DRILLING PRACTICES

COURSE HANDOUT 3
CASING OPERATIONS

The following documents have been reproduced from

Drilling Procedures: Semi-Submersible Manual for use
within the company. All restrictions apply.

CASING OPERATIONS
1.

POLICY

2.

PURPOSE

The main purposes of casing are:

To seal off the upper formations from lower ones, so that fluids cannot
move upwards outside the casing.
To protect upper weak rock formations from the high pressures that are
met in deeper formations.
To protect production zones from mud and water contamination.
To support the wellhead and BOP stack.
To provide a stable well bore with an accurately known diameter, which
can be used to house other production strings.
To provide a flow path and restrict production fluids / gasses to the well
bore.

There are primarily 6 types of casing used :

Marine Conductor,
Conductor String.
Surface Casing.
Intermediate Casing.
Production Casing.
Liners.
Structural Conductor
It provides structural strength and guides drilling and casing strings into the
hole. It is usually cemented in a pre-drilled hole. The string helps isolate
shallow unconsolidated formations and protects the base of the structure from
erosion by the drilling fluid. It also supports the guide base for the BOP stack /
Xmas tree / flow base and guides drilling and casing strings into the hole.
Conductor String
This string is used to support unconsolidated formations, protect freshwater
sands from contamination and case off any shallow gas deposits. It is
cemented to the surface onshore and to the seabed offshore. This is the first
string onto which the BOP is installed.
Surface Casing
Provides blow-out protection for deeper drilling, structural support for the
wellhead / subsequent casing strings, and is often used to isolate troublesome
2

formations. The string is either cemented to the seabed or to inside the

conductor string.
Intermediate Casing
This string provides blow-out protection for deeper drilling and isolates
troublesome formations that could impair the well safety and / or hamper
drilling operations. An intermediate casing string is commonly set when a well
is likely to encounter an influx and / or loss of circulation in the open hole thus
providing blow-out protection by upgrading the strength of the well. The
cement height is determined by the design requirement to seal off any
hydrocarbon / flowing salt zones. The top of the cement does not need to be
inside the surface string.
Production Casing
This is the name applied to the casing that has the production tubing run
within it and could potentially be exposed to reservoir fluids. It can either
extend to the surface as an integral string or be a combination of a production
liner (7) and the previously set production casing (9-5/8). The purpose of
production casing is to isolate the producing zones, allow for reservoir control,
act as a conduit for safe transmittal of fluids / gas / condensate to the surface
and prevent the influx of unwanted fluids.
Liners
Liners can be run and landed in the well head however liners are normally
suspended a short distance above the previous casing shoe and will be
cemented along its whole length to insure a good seal isolating the annulus.
Often a liner top packer can be set as a precautionary second barrier. HP /
HT wells that incorporate a long liner may only cement the shoe and squeeze
the liner lap. Liners permit deeper drilling, separate productive zones from
reservoir formations and can thus be installed for testing purposes.
Drilling liners are set:
to provide a deeper shoe
isolate unstable formations
to achieve a drilling casing at a reduced cost
due to rig limitations
Production liners are set:
to complete the well at a reduced cost.
allow for a larger production conduit providing a range of choice for the
tubing.
due to rig limitations.
Procedures that are identified in bold type and shaded are Transocean
regional minimum standards and must be adhered to at all times.

3.
4.

SCOPE
PROCEDURES

4.1

General

Preparation
Casing should be laid out close to the catwalk with timber stripping between
the layers with the first joints to be run at the top.
Different grades of casing should be clearly identified and stowed in running
order or separately, depending on available deck space.
Measure and number each joint as it is laid out with the number and length
clearly painted 10ft from the pin end to allow the Driller a clear view when
running the casing.
Measuring the effective or overall length of the joint will be dependent on the
casing type and Client requirements.
The Toolpusher and the Clients Representative will make random length
checks of approximately 10% of the joints for accuracy.
Drift the casing with an appropriate drift, identify and remove the joints that do
not drift.
The shoe and float shoe joints will be visually checked for debris.
Commence cleaning casing threads no sooner that 24 hours prior to running
(during wiper trip).
Identify those joints to be bakerlocked, clean dry off and place a polythene
bag over the threads.
Install all elevators to be used around an appropriate joint of casing to verify
for correct fit.
The casing crew will check out and function test all the equipment including
pneumatically operated items, ensuring that the air connections are
compatible.
Valid certification for each component will be supplied to the Toolpusher.
Once the Client's Representative has compiled a running tally both
Toolpushers will check it for accuracy.
Safety Clamps or Dog Collars will not be used in conjunction with Flush
Mounted Slips.

The casing company will have a written procedure for use with the
equipment supplied in which a pressure reduction schedule clearly
identifies the required pressures to be used with light string weights.
The hydraulic operating pressure will be verified by the Driller, before
the start of running or pulling casing, when pressure adjustments are
required and during handovers.
Rigging up to run the casing
The use of open ended pipe hooks is forbidden.
Clear the rig floor of all excess equipment not required for the casing
operations.
The Driller will discuss specific instructions and any relevant safety points, the
method the casing is to be run etc. with all parties involved in the operation.
He should instruct the Assistant Driller and Derrickman to rig up (where
applicable) and test the stabbing board. The Casing Stabber should assist
and receive instruction on all controls and safety devices.
Hard hat chin straps will be worn to prevent hats falling into open casing while
checking fluid levels.
The Casing Stabber should be asked to satisfy himself that the board is
secure and in good working order. He should also fill out and sign the
Transocean Stabbing Board Inspection form.
Install any circulating/filling devices to the top drive, checking space out as per
the casing crew recommendations. Once torqued up, paint a line across the
connections so a check can be kept on connections during the casing job.
Pump through the tool to verify the line up and function.
Check that all relevant crossover and safety valves are to hand.
Protectors are to be removed for the period while running the casing.
Crossovers and safety valves will be physically checked for
compatibility with all equipment being run in the hole and with each
other.
Running Casing
Where possible, flush mounted slips are to be used from the start of the
operation as there is no need to use a dog collar etc. as they generate a
downward force of up to 40,000lbs and in most cases a back up tong will not
be required.

To avoid accidental release of the casing when using flush mounted

slips and air operated casing elevators, only members of the casing
crew will operate this equipment. The slips will only be operated after a
verbal command from the Driller has been given. These commands will
be "OPEN SLIPS" or "CLOSE SLIPS" No other signals or commands are
acceptable.
Only members of the casing crew are allowed to operate the casing
power tongs.
Verify that all float equipment is fully functional.
Care must be taken when using "Clamp on" type casing protectors as they
can be easily knocked off while the joints are being manoeuvred.
All types of casing protectors will be returned to the catwalk/deck in a
controlled manner.
If centralises are fitted, take care lowering them through the FMS due to the
lack of weight in the early stages.
Preferably all centralises should be installed on deck and not around the
rotary table. If they have to be installed while the casing is being run then
appropriate measures should be taken to prevent items falling into the hole.
Steel displacement will be recorded while running or pulling casing.
Setting slips should be done with the string stationary with the weight
transferred gently.
Running speed of joints should be fairly slow and steady. If the mud logging
company can display a surge reading this can be utilised to optimise running
speeds.
Care should be taken entering BOPs, well head, open hole and any other
potential stand up points in the well, all of which should be indicated on the
running tally form.
Top fill, then circulate through the casing prior to entering open hole, this will
confirm that the casing is full and that circulation can be achieved.
Maintain an accurate tally of joints run.
Inform the Toolpusher of any damaged or rejected joints that are laid down.
Fill each joint, as it is run then check that the string is completely full every 6
joints.

If a swage has to be used as opposed to an internal filling device (e.g. Tam

Packer) it must be torqued up fully to avoid accidental release when under
pressure.
All personnel involved in the operation should continually check the rigging
security and for build up of paint, rust and grease etc. on dies and slip area.
Stop and clean equipment to maintain efficiency as required.
While running the casing the Derrickman should prepare the mix water or
spacers for the cement job as required.
Once the pre-determined amount of joints have been run (and at any point
there is a change in size or grade of casing) a count of the number of joints
left on deck will be made and checked against the total number of joints
onboard.
This figure should then be checked by the Client's Representative and the
Toolpusher.
Open the choke and kill lines to an appropriate open surface line while
running full bore well head tools. This will help to minimise surge pressures.
Make up the cementing line
Flexible lines and hoses will be secured with appropriate safety
restraints so as to prevent the lines flailing about in the event of them
parting.
Pressure test the surface lines
Prior to circulating, The Driller, Derrickman and Mud Logger will agree on the
surface mud volume total.
After the casing has been landed the Choke and Kill lines should be closed.
Spacers, pills and cement should be mixed and pumped to the Clients
requirements.
If the cement is to be displaced using sea water (normally only on surface
casing sections), the water must be pumped from the mud pits and not from a
direct feed system to the mud pumps.
This will ensure that the correct volume is pumped and not the calculated
volume by using accumulative mud pump strokes.
Continue to displace the cement and bump the plugs reducing pump speed as
the predetermined strokes are approached.

If no "bump" is observed, then no more than 50% of the shoe track

volume should be pumped over the pre-determined volume. This figure
will be reduced to 25% for all string sizes of 7" and below.
The Driller, Derrickman and Logger are to agree on any mud volume loss
figure for cement job.
Post casing running operations
After the seal assembly has been set and tested and the running tool has
been backed out, it is good practice to flush the wellhead BOPs and riser,
monitoring for contaminated returns.
Function the BOP's if any cement is detected.
Verify that all surface lines are flushed and cement free.
Service the casing stabbing board in preparation for the next job.
Clear the rig floor of all casing equipment prior to continuing with the next
operation.
5.

FLOWCHART

6.

RESPONSIBILITY

6.1 Senior Toolpusher / Toolpusher

Responsibility for:

Supervise and control all activities of this process.

To ensure that the operations are carried out in accordance with the
defined operations programme and are conducted in a safe and efficient
manner.
Measure and tally the casing string.
Confirm the calculations made by the Driller are correct.
Consult with the O.I.M. and Operators Representative regarding the
progress of operations.
Keep the O.I.M. informed of all events and occurrences likely to cause or
have caused a deviation from the operational schedule.

6.2 Driller
Responsibility for:

Supervise and conduct all rig floor activities associated with this process.

Calculate and ensure tallies and depth measurements are accurate.

Inform the on tour Toolpusher and Operators representative if a deviation
from the planned operations occurs.
Ensure that control of the well is maintained at all times.

6.3 Crane Operator / Deck Crew

Responsibility for:

Supervise and conduct all deck operations associated with this process.
Support all rig floor activities as required.
Bring to the attention of the on tour Toolpusher any occurrence that may
affect the safe and smooth efficient running of operations.