Drilling Jar Manual

Written by
Jim Borthwick
Technical and Simulator Instructor
For
DART
Drilling and Advanced Rig Training
KCA DEUTAG Drilling Limited
Copyright Notice
KCA DEUTAG Drilling Limited
No part of this document shall be reproduced in any materials, including
photocopying or storing it by electronic means without the prior written permission of
KCA DEUTAG Drilling Ltd, Training and Development department, except as
permitted by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Forward
This manual and the course it accompanies are designed to show the basic
principles of how drilling jars and accelerators work. Drillers seldom get the
opportunity to use jars and often they are in doubt about the mechanisms associated
with what is happening down hole when forces are applied to the string.

Page 1 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Introduction
During the drilling process the possibility of getting the drill string stuck in the hole
exists. Well construction teams do try to design the well with the least possible
chance of this happening.
However drill strings do get stuck despite all the prevention efforts, to allow the Driller
the opportunity to get the string free a drilling jar can be included in the bottom hole
assembly (BHA).
There is a fairly large range of drilling jars available to the industry. Several different
types exist such as mechanical jars, hydraulic jars and hydro-mechanical (hybrid)
jars. The various mechanisms which allow the jar to be operated may differ but the
principle behind how they transmit forces remains the same.
The manual will discuss all the basic jar principles and one particular hydraulic jar,
the operation of most jars is basic, but one particular jar is often thought to have
failed to operate. Often it has simply not been given long enough to complete its
metering stroke.
This manual will give information to clarify and educate, it should never be used in
place of the manufacturers operating manual. Never operate any jar or associated
equipment outside the manufacturers recommended envelope. Always use and
follow manufacturers instructions. As stated previously the manual is designed to
familiarise drilling teams in the use of jars. Do not use the information within as an
operations manual.
Another genre of jar exists in the industry, this is the fishing jar. A fishing jar may be
used for a whole plethora of reasons. This manual will not cover fishing jars.
Jim Borthwick
Simulator and Technical Instructor

Page 2 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Contents
Section 1 The Basic Principle

What is a jar
The most basic jar

Section 2 Mechanical Jars

Section 3 Hydraulic Jars

Section 4 - Hydro-mechanical Jars

Section 5 Jar Position

Placement programmes
Stress wave theory

Section 6

Section 7
Appendices

Page 3 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Section 1
The basic Principles
What is a Jar?
A Jar is a device which can deliver an impact force to a drill string which is
stuck, if it is operated correctly.
Purposes
Drilling Jars can be included in the string prior to drilling or work-over
operations.
Fishing Jars are usually used as part of a string placed in the hole to recover
broken drill strings and drill string components, but they can be included in
drill strings recovering sections of casing or liner.
Types
There are three basic types,
Mechanical Jars
Most mechanical Jars are designed to trigger when a particular magnitude of
force has been applied, only this amount of force can be used. The force to
trigger them is set by the manufacturer in the workshop based on experience
or client requirements.
Some mechanical Jars can be reset to a different value by rotating the drill
string a certain number of turns, these are fairly uncommon.
Hydraulic Jars
Hydraulic Jars use hydraulic oil to delay the firing mechanism long enough for
the Driller to apply a force to the string. The time delay can vary greatly
between different makes of Jar. One Jar in particular can take up to 7 minutes
to fire in the desired direction.
Hybrid Jars
Hybrid Jars are also called Hydro-mechanical Jars; this is because they use a
combination of both mechanical and hydraulic principles to operate.
Sometimes the Jar is designed to operate hydraulically up but also
mechanically down. Other types use the mechanical latch simply to keep the
Jar in the centre latch position during tripping and drilling operations, this
means that the Jar can be fired up or down immediately without the need to
cock them.
The following discussion will cover the basic principles of how all jars work
and how pressure, tension and compression affect them.

Page 4 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

The Basic Jar
The most basic type of Jar is simply a sliding hammer; this device is used in
warehouses every day to remove nails from wooden packing crates or pallets.
A similar device is used in drilling to remove stubborn float valves from float
sub recesses or bit jets which may be stuck.

Hammer

The sliding hammer slides freely between an upper and lower stop. The claw
at the bottom is hinged in such a way that whenever an upward blow is
delivered it closes gripping what ever it is applied to.
The claw is placed in a position suitable for grabbing the nail head. A
downward blow is applied by sliding the hammer down and striking the lower
stop with a force. This embeds the claw into the wood at a sufficient depth to
put it below the level of the head of the nail.
The hammer is then slid up rapidly and the hammer impacts the upper stop
with a force, this closes the claw and moves the nail up a little. Repeating this
process will eventually move the nail up until it is completely removed.

Page 5 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Jars
Although Jars may be much bigger than the device for removing nails, they
still work on the same basic principles. The sliding hammer is comprised of an
inner mandrel attached to the upper portion of the drill string and an outer
barrel attached to the lower portion of the string.

Inner
Mandrel

Outer
Barrel

The inner mandrel is not fixed to the outer barrel; it uses mechanical stops or
shoulders to prevent it sliding all the way out. The distance that the mandrel
can slide relative to the outer barrel is referred to as the stroke.
The total stroke can vary with make and size, it can range from 12 inches to
28 inches, although these values are not absolute, some types of Jar can
have smaller or longer strokes.

Page 6 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Forces
Jars are subjected to a variety of forces; the Jar is designed to transmit those
forces from the upper portion of the string to the lower portion of the string.
Not only forces applied to a stuck drill string are expected to be transmitted.
The primary function of a drill string is to drill a hole, it is those forces which
are most often required to be transmitted.
The three forces that are required are,

Tension
Compression
Torque

There is also another force which has to be taken into account, it is,

Pressure

The tension and compression forces are transmitted mechanically by

shoulders, mechanical stops or knockers. The torsional forces are usually
transmitted mechanically be a spline drive mechanism.
Spline Drive
A spline drive is a mating mechanism which allows a drive shaft to transmit
rotational forces to a housing via teeth called splines.

A shaft is attached to the

inner mandrel of the Jar

A Bush is attached to the outer

barrel of the Jar
The spline allows the mandrel and barrel to move independently up and down
while still being capable of transmitting torque.

Page 7 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Shoulders

Knocker

Spline

The inner mandrel can slide in and out of the outer barrel and still be able to
transmit rotational forces.

Page 8 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

What is Moving
When calculations are performed to establish cocking or jarring forces; the
weight of the string below the Jar has to be taken into account for the
following reason, when the string is stuck part of the string may still be
capable of some movement. If the sticking point is below the Jar the string
above the Jar will be able to move as far as the stroke of the Jar. If the string
is stuck above the Jar; the Jar will not be capable of transmitting forces
required to free the string.
When the BHA is made up the Driller should record the weight below the Jar
as recorded on his weight indicator, this is used as a general guideline to
establish what the weight indicator should read at various points in the Jar
cycle.
There is also the Jar friction to take into account; this is the friction that all the
seals and mechanical parts inside the Jar have to overcome to start opening
or closing. The example below shows how the calculations are performed to
establish surface weight readings for the different phases of the Jar cycle.
Pressure
There is also pressure to be taken into account, because pumping forces and
trapped pressure in the string act to force the Jar to open. This will be
discussed in detail later in this section of the manual.
Example
Up weight
Dn weight
WBJ
Jar Friction
POF

= 350,000 lbs
= 250,000 lbs
= 30,000 lbs
= 10,000 lbs
= 32,000 lbs

To cock jars down for firing up = 250,000 (30,000 + 10,000 +32,000)

In this case a set down weight of 178,000 lbs is required to cock the jar
To fire the Jars down = 250,000 (30,000 + 10,000 +32,000 + X)
X = the load that is being applied for jarring
If X = 80,000 a set down weight of 98,000 lbs is required.
Calculations for all the phases are in the Appendix section of the manual.

Page 9 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Drilling Jars
Several types of drilling jars exist, too many to discuss in one manual. The
types of Jars we will discuss in any detail are,

Mechanical Jar

Hydraulic Jar

Hybrid Jar

The only specific make of Jars we will discuss is the Hydrajar and the
Dailey Hydraulic Drilling Jar.
Dual Acting
Dual acting means that they are capable of jarring up and down.
The Blow
The blow or hit comes from shoulders or knockers striking each other when
the Jar becomes fully open or fully closed. These parts are often referred to
as the hammer and the anvil. The discussions on specific makes of Jar will
highlight how the blow is transmitted on that particular Jar

In some Jars the impact can be between the top of

the outer barrel and the bottom of the large diameter
portion of the inner mandrel.

In others the impact can be between Knockers or

shoulders inside the Jar

Page 10 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Pump Forces
When the pumps are on the pressure losses between the Jar and bit nozzles
act on the Jar. This force pushes the Jar open. The name for this force can
vary; they are usually called pump open force or Jar extension force.
Regardless of the name the effect is the same.
Seals
All Jars have seals, this is to,

Separate well bore fluids from affecting mechanical parts.

Act as a barrier between the fluids and pressures inside and outside the
Jar.
Prevent hydraulic fluid leaking or becoming contaminated by mud, cuttings
or other undesirable fluids.

Ports
Some Jars have ports in the outer barrel to allow pressure equalisation
between fluid in the Jar and the well bore as the Jar is run deeper in the hole.
The pumping forces act differently on different makes of Jar, however it acts
on all Jars to some degree. Trapped pressure also acts in a similar manner to
the pressure losses between the Jar and the bit nozzles; this pressure is the
pressure as read on the stand pipe pressure gauge.
The following pages describe how pressure acts on two types of popular Jars
made by two different manufacturers.
The first is the Smith Services HE Group Hydrajar and the second is the
Dailey Hydraulic Drilling Jar. These Jars are discussed in particular because
of their popularity, reliability and ease of use. The author and the company
make no marketing comparisons or express a preference of any particular
make of Jar.

Page 11 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

The Hydrajar
As the jar is run deeper in the hole the fluid in the
well bore enters ports in the outer barrel.
Seals which are floating (not attached to the inner
mandrel or the outer barrel) are pushed by the
fluid pressure in the well bore, this equalises the
pressure in the hydraulic chambers with the
hydrostatic of the well.
Pumping Forces
When the pumps are on the pressure in the drill
string causes the Jar to extend. This pumping
pressure acts on the bottom of the mandrel
wash-pipe area.
It is a simple calculation using the pressure loss
in psi multiplied by the area in square inches of
the wash-pipe.

For example the wash-pipe area of an 8" Hydrajar is approximately 16

inches. Therefore if the pressure losses between the Jar and bit nozzles are
2,000 psi. The pump open force or Jar extension force is approximately
32,000 lbs.
This means that a weight of 32,000 lbs will need to be applied to move the Jar
closed, there are other considerations which also need to be taken into
account, see example on the next page.

Page 12 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Down weight
Weight below jar
Pump open force
Friction of seals and mechanical parts

300,000 (30,000 + 32,000 +10,000) = 228,000 lbs

A fully open jar will start to close at this point.

A mechanical jar will stop closing when the latch re-engages and the
jar is cocked.
A hydraulic jar such as a Hydrajar will start metering on the down
stroke and fire down if the driller continues to move the string down.
The driller can observe the jars closing on his weight indicator.

= 300,000 lbs
= 30,000 lbs
= 32,000 lbs
= 10,000 lbs

Each manufacturer of Jars provides tables to determine what the pump open
force is. These tables should come with the other Jar paperwork, if not contact
the vendor; they will usually make reference to their website which sometimes
allows free downloading of the tables in PDF format.

This is an example of the Hydrajar extension force table. Contact Smith

Services HE Group for further information or clarification, the table above is
for demonstration purposes only and should not be used to replace the
Hydrajar operating manual supplied by the manufacturer.

Page 13 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

The Dailey hydraulic Drilling Jar
The Dailey Jar has seals which are fixed to the
inner mandrel, this results in a greater area being
affected by the pressure.
An 8" Dailey Jar has a pump open area of 28.3"
this means that with 2000 psi pressure losses the
pump open force is 56,600 lbs.
There are no ports in a Dailey Jar and the
mandrel or inner workings are never exposed to
well bore fluids such as mud or contaminants
such as cuttings.

These are only 2 examples, the other makes of Jar will have different pump
open areas because of the difference in design, it is important that you use
the correct table for the Jar in use.

Page 14 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Latch or Trigger Mechanism
All types of Jar need a latch mechanism or trigger mechanism to allow
potential energy from the Drillstring to be suddenly released as kinetic energy.
For instance when the Driller needs to Jar up or down he needs time to apply
a force before the Jar trips or fires.
Mechanical Jar
A mechanical Jar is named for obvious reasons; the latch mechanism is
purely mechanical. Below is a description of a basic type of mechanical latch.

Spring loaded buttons keep

the Jar in the centre latched
position

Inner mandrel
Outer barrel

The jar will not fire until

enough force has been
applied to compress the
spring
The Jar will then move in
the desired direction
This Jar is in the process
of being fired Up

Jar up and down trip settings are usually different, the up trip setting is usually
higher than the down trip setting. Ensure that the value for the Jar in use is
known.

Page 15 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Hydraulic Jars
The Hydrajar
The latch mechanism comprises of,

A piston which slides freely up and down between two stop shoulders.
A detent area which acts as a cylinder for the piston, it forms a seal that
will not allow hydraulic oil to pass.
A metering port, this is a small communication port which will allow oil to
pass from one chamber to the other very slowly

The seven illustrations above show how the hydraulic up-latch in the
Hydrajar works.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The Jar is fully open.

The Jar has started to close
The piston comes into contact with the detent.
The Jar is still closing but the piston is sliding up to the upper piston stop.
The piston is on the upper stop and the by-pass valve is fully open, the
hydraulic oil can now pass freely from the lower chamber to the upper
chamber.
6. The piston is about to leave the detent.
7. The Jar is fully closed now.
The Haydrajar has two of these mechanisms. One is for jarring up; and the
other is for jarring down. One is simply a mirror image of the other.
The lower latch would have tripped and the Jar will have fired down in the
long stroke.

Page 16 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

The Long Stroke Down
Below is a series of illustrations which show both latches going through the
long stroke to fire down.

2
3
4

5
6

The Hydrajar may take up to 7 minutes to fire when it moves from fully open
to fully closed, this is because the piston needs to travel all the way through
the detent.
1.
2.
3.
4.

The Jar is fully open, both pistons are on the lower stops.
The Jar starts to close and the pistons make contact with the detents.
The pistons slide up towards the upper stops.
The pistons are now on the upper stops, the top latch has opened the bypass allowing oil to pass freely from the lower chamber to the upper
chamber. The lower piston has closed the by-pass and the oil can now
only meter through the metering port slowly.
5. The Jar is being lowered further and string weight is being applied to fire
the Jar down.
6. The Pistons exit the detents and the drill collars and heavy weight drill pipe
accelerate, the shoulders on the mandrel and outer barrel collide providing
an impact to the string.

Page 17 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

The Long Stroke Up
Below a series of illustrations show the Jar going through the long stroke up,
the Jar is going from the fully closed position to the fully open position.

1
2

Again the Jar may take up to 7 minutes to fire in the long stroke.
1. The Jar is fully closed.
2. The Jar starts to open and the pistons make contact with the detent.
3. The Jar continues to open and the pistons slide from the upper stop to the
lower stop, the lower piston has opened the by-pass port and the upper
piston has closed the by-pass port.
4. The Driller has applied a force to fire the Jar up, the lower piston moves
unrestricted through the lower detent, the upper piston can only move
through slowly in its metering cycle.
5. The Driller has been waiting for up to 7 minutes and the pistons are about
to exit the detent.
6. The pistons exit the detent and the Jar opens very quickly as the potential
energy in the stretched string is turned into kinetic energy.

Page 18 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

The Short Stroke
After the Jar has been fired up, the Jar need only be cocked to fire up again.
To cock it the pistons simply need to be slid back into the detents. The Driller
lowers the string until he sees 10,000 to 15,000 below his down weight minus
his weight below the Jar.

2
3
4

A full description of the calculations for cocking and firing the Jar is in the
appendix section of the manual.
1. The Jar is fully open.
2. The Driller lowers the string and the pistons contact the detent sliding them
to the upper stops.
3. The pistons are now inside the detents.
4. The Driller picks up and applies his desired firing force.
5. The pistons only need to slide approximately 50mm to exit the detents; the
waiting time is only 2 minutes with low over-pulls. The Jar fires up again.

Page 19 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Hydrajar Delay
The long stroke is only used to fire the Jar up when it is fully closed. It is only
used to fire the Jar down when the Jar is fully open.
If the Jar is already open it can be cocked and fired up in the short stroke. If it
is closed it can be cocked and fired down in the short stroke.
Below is a table which shows the expected delay time in seconds in both the
long and the short stroke.

This chart is for demonstration purposes only; contact Smith Services HE

Group for information on the delay time of the Hydrajar.

Page 20 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Jar Limits
Detent Limit
The Hydrajar has a maximum limit of force which can be applied to it when
it has been cocked; this limit is determined by the amount of hydraulic
pressure the mechanical parts, seals etc can withstand. This limit is called the
detent limit.
This is the same for all hydraulic Jars not just the Hydrajar. The limits are
clearly stated in the manufacturers tables of operating limits. Below is an
example of the Hydrajar limits.

This table is for demonstration purposes only, contact Smith Services HE

Group for information on the detent limits of the Hydrajar.
Exceeding the limits of the detent will damage or even destroy the Jar. Tong
and slip die notches in the detent area can cause the Jar to fail at a value
under the stated detent limit. Do not use slips or tongs on the Jar outer barrel.
The manufacturer will simply charge the user for any damage caused by
misuse.
When the Jar is fully open the limit is determined by the tensile limit of the
material, this may be steel or other materials such as vanadium.
Since Jars are in the BHA they are under less tension than the drill pipe. The
drill pipe which will be under most tension will be the joint immediately under
the top drive or Kelly. The detent limit should be compared to the margin of
over-pull (MOP). If the detent limit is greater than the MOP, the limit is the drill
pipe strength. If the detent limit is less than the MOP the limit of tension is
determined by the Jar detent limitations.

Page 21 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Other Limits
Because Jars are manufactured from high tensile materials it can make the
prone to certain types of failure. One of these is fatigue; this is because
fatigue cracks propagate more quickly in hard materials. This is the reason
why we record the rotating hours for the Jar and limit its rotating hours.

Notice that the rotating limit for milling is 50 hours in all cases. Milling
produces particularly high rotational vibrations; this accelerates fatigue in high
strength materials. Jars should only be included in a string for milling after
very careful consideration.
Contact the Manufacturer of the Jar for information and advice when milling
with Jars. Never exceed the recommended rotating hours. If the Jars have
been used to mill for a period prior to drilling, contact the manufacturer for
advice on the limit for drilling rotating hours, they will have to be reduced due
to the time spent milling.
High strength materials can be prone to stress corrosion cracking in high
chloride or sulphide environments.
The Hydrajar oil can get hot when jarring for long periods, this is due to
friction. The Jar may fire before sufficient tension has been applied; in this
case the Jars have to be left to cool down.

Page 22 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Dailey Hydraulic Drilling Jar

The Dailey hydraulic drilling jar works on the same principle for using
hydraulic oil metering through valves or ports to delay the firing. However the
Dailey Jar delay mechanism itself is vastly different to the Hydrajar, the
differences are,

The Dailey has a single mechanism for up and down metering.

There is no long and short stroke.
The length of time to trip is shorter.
The knockers and impact surfaces are all contained within the Jar body.
There are no equalisation ports.
There is virtually no internal friction so the Jar does not overheat.

The similarities are,

The Jar will fire down if the driller continues to go down after it is cocked.
They are subject to Jar extension forces.
They have detent limits.
They have rotating hour limits.
They are prone to the same failure mechanisms as any other high strength
material.

The Dailey hydraulic drilling Jar is manufactured by Weatherford Drilling &

Intervention Services. Contact them for specific information and advice when
using the Dailey Jar.

Page 23 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Trigger Mechanism
The trigger mechanism on the Dailey Jar consists of two pistons on the inner
mandrel which seal on the outer barrel; there is a hydraulic valve between the
two pistons. When the Jar is cocked and in the centre latch position the valve
is closed. When the mandrel is pulled through further a shoulder on the outer
barrel prevents the lower half of the valve from moving any more with the
inner mandrel. The Jar is now metering, When a enough force is applied the
two halves of the valve are forced apart which allows the oil to by-pass the
metering ports and the Jar opens rapidly causing the hammer to strike the
anvil.

ing

ton

Page 24 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Energy
The energy for jarring up is the stretch in the drill string and the energy for
jarring down is the weight of the drill string above the Jar pushing down. It is
usually easier to get en impact up than it is to get an impact down, especially
in a deviated well bore. In a horizontal well it may be impossible to get an
impct down because of the drag.
The Jarring Trade Off
The position of the Jar in the string will determine how effective they are. A
combination of impact and impulse is required. The proportions of impact and
impulse depends on many variables.
Impact force
Impact force is defined as A high force or shock applied over a short period
ot time High impacts are achieved by light weights moving very fast. For
example a squash ball can travel at fairly high velocitey, however th impact
force when it strikes the wall is not enough to deform or break the wall. This is
because the ball is made of rubber and air, it has a small mass. If the rubber
and air ball was replaced by a solid lead ball travelling at the same velocity it
would deform or break the wall easily. This is because we have increased its
mass. However the energy required to accelerate it to the same velocity as
the rubber ball would also have to be greatly increased. If we simply hit it with
the squash racquet it would not travel fast enogh to reach the wall, and may in
fact burst the racquet.
Impulse
Impulse is defined as the integral of a force with respect to time. In the
technical sense, impulse is a physical quantity not an event or force. In the
example of the squash ball the ball made of rubber produced a high impact,
the ball made of lead travelling at the same speed produced a high impact
and a high impulse. With respect to Jars, a high impact is how hard the blow
is and impulse is how long the blow lasts or how far the string moves when
blow is struck.
The Trade Off
To effectively place the Jar in the string we have to make certain
assumptions,
Where will the stuck point be?
What will the sticking mechanism be?
If the string is stuck at the bit by a piece of junk, the string will not have to be
moved a great distance to become free. If however it is differentially stuck it
will have to be moved a considerable distance to become free. When the
impact and impulse forces are generated by the drillstring, the shock wave
travels in all directions at the speed of sound, these waves are called stress
waves.
Page 25 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Stress Waves
Once generated stress waves will travel along the string at the speed of
sound through steel, this is approximately 5000 metres per second. The
waves do not conveniently travel to the stuck point. They travel all along the
string, the waves have to pass through many different cross sectional
changes in the string, this is due to the geometry of the components, tools,
connections and cross overs. As they encounter these changes in geometry
the waves can be transmitted or reflected. Transmitted waves continue on
their journey, reflected waves are disipated into the mud, formation and well
bore.
To effectively calculate Jar placement special software is required, rule of
thumb is not accurate enough when a bottom hole assembly may cost several
million dollars. Jar manufacturers have such software and they provide a
service that gives advice on Jar placement. The software is usually modelled
using stress wave theory.
Neutral point
The neutral point is the transition point in the string where it changes from
being in tension to being in compression, placing the Jar at this point may
cause them to inadvertantly cock or fire due to bouyancy effects. Jars should
be placed with consideration to the neutral point when drilling with maximum
weight on bit. The Jar should be placed above this point because the buckling
neatral point is always below this point.
In vertical wells the Jar should be placed above the buckling neutral point
when maximum weight on bit is being applied and 2 drill collars should be
placed above the Jar as a minimum.
In deviated wells up to 45 degrees they should never be run below the
buckling neutral point, this is very difficult to calculate so design software is
usually used to determine this.
In horizontal wells the force of gravity pulls the string into the curve of the low
side of the hole. This force resists the string bending sideways sinusoidally.
This means that there is little chance of the Jars ever becoming buckled.

Page 26 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Neutral Point
Neutral point in a vertical string can be calculated using Archimedes principle.
This states that a body immersed in a fluid is bouyed up force equal to the
weight of the displaced fluid. It applies to both floating and submerged
objects. For example if a person were to pick up a rock weighing 60 lbs and
walk into a lake with it until it was completely submerged, it would no longer
feel as if it weighed 60 lbs, a bouyancy force acting on the surface area of the
rock would appear to weigh less by the exact weight of the fluid it displaced,
so if the rock displaced 2 gallons of water it would appear to weigh less by the
weight of 2 gallons of water, aproximately 16.6 lbs, the rock would feel as if it
had lost this weight even though it still contained the same mass.
The neutral point in a vertical drill string cam be calculated using this principle,
the exaples are in the appendix section.

The bouyancy force

would be acting this
area at the bottom of
an open ended drill
collar.

Page 27 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Helping The Jar
What if the stretch in the available drill pipe is not enough to overcome the
stroke of the Jar? What if the drag in the well bore is preventing string
contraction or impeding the mass above the Jar in some way due to friction?
How can we increase the force provided by the Jar without exceeding our
limitations?
Accelerators
Accelerators also have an inner mandrel sliding in and out of an outer barrel,
however there is no trigger or latch mechanism. The device is kept in midstroke by a spring or pressure vessal and pistons. The energy from the
tension applied at surface forces the accelerator open and the energy is
stored in the spring.
The spring can be made from a solid material,a fluid or a gas. Fluid spring
types are usually called intensifiers. Regardless of the name they do the same
thing.
Short String
If the Driller was drilling top hole and there was HWDP to surface, there would
be insufficient stretch in the string to overcome the stroke of the Jar. The Jar
would not fire regardless of how much over-pull was applied.
An accelerator compensates for the stretch by storing it in the spring. When
the Jar fires the energy of the extra tension is delivered by the spring
contracting. The accelerator should should not shoulder out fully open, or fully
closed even when the maximum force is applied at the Jar. Otherwise it is not
being allowed to function correctly.
High Drag Conditions
When the Jar fires the whole length of stretched drill pipe needs to contract to
deliver the blow. If high drag conditions exist the string may be restricted in
movement and contraction may be slowed. An accelerator stores the stretch
in the spring eliminating the need for the whole string to contract.
Absorbing Shock
The impact force from the Jar blow tries to travel all the way up the drill string.
In some cases this has damaged top drive units. By seperating the string
above the accelerator from the shock it acts as a shock absorber. This has
the effect of transmitting more of the impact force to the stuck point. The force
can easily be double the original blow.

Page 28 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Appendices
Calculate the neutral point of 3 stands of 6 inch DCs in a vertical well with
12.2 ppg mud in the hole.

MGR L XArea
NP = L

SWT

Where,
SWT
L
MGR
XArea
Stand
NP

= String weight (lb/ft)

= Length of string (ft)
= Mud gradient (psi/ft)
= Cross sectional area of the string at the bottom (in2)
= 93ft
= Depth of neutral point from surface

Example

0.6344 279 28.274328

NP = 279

96

5004.5
NP = 279

96
NP = 279 (52.13)
NP = 226.87

The neutral point can only be calculated this way for a vertical well, deviated
wells require the use of software to accurately determine the neutral point

Page 29 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Jarring Calculations
To cock the jar down for firing up = DW (WBJ + JF + POF)
To cock the jar up for firing down = UW (WBJ + POF) + JF
To fire the jar up = UW (WBJ + POF) + JF + X
To fire the jar down = DW (WBJ + JF + POF + X)

Where
DW
UW
WBJ
JF
POF

=
=
=
=
=

Down weight lbs

Up weight lbs
Weight below jar lbs
Jar friction lbs
Pump open force lbs

Example
UW
DW
WBJ
JF
POF
X

=
=
=
=
=
=

350,000lbs
250,000lbs
40,000lbs
10,000lbs
20,000lbs
Desired firing force

For example purposes X = 100,000lbs

To Cock down for firing up
250,000lbs (40,000lbs+10,000lbs+20,000lbs) = 180,000lbs
To cock up for firing down
350,000lbs (40,000lbs + 20,000lbs) + 10,000lbs = 300,000lbs
To fire up
350,000lbs (40,000lbs + 20,000lbs) + 10,000lbs + 100,000lbs = 400,000lbs
To fire down
250,000lbs (40,000lbs+10,000lbs+20,000lbs + 100,000lbs) = 80,000lbs
The Jarring Worksheet on the next page keeps a good record of Jarring
operations.

Page 30 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Jarring Work Sheet
Jar type
Jar OD
Up weight (UW)
Down weight (DW)
Jar detent limit (JDL)
Jar tensile limit (JTL)
Jar stroke
Weight below jar (WBJ)
Jar friction (JF)
Maximum up weight (MUW)
Margin of over-pull
Maximum first pull
Maximum total pull
Weight to cock jar up
Weight to Cock jar down
Pump Open Force (POF)
Rig
Date

lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
inch
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
psi

Free up weight on weight indicator

Free down weight on weight indicator
Maximum limit when Jar is cocked
Maximum limit when jar is fully open
Full stroke of jar
The recorded WBJ when BHA run
The friction to start jar moving
Maximum up weight of pipe in use
MUW - UW
Drillers limit prior to supervision
MUW based on pipe strength
UW (WBJ + POF) + JF
DW (WBJ + JF + POF)
Pressure differential inside and outside the jar
Time
Depth

Operation when string got

stuck
Bit Depth
Pressure
Hit

M
psi

Over-pull applied
Returns
Yes/No

As read on weight indicator

Jar hit 1
Jar hit 2
Jar hit 3
Jar hit 4
Jar hit 5
Jar hit 6
Jar hit 7
Jar hit 8
Jar hit 9
Jar hit 10
Jar hit 11
Jar hit 12
Jar hit 13
Jar hit 14
Jar hit 15
Jar hit 16
Jar hit 17
Jar hit 18
Jar hit 19
Jar hit 20
Jar hit 21
Jar hit 22
Jar hit 23
Jar hit 24
Jar hit 25

Page 31 of 33

lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs
lbs

lbs
Pump rate
Jar up or
down

Torque

Packed off
gpm Return flow
Delay
Ft/lbs
time
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs
Ft/lbs

Yes/No
%
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs
secs

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Length of Free Pipe

L =

735294 W e
ft
dP

Where
L
e
W
dp

=
=
=
=

Length of free pipe ft

Stretch due to differential pulling inches
Weight per foot of DP tube lb/ft
Differential pull lbs

If the highest pull is 100,000lbs and the lowest pull is 50,000lbs

L
e
W
dp

=
=
=
=

?
30 inches
19.5 lb/ft
50,000lbs

Constant is 735294

L =

735294 19 . 5 30
ft = 8602 . 9 ft
50000

L = 8602.9 ft

Page 32 of 33

Version 1.0

Drilling Jar Manual

Margin Of Over-pull
TA WL
Where
TA = Allowable load, this is the minimum tensile capacity of the DP in use
WL = Working load, this is up weight of the string
If the DP is 5 , 21.9 lb/ft, S-135 and a design factor 1.15 is used
Premium tensile strength of 5, 21.9 lb/ft, S-135 = 620604 lbs

TA =

620604
= 539655 lbs
1.15

Weight indicator shows up weight to be 488,000lbs

Travelling block and top drive total 80,000lbs
WL = 488,000lbs 80,000lbs = 408,000lbs

MOP = 539655lbs 408,000lbs = 131655lbs

If the detent limit of the Jar is 300,000lbs the MOP is the observed limit.
If the MOP was 320,000lbs with the same Jar the detent limit would be the
observable limit

Page 33 of 33

Version 1.0