Case Study: Advanced Solutions for Complex Drilling Challenges
Authors: Lisiecki Bartosz 
Published: January 2025

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While renewable energy development continues to rise, the transition from traditional hydrocarbons is not progressing as rapidly as once expected, and oil and gas is still set to be a key player in the energy mix by mid-century.

There has been significant development of green technologies and increased investments in wind, solar, and hydrogen energy, but the demand for hydrocarbons continues to grow, driven by global energy demand and the complexities of transitioning entire energy infrastructures.

As the world aims to balance energy security with sustainability and affordability, it is clear hydrocarbons will continue to fulfil a critical role in meeting energy demand for the foreseeable future. It will take the next 27 years to move the energy mix from the present 80% fossil/20% non-fossil split to 48%/52% (DNV Energy Transition Outlook, 2023).

Looming net-zero goals have placed operators under the microscope as they grapple with the challenge of maintaining profitability while adhering to environmental regulations. There are also increasing expectations from stakeholders and investors who are factoring environmental, social, and governance criteria into their investment decisions. Operators must now demonstrate not just financial viability, but also a commitment to sustainable practices.

The drilling landscape in particular faces more complex challenges than ever before as it contends with fluctuating oil prices, more stringent environmental regulations, and increasingly complicated wells. While advances in exploration and drilling technologies have transformed the industry, unlocking previously inaccessible reserves and increasing production rates, the risk and technical difficulties associated with drilling operations have also escalated. As the sector strives to reduce its carbon footprint, advancements in drilling technologies are not only helping to minimize environmental impact, but also enabling more-efficient operations in increasingly complex well conditions.

Understanding Stuck-Pipe Encounters

Stuck-pipe incidents are a frequent challenge during drilling operations, often costing operators millions in remediation. The remediation process is complex, frequently requiring days or even weeks of nonproductive time (NPT) and resources that may not be immediately available. Such incidents can arise from various factors, including differential sticking which occurs when pressure differences between the mud column and formation fluids cause the drillstring to stick against the wellbore wall, creating a "stuck spot" that immobilizes the pipe. Packoff is also a common issue where accumulated cuttings, debris, or other materials around the drillstring create a blockage.

In any situation, even if partial movement is possible, circulation and rotation are often not feasible. As each stuck-pipe scenario is unique, resolving it often necessitates a customized approach. Operators frequently find themselves constrained by a lack of available solutions, limiting their ability to respond effectively to a stuck-pipe situation.

Jarring is a traditional stuck-pipe recovery method that uses mechanical or hydraulic tools to deliver sudden, high-impact forces to the drillstring to free the stuck pipe. Though this method can be effective, it is expensive and can take days or longer, which results in significant NPT to the project.

If the stuck pipe cannot be resolved, the last resort is to perform a disconnect, traditionally requiring mobilization of a wireline crew to deploy an explosive charge, known as a backoff or string shot. The explosives must be detonated above the freepoint to sever the string and can leave an unpredictable fishing profile for future operation. This technique can be time-consuming, costly, and introduces a new set of risks into the operation by deploying third-party crews and transporting hazardous materials to the rigsite.