Best Practices - Drilling 26" section

26 Section - Preparation
In addition to the items specified in the pre-spud section, the following preparation and checks will be performed:
Pre-cut conductor from ground level. Keep attached in 4 areas with 2 tabs. Install 30 dresser sleeve.
Test all mechanical surface equipment (Mud Engineer and solid control personnel to check all Mud equipment and inform
Drilling Supervisor of any deficiency).
Pressure test cement and standpipe lines to 7500psi.
DSV will carry out Rig acceptance checks (Test Top drive functions as per test procedure).
DSV to verify distance from RTE (Rotary Table Elevation) to AGL (Above Ground Level, i.e. Top Cellar) once rig is rigged
up. This height is to be reported to the Operations Drilling Engineer.
Gauge of all stabilizers will be checked prior to making up the BHA. Prior to drill out, the Drilling contractor will provide an
accurate BHA report including serial numbers and dimensions of all the components.
Prepare 20 Casing on racks (Check shoe jt for any debris inside, install centralizers on stop collars as per tally).
Confirm cellar jet pump installed and tested.
Confirm Cement stinger/Centralizer/spare seals on location.
Confirm 20 Well head housing M/U with landing joint flange and 5DP.
Confirm Wellhead orientation drawing on location.
Confirm Thread lock compound in DSV office.
PU 3 x 8 D/C, and 15 x 5 DP and rack back (Check well centre with 8 D/C stand before rack back).
Losses are not expected in this section. However sufficient LCM material should be available at the wellsite.
Ensure the weights (in air and mud) of the BHA and maximum pull is clearly visible to the Driller.
26 Section Sequence of Operations
Hold Pre-Job safety meeting. Discuss with crew the Drilling Contractor Shallow Gas Procedures
Make up the 26 rotary BHA. Include a float valve. Ensure that a Totco ring is installed.
Circulate through BHA and report weight in DDR.
RIH with the 26 BHA inside the 30 Conductor.
The 30 conductor has been pre-installed to a depth of approximately 10-12 m below top cellar.
Drill out the 30 shoe, and carefully clean out the rathole in case of cement blocks. Use a lower flow rate when around the
30 shoe area to avoid washing out the shoe.
To prevent washout under the shoe, the flow rate will be limited to 2200 LPM until the bit is 5m below the shoe. The flow rate
is then increased to 2400 LPM to drill the first 30m and to 3000 LPM for the rest of the section.
Drill ahead to 20 casing point, allowing for a 3 m rathole below the 20 shoe. The exact depth of section TD will be adjusted
to space out the casing.
Drill water and viscous sweeps to be used for drilling this section pump a sweep prior to making connections. Add additional
sweeps as required. Ensure sweeps of sufficient size to clean hole. The basic mud plan is to drill with water in a closed
circulation system, the formation will provide a native mud which will be maintained as per the mud program.
Report in the DDR the shape and size of cuttings as well as the % increase in cuttings when circulating hi-vis pills.
Ensure mud specifications are as per mud programme.
At TD sweep hole with 10m3 Hi Vis and circulate clean.
Perform wiper trip by POOH bit to 30 csg shoe (DSV / Toolpusher will be on Rig floor).
RIH, wash last +/-10 metres @ 20SPM to avoid plugging of nozzle and confirm any fill (increase to full flow rate and clear
fill).
Sweep hole with 10m3 Hi Vis and circulate clean @220SPM.
Drop Totco.
If severe hole problems occur run the Totco barrel on the rigs slick line.
Pump out of hole.
Use high flow rates while pumping out of hole with mud in order to reduce the risk of fill.
If inclination is greater than 1 then ream down the hole to section TD in an attempt to reduce the inclination. Confirm this
step with the Drilling Superintendent.
Drain riser into cellar and clear cellar with jet pump or vacuum truck (if available).
Disconnect dresser coupling and cut 30 conductor (ensure Hot work Permit obtained).
If possible PU Weatherford equipment.
Lay down riser.

Checklist: Drilling 26" hole section

Riser centered, secure and flow line leak free
26 bit, nozzles & tool on location
Stabilizers, x/os, drill collars strapped, ready
Totco ring inserted
Shock sub made ready
Ultra seal on location, +/- 60bbl pill mixed @ 30-40 ppb
Mud engineer aware of property requirements
Sufficient 8 drill collars, HWP on rack, strapped.
 Cmt, gel & baryte . Stock on site
18 5/8 csg to be drifted, threads cleaned, tally checked, number of joints on rack confirmed and numbered
Casing OD checked and insert correct size FS seals in casing head
20 section A casing head and accessories on location.
Get all casing consumables to location and dress casing as per program
Float equipment for inner string running tool
5 to 18 5/8 centralisers x 2 in stock
Trip tank pump functioning
21 BOPE prepared and tested, spacer spool nippled up
Casing crew and equipment on notice
Pick up and lay down service on notice
Provision for OBM supply in place

20 Casing Operations Checklist

Ensure a circulating swedge is available for washing down the hole.
Ensure the casing tongue HT100 are on the floor together with the correct size jaws.
The stab-in shoe should have been installed on 20 casing joint.
Casing will be cemented using an inner string. Check that the centraliser, stinger string and correct back up seals are
available.
Confirm the stinger threads are compatible for the drill pipe and a crossover is available if required.
Check condition of the stinger o ring seals and replace if necessary.
Fit stinger centralizer 2 meters up on first joint of stinger string.
Ensure the inner string is drifted to the required the specifications for the wiper latch down plug.
Starter head should be sent out installed on full joint (or 3m pup) to avoid problems with tong bridle.
Programmed make up torque on Antares ER connections is 13,000 ft-lbs, with a maximum of 13,980 ft-lbs allowable.
Casing tally will be entered into OpenWells daily reporting software by the Drilling Supervisor
Total depth will be adjusted for the casing tally (allow 10 m rat hole).
Use one centraliser per casing joint on joint #1 (shoe) and joint #2 and one centraliser every two joints up from #3 to surface.
Stop collars will be pre-installed on the pipe rack.
Use only spring bow type centralisers. Do not install any centraliser on the pup joint below the wellhead housing, and do not
use any solid centraliser.
Use thread locking compound on the first two connections.
Visually inspect the bore of all joints on the rack to ensure they are debris free.
Accurately measure, the distance from the rig floor to the land off point.
Obtain wellhead orientation drawings from Superintendent.
20 casing circulating head must be on the rig floor prior to running the string. Hose or chicksans should be already
connected to the standpipe.
Ensure that the cellar jet is rigged to route returns to the shaker header tank, with a bypass valve to allow cement returns to
be dumped in the cuttings/waste tank. OR ensure that there is a vacuum truck available to suck fluid directly out of the cellar.
Ensure sugar is available on the rig site. Sugar is to be added to the cement returns in the cuttings/waste tank to avoid
cement setting.
Ensure final cement slurry recipes have been received from Operations Engineer.
Prepare the mix water for the next cement job while running the casing. Ensure that all tanks and lines are clean. Transfer
the required Technical Water volumes to the batch mixers.
Ensure water is supplied from drilling camp technical water tank. Prepare the lead mix fluid first to let it hydrate whilst
preparing the tail mix fluid. Add chemicals to the Technical water per confirmed recipe sent from Aksai.
Hold a pre-job technical and safety meeting with all personnel involved in running and cementing the casing string.
Make up shoe track and confirm float function (DSV will check inside for debris).
Run 20 casing. Fill each joint as it is run. DO NOT PICK UP AND MOVE THE CASING STRING UNECCESSARILY to
avoid surging the formation.
Limit running speed to 45-60 sec / joint (slip to slip).
Pick up 20 wellhead head housing and make up to 20 casing.
Connect top drive and circulate last joint to TD.
Land the 20 wellhead head on the 30 Conductor pipe. Reciprocate a few times before landing to centre well.
Orientate 20 casing head. Confirm orientation with Superintendent.
Check that the orientation and bolts position on the top flange will be compatible with the position of the diverter lines when
the diverter is installed. If welding on the diverter has to be done, ensure it is done off-line.
Secure the base flange onto the 30 conductor to ensure no movement possible during cementation.
It is essential that the 20 conductor is aligned vertically with the ROTARY TABLE When aligned, the 20 starter head should
be tack welded in position on the 30
Remove the running tool and RIH with inner string DP/HWDP stab-in assembly.
Should hole conditions prevent the landing of the wellhead on the 30" conductor, pull back wellhead above rig floor and
space out (Csg pup jt) to enable landing the CHH.
If casing is stuck, it will be cemented in place and the backup emergency Sliplock 20 casing head housing will be installed
afterwards.
 Loadout list, Equipment list for 20" casing operations
Qty Description loadout list equipment list Comments
2 jts 20 x 129.3# X56 casing c/w stab in float shoe, FL4S box up Company
70 jts 20 x 129.3# X56 casing c/w FL4S connections Company
1 Stab in sub NC50 box c/w redress kit Tubular Services
2 pcs 183/4 wellhead housing & extension c/w ALT-2 pin Wellhead Co.
2 pcs 20 crossover joint ALT-2 x FL4S Company
2 pcs 183/4 wellhead running tool Wellhead Co.
1 Hilti gun c/w cartridges & spares Tubular Services
A/R 20 spring centralisers c/w stop collars and nails Tubular Services
2 20 rigid centralisers c/w stop collars and nails Tubular Services
1 20 wellhead running tool Wellhead Co.
1 set 20 hand slips Tubular Services
1 20 x 150 t. side door elevators Tubular Services
2 20 250t spider /elevator Tubular Services
1 set 20 safety clamp Tubular Services
2 20 single joint elevators Tubular Services
1 set 20 manual tongs Tubular Services
1 Circulating head NC50 pin x 2 weco Drilling Contractor
A/R Cement and additives Cementing Co.
1 lot Dunnage Company
1 Centraliser for 5 DP inside casing Tubular Services

26 Section - Cementing Checklist.

Preparation Checklist
Ensure the Cement Program has been received. Calculations of cement quantities and volumes should be checked by both
the Drilling Supervisor and the cementing operator. Compare job duration with thickening and compressive strength
development times. Check design temperature.
Discuss with rig team the contingency plans for failure of float equipment, losses and packing off during the cementation.
Check that casing is secured before starting the cement job.
The slurries have thixotropic properties (high YPs) so it is important to keep pumping, even if only at a low rate. Once
pumping has stopped it will be difficult to get the slurries to move again.
Cement stinger will need to be tied-down to prevent pump-out during the cement job.
The cement mix fluids for the lead and tail slurries will be prepared in two separate batch mixers.
This must be done before the casing has reached bottom. It is better to dump the mix water than to have the rig waiting for
mix water to be prepared.
The annular excess volumes will be 100% for the lead cement slurry and 25% for the tail cement slurry based on experience
of the previous cemented surface casings.
The spacer is to be prepared in the rig slug pit and final surfactant added while circulating at TD.
Both cement slurries will be mixed on the fly and pumped at 3 bpm (plug flow displacement). This rate is sufficient to allow
the cellar pump to transfer the returns and prevent the cellar form overflowing.
If the lead cement does not reach surface (losses), or the top of the cement drops in the annulus, a top up job will be
performed using a fast setting 1.9 sg slurry, accessing the annulus with a spaghetti pipe. This job should be done off the
critical path.
Ensure spaghetti pipe is readily available for performing a cement top up job.
Ensure a cement program for a top up job is available on the rig.
The job is designed so that the maximum ECD will not exceed 1.64 sg at the 20" casing shoe and 1.52 sg at the 30" casing
shoe. The effective casing weight will be positive under static and dynamic conditions with 1.05 sg mud in the 20" Casing x
Drill Pipe annulus.
If losses are seen during the drilling the section, thixotropic cement can be considered.
Check the hook up of the transfer pump from the cellar to the waste disposal tank to take returns during cementing. Run a
clean-up line to the rig floor in the event pumping is stopped and the slurry needs to be cleaned out of the surface lines.
Sequence of Operations
Pump string volume to ensure it is not plugged up.
Stab-in.
Fill 30" X 5" annulus, if necessary, and monitor fluid level to ensure inner string is not leaking.
Circulate at least 1.5 x annular volume while monitoring returns to ensure hole is clean and is not packing off.
Hold a Pre-Job Safety Meeting whilst circulating. Personnel must be made aware of their responsibilities, understand the job
sequence, pressure limits, communication signals for opening/closing valves, etc.
Prepare 6 m3 of spacer while filling the cement unit displacement tanks with Technical Water.
Fill the cement lines with Technical Water (1 m3) and pressure test lines to 3000 psi for 10 min.
During winter months use saturated brine instead of technical water
 Bleed off pressure and pump the spacer at 3 bpm
Mix and pump 1.5 sg lead slurry at 3 bpm. Take representative cement slurry samples, label and place in oven or waterbath
set at bottom hole temperature.
Once the lead cement slurry returns reach 1.45 sg, switch over to the tail slurry. This will ensure that by the time the tail
slurry has been displaced, the returning cement slurry will have a density of 1.50 sg, without pumping excessive volume of
lead cement slurry.
Mix and pump the 2.0 sg tail slurry at 2 bpm. Take representative cement slurry samples, label and place in oven or
waterbath set at bottom hole temperature.
Add sugar in cellar on noticing cement. Use vacuum truck to remove returns from cellar.
There should be minimal pressure throughout the displacement of the cement, if pressure starts to rise suddenly, shut down
pumping and investigate. If the problem is due to a restriction in the annulus, attempt to pump the tail at reduced rate. If the
job cant be completed, a top job will be performed later.
Note: Max pump pressure should not exceed 300 psi throughout the job. The casing collapse pressure is 520 psi.
Mud Engineer should be near cellar area during the cement job to record return slurry weight and also monitor 20 casing for
stinger seal leak. Make sure sugar bags are near cellar (require at least 6 large bags of sugar).
Displace cement in the inner string with technical water or saturated brine (winter months), using cementing unit. Leave +/-
15 m inside DP.
Purge the cement line to the cement unit displacement tank and monitor returns. If the float does not hold pump back the
returned volume and shut in the cement line and monitor pressure. When the cement start to set the pressure should drop
off.
If no returns, sting out and observe for 10 min the level in the casing to confirm float is holding. If the float doesnt hold, sting
back in, with cement line closed at surface and wait for another +/-10 minutes.
Flush 1.5x DP volume and POOH cement stinger.
Install the Wear Bushing.
Notes: If losses during cementing
If losses occur after cement has reached surface, complete the job and a top job will be done later on.
If total losses occur during the cement job, reduce the mixing and flow rate of cement and check for improvement.
If the situation improves, complete the cement job as planned.
If cement has not reached surface, a top job to fill up the annulus will be performed later.

Example Calculation 20in Casing Cementing (Stinger)

This article gives an example of calculation for a typical 20" casing cemented with stinger (cement volumes, displacement
volumes, collapse and floating).
Relevant Data
Derrick floor elevation: 100 ft (above Mean Sea Level (MSL)).
Water level: 100ft
30in conductor driven to 300 ft BDF.
26in hole drilled to 600 ft BDF (vertical, gauge hole).
Cement: class G with 1.5% CaCl2.
20in casing run to 580 ft BDF (K55, BTC, 94 lbs/ft).
Surface lines capacity: 1 bbl.
Mud Weight: 8.9 ppg (sea water)
The casing will be cemented using a 14.8 ppg (or less) slurry (2 % bentonite as mixwater). 5in drillpipe will be used as a
stinger.
As a stinger is used, pumping of 14.8 ppg slurry will be continued until good cement returns to seabed, unless serious losses
are encountered (in that case, 200 % excess over gauge open hole volume (or more) may be pumped). The cement volume
calculated in this example is just to get an idea of how much is approximately needed.
If no calliper log has been run, a best guess of the average hole size should be made. In this case, we shall assume 100 %
excess over the 26in (gauge) hole / 20-30in conductor casing annulus. The cement will be under displaced in such a way
that approx. 2 bbl of cement is left inside the drillpipe. It will be assumed that cement enters the pocket

Calculation cement volume

a. Capacities:
Section Capacity (bbls/ft)
5in drillpipe, 19.5 lbs/ft 0.0176
20in casing, 94 lbs/ft 0.3552
26in hole / 20in casing annulus 0.2681
30in conductor / 157.53 lbs/ft / 20in casing (1 wall thickness) annulus 0.428
26in hole capacity 0.6567
b. Slurry yields and water-cement ratios:
Slurry Gradient (ppg) Yield (cu.ft/sk) Water / Cement Ratio (gal/sx)
14.8 1.34 6.3
c. Annular capacity of 26in (gauge) hole / 20in casing:
(580 - 300) ft x 0.2681 bbls/ft = 75 bbls (including 100 % excess 150 bbls)
d. Annular capacity 30in conductor / 20in casing:
(300-200) ft x 0.428 bbls/ft = 42.8 bbls
pocket capacity: 20 ft x 0.6567 bbls/ft = 13 bbls (including 200 % excess =39 bbls)
e. Add (c) and (d) for the total 14.8ppg slurry volume required:
150 bbls + 42.8 bbls + 39 bbls 232 bbls 1302 cu.ft
f. 14.8 ppg slurry = 1302 cu.ft slurry required. Yield = 1.34 cu.ft/sk, so
1302 cu.ft = 971.6 sx cement required
1.34 cu.ft/sk
Water / cement ratio = 6.3 gal/sk, therefore mixwater required:
972 sx x 6.3gal/sk = 6123.6 gal = 145.8 bbls 146 bbls
g. Total wt: of cement = 972 sxs x 94 lbs/sx = 91,368 lbs
Wt: of CaCl2 (1.5% BWOC) = 0.015 x 91368 = 1370 lbs
Calculate Displacement Volume
The capacity of the drillpipe from derrick floor to 50 ft above the shoe is:
(580 ft - 50 ft) x 0.0176bbls/ft = 9.3 bbls
Surface lines capacity = 1 bbl
So displace with 9.3 bbls + 1 bbl = 10.3 bbls mud.
Mixwater Preparation Calculations
From the calculations, it follows that 146 bbls of mixwater is required for a slurry (14.8 ppg) volume that allows for 100 %
excess over open hole volume.
Preferably some excess + dead volume of mixwater should be prepared, as cement will be pumped until it reaches sea bed
(if no losses). The amount of excess mixwater should be determined by the cost of the additives required and reasoned
estimates of what is required.
If dry Bentonite is added, it should be done well in advance of the job, to allow full hydration.
Premix can be diluted instead of using dry bentonite. Determine the bentonite content of the premix, using the Methylene
blue test.
A defoamer should be added to the premix before diluting or to the industrial water before adding the dry bentonite in a
concentration 0.03 % v/v of the mixwater
= 4.4gal.
Check for Collapse and Float of the Casing
The mud gradient is 0.4628 psi/ft (8.9ppg).
Check for Collapse:
a) pressure at shoe depth outside the casing:
580 ft x 14.8ppg x 0.052 = 453 psi
b) pressure at shoe depth inside the casing:
580 ft x 0.4628psi/ft = 268 psi
So, collapse pressure is 453 psi - 268 psi = 185 psi.
This is smaller than the collapse resistance of this casing (522 psi).
Casing Size/Wt Collapse Psi Burst Psi
20 / 94 lb/ft K55 520 2110
20 / 106.5 lb/ft K55 770 2400
20 / 133 lb/ft K55 1500 2400
Check for Float
a) Downward forces
The total (dry) weight of the casing is: 580 ft x 94 lbs/ft = 54 520 lbs
The internal diameter of this casing is 19.124in
Cross-sectional area:
Pi/4 x (19.124)2 = 287in2
Downward force due to mud and cement inside the casing is:
pressure inside the casing at shoe depth (see a above) x cross - sectional area
= 268 psi x 287in2 = 76 916 lbs
This added to the weight of the casing gives the total downward force:
76 916 lbs + 54 520 lbs = 131 436 lbs
b) Upward forces
The external diameter of this casing is 20in.
Cross-sectional area:
(PI/4) x (20)2 = 314in2
Upward force due to cement outside the casing is equal to
pressure outside the casing at shoe depth x cross - sectional area
= 453 psi x 314in2 = 142 242 lbs
c) Resultant force:
downward: 131 436 lbs
upward: 142 242 lbs
Net Force: 10 806 lbs upwards
In this case the 20in casing will tend to float. Depending on the actual well data, a heavier mud inside the casing or a lighter
slurry should be used.