Methods for freeing stuck drill pipes in water wells
03 Jul,2020
Within 30 minutes of getting stuck, the water well drill pipe may be freed using a jarring technique. Try lifting and then sharply dropping or rotating the pipe—but if this doesn’t work after 30 minutes of such attempts, stop further manipulation.
For a straight wellbore, apply full weight equivalent to two-thirds of the drill string’s weight above the sticking point, causing the drill string to bend slightly. This reduces the contact area between the drill string and the wellbore wall, preventing the sticking point from moving upward.
However, in horizontal or deviated wells, applying additional pressure is not advisable, as the lower section of the drill string relies entirely on the lower side of the wellbore wall. Excessive pressure could actually worsen the situation, making it even harder to free the pipe.
Using Clear Water to Free a Stuck Drill String:
① Prerequisites: The formation must be stable, and there should be no high-pressure zones.
② Procedure: Completely displace the original drilling fluid with clear water, then circulate at a high pump rate for 30 minutes, followed by a 30-minute static period. Repeat this cycle 10 times. Within 30 minutes of getting stuck, you may be able to free the drill bit using vibration techniques. Try lifting and then sharply dropping or rotating the drill string—but if these actions fail after 30 minutes, stop attempting further movements.
For a vertical well, apply about two-thirds of the weight of the drill string above the sticking point all at once, causing the drill string to bend slightly. This reduces the contact area between the drill string and the wellbore walls, preventing the sticking point from moving upward.
However, in horizontal or directional wells, applying additional pressure is not advisable, as the lower section of the drill string relies entirely on the lower side of the wellbore wall. Excessive pressure could actually worsen the situation, making it even harder to free the drill bit.
Using清水 to Free Up a Stuck Drill String:
① Prerequisites: The formation must be stable, and there should be no high-pressure zones.
② Procedure: Completely displace the original drilling fluid with清水, then circulate using a high pump rate for 30 minutes, followed by a 30-minute static period. Repeat this cycle 10 times.
Using caustic soda to free stuck drill pipes:
① Accurately determine the sticking point location using the pulling method.
② Requirements: Ensure the caustic soda has a purity of at least 96%, and use 1 ton of the product.
③ Procedure for freeing the pipe: Dissolve 1 ton of caustic soda in 10 m³ of clean water, then flush the mixture into the drill string using a mud pump for 10 minutes. Afterward, pump the solution back out and allow it to sit, soaking the pipe thoroughly.
For faster release using Quick T: Add 3 tons of Quick T to 10 m³ of clean water, mix well, and then inject the solution directly into the drill string. Follow up by pumping the displacement fluid, then let the system sit undisturbed to soak the pipe completely.
Use saltwater to speed up T-joint freeing: ① If there’s a high-pressure layer, the drilling fluid density will be relatively high; ② To free the stuck joint, add potassium chloride and calcium chloride to 10 m³ of clean water, mixing it into a saltwater solution with a density matching that of the drilling fluid. Then, add 4 buckets of Quick T, stir thoroughly, and pump the mixture in. Using Clear Water to Free a Stuck Drill String:
① Prerequisites: The formation must be stable, and there should be no high-pressure zones.
② Procedure: Completely displace the original drilling fluid with clear water, then circulate at a high pump rate for 30 minutes, followed by a 30-minute static period. Repeat this cycle 10 times. , then deliver the replacement slurry and allow it to sit undisturbed for soaking; ③ Important note: After freeing the stuck component, make sure to completely drain the quick-T solution.
Using Clear Water to Free a Stuck Drill String:
① Prerequisites: The formation must be stable, and there should be no high-pressure zones.
② Procedure: Completely displace the original drilling fluid with clear water, then circulate at a high pump rate for 30 minutes, followed by a 30-minute static period. Repeat this cycle 10 times. Use AD dry powder card release agent
① Preparatory steps: Replace the original slurry entirely with clean water, while maintaining 10 m³ of slurry outside the well.
② Add the AD dry powder card-removal agent at a ratio of 5% based on the total slurry volume, then continuously circulate with a high displacement rate.
Using crude oil mixed with diesel to free a stuck object
①6 m³ of crude oil mixed evenly with 3 m³ of diesel is then pumped into the drill pipe, followed by displacement fluid, and subsequently allowed to stand and soak.
② After freeing the stuck pipe, completely drain the acid aqua regia solution;
③ Important note: Acid King is highly corrosive—avoid getting it on your skin.
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