General Procedure Running & Window Milling

1.

A gauge run should be made with a Full Gauge Window Mill- Casing Scraper and
Watermelon Mill to ensure that the Whipstock and all milling assemblies will go in the
well without hanging up. Tagging an obstruction with the Whipstock on the way in
the hole could result in premature setting of the Whipstock.

2.

The Whipstock needs to be positioned so that the window is milled across the joint of
the casing and a coupling or connection. Confirm the Bridge Plug setting depth prior
to setting. Setting depth should be 3 5 feet (1 1.5 meters) above a casing collar
or connection.

3.

Typical Bottom Hole Assembly for MWD Survey One Trip Whipstock as follows:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)

Whipstock
X-IT Mill Assembly ( 3 Mills)
X/O where required
Single Joint of Drill Pipe
MWD Tool
U.B.H.O.
Heavy Weight or Drill Collars
Drill Pipe to Surface

4.

Make up the U.B.H.O. (MWD Tool) and X-IT Mill on a single of Drill Pipe.
Align the U.B.H.O. with the X-IT Mill Shear Bolts (Whipstock Face).

5.

Secure a Safety Clamp around the body of the Whipstock approximately half way
down the concave face while the tool is lying on the pipe deck / cat walk. Pick the
Whipstock up with the winch or tugger line using a clevace secured to the Lifting Eye
Ring or a sling double wrapped on the Whipstock body UNDER the Safety Clamp.
SAFETY NOTE:
The Whipstock should be picked up with a clevace secured on to the Pick Up
Ring or with a Sling double wrapped around the Whipstock Body below the
Safety Clamp to ensure that the sling will not slip off the tapered Whipstock
face during handling.
Lower the Whipstock in to the mouse hole or main hole on the drill floor and secure
with the appropriate handling tools.
Attach the X-IT Mill to the Whipstock Concave and tighten Shear Bolt. Care must be
taken not to over tighten the Shear bolt.

6.

Remove the Lifting Eye Ring and or sling / Dog Collar / Safety Clamp assembly.

7.

IMPORTANT:
Remove the shipping strut on the Bottom Trip Assembly before running the
whipstock Assembly in the hole.

8.

Run the Whipstock, X-IT Mill, Flex Sub, Watermelon Mill, Single Drill Pipe, MWD Tool
in the hole and set the slips on the single in the rotary table. Continue to make up
the bottom hole assembly with Drill Collars and or Heavy Weight Drill Pipe to facilitate
milling and shear off weight requirements. Trip in hole in a slow and smooth manner.
Avoid any sudden stops or jerks as this may result in premature shearing of the
setting bolts.
IMPORTANT:
Proceed with extreme caution through B.O.P.s, Well Head, Liner Lap and any
other restrictive sections.

9.

Proceed in the hole and run the last 5 singles with extreme care. Recheck the tally
and the pipe count on location. Use Drill Pipe Pup Joints (if available) to space out 3
9 meters off the bottom that will be used to trip the Whipstock Record accurate up
and down string weights. Pick up Kelly and or top drive, establish circulation and
take directional surveys to establish kick off direction. Rotate the Whipstock slowly in
increments to adjust direction if required.

10. Upon establishing proper direction, work the drill string up and down to remove all
excess torque from the drill string. Confirm orientation with Directional Drillers or
Company Man.
11. Slowly lower assembly to tag bottom and apply the required weight to shear the small
roll pin and release the plunger (3 6,000 pounds). This will release the compressed
spring to force the Slip into position between the casing and Whipstock.
12. Continued down weight is applied to the shear off the X-IT Mill Assy. from the
Whipstock concave face and set the Whipstock firmly in place. Shear Screw values
are 20 / 50,000 pounds depending on Size of Tool, setting depth and type of well.
Apply the shear weight to the Whipstock to ensure it is firmly in place against the
casing wall.
13. Raise the drill string to a neutral position. Record up down and free rotating torque.
14. Carefully start rotation. Lower the milling assembly to contact the top of the concave,
Torque should increase as milling assembly comes in contact with the deflection
slopes.
15. Bring the rotary up to milling a speed of 60 120 RPM and record rotary torque with
the pump at normal circulation rate. Lower the drill string and apply 2-5k weight onto
the Mill Assy. Record the depth as datum point (i.e. Top of Window). Watch closely
for increase in torque.

Continue the cut out with the Mill Assy. using light weights while monitoring torque
rates until approximately 4 10 inches of Window has been cut. General parameters
when cutting out should be 80 140 RPM, 2 6,000 pounds weight and normal full
circulation. Continue milling the window from the 12 24 inch range with care,
however, an increase in weight and rotary speed can usually be attained. General
parameters when milling the Window should be 80 140 RPM, 2 15,000 pounds
weights on Mills, torque should be 2-4000 ft. lbs. above free rot. Torque.
Additional Operational Note:
The milling rates may slow when the Milling assembly is half way down the
Whipstock face. Light to medium variance of weight and RPM should be used to
facilitate the Milling assembly through this area.
Upon completion of the Window the Milling assembly should be reamed through the
Window several times to clean up the top and bottom sections. The Window should
be cleaned until the drill string is able to pass through the Window with no rotation
and very little drag.
16. Upon completion of the window pull out of the hole and inspect the outside diameter
gauge of X-IT Mill and Watermelon Mill. If mills are +/- 1/8 proceed with drilling
operations.
17. If mills are undergauge and a final Mill run may be required with a new set of full
gauge Mills run directly on drill collars or heavy wate drill pipe. This assembly will
elongate the Window and proves the ability to pass a stiff directional assembly
through the window if required.

CHECK LIST
Check all equipment upon arrival at location to ensure that inventory is complete and that
there has been no shipping damage.
Check the Following Items:
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______

- Slip in place and in good condition.

- Shear Roll Pin in good condition and that Whipstock has not tripped.
- Shear Screws available to connect to X-it Mill Assy.
- Shear Studs will fit through Whipstock Concave.
- Mills are on location and correct OD.
- Measure and record all ODs and IDs of downhole equipment.
- Check U.B.H.O. Sub and Survey Barrel are compatible.
- Check Survey Tools will pass through all Drill String Tubulars / Tool Joints.
- Check all Rotary Connections are compatible.
- Check and Record Total Number of Tubulars on Location.
- Drill Collar.
- Heavy Wate Drill Pipe.
- Drill Pipe.

X-it Energy Services

18 Hillview Road
Cults
Aberdeen
AB15 9HB
United Kingdom
T +44 (0)1224 862187
F +44 (0)1224 862187
M +44 (0)7801 291102
E mike.neff@x-ites.com
W www.x-ites.com

Advanced Casing Exit Systems