SOP DRILLING OPERATION

Drilling operations need to be carried out in a safe, efficient, and environmental friendly manner for
successfully completing the well to meet the desired geological objectives. By following recommended
practices, a well can be drilled in shortest possible time and with minimum of complications.
This chapter includes the following topics on drilling operations:
a) Preparation for spudding the well
b) Common drilling practices for all phases
c) Drilling 12 ¼” hole section
d) Drilling 8 ½" hole section
e) Drilling 6” hole section
f) Recommended practices for tripping out
g) Recommended practices for tripping in
h) Recommended practices for reaming
i) Recommended practices for back-reaming
j) Recommended practices for pack-off
k) Recommended practices for wiper trip in deviated hole
a) Preparation for spudding the well:
1. Ensure rig mast centering is carried out before spudding.
2. Check and test all surface equipment viz engines, mud pumps, draw works, compressors, mud handling
equipment, mud tanks etc prior to spudding the well.
3. Pressure test surface high pressure lines and system to its rated pressure.
4. Pressure test high pressure mud lines, mud pump safety valve, rotary hose and standpipe to rated pressure of
pump liner.As Give below.
Rated Horsepower: 1,600 HP

Rated Pump Speed: 120 SPM

Maximum Liner Size by Stroke Length: 7" x 12"

Suction Connection: 12"

Discharge Connection: 5-1/8" 5,000 psi Flange

Gear Ratio: 4.206:1

Performance
Liner Size, inches 7 6-3/4 6-1/2 6 5-1/2 5

Rated Pressure, psi 3,430 3,690 3,978 4,668 5,000 5,000

Pump Speed Input Power

Displacement, GPM
SPM HP

120 1,600 720 669 621 529 444 367

110 1,467 660 613 569 485 407 337

100 1,334 600 558 517 441 370 306

90 1,200 540 502 465 397 333 275

80 1,067 480 446 414 353 296 245

70 933 420 390 362 308 259 214

Volume/Stroke, gallons 6.00 5.58 5.17 4.41 3.70 3.06

 SOP DRILLING OPERATION

5. In normal area, false conductor may be grouted 3 m below cellar pit bottom.
6. In surface seepage prone area, false conductor may be pre-installed to a depth of approximately 15-20 ft below
bottom of cellar pit along with concrete grouting with minimum 1 meter concrete layer at surface.
7. Ensure that all equipment for this hole and casing section (surface casing and casing handling) equipment are
on location.
8. Inspect drill string components as necessary.
9. Ensure availability of GTO at appropriate places on the rig.
10. Ensure that minimum 5-7% pre hydrated bentonite suspension is available for spudding. LCM material must
be available at site for contingency of seepage loss.
11. Hold Pre Spud meeting to short out any discrepancies.
12. Follow the pre-spud Checklist.
13. Any issues prior to spudding must be mitigated to Higher authority.

b) Common drilling practices for all phases

1. Hold tool box meeting.
2. Record bit details: Make, type, serial number, length, and IADC code.
3. Check and record bit nozzle size before lowering the bit.
4. Check the availability of proper size of slips and condition of the inserts with one complete set of spare dies.
5. Drill-off tests should always be carried out after lowering a new bit and on encountering a new formation with
significant reduction in ROP and should be recorded in IADC Report.
6. Record BHA weight on weight indicator prior to RIH.
7. Ensure required bits along with the bit breakers are available on location.
8. Ensure pump output and nozzle sizes are specified in program.
9. Gauge all stabilizers and check connections,OD,ID and fish neck diagram of all BHA components
10. Ensure make-up torque for all size of drill pipe, drill collars, casing and tubing is displayed in dog-house.
11. Slip and cut drill/casing line as recommended.
12. Record slow circulating pump pressure at every bit change/ mud weight change/ every shift change/200 m of
drilling.
13. Carry out safety drills.
14. Use drill pipe wiper during POOH after initial safe pull out..
15. Trip tank must be properly connected with suitable volume measurement system. The shift in charge is the
FPR (First Person
Responsible) to ensure that trip sheet is filled for all trip as per drilling practices.
16. Always keep hole full and monitor pipe displacement during POOH with trip tank and trip sheets.
17. Keep a Full Open Safety Valve (FOSV) always on the rig floor in open position with required x-overs during
all drilling operations.
18. Record, up-weight, down-weight, rotating weight of drill string and off- bottom torque.
19. Record tight spot intervals encountered during pipe connections and trips.
20. Monitor shakers for change in size of cuttings.
21. Monitor pit levels for mud loss/gain.
22. After every phase of drilling, a schematic of BOP stack indicating distance from rotary should be
displayed in dog house to ensure distance of all rams and annular BOP from rig floor.
23. Ensure schematic diagram of choke, kill manifold and MGS in rig floor.
24. Ensure schematic diagram of flow path hard/ soft shut in procedure and positions (Open/ Close) of choke
and manual valves in up and down stream in rig floor.
25. Ensure Mud Logging Unit is available, installed and calibrated.
26. Ensure Data Acquisition system is connected and enabled.
27. Ensure that required number of drill collars and HWDP are available for the next phase in advance.
28. Pipe tally to be maintained for BHA & depth tracking all the time and also conduct pipe count.
29. P/o & check string if there is any unexplained pump pressure reduction of more than 100 psi at constant SPM
after due checking of the surface equipment.
30. Observe for minimum 10 minutes to check the static condition of the well prior to pull out.
31. In slim hole (6’’ and Lower) pump out is recommended as hole condition detected.
32. All tubular / Handling Tools/ X-overs/ BHA component before run in hole must be measured including all
dimensions and diagram of the same must be available in driller’s cabin.
 SOP DRILLING OPERATION
33. Equivalent thread connections:
4-1/2” IF=NC 50; 4” IF=NC 46; 3-1/2” IF=NC 38;
2-7/8” IF=NC31; 2-3/8” IF=NC 26

c) Drilling 12-1/4” hole section:

Preparation:
1. Record clear distance from Rotary Table to bottom of Cellar Pit.
2. Confirm arrangement for cellar pit cleaning is installed and tested.
3. Confirm 9-5/8” Casing and casing handling equipment are on location.
4. Ensure proper diameter of return flow line from conductor to shale shaker is installed.

List of Handling Tools:

SN Items No required
1 12 ¼” Bit (TCR/ PDC) As planned
2 12 ¼” Bit Breaker (TCR / PDC) 01 each
3 Circlip nose pliers for nozzles 01
4 Nozzle gauge 01
5 5” Drill Pipe Elevator (250/350 t) 02
6 6 ½”Drill Collar Elevator (150 t) 02
7 8” Drill Collar Elevator(150 t) 02
8 5” Drill Pipe Slip 02
9 6 ½” Drill Collar Slip 02
10 8” Drill Collar Slip 02
11 Bit sub (6 ⅝” RBox X 6 ⅝” RBox) 02
12 X-over (4 ½”IFBox X 6 ⅝” RPin) 02
13 X-over (4” IFBox X 6 ⅝” RPin) 02
14 X-over (4 ½” IFBox X 4” IFPin) 02
15 Kelly saver sub (4½” IFBox X IFPin) 02
16 Drill pipe/ Drill collar dope 02 Buckets
17 12¼” String Stabilizer 03
18 12¼” Near Bit Stabilizer 01
19 Steel Measuring tape 02
20 Core bit 01
21 Core barrel with handling tools 02
22 Safety clamp 01
23 Drill pipe wiper 02

Sequence of Operations:

1. Make up 12-1/4” bit and BHA for spudding. After drilling two singles make up string stabilizer at 18m (60 ft).
2. Install float valve with baffle plate.
3. RIH with the 12-1/4” BHA inside the 20” Conductor.
4. Use a lower flow rate(54-55 spm with liner size 170 mm,stroke length 12 inch.) when drilling around 20” shoe
to avoid wash out of the shoe. In case of severe seepage, discharge is recommended to maintain at lowest.
5. While drilling first 50 m below false conductor, conduct controlled drilling with only one pump or at 50 - 60%
of recommended flow rate to avoid seepage.
6. In the next 30m, flow rate should be increased to recommended flow rate to drill and maintained.
7. Drill ahead to phase target depth with controlled drilling to avoid annulus loading.
8. Viscous sweeps of sufficient volume should be frequently used for drilling this section and monitor the volume
of cuttings coming out to confirm proper hole cleaning.
9. After reaching phase TD, sweep hole with 10 m3 Hi-Vis pill of 120-150 sec viscosity and circulate to clean the
hole.
 SOP DRILLING OPERATION
10. Ream if necessary. Check for fill and circulate for hole clean.
11. Wash down last single to avoid plugging of nozzle.
12. Sweep hole with 10m3 Hi-Vis pill of 120-150 sec and circulate until hole is cleaned with recommended flow
rate.
13. Circulate and condition mud. As a general practice place fresh mud of 0.05 SG higher density in well before
pulling out for casing.
16. POOH to run 9-5/8” casing.

d) Drilling 8-1/2” hole section:

Preparation:
1. Ensure all required tools and material are available on the rig.

List of Handling Tools:

SN Items No required
1 8 ½”Bit (TCR/ PDC) As planned
2 8 ½” Bit Breaker (TCR/ PDC) 01each
3 Circlip nose plier for nozzles 01
4 Nozzle gauge 01
5 5” Drill Pipe Elevator (250/350 t) 02
6 6 ½” Drill Collar Elevator (150 t) 02
7 5” Drill Pipe Slip 02
8 6 ½” Drill Collar Slip with safety clamp 02
9 Bit sub (4½”IFBox X 4½”RBox) 02
10 Bit sub (4” IFBox X 4½” RBox) 02
11 Cross-over (4½” IFBox X 4 ½’’ IFPin) 02
12 Cross-over (4½” IFBox X 4” IFPin) 02
13 Kelly saver sub (4½” IFBox X 4 ½’’ IFPin) 02
14 Drill pipe/ Drill collar dope 02
15 8 ½”String Stabilizer 03
16 8 ½”Near Bit Stabilizer 01
17 Steel Measuring tape 02
18 Safety clamp 01
19 Drill pipe wiper 02
20 Test Plug 01

Sequence of Drilling Operations:

1. Lay down 8” drill collars.

2. Install well head & BOP and test as per guidelines on Wellhead Installation and Well Control.
3. Test BOP and choke & kill manifold.
4. Make up 8 ½”BHA as per well program.
5. RIH with 8 ½”bit and tag cement top, circulate & condition mud.
6. Test casing to 500 psi or as per specific requirement of well maximum of 80% of burst rating of casing / well
head rating whichever is lowest.
7. Drill through cement,float collar and shoe with 3-4T WOB and 30-40 RPM,250gpm while using mud motor.
8. Wash and ream shoe track and pump high vis.
9. Resume drilling.
10. Optimize flow rate once BHA is 15m below 9-5/8” casing shoe provided losses are not observed.
11. Drill ahead to 8- ½” phase target depth.Taking deviation survey data.

• Record all drilling parameters every 30 minutes.

• Monitor shakers for change in shape and volume of cuttings and pit levels for mud loss/gain.
 SOP DRILLING OPERATION
• Flow check all drilling breaks and report same in DPR.
• Monitor connection gas and trip gas and report in DPR.
• Prior to a connection, circulate & ream drilled portion.
• Record on bottom and off bottom string weights
12. Perform wiper trip. Report tight spots. Do not pull into tight spot.
If tight pull is encountered then
 Move string in opposite direction to last pipe movement.
 If possible run one stand back in hole, make up the Kelly and enable circulation at half of circulating rate.
 Once returned are observed at surface increase to full pump rate.
 Circulate and condition mud on bottom
.
13. POOH for logging and rack pipe stands keeping in view of logging requirement.
14. During logging, monitor well on trip tank.
15. After logging, probe the well with clean out BHA.
16. Check for fill and ream if necessary.
17. Circulate and condition mud. Always keep the string in rotation and reciprocation to remove cutting.
18. Keep optimum pulling out and running in speed in open hole depending on well condition to avoid
swabbing and surging.
19. During running in last 3 single should always be washed down.
20. POOH to run casing and Lay down stabilizers, mud motor and Bit.
21. While POOH and once inside casing shoe, both mud pumps should be checked to ensure reliability during
cement displacement
22. Change pipe ram to casing ram.
23. Rig up handling tools for 7” casing lowering.

e) Drilling 6” Hole Section

Preparation:
1. Lay down the previous BHA & 5” DP.
2. Change liners of mud pump, as per requirement.
3. Keep compatible well head test plug ready and Check test plug seals.
4. Keep drilling jar ready, if planned.
5. Keep FOSV and IBOP with required X/O ready in open position on rig floor.
6. Schematic diagram of choke and kill manifold, MGS and positions of choke and manual valves should be
displayed
List of Handling Tools:
SN Items Nos.
1. 6’’ Bit (TCR & PDC) As planned
2. 6’’ Bit Breaker (TCR & PDC) 01each
3. Circlip nose pliers for nozzles 01
4. Nozzle and Bit gauge 01 each
5. 3 ½”Drill Pipe Elevator 02
6. 3½”or 4 ¾”Drill Collar Elevator 02
7. 5” Drill Pipe Elevator 02
8. 3 ½”Drill Pipe Slip 02
9. 5” Drill Pipe Slip 02
10. 4 ¾”Drill Collar Elevator 02
11. Bit sub (3½”IFBox X 3½”RBox) 02
12. Cross-over (4 ½” IFBox X 3½”IFPin) 02
13. Kelly saver sub (4½” IFBox X 4½” IFPin) 02
14. Drill pipe/ Drill collar dope 02
15. Steel Measuring tape 02
16. 3 ½” Drill pipe wiper 02
17. 5” Drill pipe wiper 02
18. Safety clamp 01
 SOP DRILLING OPERATION
Sequence of Drilling Operations:

1. Lay down 6 ½” drill collars

2. Function and pressure test of all rams of BOP stack, all valves of choke and kill manifold, IBOP, FOSV
and surface equipment as per standard lay down procedure.
3. RIH with 6” bit and BHA as per plan.
4. Tag float collar and test 7" casing to 70% of burst rating or well head pressure whichever is less.
5. Drill Float Collar and top of the Shoe.
6. Drill through cement and shoe with 2-3 T WOB, 30-40 RPM,150-200GPM while using mud motor.
7. Wash down to bottom and drill 3 m fresh hole.
8. Circulate and condition mud and commence performance drilling.
9. Maintain annular velocity and flow rate as per recommendation.
10. Check drag with pump off on every connection to analyze any down hole problem.
11. Perform wiper trips preferably after 300 m of drilling or as the well demands. Record tight spots. Do not
pull into the tight spot.
If tight pull is encountered then
 Move string in opposite direction to last pipe movement.
 If possible run one stand back in hole, make up the Kelly and enable circulation at half of circulating rate.
 Once returned are observed at surface increase to full pump rate.
 Circulate and condition mud on bottom

12. Drill ahead to Phase TD.

a. Record all drilling parameters every 30 minutes.
b. Monitor shakers for change in shape and volume of cuttings and pit levels for mud loss/gain.
c. Flow check all drilling breaks and report same in DPR.
d. Monitor connection gas and trip gas and report in DPR.
e. Prior to a connection, circulate & ream drilled portion.
f. Record on bottom and off bottom string weights.
13. POOH with pump on in open hole for logging and rack pipe stands keeping in view of logging requirement.
14. During logging, monitor well on trip tank. preferably circulate the well through circulation port, if available.
15. After logging, probe the well with clean out BHA.
16. Check for fill and ream if necessary.
17. Circulate and condition mud. Always keep the string in rotation and reciprocation to remove cutting..
18. Keep optimum pulling out and running in speed in open hole depending on well condition to avoid
swabbing and surging.
19. During running in last 3 single should always be washed down.
20. While POOH and once inside casing shoe, both mud pumps should be checked to ensure reliability during
cement displacement.
21. Rig up handling tools for 4-1/2” casing lowering.

f) Recommended practices for tripping out:

1. Pump high vis sweeps and Circulate hole clean..
2. Flow check well 5 minutes or as required. Keep string in motion to avoid stuck up.
3. Line up well on trip tank and start trip tank pump. Trip Sheet should be ready.
Record hole fill volume for every 5 stands of drill pipe
Record hole fill volume for every stand of drill collar & BHA components.
4. Before P/O, ensure availability of all X-Overs at rig floor.
5. Pump slug and P/O first few stands slowly, keep check on channel for flow of mud. In case of tight
spots pump-out/ back ream the string.
6. Pull out of hole. Pipe speed is dependent on hole conditions, swabbing effects.
7. After pulling out 5 stands, flow check again.
8. If well is not taking mud as per the trip sheet, flow check, run back to bottom and condition the well
before restarting POOH.
9. Install pipe wiper, if flow check is negative.
10. Change drill pipe working joint periodically.
11. During P/O FOSV and X-Overs to be kept ready.
 SOP DRILLING OPERATION
12. Regular trip drills to be carried out inside casing to ensure proper and quick responses by drilling crews.
13. Flow check well at casing shoe and before pulling BHA into BOP, and any other time if required.
14. Remove pipe wiper before pulling BHA out.
15. While tripping, keep the tool joint above slips as minimum as possible to avoid bending of tubulars
during making up/ breaking out tool joint. Use of both tong is recommended.
g) Recommended practices for tripping In:
1. Lower first stand with bit very carefully till it passes through well head followed by BHA.
2. Fill string regularly if float is used.
3. Circulate at every 500m interval and at shoe. Compare the pressure with the pressure tally.
4. Run into open hole slowly observing held up.
5. In case of held up, Pick up string and make up kelly . Try to clear the same with rotation with pump on.
6. Start circulation slowly and observe returns. Monitor stand pipe pressure and increase SPM gradually to
normal SPM.
7. Wash down last 3-4 singles where Kelly is used to avoid hole pack-off and resume further operations.
8. Ensure pipe tally is accurate prior to bottom tag.

h) Recommended practices for reaming:

1. Ream each pipe length drilled at full circulation rate and with 1-2 ton WOB.
2. Ream with minimum weight and keep an eye on erratic rotary torque. Do not release WOB till rotary torque
becomes smooth and is no more erratic.
3. Higher WOB with erratic torque may lead to severe back-torque causing bit failure/ string back-off/
4. Once rotary torque is normal, lower the string and ream further
5. When circulation is nearing bottoms up, check shale shaker for type and volume of cuttings/ cavings coming
out.
6. If excessive reaming is foreseen, POOH PDC/ diamond bit and ream with roller bit

i) Recommended practices for back-reaming:

1. Back-reaming should be used as the last resort and with the same flow rate that was used during drilling.
2. Back-ream for 5 m maximum, circulate cuttings clear of the BHA, then try to pull through the obstruction
without pumps or rotation.
3. During back-reaming, shut down the pumps quickly in the event of a pack-off.
4. In the event of a pack-off, stop the pumps - go down with the pipe (maintaining rotation) - re-establish
circulation and circulate hole clean.
5. Attempt to pull through troublesome zone again without pumps and rotation.
6. Repeat the above process - with patience. The objective is to POOH with the absolute minimum of back-
reaming.
j) Recommended practices for wiper trips in deviated hole:
1. Carry out short/wiper trips alternatively after 300m or as per the well requirement.

2. Wash down last 3-4 singles where Kelly is used to avoid hole pack-off.

3. Circulate at casing shoe for 1.5 cycles in wiper trips to remove all cuttings from the annulus if pumping out
due to tight pull is a frequent observation.

4. Pump-out in tight portions if required back reaming may be done. Tandem pill sweep to be given
intermittently.
k) Recommended practices to clear pack-off:
To avoid possible pack-off:

1. To prevent annulus loading and consequent packing-off by ensuring that recently drilled cuttings are well
above the BHA length by circulation especially when the ROP is more than 25-30 meters per hour.
2. In case of pack off, stop pump. Continuous pumping will lead to formation break down and stop all chances
of establishing circulation.
3. Come up with running in hole and establish circulation and try to go down while pulling out of hole.
4. Try to reciprocate the string, hydraulic hammering i.e., bleed the trapped pressure and again pressurize 200-
500psi to physically dislodge the packed cuttings. Intermittently try establishing circulation.
SOP DRILLING OPERATION