Differential sticking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Page 1 of 1

Differential sticking
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Differential sticking is a problem that occurs when drilling

a well with a greater well bore pressure than formation
pressure, as is usually the case. The drill pipe is pressed
against the wellbore wall so that part of its circumference
will see only reservoir pressure, while the rest will continue
to be pushed by wellbore pressure. As a result the pipe
becomes stuck to the wall, and can require millions of
pounds of force to remove, which may prove impossible. In
many cases the drilling fluid (mud) weight is simply
reduced, thus relieving the pressure difference and releasing
the stuck pipe string. Should this option be unavailable, as in
sour gas wells, a specialty fishing company such as
Weatherford is called to retrieve the stuck pipe or 'fish'.
Many options exist once a fishing company is on site, oil or A diagram showing forces at work during
nitrogen may be pumped down the well, or the fish may be differential sticking. The small black
'washed over' using a carbide shoe on a string of washpipe. arrows represent pressure exerted on the
Jarring is not usually attempted with differential sticking drill pipe from the wellbore, the red arrows
due to the massive amount of pressure that holds the pipe in represent pressure exerted on the pipe from
the formation (smaller than in the
place. wellbore) and the large black arrow
represents the net force on the pipe, which
External links is pushing it into the wall.

■ Schlumerger Oilfield Glossary about "differential

sticking" (http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/Display.cfm?Term=differential%20sticking)

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_sticking"

Categories: Petroleum stubs | Drilling technology

■ This page was last modified on 29 December 2008 at 20:44.

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