OTC 20933

Game Changing Technology Developments for Safe and Cost Effective

Determination of Free Point in Horizontal and Vertical Wells
Calvin Kessler, SPE, Jim Hill, SPE, and Jerry Weiser, SPE, Halliburton

Copyright 2010, Offshore Technology Conference

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2010 Offshore Technology Conference held in Houston, Texas, USA, 3–6 May 2010.

This paper was selected for presentation by an OTC program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been
reviewed by the Offshore Technology Conference and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Offshore Technology Conference, its
officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Offshore Technology Conference is prohibited. Permission to
reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of OTC copyright.

Abstract
The Halliburton Free Point tool is a game-changing technology in the determination of the free point/stuck point in support of
drilling and well abandonment operations. The identification of the free point in drill collars, drillpipe, tubing, or casing is
critical for successful drilling and pipe recovery or well abandonment operations. A new logging tool is available that will
cost effectively identify the free point. Case histories have shown rig time reductions in excess of 50% when compared to
legacy free point methods. The tool uses the property of steel called the magnetostrictive effect, by which the magnetization
of the steel is modified when it is subjected to stress.
The procedure for using the new tool requires two logging passes. The first logging pass creates a small magnetic field on
the pipe and records the pipe magnetization information with the pipe in a neutral weight condition. The second logging pass
records the magnetization information after tension or torque has been applied to the pipe and released. When torque or
tension is applied to pipe that can be stretched or torqued, the magnetostrictive properties of the pipe change. If a section of
the pipe cannot be stretched or torqued, the magnetization effects remain unchanged. On this basis, the free point is easily
detected by comparing two logging passes, the first pass is recorded with the pipe in a neutral weight condition, and the
second logging pass is obtained after the pipe is momentarily stretched or torqued. In near-vertical wells, traditional e-line
gravity deployment is used. In highly deviated or horizontal wells, either pump down or tractor conveyance can be used.
This new logging tool provides significant advantages from a safety standpoint; the application of pipe stretch is used for
only a few minutes between logging passes. Legacy methods required numerous station measurements with the pipe being
stretched. These station measurements consume rig time and can create possible HSE events because the pipe must be
pulled/stretched or torqued above the neutral weight condition at each stationary measurement point. Also, because the
determination of a free point with this new tool utilizes a comparison of two logging passes, real-time operations with
continuous satellite communications readily enables the involvement of remotely-based pipe recovery experts with the pipe
recovery planning and execution for freeing the pipe. The new technology is independent of a highly skilled on-site pipe
recovery expert and the delays associated with waiting for the expert to arrive on location.
The tool is small in diameter and is run centralized; it does not require the addition of weight bars for slip
engagement. These features shorten the length of the tool string and simplify e-line rig up procedures. The short tool
length provides advantages in deviated and horizontal well conditions in which pump down free point tool
deployment may be required.
The tool design incorporates safe electronic circuitry which enables explosive devices, such as string shots or other
pipe recovery explosive devices, to be run in combination with the Halliburton Free Point Tool on a single e-line
deployment. This safe combination of free point determination and pipe recovery on a single logging tool trip greatly
reduces nonproductive time by eliminating the time required to trip out with the free point tool, pick up and run in the
hole with the string shot, and perform depth tie-in.

Introduction
Free point determination and pipe recovery operations in the drilling environment can have different objectives and priorities
from those in well abandonment operations. In well abandonment operations, the objective is generally the maximum
recovery of tubing and casing with minimal fishing while complying with all regulatory rules. The objective of the free point
operation is generally the location of the 100% free pipe depth for tubing or casing. Subsequent e-line back off or pipe
2 OTC 20933

severing operations are generally performed above the 100% free point location. Pipe recovery in concentric casing string
completions is a common industry practice.
In the drilling environment, the locations of the 100% stuck point and the 100% free point are desired information,
especially when the drillstring contains expensive logging-while-drilling (LWD) formation evaluation tools. With legacy free
point tools, many station measurements were required to determine the 100% free point and the 100% stuck point. These
station measurements consume rig time and can create possible HSE events because the strain gauge technology requires the
pipe to be pulled/stretched or torqued above the neutral weight condition at each stationary depth measurement point. The
basic procedures for the new tool include one down logging pass with the pipe in a neutral weight condition. Next, the rig
applies and releases pipe stretch, returning the pipe to the neutral weight condition. The final step consists of a one up
logging pass with the pipe in the neutral weight condition. These steps are generally all that is needed to provide a well log
recording of the free pipe and stuck pipe depths. The free point can also be determined by using a down logging pass with the
pipe in a neutral weight pass, and an up logging pass after torque has been applied to the drillstring and released. From a HSE
standpoint, stretch is applied to the pipe once for only a few minutes. When torque is used to alter the stresses in the
drillstring, stretching the pipe is not required.
This new free pipe tool uses a patented process in which the changes in the magnetic properties of the drillstring are used
to determine the free and stuck pipe. The tool (Fig. 1) includes a small permanent magnet on the bottom of the tool that
creates a small magnetic field in the drillstring. Less than one meter above the permanent magnet is a co-planar array of
multi-axis high sensitivity magnetometers that measure this magnetic field in the drillstring. Stretch or torque applied to the
drillstring will alter this magnetic field where the pipe is free to move. Where the pipe is stuck, the magnetic field is not
altered. This property of altering the magnetic field by stress is called the magnetostrictive effect. When a mechanical stress
is applied, the magnetization is modified.
The orthogonal multi-axis magnetometers measure the radial and tangential magnetic fields in the horizontal axis, which
respond to changes in the torque in the drillstring. The multi-axis magnetometer measurements in the longitudinal axis
respond to the changes in the stretch in the drillstring. Each of the four co-planar orthogonal multi-axis magnetometers
provides a total of 16 curves per logging pass, including four radial, four tangential, and eight longitudinal measurements,
from which the free pipe and stuck pipe depths are determined. To simplify the interpretation of the data and to enable rapid
identification of stuck pipe vs. free pipe, a signal processing method was developed to make this a “single curve” overlay log
presentation based on the data from these measurements.

Fig. 1–The new free point tool shown without optional back off or pipe recovery explosive devices.

A comparison of two logging passes, including one pass before and one pass after stretch or torque is applied to the
drillstring, will identify the free pipe and stuck point by the small changes in the magnetic field in the drillstring.
With the addition of a rigid stinger and swab cups, the tool can be pumped down deviated and horizontal wells. Optional
string shot or other explosive devices can be run safely in combination with the new tool on the same logging trip descent for
single trip free point determination and back off shot.
OTC 20933 3

HFPT Logging Sequence

The HFPT logging sequence consists of the following steps:
1. Begin the first recorded down logging pass +/- 200 ft above the estimated stuck point with the pipe weight neutral
and zero torque.
2. Stop the down logging pass +/- 200 ft below the estimated pipe stuck point.
3. With the HFPT tool stationary,
• Request the driller/tool pusher work the pipe from a neutral weight to the operators/drilling contractors safe
limit of the calculated pipe parting weight to stretch the drillstring.
• Repeat several times if required to ensure that the stretch is worked down to the estimated stuck point.
• Request the driller/tool pusher to stop working the pipe and return the pipe to a neutral weight condition.
4. Record an up logging pass at the same logging speed as the down logging pass, stopping +/- 200 ft above the
estimated stuck point (approximate depth for the start of the first down log).
5. Merge the two logging passes (down log neutral weight and up log neutral weight after the pipe was stretched).
Verify that this data confirms the stuck pipe/free pipe interface.
6. Pull out of the hole and rig up appropriate pipe recovery, following all safety procedures if string shot or severing
tools are to be run on a separate trip.
7. If the data from the two passes do not confirm the stuck pipe/free pipe interface, verify that the pipe is in a neutral
weight condition and lower the logging tool +/- 200 ft below the estimated stuck point.
8. With the HFPT tool stationary,
• Request the driller/tool pusher to torque the pipe (RHT) with the pipe in a neutral weight condition, ensuring
that the torque is transferred down to the stuck point.
• Request the driller/tool pusher to have the drillstring in a neutral weight neutral (zero) torque condition.
9. Record an up logging pass, stopping +/- 200 ft above the estimated stuck point.
10. Merge the three logging passes (down log neutral weight, up log after pipe stretch was briefly applied, and up log
after pipe torque was briefly applied).
11. Pull out of the hole and rig up appropriate pipe recovery, following all safety procedures, if string shot or severing
tools are to be run on a separate trip

Case History 1 – Test Well

This case history is in a cased hole test well in which a packer is used to replicate stuck pipe. Above the packer, the work
string can be stretched or torqued. Below the packer, these forces would not be present in the tail pipe. A base down log was
made with the pipe in the neutral weight condition; an up logging pass was made after applying both torque of 1.25 turns per
1,000 ft and 29K lbf of stretch and releasing these effects, and returning the work string back to a neutral weight condition.

Fig. 2–Well configuration of the work string and packer (left) and the magnetostrictive log response above and below the packer (right).
4 OTC 20933

On the HFPT log (Fig. 2) below the packer, the base logging pass with the pipe in the neutral weight condition (black curve)
and the up logging pass after stretch and torque were applied and released (red curve) overlay one another. This indicates that
the magnetostrictive properties of the work string did not change in this depth interval. Above the packer, there are
significant changes in the two logging passes, including the base pass (black) with the pipe in a neutral weight and the second
pass (red) after the torque and stretch were applied and released. These changes confirm that the magnetostrictive properties
of the pipe were altered and indicate that the pipe is free from 2,630 ft to the top of the logged interval.

Case History 2 – Sensitivity to Torque

This case history shows the sensitivity of the detection of torque in the work string with the radial and tangential
magnetostrictive sensors. This data was obtained in a laboratory fixture using a joint of 3 ½-in. 13.3 lb/ft IF drillpipe. Torque
was applied in one degree increments from a neutral condition to 10 degrees of torque applied to the drillpipe with one
minute between steps (Fig. 3). The tool’s sensors were located 3 ft from the torque application point and a time drive logging
acquisition method was used to acquire the data.
In the field environment, the detection of one degree increments of torque is probably unrealistic, but this result clearly
shows that small amounts of torque to the drillstring can be detected with magnetostrictive measurements.

Fig. 3–Laboratory fixture used to illustrate the sensitivity of the magnetostrictive measurement to torque.

Case History 3 – Differential Pipe Sticking

This case history provides an example of differential pipe sticking as a result of a pressure depleted sand. The well configuration
is a near-vertical well, 9.5 ppg water-based mud system, 3 ½-in. 13.7 lb/ft drillpipe, and 4 ½-in. 50 lb/ft drill collars.
The base pass (Fig. 4 black curve track 4) was recorded as a down log with the pipe in a neutral weight condition. With
the logging tool stationary several hundred feet below the estimated suck point, the drillstring was stretched twice and
returned to the neutral weight condition, and the stretch up logging pass was recorded (red curve). The data indicated that the
stuck point was in the second joint of the 3 ½-in. drillpipe above the 4 ½-in. drill collars and cross over at a depth of X385 ft.
The HFPT was lowered to X700 ft, and the pipe was torqued 1.5 turns/1,000 ft (RHT) and returned to a neutral weight and
neutral torque condition. A third logging pass (up log) was recorded after the torque was released (blue curve). This pass also
confirmed that the drillstring was stuck at X385 ft. After back off operations and pipe recovery, openhole logging data
confirmed that the top of the depleted sand was at approximately X385 ft.
OTC 20933 5

Fig. 4–HFPT Example of Differential pipe sticking.

The time required to determine the free point, from rig up to back off operations, was approximately two hours.
Traditional legacy station methods to determine the free point would require two to three times more rig time.
The new continuous log of the free pipe-stuck pipe interval can be correlated with geological, mud log, or petrophysical
data to determine the root cause of the pipe sticking (such as key seating, differential sticking, shale swelling, borehole
stability, and hole clean out). It can also be instrumental in the development of field-wide best practices to minimize future
drilling issues. In this case, mud properties were modified to minimize fluid loss to the pressure depleted sand to minimize
the possibility of differential sticking in future infill drilling operations. From a HSE standpoint, the pipe is stretched for only
a few minutes, and all logging passes are performed with the pipe in a neutral weight condition

Case History 4 – Partial Pipe Sticking

Case History 4 is a deviated well; the total depth of the well was 13,350 ft when the pipe became stuck. The maximum
deviation was approximately 30 degrees at 12,350 ft. Blind pipe recovery operations resulted in parting the 5-in. 19.5 lb/ft
drillpipe at 4,000 ft. An overshot was used to rejoin the pipe; however, the overshot and client’s operational procedures
prohibited torquing to determine the stuck point. Non-functioning drilling jars were included in the drillstring. The pipe in the
6 OTC 20933

neutral weight condition had a hook load of 325K lb, and an operator limit of stretch (pull) of 95K lb gave a maximum hook
load of 420K lb.
Pipe stretch calculations estimated that the 100% stuck pipe was at a depth of 11,800 ft, which is approximately 500 ft
above the maximum deviation point. Two logging passes (Fig. 5) were made, including a down logging pass (black curve)
with the pipe in an neutral weight condition (hook load on 325K lb) and an up logging pass (red curve) after stretching the
pipe with a pull of 95 K lb over neutral weight, and then returning the pipe to a neutral weight condition. The free point log
indicates that the 100% free point is at 11,550 ft, which is 300 ft shallower than the stretch calculations. Partial pipe sticking
is indicated on the log response below 11,580 ft by the minimal difference of the magnetostrictive response on the two passes.

Fig. 5–Deviated Well 100% Free Pipe above 11,550 ft. Fig. 6– Partial pipe sticking above the 100% stuck pipe point.

The interval between 11,580 and 12,400 ft (Fig. 6) indicates partial pipe sticking and can easily be determined by the
minor differences in the magnetostrictive properties between the base logging pass with the pipe in a neutral weight condition
and the logging pass after the pipe is stretched and returned to a neutral weight condition. Legacy station free point
measurement tools cannot provide a continuous log, and intervals of partial pipe sticking can be misinterpreted and possibly
lead to poor pipe recovery operations. The top of the 100% stuck point is at a depth of 12,420 ft. This location is identified by
where the magnetostrictive properties of the 6 ½-in. drill collars are nearly identical before and after the stretch is applied to
the drillstring.

Case History 5 – Borehole Stability Hole Collapse

This case history is a near-vertical well that became stuck at approximately 3,300 ft. The drillstring consisted of a 5-in.
drillpipe, 5-in. heavy wall drillpipe, cross over, 8 ¼-in. collars, jar, cross over, 9 ¾-in. collars, stabilizers, 16-in. near bit
stabilizer, and a 16-in. bit. The drillstring could be worked approximately one-half a joint, but could not be pulled because of
probable borehole stability/hole collapse issues. The drilling jars were activated numerous times before e-line free pipe
logging. The estimated free point from stretch measurements was 2,800 ft. The new HFPT tool was run in the hole and
logged with the pipe in neutral weight. With the free point tool on bottom, the pipe was stretched with 140,000 lb pulls; the
pipe was returned to a near neutral weight condition and the HFPT was logged out. A comparison of the two logging passes
identified the base of the free pipe at a depth of 3,310 ft, as shown in track 2 of Fig. 7. The pipe was backed off above 2,700
ft and additional drilling jars were added to the drillstring. The drilling jars were activated numerous times; the pipe remained
stuck, but one joint of pipe had been recovered from the previous efforts.
OTC 20933 7

Fig. 7–Comparison of two runs of the HFPT indicating the movement of the stuck point from 3,210 to 3,170 ft.

The HFPT was run again to the bottom of the BHA with the pipe in neutral weight. The drillstring was tensioned with
190,000 lb pulls, and then logged out. The comparison of the two logging passes indicated that the stuck point was now at
3,170 ft, as shown in track 3 of Fig. 7, which correlates with the recovery of one joint of pipe. This result indicated that the
entire BHA was still stuck because of borehole collapse. The 9 ¾-in. drill collars were severed at approximately 3,050 ft and
well was sidetracked using an improved mud system.

Summation and Observations

The case histories of the usage of the HFPT tool indicate the following benefits:
• The determination of free pipe and stuck pipe is derived from a comparison of two logging passes; real-time
operations and continuous satellite communications readily enables the involvement of remotely-based operator and
service company pipe recovery experts.
• With the aging of our industry, this new logging method removes some of the hands-on art in the determination of
the location of free pipe, as well as eliminates travel requirements for expert personnel.
• Because the pipe is stretched just for a few moments between logging passes, potential HSE risks are minimized.
• This technology does not use slips or other mechanical locking devices to clamp the tool to the pipe or casing. It has
been successfully used in high strength casing where slip engagement may be difficult.
• This new tool can be pumped down for high angle and horizontal wells.
• The continuous log of the free pipe-stuck pipe interval can be correlated with geological, mud log, or petrophysical
data to determine the root cause of the pipe sticking (such as key seating, differential sticking, shale swelling,
borehole stability, and hole clean out) and facilitate the development of field-wide best practices.
• Optional string shot or other explosive devices can be run safely in combination with the new free point tool on the
same logging trip descent for single trip free point determination and back off shot.
• The magnetic field created by the small permanent magnet has a very shallow skin depth; consequently, the free
pipe measurement is not affected by concentric casing strings. With the location of the permanent magnet on the
bottom of the tool below the sensors, the down pass creates the magnetic field in the pipe. Stressing the pipe
essentially erases the magnetic field above the pipe stuck depth, enabling a magnetic strength separation between the
log down and log up passes.