Revision #: / 1
Implementation Date: / 2012/01/23
Page #: / 6 of 6 / Last Reviewed/Update Date: / 2012/01/23
SOP Owner: / HWD Executive Management / Approval: / HWD Executive Management
Standard Operating Procedure – Running Casing using Casing Sub
1. Purpose
The common thread throughout the SOP and HWD Policies and Procedures in general is the identification of responsibilities. This manual is intended to clearly and concisely identify the steps required by employees to complete any given operation in a manner that is consistent with Horizontal Well Drillers standards. It will document progressive steps required in sequence that are to be followed, an authorizing company department or position, and an author that is to be consulted if there are questions in any portion of the SOP standards.
2. Scope
RIG PERSONNEL
3. Prerequisites
Personnel are required to wear proper personal protective equipment, follow job safety rules, and have the appropriate experience and certifications to carry out their job functions satisfactorily.
4. Responsibilities
Tool pusher will have ultimate accountability that driller and crews are completing the procedure to standard. Driller and crews will be responsible for implementation and actions to complete this task as described in the procedure steps.
5. Procedure
1. Drift casing.
· Casing must be drifted on pipe racks
· Gloves must be used for handling drift and snake.
· Workers on both ends of casing must communicate when pulling drift.
· Do not look in casing for drifting snake and keep your face away from the ends of the casing.
· Keep hands away from edges of casing.
· Workers must work from the ground not on top of the casing.
2. Prepare casing nubbins, clean and organize the rig floor.
· Use the proper size of nubbin. Check with your Rig Manager and Driller to ensure proper sizes.
· All unnecessary equipment is to be put away, and floor cleaned.
· If using a zip line to handle the casing nubbins inspect line and hooks on nubbin. Inspect the zip line post used.
· Inspect the condition of the ratchet boomer used to tighten the cable for the zip line.
· Place a coco mat or sawdust bag under the area where the casing nubbin is removed from the zip line. This will protect the sub in the event that it is dropped.
· In the event that the casing nubbin has to be carried with two hands (due to weight) down for the installation – then a zip line must be used.
3. Inspect pipe arm dies, install pipe arm extension jaws, and slip dies if required.
· See critical procedure for Inspection and Use of Pipe arm.
· Ensure that the pipe arm controls are locked out prior to completing the inspection of the pipe arm.
· Check pipe arm dies for wear and damage.
· Install jaws so the allen screws die stops are on the top side of the jaw when the pipe arm is in the raised position.
· Check all safety pins and ensure they are in place.
· Inspect jaws and pipe arm for cracks and damage
· Ensure the slips are the right size for the casing being ran.
· Ensure the pins are positioned with the head towards the top of the pipe arm.
· Ensure that all three jaws must be used for running casing.
· Ensure that all safety pins are facing out so that they can be observed while the pipe arm is in use.
· Make sure that all hoses look good with no leaks.
· Make sure that the right spacers are in place for the docking arm.
· Make sure that all tools are put away after the work is complete.
4. Use the Iron Roughneck.
· At the start of running casing turn down the pressure of the Iron Roughneck jaws to avoid damaging casing. Slowly increase the pressure as needed to prevent the casing sliding in the jaws when torqueing up the casing.
· When changing the valve settings on the Iron Roughneck make sure the worker is clear of the Iron Roughneck until it is stopped.
· Lockout the hydraulics to the Iron Roughneck while personnel are changing valves.
· The blocks must be stopped when changing the valves on the Iron Roughneck as well.
· Make sure that no workers stand behind the Iron Roughneck while in use.
5. Set the top drive and Iron Roughneck to the proper torque and clamp pressure.
· Establish torque ratings for casing with the operator representative.
· Refer to engineered torque chart for proper pressure ratings on top drive hydraulic motor.
· Review with Rig Manager the proper pressure on Iron Roughneck.
6. Kick in casing and slightly lift pipe arm and clamp casing.
· Make sure that the deck pins are in and pipe racks are set at the proper angle as indicated by the angle guides.
· Clear all personnel before kicking in and raising casing.
· Pipe arm must only be elevated slightly so the Floor hand can easily install the casing nubbin. Personnel must not approach the pipe arm or suspended tubular until all movement has ceased and the worker has received visual confirmation from the pipe arm operator that it is safe to proceed.
· Raise the pipe arm slightly and close the jaws on the casing.
7. Install the casing nubbin.
· The pipe arm must be stopped and locked out by the Floor hand before screwing the nubbin into the casing.
· Use your knees not your back when picking up the nubbin. Walk in small steps when carrying the nubbin.
· When screwing the nubbin into the casing hold the nubbin level with the casing so the threads don’t cross thread.
· Do not position body over top of casing when screwing the nubbin.
· The casing nubbin must be tight before giving the “okay” signal.
· If the nubbin does not thread in properly the Floor hand must stop the operation immediately and inform the Rig Manager and Driller of the problem.
· Once the Floor hand is again clear, the pipe arm can be unlocked.
· Watch the body positioning while spinning in casing nubbin. Use chain tong to spin in the casing nubbin.
· Routinely swap out workers that are spinning in the casing nubbin to give the workers a break
8. Raise the pipe arm into the derrick and screw in the top drive.
· Driller and Motor hand must have clear view of the floor.
· Stay clear of false floor when the pipe arm is being raised.
· Watch to ensure that the service loops do not catch on the pipe arm while it is being raised.
· Ensure that the second stage on the pipe arm is in the proper position prior to fully raising the pipe arm.
· Driller will slowly lower top drive into casing nubbin and make up to pre-determined torque.
· The Driller will give a clear signal to the Motor hand once the top drive is made up, allowing the Motor hand to open the pipe arm jaws.
· Ensure that the pipe jaws in the pipe arm are released before allowing workers to step in and stab the casing into the stump.
9. Lower the casing joint into the stump.
· Motor hand will lower the pipe arm and ensure everyone is clear of the false floor.
· Floor hand must wait until the jaws are fully open before positioning to stab the casing, in case the casing drops.
· Make sure that the Iron Roughneck is clear of the casing nubbin ears preventing the ears from tearing off while the casing is rotated.
· Floor hand will stab casing, keeping hands away from pinch points. Keep feet clear of the floor plates and the trip hazards.
· Driller will rotate the casing backwards when lowering into the stump until the threads pop.
· Driller will make up casing joints to pre-determined (optimum) torque.
· Prior to installing centralizer make sure the slips have been set in the table and the casing is made up and any trapped torque in the top drive is released.
10. Lower the casings into the well, set the slips, and break out the top drive.
· The Driller and Motor hand must have a clear view of the table at all times.
· Stand clear of top drive to allow any trapped air to escape
· Bring in Iron Roughneck and break out casing nubbin once top drive is clear.
· Check the Iron Roughneck pressure so it is low enough to not egg the casing
· If bridging is encountered the string may be rotated slowly but top drive relief must be set below optimum torque of casing.
· Driller and Motor hand must have clear view of the table at all times.
· Monitor the well for possible flowing of the well.
11. Re-spooling drum when bridges are encountered and drilling line has unspooled.
· If bridges are encountered clear the floor of all personnel except the Driller. No personnel are permitted near the danger zone (within 1 meter of well center) and in between the draw works and the back of the derrick.
· Engage slips immediately. The draw works may have back lashed and the drill line may have unspooled off the drum.
· Ensure that slips are set and biting properly.
· Engage spoon guide to assist in setting the slips.
· No personnel are permitted near the draw works or drilling line until the Driller has can confirmed that the slips have been set and the string weight is supported in the slip table.
· A visual inspection must be conducted to ensure that the drill line does not have a tangle in it and that it is free from the docking arm, ladder and stiff leg. The inspection must also include inspecting the drill line for flat spots or other damages that may occur from over lapping.
· Driller must inspect the derrick and the path of the drilling line to ensure that the drilling line has not been obstructed or caught by other equipment in the derrick.
· Prior to the Driller attempting to re-spool the cable back onto the drum the Driller must confirm proper positioning of all personnel involved and clear signals are established.
12. Using cheater dies.
· Make sure that there is clear communication between the Motor hand and Floor hand when working with the Iron Roughneck and cheater dies.
· Place a coco mat or sawdust bags over the slips to prevent the dies from possibly dropping down the well bore.
· Make sure that workers keep fingers clear of the dies.
· Utilize dies that have had bars welded onto the dies to keep workers fingers clear of the Iron Roughneck jaws.
· As the Iron Roughneck jaws engage and start to bite avoid looking directly at the dies in case the dies splinter.
13. Circulating casing.
· Keep floor clear of all personnel when breaking circulation.
· Circulate the casing long enough to circulate the air out of the casing.
· Open the 2” bleeder (if possible) to release any trapped air pressure.
· When rotating out of the casing nubbin in preparation to install the cement head make sure all personnel are clear of the floor. This will help to prevent workers being sprayed by wellbore fluid and trapped air pressure.
6. References
HWD Employee Handbook
7. Definitions
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