud density within the hole can be increased until adequate
fluid pressure is being placed on the influx zone, and the BOP can be opened
for operations to resume. Fig-08 shows two sets of Blow out Preventers (BOP).
25. Drill String: A drill string on a drilling rig/ work-over rig is a column, or string, of
drill pipe that transmits drilling fluid (via the mud pumps) and rotational power
(via the kelly drive or the top drive) to the drill bit. The term is loosely applied as
the assembled collection of the drill pipe, drill collars, tools and drill bit. The drill
string is hollow so that drilling fluid can be pumped down through it and
circulated back up the annulus (void between the drill string and the formation/
casing).
26. Drill Bit: A Drill Bit, Fig -09, is a device attached to the end of the drill string that
breaks apart, cuts or crushes the rock formations when drilling
a wellbore (water, gas or oil). The drill bit is hollow and has jets to allow for the
expulsion of the drilling fluid at high velocity and high pressure to help clean the
bit and help to break apart the rock (for softer formations).
27. Casing Head: A casing head is a simple metal flange welded or screwed on to
the top of the conductor pipe or the casing and forms part of the
wellhead system for the well. It is the primary interface for the surface pressure
control equipment, such as the blowout preventers (for well drilling) or
the Christmas tree (for well production). The casing head, when installed, is
typically tested to very strict pressure and leak-off parameters to insure viability
under blowout conditions, before any surface equipment is installed.
28. Flow line: A flow line, used on a drilling rig, is a large diameter pipe (typically a
section of casing) that is connected to the bell nipple (under the drill floor) and
extends to the possum belly (on the mud tanks) and acts as a return line, (for
the drilling fluid as it comes out of the hole), to the mud tanks.

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WORK-OVER OPERATIONS
As mentioned above there can be several reasons to carry out a work over
operations. Some of them are: WATER SHUT OFF (WSO)
During the producing life of a field, a well may start producing oil along with high
percentage of water. This causes loss of revenue in terms of less amount of oil
produced and requires larger process facilities for removing water. The high water
cut has been a major problem in Mumbai offshore due to preferential depletion of
high permeability layers in a set of high and low permeability layers perforated
together and subsequent preferential flooding (water injection) of theses layers for
enhanced recovery.
Various techniques are used for WSO (Water Shut Off) such as:

Cement Squeeze through the water-producing layer. In most cases this

requires the retrieval of completion string.

Use of through tubing run bridge plug that is set on top of water producing layer
to isolate it. Cement is then dumped on top of bridge plug using wire line dump
bailer. This method can be successfully used in case the bottom most layers in
a well is contributing water and can be resorted to without pulling out the string.

In case any other layer is producing water then a bridge plug and cement
retainer are used in conjunction to isolate the water-producing zone.

Increased water production through channeling behind casing is remedied

through block cementation jobs

WSO using gels, wherein gel polymers are pumped into the well. The gel, after
coming in contact with water, forms a pancake type barrier to the flow of water
owing to cross-linking of polymer molecules and thus stops water production.

GAS SHUT OFF (GSO)

The excess and unwanted flow of gas from the reservoir causes a loss of reservoir
energy that may ultimately affect the reservoir recovery.
GSO is carried out in wells producing with high Gas to Oil ratios by:

Squeezing cement between oil and gas producing layers.

Gel application as in the case of WSO

LAYER TRANSFER
A layer transfer job is done to change the layer of production or injection based on
requirement.
RECOMPLETION
Such operations involve change in completion type such as from single to dual
completion or vice versa, recompleting a well with gas lift etc.

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The single completions are recompleted dually either to avoid cross flow from one
layer to other owing to unequal pressure depletions over the producing life or to
control injection rates in individual layers in an injection well.
In dual completions with gas lift, gas injection optimization is most essential to avoid
one of the strings starving for gas with the resultant decreased production.
PROFILE MODIFICATION IN A WATER INJECTION WELL
An injection well is used to inject water into the reservoir for maintaining its pressure
and ensure better recovery of oil. Work over job for profile modification is carried out
in water injection wells when some of the layers are taking either more or less
amount of water than desirable.
A water flow log is used to record the injection profile of all the layers. The layers
taking more than desired amount are squeezed off with cement. The layers taking
less water are re-perforated or some more layers added to them.
SERVICING
Servicing jobs are generally safety related and involve operations such as
replacement of gas lift (G/L) valves, Sub-surface safety valves (SSSV), tubing and
packer etc.
Removal of tubing blockage due to sand, scales, wax & paraffin depositions and
stimulation jobs also form a part of servicing work over jobs.
WELL DEEPENING
A well is deepened to include additional producing layers in the well. If the well has
been on production before deepening, the existing layers are subdued and isolated
through cement squeeze job. The well is then deepened, logged, cased, cemented
and completed in the deepened horizon for production.
In some instances, production from shallow well may be affected adversely by offset
production from nearby deeper wells. The shallow well is then deepened to prevent
offset drainage.
SIDE TRACKING
Side tracking is a very commonly used method to abandon or bypass the lower part
of an existing well and add new layers. Many reasons exist for side tracking a well
such as damage or collapsed casing, irretrievable junk in the hole, a damaged
production zone in the old well, access to remaining/ new drainage area, drilling of
drain holes/ laterals and horizontal wells etc. The well is side tracked by cutting a
window in the casing and drilling a new hole through it. The conventional method of
sidetracking involves placement of a cement plug immediately below the desired
window depth to facilitate the section milling of the casing. This method requires
several cement plug jobs before a window can be cut successfully. Also, it requires
the cutting and retrieval of several casings to enable sidetracked hole to reach the
targeted depth.
The side tracking is of two types: Long Drift Side Track (LDST): In LDST, the 9 5/8 casing is retrieved first. A window is cut in 13 3/8 casing below
20 casing shoe and a new hole is drilled. The LDST enables drilling a well with a
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horizontal drift in excess of 1000 m. The well is generally completed in 5 liner

against the pay zone.
Short Drift Side Track (SDST): In SDST, a window is cut in 9 5/8 casing below 13 3/8 casing shoe and a new hole
is drilled. The SDST is used when the horizontal drift required is less than 1000 m.
The well is generally completed in 7 liner against the pay zone.
A present method for side tracking uses a kickoff tool or a whip stock packer that is
set at the proper depth. Drilling is then directed out of the hole and to the desired
location by setting the tapered whip stock at different points to change the route of
the new hole. When the desired depth and target are reached, the new hole is
logged and a liner is run and cemented in place. Completion is then carried out in
the normal manner with a packer and tubing. The use of whip stock does not require
the cutting & retrieval of casing thereby saves costly rig time. Side tracking using
whip stock has been extensively employed for drilling horizontal drain holes in
Mumbai offshore.
FISHING: Fishing refers to the application of tools, equipment and techniques for the removal
of junk, debris or fish from a well bore. The fishing operations are carried out to
remove unwanted material from the well for the purposes of completion. Fishing
forms a major part of work over operations.
PLUGGING & ABANDONMENT: Plugging & abandoning job involves abandonment of wells that have outlived their
economic producing lives for ensuring safety and environmental protection in future.

COMMON EQUIPMENT USED DURING WORK OVER: Most of the work over jobs involve operations like perforating, cement squeeze jobs,
cement clearing, scraping of casing/ liner, milling etc.
Some of the other frequently used tools in work over are: Work-over string
The string of pipe used during workover is called the work-over/ work string. In
offshore drill pipes of sizes 2 3/8 to 5 are used as work-over/ work string.
Casing Scraper
A casing scraper, Fig19-10, is used to remove foreign substances such as scale and
cement from inside the casing wall. The scraper is usually run above a bit and is
reciprocated to scrape the walls of the casing. Spring-tensioned blades provide the
scraping action against the casing wall.
Junk and Boot baskets
Junk and boot baskets, Fig19-11, remove milled or drilled material from a well. A
junk basket is run at the bottom of the work string along with TCR bit below junk
basket. Through application of reverse/ direct circulation, the junk is swept into an
inner chamber of basket and recovered once the basket is pulled to surface.
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Cement retainer
A cement retainer, Fig19-12, is similar to permanent packer but has a check valve
inside the bore. A stinger/ seal assembly is run during cementation job. The valve is
opened when the stinger assembly is stabbed into packer during the job but closes
as soon as the stinger is picked out of the retainer bore. The closed valve holds final
squeeze pressure as the excess cement is circulated out.
Casing roller
A casing roller, Fig19-13, consists of several rugged, heavy-duty rollers mounted on
different centerline on a mandrel so that as the tool rotates only one roller at a time
contacts the wall of the casing. This eccentric motion restores collapsed, dented or
buckled casing to its normal diameter and roundness.

WORK OVER PROCEDURE

The procedure for working over a well (which is a G/L) in general, involves the
following steps: 1. Lock open SSSV.
2. Stop gas injection and bleed off annulus gas through burner in case of gas
injection wells.
3. Bulldoze string volume (twice) into formation.
4. Fill annulus with seawater.
5. Perforate 5 m above packer.
6. Circulate and kill well. Under loss conditions, a LCM pill is placed and in case
activity is observed ten brine of sufficient specific gravity is circulated.
7. The tubing condition can be assessed using Multiple Imaging Tool (MIT).

In case the tubing condition is very bad then cut tubing and fish out packer
separately.

In case tubing condition permits over pull then try to release the packer
and string directly.
8. POOH old completion string.
9. Make bit & scraper trip to required depth.
10. Re-perforate/ add layers and re-complete the well.
11. Activate through gas injection in case of gas injection well.
12. Stimulation job, if required.
13. Hand over the well to platform.
FISHING OPERATIONS IN WORK OVER
DEFINITION OF FISHING
In oil field parlance, a fish is anything that is left in a well bore. Once the
component is lost, it is referred to as "the fish."
In open hole during the course of drilling, the fish may be anything from a part of or
all of the drill or tubing (work) string, to smaller pieces of equipment such as bit
cones, pieces of tools or any material accidentally dropped into the well. Similarly, in
cased hole, there are various types and kinds of problems that occur which create
the fishing jobs, such as objects being dropped into the well, packers to be retrieved,
parted tubing, collapsed casing, dropped pipe and wire line tools either parted or
stuck.
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Fishing refers to the application of tools, equipment and techniques for removal of
lost or stuck objects from the well bore. The term fishing is taken from the times of
the earlier cable tool drilling when the crew simply put a hook on a line and
attempted to catch the wire line when it would break so that the tool could be
retrieved. Over the years, with advancement in drilling, completion and work over,
fishing has also evolved greatly as an art and science of removing broken or stuck
equipment or small non-drillable materials from the well bore.
CAUSES LEADING TO FISHING OPERATIONS
Some of the common causes that result in fishing operations are:

Human error in a majority of cases

Corroded tubing and equipments

Stuck packers. The stuck-up can be due to either differential or mechanical
reasons.

Damaged casings above the packers that result in packer stuck-up during pulling
out the string.

Work string stuck-up in open hole-Differential, Mechanical or key seating

Logging tool stuck-up in tubing/casing due to scale deposition or damage

Premature setting of cement during cementation
CONSIDERATIONS FOR FISHING
The key considerations for a fishing operation include: Knowledge of down-hole tool configuration: An understanding of the dimensions and nature of the fish to be removed is
essential for designing a successful fishing operation. Typically, anything that is
lowered into the hole is accurately measured and sketched so that appropriate
fishing tools can be used if required to fish any item out of the hole.
Well bore conditions: The well bore conditions need to be understood clearly to determine the cause of
stuck-up. Based on Hookes law that stretch is proportional to strain, the free
point/stuck point in the string are determined.
Well profile: Successful fishing is much easier in a relatively straight well than in a highly deviated
well bore. However, it is still quite possible to perform a successful fishing job in a
highly deviated or horizontal well bore, if the proper approach is taken. When a
highly deviated well does require a fishing job, most of the tools used in straight-hole
fishing can be successfully run. Even wash pipe with specialized connections can be
run in highly deviated wells. Because the pipe is still large and not very flexible,
sections still have to be short in order to pass through high-angle doglegs. Jars, over
shots, magnets and junk baskets can also be used successfully.
There are several special considerations that should be taken into account when
planning a fishing job in a high-angle deviated or horizontal well:

When a high-angle hole has been drilled by rotating drill pipe, a trough
(channel) usually forms on the low side of the hole that is smaller in diameter
than the drilled portion of the hole. This is a factor when fishing with an
overshot or similar tool, as the fish will lie in the trough or smaller section.
Broken or twisted-off pipe can fall under a ledge of a dogleg.
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Hole drag in horizontal or highly deviated wells inhibits good jarring action.
Adding weight to the string for milling operations can be a problem. Drill collars
are similar to wash pipe in that they cannot flex around high-angle doglegs and
bends. They have to be run higher up in the more vertical section of the hole to
be effective. (In a horizontal section, the drill collar is on the low side of the well
bore, not adding any weight on mill).
It is difficult to get the required torque down and around deviations when
attempting to back off pipe in a highly deviated well.

Cost-Benefit analysis of fishing vis--vis side tracking: Fishing should be an economical solution to a problem in the well. The cost of the
fishing job must be less than the cost to re-drill or sidetrack the well for it to make
economic sense. The larger the capital investment in the well, the more time and
expense can be devoted to a fishing solution.
In the end, only experience, good judgment, a careful analysis of the problem and
effective communication among all parties generally leads to a solution that will allow
a return to normal drilling, completion or work over operations with the least amount
of lost time and money.
FISHING TOOLS: The key enabling technologies for successful fishing operations are cutting, milling,
catching/engaging and pulling.
Based on the kind of fishing operation, a variety of fishing tools are available. The
use of appropriate fishing tool for any particular job will largely depend on the type of
fish in the hole, whether the fish is stuck or free, whether it is in an open hole or in a
cased hole, the condition of the hole at the site of break and the condition of the top
of the fish. Each fishing job is unique but there are some basic tools such as safety
joint, bumper sub, hydraulic jar and heavy weight drill pipes that are used in most
jobs along with appropriate fishing tool and drill pipe work string.
Based on intended application, the fishing tools can be classified into: -

EXTERNAL CATCH TOOLS: The external catch tools, Fig 19-15, engage a fish on its outside body. Some of the
commonly used external catches fishing tools are:
OVERSHOT: The overshot is one of the most widely used fishing tools. It is a highly versatile and
efficient tool. There are several different types of over shots; however, each overshot
is designed to engage a specific size of tubing, pipe, coupling tool joint, drill collar or
smooth O.D tool. The over shots are designated by a series number that indicates
their application for fishing certain types of fish e.g. Series 70. Over shots are used
to release a fish with short space to engage the tool on it. Similarly, Series150 over
shots are used to release fish with sufficient neck length and allow for circulation too.
Over shots may be identified by one of the following strength types also:
Full Strength (F.S.) that is engineered to withstand all pulling, jarring and
torsional strain.

Extra Full Strength (X.F.S.) that is engineered for extreme abuse.

Semi-Full Strength (S.F.S) that is engineered to withstand all pulling strain only.

Slim Hole (S.H) that is engineered to withstand heavy pulling strain only.

Extra Slim Hole (E.S.H) that is engineered for pick-up job only.
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DESCRIPTION OF TOOL: The basic overshot, (Fig19-15), (from top down) consists of a top sub, a bowl,
grapple, control and a guide. In addition to the basic components, some over shots
can be dressed with either:

Spiral Grapple used if the fish diameter is near the maximum catch of the
overshot.

Basket Grapple used if the fish diameter is considerably below maximum catch
size (usually )
However, in operation the overshot functions in the same manner, whether dressed
with spiral grapple or basket grapple. When the circulating pack off is not used, the
fluid circulates down the drill pipe, around the top outside of the fish, thorough the
slip or grapple assembly around the guide shoe and up the annulus.
When the circulating pack off is used the annular space between the top outside of
the fish and the inside of the lower part of the overshot is packed off, diverting the
fluid flow down into the fish. If circulation can be diverted through the fish, it is easier
to release and recover the fish.
Pack offs usually are not high-pressure devices but will often withstand sufficient
pressure to establish circulation through the fish.
Both the grapples or slips and the pack-off can be easily damaged if the top of the
fish is ragged, out of round, bent or damage.
Some times over shots are used with extension subs that are installed between the
top sub and the bowl of the overshot and extends the overshot bowl. Extension subs
are used to either establish a longer hold on a fish that may be undersize at the top
by having been pulled in two/ an overshot released several times or cover a bad
section of pipe so that a tool joint can be caught. Extension subs will only cover a
fish O.D. equal to the maximum catch of the overshot using a basket grapple and
still remain full strength.
DIE COLLAR
The Die Collar, Fig19-17, is designed to retrieve tubular members from the well
bore. The Die Collar is manufactured from high-grade alloy and specially heattreated. The hardened cutting teeth (wickers) are machined on a shallow taper
(approximately 3/4 inch per foot) to provide an excellent grip and positive
engagement. For operation, the tool is run to the fish top and minimum weight and
sufficient rotation is applied to allow the wicker threads to become embedded in the
exterior surface of the fish.
A major disadvantage of die collar is that the disengagement of die collar, in case
the stuck-up is not released, is extremely difficult and may further complicate the
fishing operations. This is one of the reasons for which the die collar is typically used
for mechanically backing off the string after just engaging the fish with die collar.
CJ MILLING TOOL FOR PLUG & PACKER
The CJ milling tool enables retrieval of packers and bridge plugs (bridge plug Fig
19-14), used in the well. The tool, after milling the top slips of packer/ bridge plug,
latches on to their collet for pulling them out. Mill out extension may additionally be
required for packer.
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TAPER TAP
The Taper Tap, Fig19-16, operates in an exactly opposite manner to a die collar and
is basically designed to retrieve tubular members from the well bore. It is the most
economical tool of its kind for freeing fish. The Taper Tap is also manufactured from
high-grade alloy and specially heat-treated. The basic Taper Tap is a single piece
construction. The hardened cutting teeth (wickers) are carbo-nitrided and machined
on a shallow taper (approximately 3/4 inch per foot) to provide an excellent grip for
light duty pick-up jobs. For operation, the taper tap is run to the top of fish and
rotated sufficiently to allow the wicker threads to get embedded into the interior
surface of the fish.
Above we have mentioned a few very commonly used fishing tools. Apart from
these, there is several different kind of standard fishing tools used during the fishing
operations.
However there are some tools those are not used for the fishing operation but are
used for some supportive operations, like Junk Cather Tools.
JUNK CATCHER TOOLS
The junk catcher tools, Fig 19-19 to19-21, are used to remove junk/ debris from the
well bore prior to/during fishing/milling operations. Some of the commonly used such
tools are:
BOOT BASKET

JET BASKET

JUNK BASKET

REVERSE CIRCULATING JUNK BASKET (RCJB)
ACCESSORY TOOLS: Various accessories are used in the fishing string, Fig 19-22. Some of them are: A. WIRE CATCHER / WIRE-LINE SPEAR
The wire line catcher is used to retrieve wire line.
B. FISHING MAGNET
The fishing magnet is used to retrieve all types of small objects having
magnetic attraction from the borehole bottom. Objects such as bit cones,
bearings, slips, tong pins and mill cuttings can often be retrieved only by
magnetic attraction.
C. LEAD IMPRESSION BLOCK (LIB)
The LIB is used to determine the configuration of fish top and to locate its
position in the well bore.
The impression block is lowered on the end of the fishing string to
approximately 5 feet above the fish. Circulation is used to clean the top of the
fish and the string is then rapidly slacked and set on fish with 15,000 to
20,000 pounds of weight on the fish to get a good impression of fish top.
D. & E. HYDRAULIC FISHING JAR
The hydraulic fishing jar is used when a powerful upward blow is required to
release the stuck fish.

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The hydraulic jar is placed directly below the drill collars in the fishing string.
The intensity of each blow is controlled by the amount of stretch placed in the
drill string. More the pull harder is the blow. The jarring effect is enhanced by
placement of drill collars above the jar.
F. BUMPER SUB
Bumper sub is used below hydraulic jar to prevent transmission of impact
generated by jar to tubing.
G. SAFETY JOINT
The safety joint provides a simple means of releasing and re-engaging fishing
tools during many fishing operations. It is especially useful in operations
requiring a fishing tool that is not normally easily releasable such as a tap or
die collar.
The safety joint can be released from the fish by applying a tension load to
the string to shear the screws. Once the screws are sheared and the tension
on the line is released, the string is picked up while applying slight left hand
torque. The safety joint lugs will then shift into the release slot and the fishing
sting is released from safety joint.
MILLING & WASHOVER TOOLS: JUNK MILL
Junk mills, Fig 19-23, are used to mill up almost everything that falls or becomes
stuck in the hole. Pipe that has become cemented both inside and outside can only
be milled with this tool. Loose or rotating junk can be pounded down to break it into
smaller pieces and hold it in place so that the mill can cut it. A weight on the junk
mill, as a good rule of thumb is 1000 pounds per O.D. inch of the mill.
For use inside a casing, a mill with stabilizer pads and a smooth O.D. is used so that
the casing will not be damaged. The O.D. of the mill should be same or slightly
smaller than the drift diameter of the casing.
In open holes, a mill without stabilizer pads in used. The O.D. of the mill should be
about inch less than the hole-diameter with rough O.D. that will cut a small
amount of side clearance.
TAPER MILL
Taper mills, Fig19-23, are used to ream partially collapsed or damaged casing to
clean up ragged holes or windows and generally to enlarge and smooth rough and
jagged surfaces.
Milling out collapsed casing is done in increments of about i.e. a mill with an O.D.
of about larger than the minimum collapsed pipe I.D. is run into the hole and the
collapsed interval is then milled to about larger. Next, a second mill is run and
the pipe I.D. increased to about again. This procedure is repeated until the pipe
I.D. is back to full size.
WASHOVER PIPE (W/O)
In cases where the fish is a stuck pipe, the fish may be surrounded with settled mud,
cement and other debris. This will not allow proper engagement of the fish with tool.
The wash over pipe is used to clear the out-side area of fish.
The wash over pipe, Fig 19-23, is run at the bottom of work string. The cleaning is
done using circulation as the wash over pipe is lowered over the fish.
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REMEDIAL & REPAIR TOOLS

CASING ROLLER
The casing roller, Fig 19-24, is used to restore buckled, collapsed and dented casing
to its Original diameter.
CASING PATCH
The casing patch is used to make fast, economical repairs to damaged casing string
without much reduction in its I.D.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS DURING WORK-OVER JOBS
PRINCIPLES OF WELL CONTROL:
A kick is an intrusion of formation fluids into the well bore that, if not controlled, will
result in a blow out. The objective of well control procedures is to safely prevent or
handle kicks and re-establish primary well control.
During normal drilling operations, the primary well control is maintained through use
of drilling fluid that provides sufficient hydrostatic head to overcome the formation
pressures.
Also, owing to the inherent resistance of liquids to flow, an additional pressure is
applied to circulate the fluid during drilling to lift the formation cuttings to the surface.
The pressure, so applied at surface, alters pressures in the pipe and well bore
bottom. Thus fluid circulation creates additional over balance to contain the
formation pressures.
The total pressure at the bottom of the hole while circulating will be the sum of the
hydrostatic head of the drilling fluid, the annulus friction circulating pressure and
imposed surface backpressure. During drilling, this pressure must not be less than
the formation pressure to avoid a kick and must not be greatly in excess of formation
pressure to prevent fluid losses.

RECOMMENDED SAFE PROCEDURES & GUIDELINES FOR WORK

OVER OPERATIONS: The recommended safe procedures & guidelines for work over & well stimulation
operations have been issued by Oil Industry safety Directorate (OISD) vide OISDGDN-182. The OISD-GDN-182 lists out general safe operating practices and also
recommended procedures & guidelines for Personnel individual responsibilities,
various safety equipments such as Personal Protective Equipment, Life saving
equipment, Fire fighting equipment etc. Some of them are given below: -

General Safe Operating practices for work over jobs are:

Good housekeeping on the job is essential for successful accident control and
fire prevention. Keeping everything in its place promotes efficiency, quality and
good work. Tools, equipment and working areas should be kept clean, neat and
orderly.
Thorough safety inspection should be made of all well servicing equipment
before starting the job.
Men on the rig floor should stand clear when rigging up or repair work is in
progress overhead.
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Unsafe or otherwise dangerous conditions, no matter how small, should be

immediately reported to supervisor in charge for corrective action.
Never leave well unattended unless it is safely shut-in.
Upon completion of job, clean equipment and keep them neatly and safely in
toolbox.
All occupational injuries, no matter how small, will be reported promptly to the
supervisor in charge.
In the event of equipment, guy wires, lines etc. being present in a location
frequented by personnel and thus creating a hazard, proper signs must be
placed to warn the people.
Control must be maintained over leaks and spills. However, if they occur, they
should be cleaned up promptly to eliminate slipping hazard to personnel as well
as fire hazard.

Well Subduing
Well plan should be prepared well in advance and circulated to all concerned
including driller in charge. It should contain the following information but not limited
to:

Brief of earlier work over done

Complications encountered during drilling/ work over
Mud parameters during drilling/previous work over jobs
Details of down hole equipment, tubing and X-mas tree
Casing and cementation details
Details of perforation
Bottom hole pressure of existing well and expected BHP after work over job

Some of the checks that are essential during well subduing operations are:

The kill line must be tested to 1 times the maximum expected shut-in
pressure or its rated working pressures whichever is less.
No hammering must be done on pressurized line to tighten the joints.
The parameters of kill fluid must be regularly monitored.
The parameters of return fluid must be monitored regularly during circulation to
ensure that the well is killed and the fluid inside the well is properly conditioned.
Improper returns or quick pressure build-ups must also be monitored to assess
the conditions of loss/ activity.
Before the X-mas tree is nippled down, Back Pressure Valve (BPV) must be
installed in the tubing hanger. The SCSSV must also be kept closed. The BPV
must be removed and SCSSV opened only after installing the BOP.

Following requirements apply during work over operations with X-mas tree
removed:

Well control fluids, equipment and operations shall be designed, utilized,

maintained and/or tested as necessary to control the well in foreseeable
conditions and circumstances. The well shall be continuously monitored during
well work over operations and shall not be left unattended at any time unless
the well is shut-in and secured.
When coming out of hole with drill pipe or work over or well completion string,
the annulus shall be filled with well control fluid.
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SUSTAINED CASING PRESSURE (SCP)

DEFINITION
Casing strings of oil and gas wells are isolated from formation behind casing with
cement and a hydraulic isolation from one another by wellhead seals at surface. The
production tubings are isolated from production casing by down-hole packers and
tubing hanger seals at surface. The production casings are designed to withstand
maximum expected reservoir pressure. Likewise, the tubings are also designed to
withstand maximum expected reservoir/ stimulation pressures, type of fluids to be
produced/ injected and their rates. Thus, wells are constructed to ensure hydraulic
isolation of casing strings and completion tubing strings. Ideally, no casing head
should have pressures except the tubing head. The casing head pressure, in case
experienced, which rebuilds on bleeding off is termed as Sustained Casing Pressure
(SCP). This, however, does not include casing head pressures deliberately applied
as in the case of completions with gas lift, any down-hole pressures applied on
down-hole tools or developed due to thermal expansion of annuli fluid.
Due to production of hot fluids, under stabilized flow condition, the flowing tubing
head temperature can be extremely high (depending on flow rate). This can cause
heating of completion fluids in production casing and also of annuli-muds in
isolation/outer casings leading to their expansion and pressurization of confined
space. In Western offshore, in some of the high volume oil/ gas producers, fairly high
pressures in production and isolation casings are experienced due to thermal effect.
Thus, it is essential to confirm and nullify the pressures associated with thermal
expansion. Only a small volume of fluid generally has to be bled if the pressure is
caused by thermal effect. Under same stabilized flowing condition, on closing of
needle valve, the casing pressure should remain zero. If not, the casing is having
SCP.
The injection pressure of lift gas introduced in production casing is not SCP if it
remains confined to production casing. However, the pressure experienced in
casings other than production casing is termed SCP.
CAUSES OF SCP
The various causes of SCP are: Loss of hydraulic isolation of tubing strings
The loss of isolation can be from either down hole packer, sliding sleeve, expansion
joint, tubing joints, tubing hanger seals, tubing leak etc. Such pressure experienced
by production casing can leak to isolation casing from wellhead seals or casing
joints, previous squeeze points, pin holes caused by corrosion etc.
Loss of casing integrity
The loss of casing integrity can again be due to leak in casing joints, previous
cement squeeze points, pin holes caused by corrosion, casing shoe failures,
inadequate casing cementation etc.
Pressures from Shallow reservoirs
Some shallow reservoirs above producing layers in a well that may not have any
commercial significance can result in SCP, if casings are not adequately cemented
against these reservoirs.
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EFFECTS OF SCP
The isolation and outer casings are neither designed to contain the maximum
expected reservoir pressures nor are their threads gas tight. Generally, the Minimum
Internal Yield Pressure (MIYP) of isolation casings are less than 50 % of MIYP for
production casing.
The casing shoe of the isolation and outer casings can fail if exposed to pressures
higher than their leak off values. Failure of casing shoe and/or loss of hydraulic
isolation in isolation casing can lead to migration of gas to shallow reservoir and
eventually its pressurization. Such situations can lead to underground blow out
resulting in loss of property, human life and environmental damage.
If tubing leak develops and the problem remains unattended, the production casing
being subjected to high pressures may leak or in worst case fail. In such an event,
the next outer casing that is not designed to withstand high pressures will also fail
thereby leading to a disastrous situation. Likewise outer casings cannot hold the
pressure sustained from shallow inadequately cemented reservoir. The problem of
SCP in an offshore environment is all the more critical since a number of wells are
located on a single platform. The conductor and isolation casings of different wells
are in close proximity to each other. Therefore, any undesirable event in one well
can adversely affect the safety of remaining wells and that of platform itself.

MODULAR RIG FOR WORK OVER

INTRODUCTION
Offshore Modular Rigs, Fig 03, are basically a platform mounted work over rigs and
consist of many lightweight components or modules that can be installed and
configured on the well platform, piece by piece, allowing flexibility to deploy the rig
on any of the platforms. This presents an exclusive advantage over jack up rigs,
which are platform-specific due to the old pugmarks of previously visited rigs to
those platforms. However, platforms have to be checked for their structural as well
as space adequacy for installation of such rigs on top of platform. The flexibility of a
modular rig allows fitting it on the available platform area with certain modifications
and re-routing of well fluid lines. This fit-to-purpose feature of Modular Rigs makes
them very versatile in use. The modular rig is equipped with hydraulic skidding
system that allows it to reach all the wells on the platform, as and when required. In
spite of the rig area being small, the operational features are not compromised and
the rig is capable of all the conventional work-over operations. These rigs make use
of unmanned platforms for accommodation of crew and crew boats for transfer &
storage of material and piping.
PRE-REQUISITES FOR DEPLOYMENT OF MODULAR RIGS
Some of the pre-requisites for deployment of modular rigs are: Modifications to the platform
Structural Modifications:
A pair of strong beams supports the modular rig components on a platform. These
beams, in turn, are supported by stub extensions connected to the deck legs, so that
the rig loads are directly transferred to the deck legs without affecting the deck
trusses.

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Provision of pedestals at the location of the four legs of the deck will be required to
facilitate placement of the capping beams of the rig. The height of the pedestals
shall be such as to help clear most of the obstructions on the main deck.
Provision of a support arrangement for mounting the burner boom will be needed.
The modifications to a platform can be categorized into two types:
Topside modifications: Many obstructions exist on the main deck of the platforms that can hamper the
deployment of the modular rig. Some of the obstructions can be overcome by
selecting the height of stub extensions suitably. Some obstructions cannot be
eliminated by this action. It is necessary to perform some modifications to piping,
electrical and other facilities on the platform so that these obstructions can be
eliminated. Such modifications are termed topside modifications. The required
topside modifications vary from platform to platform.
a) Dedicated Offshore Supply Vessels (OSVs) to transport various components/
modules from one location to another.
b) Cranes of Multi-purpose Support Vessels (MSVs) to lift the modules from OSV
to platform till the time the crane of modular rig is not installed. This is
necessitated due to absence of cranes or availability of lesser capacity cranes
on smaller unmanned platforms

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