Version 2005Jan15

Schlumberger Private

CUT & THREAD

FISHING
PROCEDURES AND
BEST PRACTICES

Schlumberger
Schlumberger

A CUT & THREAD FISHING OPERATION is the most

dangerous operation involving wireline. Prior to starting a cut &
thread operation ensure the following is completed:
A written HARC is completed and discussed with all involved
This CUT & THREAD procedure is reviewed with all involved
The operation involves several companies, including the operating
company, the rig company, the fishing hand and Schlumberger. It is an
integrated effort with one supervisor, the Operator Wellsite Supervisor.
Communication is critical for a safe & successful fishing job
EVERYONE INVOLVED IS EMPOWERED TO STOP THE
OPERATION IF THEY FEEL IT IS UNSAFE!!

1 Hang Sheave In Derrick

Try to hang sheave with fishing sling so it will not
interfere with the handling of drillpipe
Lower sheave must be moved away from rotary to
prevent interference with rig floor operations and
cable contact with top drive
Clear the rig floor while derrick man hangs the sheave.

Use Longest Links Available

Schlumberger Private

In order to determine the proper fishing assembly to use,

the derrick man should provide a best estimate of
the distance available between the top of pipe
and the sheave.

Top
Drive

108 ones are standard; try to use 140 ones or longer

Top
Drive

Inspect every 5,000 and before going into open hole for
cable wear, damage of fishing equipment, and tightness
of fishing equipment
If available, install roller assembly on top drive to eliminate
cable rubbing; If one is not available, have rig make one

108
>108

Do not use the Varco Wireline Adapter commonly known

as Bicycle Wheels
Not
Desirable

Desirable

Tension Device
Switch to TDK if using CMTD ( if available)
(Prevents cable backlash)

CMTD
Schlumberger

Compare TDK and CMTD

readings so that fishing operation
is performed under correct tension
Do not pre-load lower sheave with
air hoist tension; Sheave should
hang freely until weight is applied

Schlumberger

TDK

the Cable
2 Cut
Pull 1,000 to 2,000 lbs over normal tension
and secure T-Bar cable clamp to cable
If hole is straight, cut cable 5 to 7 feet
above rotary table

Cable

If hole is deviated, cut cable 10 feet above

rotary table plus 1 foot for every 1,000 feet
greater than 10,000 feet
T-Bar

T-Bar

Test T-Bar for slippage before cutting cable

Tapered
Cone

Use tapered cones from LEH-Q on top of fishing weights

If available, use heavier-shorter fishing weights with
knuckle joints and swivel, or Wire Rope Weight with Cooper
Knuckle-Swivel (a must on top drives!!)
Minimum restrictions for all drilling hardware (jars, drill
collars, and heavy weight) must be known to determine
size of overshot guide to use
Always use the largest guide that will fit
through drilling hardware

Highly Recommended

Rig Up Spearhead Overshot

Or

Schlumberger Private

Use proper size cable bushing in T-Bar and

mark cable to ensure there is no slippage

Or

Knuckle
Joints

Cooper Knuckle -Swivel

Never use after-market non-SLB rope sockets.

Swivel used to prevent cable torque from backing
off spear assembly.

Overshot Guide

Rig Up Spear
Never use spears which contain Ws in their work
order numbers
Always use Hexagon Adapter when stripping over;
Hexagon Adapter will stop on top of no-go if dropped
accidentally
Only use plain adapter when drill pipe ID is too small for
Hexagon Adapter and switch back to Hexagon Adapter
as soon as drill pipe ID permits
Never use after-market non- SLB rope sockets

Work Order Number

Stamped Here

Hexagon Adapter

If basket type grapple is used, assemble

5-3/4 overshot, basket grapple, and no-go

Make-Up Torque
Bowl to Top Sub
5 3/4
7600

4 11/16
3200

4 11/16

Assemble 4-11/16 overshot, spiral type

grapple, and no-go (preferred method)

5 3/4

3 Assemble Overshot

Not
Desirable

Desirable

Bowl to Guide
5 3/4
4 11/16
1700
1300

ALWAYS VISUALLY INSPECT grapple

for proper size for job and NEVER install
a used grapple

Remove hex adapter, pass well end of cable through downhole

overshot and reinstall hex adapter (Remember, 2 1/4 hex
adapter will not pass through the smaller ID no-go)

Install Drain Sub

Drain sub with blow out disk aids in
grapple cleaning and prevents pulling
wet drillpipe after disk is blown
Install above downhole overshot assembly

Blow Out Disk

Schlumberger Private

Thread Cable Thru Overshot

4 Thread Through
Slowly ( <2000 FPH) pull overshot assembly to derrick man
to thread through bottom hole assembly
Communication is critical at this point to prevent pulling
assembly into the sheave!! Use radios!! Clear rig floor!!
Make sure all minimum restrictions are known in pipe
Flag line at winch after bottom of assembly reaches the
the top of pipe. This flag may need to be adjusted in
Step 5 when full stands of pipe are used.

First Stand of Drillpipe,

Collars, or Heavy Weight

Schlumberger Private

DO NOT EXCEED THIS FLAG WITHOUT 1st STOPPING

THE OPERATION, YOU WILL PULL INTO
THE SHEAVE!!!

Remove T-Bar
Tighten overshot to bottom of first stand
of drillpipe
Stab spearhead overshot, pull cable
tension, check for slippage, and remove
T-bar cable clamp after completing check
Remove IDW and position spooling arm
to one side (If CMTD is used, do not remove)

Tightened Overshot
Assembly

Cable Tension= 1000 lbs

to 2,000 lbs + Normal

Spear Stabbed into

Overshot

T-Bar

When Slips Are Set

After the slips are set, floorhand should position elevators
away from spearhead assembly until elevators are clear
of assembly. If not done, elevators could catch hex adapter
and cause cable to break
Afterwards, install C-plate, slack off cable,
and release overshot with special tongs
Use correct C-plate for pipe size
Schlumberger

4 1/2 IF

3 1/2 IF

C-Plate
Location

5 Flag Line
After tripping in with drill collars, jars,
and heavy weights, flag line at drum
and bottom sheave with rags, tape, paint,
etc... when spearhead overshot is
positioned over drillpipe by the derrick
man. Derrick man will thread overshot
assembly through drillpipe.

Schlumberger

Schlumberger
Schlumberger

Flag Line Again

Flag line again at drum and
bottom sheave when spear is
stabbed in spearhead overshot
ONCE FLAGS ARE SET, DO NOT
EXCEED WITHOUT 1ST
SHUTTING DOWN OPERATIONS
AND DISCUSSING WITH ALL !! YOU
WILL PULL INTO THE SHEAVE!!

Schlumberger

Schlumberger

Trip In Slowly
Maintain Proper Cable Tension
(1,000 to 2,000 lbs plus normal)
Pay particular attention to top
drive / block; If weights are in danger
of hanging up top drive, slack off slightly.
but do so carefully. Pull back to 1-2K lbs over
once the weights are clear.

Drillpipe

Schlumberger Private

ONCE FLAGS ARE SET, DO NOT

EXCEED WITHOUT 1ST SHUTTING
DOWN OPERATIONS AND
DISCUSSING WITH ALL !!

6 Re-thread Overshot
Pull overshot to derrick man who will thread
through another stand of drillpipe
(watch flag at at drum)

Stab Overshot

Schlumberger Private

Schlumberger

Drillpipe

Attach drain sub to second stand of drillpipe

Position pipe over spearhead overshot and slack
off until the other flag on the drum is reached
Schlumberger
Keep hands
in safe position

Hands

Schlumberger

C-Plate

Make Overshot Connection

Make overshot connection, pull enough tension to
remove C-plate, and adjust tension again to
normal plus 1,000 lbs to 2,000 lbs.
Too low of tension will result in cable being damaged
or completely cut by the overshot assembly as it moves
downward. NOW YOU HAVE A CABLE FISHING
JOB ON YOUR HANDS!!!!
C-Plate

7 Make-Up Drillpipe
Drillpipe is made-up and tightened
Slips are pulled and the descent begins
Do not rotate pipe in hole
Observe tension, if it increases stop & discuss

Slips

Repeat procedure for each stand

of drillpipe until circulation depth
is reached

Set Slips and

Disconnect
Overshot

If excessive open hole is present,

circulation every 10 stands (especially
if lost circulation material is used)
should be considered to keep grapple
clean

Trip in Slowly

Remember to watch your speed!!!!

Going in the hole slowly is the only
way
If crew changes, STOP review HARC & Fishing
procedure before proceeding

3
Rethread Overshot
Through Drillpipe

Stab Overshot

Make Overshot
Connection

Remove C-Plate

Then Make-Up
Drill Pipe
C-Plate

Schlumberger Private

Tripping in Hole

8 Install Circulating Sub

Install sub one stand above fish
Kelly or Top Drive
Spearhead Overshot

Circulating Sub
Circulating
Basket
Spearhead Sub

Circulating Sub

Never put circulating sub in hole

Circulate One Stand Above Fish

Cuttings and debris should be removed from downhole overshot
assembly by circulation of mud at a one stand maximum
Only circulate long enough to ensure grapple is clean
Never circulate too long or too fast; cable damage will occur

Engage Fish
Maintain normal tension plus 1,000 to 2,000 lbs and approach
fish slowly;
Observe tension and set at least 2,000 additional pounds on fish;
Pull at least 2 joints of drillpipe (60) and observe tension
A minimum tension loss of 2,000 lbs should be observed to
confirm latch (a tension resulting in 0 after pulling pipe would
be a definite indication of engagement)
Repeat this engagement procedure at least twice
If tension does not decrease, the fish in not engaged
DO NOT ROTATE PIPE AFTER ENGAGING FISH!!!

Schlumberger Private

C-Plate

9 Blow Drain Sub Disk

Apply mud pump pressure to blow disk in
sub

Drain Sub

Pump slug; especially for oil base mud

(Do not trip out with oil base wet string; its unsafe)
Afterwards, repeat engagement process before breaking
weak point to make sure tool was not pumped out of the
overshot

Reconfirm Engagement
Repeat engagement process at least twice to ensure
tool is still in downhole overshot
Again, observe tension and set at least 2,000 additional
pounds on fish;
Pull at least 2 joints of drillpipe (60) and observe tension
A minimum tension loss of 2,000 lbs should be observed to
confirm latch (a tension resulting in 0 after pulling pipe would
be a definite indication of engagement)

Break Weak Point

Install T-Bar and calculate cable stretch
required to break weak point
(Depth) X (Stretch Coefficient)

Move cable up and down within stretch

limit with block to work tension to weak point
Use block to break weak point and record
tension at which break occurs
Make sure rig floor is clear and inspect lower
sheave chain before proceeding

Schlumberger Private

Blown Disk

10 Install TIW Valve

Logging Cable

Install TIW valve before spooling

cable onto drum
This could aid in controlling well if
trouble occurs

TIW Valve

Tie Square Knot

Cut off rope sockets on both well
end and unit end of cable
Tie square knot in cable, pull tight ,
and tape ends

To Well

To Logging Unit

Square knots reduce cable breaking strength by 50%!!

Consult In-Touch on High Tension jobs!!
Don't pull tension on a square knot above 25% of
the cable break strength. In that case use two T-bar method
to get the knot to the drum plus at least three wraps before
pulling.

Spool Cable
Observe square knot as it
goes over upper and lower
sheaves
Afterwards, reinstall IDW
to measure cable
Schlumberger
Do not pull the weakpoint
assembly over the
sheave!!

Clear rig floor when near surface

Schlumberger

Square Knot

Schlumberger Private

OPTIONAL
Schlumberger

11 Tripping Out of Hole

Do not rotate pipe while tripping out of hole;
Rotation may cause fish to disengage and fall
out of downhole overshot
DO NOT ROTATE DRILLPIPE!!!
Drillpipe

Schlumberger Private

At Surface
Install make-up plate at first available
tool collar and remove overshot assembly

Downhole Overshot
With Fished Tool

Remove remaining toolstring with air

hoist, cover hole, and finish breaking
and cleaning tools in rat hole
Make-up Plate

Make sure air hoist is rated for toolstring

Removing Fish

Grapple

Remove guide and bump tool

vertically against rig floor to free
grapple control
Spin tool and grapple out of overshot
by turning in a clockwise motion
(Tool should come free without
applying excessive force)
If another method is used to release tool,
remove electronics from housing in
overshot to minimize damage

Grapple Control

Guide Shoe

12 Reverse Cut and Thread

Provides an alternative to breaking the weak point after the tool string has
been engaged in the grapple.
USE THIS TECHNIQUE IF:
a)
The weakpoint can not be safely broken due to deviation and doglegs
b)
If you want the cable to remain attached to the toolstring until it reaches the
casing or surface (normally when fishing with RA sources)
c)
If you suspect the rubber boot on the top of bridle is wedged inside the
grapple (when fishing with logging bridles) impeccable

- Safest and most reliable fishing technique

- Only one cable clamp is needed
- Cable tension can be continuously monitored. If the fish is pulled out of the grapple, you
can see the tension increase and act promptly.
- The disadvantage is that the procedure is relatively slow and requires a lot of coordinatingwith the derrick man.

Method2: Dual T-Bar method

- Not a recommended procedure
- No longer have control over the down hole tension of the cable.
- Need too feed a lot of slack into the pipe.
- Should the fish fall out of the grapple and become stuck, excessive tension may either strip
the cable out of the cable clamp or break the weak point.
- To use this method you must be 100% sure that the tool is properly engaged in the grapple.

Schlumberger Private

Method1: Single T-Bar and Reef Knot method

13 Single T-Bar and Reef Knot method

Cut Spear and Overshot
Break the last stand and put a T-Bar on the
cable and slack until spear,overshot, and
weights are out
Cut off the spear,overshot and weights on
both end of cable

Remove cable from Drill Pipe

Re-attach one weight bar and pull the cable out of the
drill pipe with help from derickman.
Lower the cable once it is out of the drill pipe
NOTE:
- Need at least 1 weight bar as counter weight so that
cable will not slip from the top sheave
- Better to pull the cable by hand instead of using
winch for better control (reduce chances of weight
bar knocking the top sheave)

Tie Square Knot

Remove the weight bar from the uphole end of the cable.
Tie square knot in cable, pull tight, and tape ends.
NOTE:
Make sure the tails of the knot is long enough and and
properly taped to avoid the knot from coming loose.

Remove

Schlumberger Private

Cut

14 Reversing out
Pull up with the winch until the knot is tight
NOTE:
Clear the rig floor when picking up the cable. In case the knot
unravels, the cable will come out through the upper sheave
and fall on the rig floor

Make sure knot is tight

Remove the T-Bar and slack down until the knot is inside the
drill pipe
Schlumberger Private

Driller will pull up the drillpipe and break the next

connection.

Remove cable from Drill Pipe

Have the driller pull up the drill pipe
Pull the wireline cable up 90ft/30m (or depending on
the length of the drillpipe connection)
Slack off the cable until the knot is out of the pipe
Cut both ends of the cable

Cut

Continue Reversing out

Re-attach one weight bar and pull the cable out of the
drill pipe with help from derickman.
Lower the cable once it is out of the drill pipe
Remove the weight bar. Tie a square knot and keep
doing this until the bottom of the fish is in the casing
shoe or the tool is at surface
You can proceed with breaking the weakpoint by
following the previous instructions.

15 Dual T-Bar method

Cut Spear and Overshot
Break the last stand and put a T-Bar on the cable
and slack until spear,overshot, and weights are out
Cut off the cable on the downhole end.
Release the spear from the overshot using the
special thong
Schlumberger Private

Cut

Remove cable from Drill Pipe

Pull the cable out of the drill pipe with help from
derickman.
Lower the cable once it is out of the drill pipe
Secure the uphole end of the cable since it will not be
used for now
NOTE:
- Better to pull the cable by hand instead of using
winch for better control (reduce chances of weight
bar knocking the top sheave)

Preparing the T-Bar

Connect slings to the T-Bar handle and attach the
sling to the rig air tugger
Have the Driller pick up the drill pipe, and pick up
the slack on the air tugger as well along with the drill
pipe

Air Tugger

Slings

16 Installing 2nd T-Bar

Have the Driller break the connection, and then pick up the
drill pipe just enough to install the 2nd T-Bar
Make sure the air tugger is holding the top T-Bar firmly
NOTE:
Be careful not to pick up too much. If not you can break the
weakpoint

Clear the rig floor of all unnecessary personnel

Have the derickman slowly loosen up the top T-bar.
The cable should slide down from inside the drill pipe
If the cable not coming out, the operator needs to pull
the cable out by using a long hook. Make sure he is
at a safe distance before pulling out the cable.

Pulling Out Pipe

Lower down the top T-Bar using the air tugger
Rat back the drill pipe into the derrick
Cut the cable close to the lower T-Bar
Continue doing this until the bottom of the fish is in
the casing shoe or the tool is at surface
You can proceed with breaking the weakpoint by
following the previous instructions.
Cut

Schlumberger Private

Removing Cable from Top T-Bar

When Things Go Wrong

Spearhead Cable Shortens During Descent

Figure 1

New Length
Original Length

Unable to Use C-Plate

Because Spearhead is
Below Top of Pipe
Connection

Spearhead
C-Plate

Spearhead
(Inside Pipe)

Slips

Figure 2
Option two involves cutting the cable below the spearhead and adding extra cable by
building two new rope sockets and using a double ended torpedo (Fig. 3). After this
extra length is added, the spearhead is reinstalled and tested.

Schlumberger Private

If cable cutting length calculations are incorrect at the beginning of the job, the
spearhead will move closer to the rig floor as the downhole overshot approaches the
fish. This can be a real problem with highly deviated and dog-legged wells. During the
descent, cable is pulled off the wall reducing its original length. Normal tension also
increases to keep the spearhead assembly at the same distance above the rig floor. This
is similar to holding a rope and applying a force in the center to cause a deflection. As
the deflection increases, the ropes length decreases (Fig. 1). When this reaches an
unacceptable level where the C-plate cant be applied, the operation will come to a
halt (Fig. 2). One option to solve this problem is to install an extension below the
spearhead to increase the distance from the rig floor.

When Things Go Wrong Continued..

Spearhead Assembly

Spearhead Assembly

Rope Socket Housing

Extension
Double Ended Torpedo

Option #2

Option #1

Figure 3

There is a slight possibility that too much cable may be added using these options.
When this happens, slacking off on the cable becomes a reality whenever the C-plate is
removed or installed and can cause cable damage if not performed correctly (Fig. 4).
Slacking when the pipe is motionless is fine and should not cause any problems as
long as it is removed and the correct tension regained before the pipe is moved.
Figure 4

Schlumberger Private

Rope Socket Housing

When Things Go Wrong Continued..

Cable Breaks While Breaking Weak Point
Since the fish is already in the grapple, the cable can located by tripping out pipe. Once
the other end is recovered, the T-bar can be reinstalled and the cable pulled again as
before.

Dropped Spearhead Assembly

If the spearhead with rope socket and cable is accidentally dropped into the pipe, run
the cable overshot with the largest applicable guide down the pipe and attempt to
engage the spear. It should only be a few hundred feet below the rotary.
If this fails, have the drill pipe pulled and retrieve the spearhead. The no-go in the
downhole overshot should catch the hex adapter.

Cant Confirm Engagement

There are four major reasons why tool engagement can not be confirmed. They are:
Inoperative or malfunctioning tension device
Confirm Tension Device is working correctly
Debris in the downhole overshot
An overshot full of debris can prevent the grapple from engaging the fish. The
only way to clear it is by circulating. If circulation does not solve the problem,
one of the other conditions may exist.
Slack in the cable
Slack in the cable during a fishing job can produce a large coiled wad inside
the downhole overshot preventing engagement (Fig. 4). This is why maintaining
the proper tension throughout the operation is so important.
Wrong size grapple
If the wrong size grapple is used, there is still a slight chance that the tool
can be retrieved. Grapples operate in a range and can expand a little more than
indicated to accept a slightly larger fish.

Schlumberger Private

Proper tension must be maintained throughout the entire fishing operation. Slack cable
can cause broken armors and weak spots in the cable. With slack in the hole, the cable
can double back around the guide and get cut. At the very least, this could produce a
weak spot and unfavorable results when attempting to break the weak point.