SOPs

Question 1

What is a key feature of the CRT running tool’s secondary release mechanism, and what risk does it present?

Answer 1

It has a secondary, 1/4 turn, left-hand release mechanism. Applying excessive left-hand torque risks premature release due to loading the torsional shear screws.

Question 2

When operating hydraulic liner hanger systems, why must care be taken not to exceed certain circulation rates or pressures?

Answer 2

Excessive rates/pressures can cause:

• Premature shearing/blowing of the ball seat.
• Unintentional shearing and setting of the liner hanger.
• Unintentional shearing and release of the running tool.

Question 3

When picking up the running tool (RT) to check for release, what is the primary precaution regarding pick-up distance, and why?

Answer 3

Avoid picking up more than the distance specified on the T&I sheet. Exceeding this can cause the Rotating Dog Assembly (RDA) to exit the Tieback Receptacle (TBR), risking premature packer setting, or inadvertently pulling the Retrievable Cementing Bushing (RCB), compromising subsequent operations.

Question 4

After reaching target depth (TD) and completing circulation, what is the first action taken to set a hydraulic liner hanger?

Answer 4

Release the setting ball from the ball releaser located in the cement manifold.

Question 5

How should the setting ball be pumped downhole for a hydraulic liner hanger?

Answer 5

Pump the ball down at a controlled rate (e.g., 1-3 bbl/min), limiting circulating pressure as previously determined or recommended by the customer.

Question 6

Why is it important to limit the pump rate and circulating pressure when pumping down the setting ball for a hydraulic liner hanger?

Answer 6

To prevent a sudden pressure surge when the ball seats, which could damage the ball or seat, and to ensure a controlled pressure build-up.

Question 7

What adjustment should be made to the pump rate just before the setting ball is expected to land on seat?

Answer 7

Reduce the pump rate, often guided by a ball drop time calculation (e.g., InTouch ID: 5653103), to allow for a gradual pressure increase.

Question 8

What pressure sequence is followed once the setting ball lands on seat to set a hydraulic liner hanger?

Answer 8

Increase pressure steadily to the pressure required to set the hanger. Maintain the applied setting pressure for approximately 1 minute.

Question 9

While holding the setting pressure, how is weight applied to fully set the hydraulic liner hanger slips?

Answer 9

Slack off the entire liner weight onto the liner hanger slips, plus an additional 10,000 - 20,000 lbs of drill pipe weight.

Question 10

What surface indication confirms that the hydraulic liner hanger has successfully set?

Answer 10

A distinct loss of weight will be observed on the rig’s weight indicator.

Question 11

What pressure should never be exceeded when attempting to set a hydraulic liner hanger with a CRT tool, and why?

Answer 11

Do not exceed the CRT hydraulic release pressure. Doing so can shear the release mechanism pins even if the tool is in tension, causing unintentional release upon the slightest compression.

Question 12

After a hydraulic liner hanger is set, how is the CRT running tool initially positioned for hydraulic release?

Answer 12

Continue slacking off weight to place 10,000 - 20,000 lbs of compression on the running tool.

Question 13

Why must the CRT running tool be placed in compression for its primary hydraulic release?

Answer 13

The CRT’s hydraulic release mechanism requires compression to function. This weight also compensates for upward hydraulic forces acting on the running string.

Question 14

Once the CRT running tool is confirmed to be in compression, how is the hydraulic release sequence initiated?

Answer 14

Apply pressure, increasing it up to the specified CRT hydraulic release pressure (potentially adding a small overpressure like 200 psi as per text).

Question 15

After applying the release pressure to the CRT, what actions are taken to verify if it has successfully released?

Answer 15

Bleed off the applied pressure and then pick up the string a short distance (e.g., 2-3 ft maximum) to observe if the full liner weight has been lost.

Question 16

If the CRT tool doesn’t release after the initial hydraulic pressure application, what is the procedure?

Answer 16

Re-apply compression, then pressure up again, increasing the pressure in increments (e.g., 200 psi) over the previous attempt until release occurs or the ball seat shears prematurely.

Question 17

How is the ball seat typically sheared after the CRT tool is confirmed to be released (using a Ball Catch Sub - BCS)?

Answer 17

Place the running tool back in compression (10,000-20,000 lbs slack-off) and pressure up to the ball seat shear value specified on the T&I sheet.

Question 18

What is the main surface indication that the CRT running tool has released from the liner?

Answer 18

When picking up the string, the entire weight of the liner assembly will be lost from the weight indicator reading.

Question 19

What are the main surface indications that the ball seat has sheared?

Answer 19

A sudden drop in applied pressure will be observed, and circulation can be re-established through the tool.

Question 20

If a Rotational Ball Seat (RBS) is used instead of a Ball Catch Sub (BCS), when is it typically recommended to shear the RBS relative to checking for CRT release?

Answer 20

It’s often recommended to shear the RBS before checking for CRT release, usually by increasing pressure up to the RBS shear value during the hydraulic pressure application intended to release the CRT.

Question 21

If hydraulic methods fail to release the CRT running tool, what is the primary contingency release mechanism available?

Answer 21

A secondary mechanical release mechanism, activated by left-hand rotation and applying compression.

Question 22

Briefly describe the two main shear actions involved in the CRT’s mechanical contingency release.

Answer 22

1. Torsional shear: initiated by applying sufficient left-hand rotation/torque. 2. Axial shear: initiated by applying sufficient compression (set-down weight) after torsional shear.

Question 23

Describe the general procedure for the CRT’s secondary mechanical release.

Answer 23

Apply specified left-hand torque (e.g., 1000 ft-lbs + torsional shear value), potentially reciprocating. While holding torque (or after achieving shear), apply sufficient compression to shear the axial screws. Carefully pick up (2-3 ft) to check for release, possibly after rotating slightly right while still in compression.

Question 24

If the work string cannot be reciprocated during CRT mechanical release, how should the required left-hand torque be applied?

Answer 24

Apply the left-hand torque while the work string is held in a neutral weight or tension condition.

Question 25

What is the primary concern regarding torque limits when performing the CRT's mechanical (rotational) release?

Answer 25

The applied left-hand torque must not exceed the minimum make-up torque of the weakest threaded connection in the entire work string.

Question 26

Is there a potential surface indication when the torsional shear occurs during CRT mechanical release?

Answer 26

Yes, a small amount of string rotation might be observed as the torque sleeve/clutch within the CRT shifts alignment.

Question 27

After achieving torsional shear (left-hand rotation) for CRT mechanical release, what is the next step involving compression and rotation?

Answer 27

Apply sufficient compression (set-down weight) to achieve axial shear. It's often recommended to then rotate slightly back to the right while still in compression (monitoring torque) to ensure connection integrity before picking up to confirm release.

Question 28

Besides the built-in mechanical release, what other contingency method can be used to release a stuck CRT tool, and what operation does it typically require?

Answer 28

Running a Standing/Equalizing valve into the tool, which usually requires slickline intervention.

Question 29

After reaching setting depth and circulating bottoms up, what initial preparations are made on the drill pipe before setting a mechanical liner hanger?

Answer 29

Ensure the string is in tension or neutral. Mark the drill pipe at the rotary table for the desired setting depth, and make an additional mark indicating the stroke length needed to set the hanger slips.

Question 30

How is a mechanical liner hanger typically set using a Top Drive System (TDS)?

Answer 30

Apply right-hand rotation to the drill pipe according to the operations manual (specific turns/torque) while simultaneously slacking off weight onto the hanger.

Question 31

After initiating the setting action for a mechanical liner hanger, how much weight is applied, and how is the set confirmed?

Answer 31

Continue slacking off to apply approx. 10,000 lbs onto the liner slips. Check if the weight holds (indicating slips are set). If set, continue slacking off the entire liner weight plus an additional 10,000 lbs of drill pipe weight to fully confirm and secure the set.