Does anyone know the best way to retrieve a broken drill string from a deep well?

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We are constructing a community borehole in Abia State Nigeria - trying to dig a 400 feet deep well (125 m).

We have had a bad incident occurred twice using the HF-3 Chinese Rig. The drill pipe broke down at about 200 feet two times. Our first conclusion is that the drill pipes are sub-standard (less than 6 mm wall thickness - though manufacturer claims that it is 6 mm, but we think the pipes that have welded thread ends are of poor quality and bad material used in the manufacturing. Also does not look like what  was shipped to us was exactly what we ordered).

We plan to revert to using an older Schramm T-64 rig with 4.5" drill stems in the region as soon as we have funds to continue the project to completion.

Meanwhile, does anyone know how we can retrieve a broken drill string from a faulty tool joint?

The well depth is 215 feet and the break is at about 65 feet from ground. The soil formation is mixed of sandstone / shale and the diameter of the well is about 10 inches (was using a 9 inch PDC bit to ream down when it happen.)

Well diameter also appear to be wider than 10 inches in the area of the break.  Our team has been unable to grab the head of this drill string. The pipe diameter is 2-3/8 inch and pipe lengths about 3.2 meters (11.5 feet) each.

A. Sunny Okorie 

(Country Director, RNM in Nigeria)

Contacts: aso@relief-networks.org; asonze@yahoo.com; +1-832-385-3229; fax: 866-587-2032 

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14 Answers

  1. Hi

    Retrieving drill rods and hammers is a nightmare at times for a lot of drillers. Experienced drill machine operators who are familiar with the local area might help you. In the meantime, i recommend that you design an appropriate fishing tool, the tool cane be aided by a camera or the use of mirrors to make sure that you aim precisely on the exact point and fish out the items.  Try local technologies and innovations to solve the problems, find out from other experienced drillers who were faced with the same problem and how they solved it.You have all the solutions locally.

    Kind regards

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  3. Maintain log, then step by step

    Dear Mr. Ambrose Okorie,

    Whenever a bore is drilled, it is mandatory to maintain a log of the strata of the bore, at  fixed depth intervals. And if there is a change in the strata, that depth is also noted. This has to done by the driller who operates the drill. As you have asked, there cannot be a single answer for this problem.

    First of all we have to analyse the problem of breaking of the drill string. Then only we can retrieve the drill bit along with the string of tools. The reason for the failure of the drill string decides the FISHING TOOL to be designed. The Fishing Tool designed and manufactured should be carefully inserted into the bore with caution to catch hold of the tip or some part of the string of tools inside the bore.

    Daily diary of progress on Fishing operation, will decide the next day of operation. If there is good progress & hope in the recovery of the bit, then the same Fishing Tool may be used. If not new Fishing tool has to designed and manufactured for use in the bore well. Use of heavy magnets may some time yield good result(Provided the string of tools is of iron and the magnet has the capacity to pull the entire string of tools and the drill bit. In any case, the Fishing operation has to be undertaken PATIENTLY and by EXPERTS in such operation.

    WISH YOU GOOD LUCK

    P. SUNDAR

  4. YES, it is possible. Any drilling Company having a fishing tool. While doing this first the location of the broken drill should be located by scanning with the suitable geophysical tool mostly magnetic. Once location is known accurately, the fishing tool either readily available or designed can be used to pick the same. Our drilling team in India has done several such operations and you can get such facilities in your own Country. All the best.

  5. Overshot, of course with skill patience and ... a bit of luck. Else you cement the hole and drill a new one. may be cheaper than too sophisticated works :-)

  7. Fishing

    Easy, in the drilling industry where I work (for Oil&Gas), it's called "fishing", you run down hole an other string with the BHA having an inside diameter a bit larger than the outside diameter of the string you lost, inside your fishing assembly is a kind of spring that will lock your down-hole fishing assembly to the fish (your lost string). Please go on a discussion group related to drillers and you will find plenty of specialist who will be pleased to help or advise you.

    Regards,

    Eric.

  8. Use a camera to access the situation...

    To retrieve anything down hole, it's best to have a video camera so you can see what the situation is. I have a friend in Port Harcourt who may be able to help:

    Chief Dom O Nwachukwu, FNMGS, FNAH
    Groundwater Dev. & Eng. (Nig) Ltd.
    Plot 9A, 112 Rd, FHA Estate, Off Abuloma Road
    P.O Box 4587, Trans-Amadi Ind. Layout,
    Port Harcourt 50003
    Nigeria.
    Mobile:+234 803 301 4406, +234 702 324 0326
    Tel: +234-84-485605
    Email: domnwachukwu@hyperia.com
    dom.nwachukwu@yahoo.com
    www.groundwaterdev.com 

  9. To retrieve anything down hole, it's best to have a video camera so you can see what the situation is. I have a friend in Port Harcourt who may be able to help: Chief Dom O Nwachukwu, FNMGS, FNAH Groundwater Dev. & Eng. (Nig) Ltd. Plot 9A, 112 Rd, FHA Estate, Off Abuloma Road P.O Box 4587, Trans-Amadi Ind. Layout, Port Harcourt 50003 Nigeria. Mobile:+234 803 301 4406, +234 702 324 0326 Tel: +234-84-485605 Email: domnwachukwu@hyperia.com dom.nwachukwu@yahoo.com www.groundwaterdev.com

  11. thoughts on retrieving broken drill string

    I would question the value of retrieving this drill string.  You have a used drilling bit, assumable, but you didn't mention it a weight collar on above the drill bit and then you have what sounds like trash drill pipe.  Assuming the drill pipe is of zero value due to too thin a wall and a history of breaks, I would suggest you spend your time and money obtaining new drill pipe.  

    Second issue:  A fishing tool such as a female socket with cam action teeth is a very common fishing tool and could be fabricated by a local machine shop.  Think of this as a two meter long section of PIPE which is twice the size of the drill rod outside diameter, make a female taper at the bottom, fit the inside with three cam action teeth which ride up when lowered over the drill rod, then roll down and clamp on retraction.  Lower this device into the hole repeatedly until the teeth engage.  BUT the drilling mud by now has solidified around the bit and drilling wieght so the chances of just pulling this up and out would seem about zero, so now you need to jet down the hole to fluidize the mud.  Good luck

  12. Dear Ambrose, I recieved a possible solution out of my network. This was the advice: 'I've read it over and over, and shared with other mechanics in our shop. 65ft is deep, but not impossible. 1. Force water/fluid around the jacket of well diameter and hydraulically mud jack it up. 2,drop in a long 2" metal rod until it makes contact with head, ground it out and apply DC voltage and amperage from several welders and attempt to,"tack weld rod to head" to pull and retrieve. 3, is there a VactorTruck with VacHoe on site to suck it to the surface? These are the only ones I can think off without being there on site with my equipment and crew.' Like it? Try it. If I receive more solutions, I write you. best regards. Jan

  13. Thank you Ambrose, for your message. Thank you for your question. As far as I know at this momen it's not possible to retrieve the broken drill. No other way dan try it again with better material, but I will ask it around in my net work Sorry for this. Have a good weekend, Jan de Goei

  14. Fishing tools from oil and gas

    There are overshot or fishing tools available in the oil industry which might be successful.  

    Do you know if the casing is still intact?