Why You Should Choose

Top Drive Casing Running

www.odfjellwellservices.com
Why you should choose Top Drive Casing Running

Contents
1. Planning for the unexpected
2. What challenges can you meet on your way to TD?
3. Top Drive Casing vs. Conventional Casing
4. How can Top Drive Casing Running save you money?
5. Is top drive casing running right for you?
6. Client’s testimonials
Why you should choose Top Drive Casing Running
1. Planning for the unexpected
The amount of considerations
needed in order to make sound
calculations, reduce risk and
plan effectively to get to TD,
is enormous.
While contractors constantly seek to
minimize risks of NPT and increase the
effectiveness of drilling wells, their
efforts are met with continuous research
and development from scientists and
suppliers all over the industry. The goals
are common, and the suppliers who are
able to meet these demands are ahead
of the rest of the companies. With the
extreme focus on effectiveness and
economic output from a project, every
little inch of improvement is directly
related to the operators profit.
The process of top drive casing running
is typically a result of continuous
development and methodical approach to
the challenges of drilling wells.
In this eBook we will outline the effects
and benefits of top drive casing running,
while we look at the challenges and
discuss the effects it has on scheduling,
safety and economic output of a project.
Note: This is not a technical paper, nor a
how to, but an overview of the method
and an outline of the impact it has on a
project’s effectiveness, both schedule
wise and economically.
Why you should choose Top Drive Casing Running
2. What challenges can you meet on your way to TD?
This is close to the ultimate
question for both contractors and
operators. Yet none of them are
willing to answer the question
without careful planning and a
series of calculations.
Despite the high level of
expertise and the effort put in,
no one can actually be decisive
on a time or date when their
casing and liner reaches TD.
Interpreting the seismic survey is one thing, reality another.
The experienced engineer is able to use the following
information to predict the process to a certain degree:
• Is it a wildcat operation?
• The rock/sediments
• Cave in. Predictable formation pressure.
• Reactive sediments in proportion to the drilling mud
• Changes in the formation layers
o
Faults or fractured formation
But then the unforeseen trouble occurs:
• Cave in
• Swelling
• Casing shoe takes more weight than anticipated
• Not able to come down
• Not able to rotate
• Not able to pull out (stuck)
• Not able to circulate
Why you should choose Top Drive Casing Running

Getting the casing to TD

This is more or less the fine art of assumption. Do you know how the well will
behave before it is actually drilled? Well, to a certain extent a lot of talented
and experienced engineers are remarkably precise in predicting the outcome
of the drilling process.

To set the casing at planned depth is crucial for a successfully drilled well,
and the whole project and the calculations are based on you reaching TD at
first attempt.

The ability to rotate, circulate, push and pull on the casing while running
reduces the risk for not being able to run the casing to target depth.
Furthermore these capabilities can reduce the time used to circulate and
clean the well prior to setting the casing.
Why you should choose Top Drive Casing Running
3. Top Drive Casing vs. Conventional Casing
How many tools do you need?
The simple principle of oil production is to drill a hole in
the ground down to the reservoir and pump the oil up to
the surface. The complex nature of drilling, both onshore
and offshore, distorts this picture and leaves us with really
demanding tasks that require high-level technical installations
and highly skilled personnel. The ability to make complicated
tasks easier makes the whole process easier. It can save time,
reduce risk, reduce people involved and save money.
So instead of using a manual power tong, fill-up and circulation
tool, manual rotary slips, elevators and stabbers for your
casing running – wouldn’t you rather use just one remotely
operated tool?
The Top Drive Casing Running Tool (TDCRTi) is Odfjell Well
Services internally gripping, purely mechanical running tool.
As the tool is connected to the top drive of the drilling rig, it
maintains the capabilities you normally would have during
drilling operations. This means the ability to circulate, rotate,
set down weight or pull the string, all at the same time.
Why you should choose Top Drive Casing Running

These are the primary applications for the TDCRTi:

• MU tool. Together with the TT-sub the TDCRTi can fully replace a traditional MU-
system by making up the casing connections with the DDM. MU-graphs will be
wirelessly transferred to the TT-computer monitored by an OWS casing operator
usually positioned in the drillers cabin. This removes personnel from the drill floor
and simplifies communication between driller and casing operator.

• Filling tool. The TDCRTi can provide a significant improvement in overall running
speed by minimizing time spent filling casing with mud. Once the tool has been
engaged the filling process can start immediately. This can improve running speed
on larger size casings by up to 20% by simply filling the casing as you run in hole.

• Elevator. Running flush or semi-flush casing strings often presents you with a
unique set of challenges and will usually require the use of lifting caps and/or spider
elevators. The TDCRTi does not require any type of lifting cap for lifting the casing
string. The 631 metric ton load rating also provides a good alternative to 750sTon
Spider elevators that are often avoided due to difficulties related to picking up pipe
from the catwalk. The tool has been utilized on the Gudrun field in the Norwegian
North Sea with loads of up to 530 metric tons.
Why you should choose Top Drive Casing Running
A mechanical tool is plainer
than a hydraulic
The OWS Top Drive Casing Running Tool (TDCRTi) has been
available in our markets in Europe, Asia and the Middle East
for quite some time now. The popularity of the TDCRTi has
been remarkable.
The OWS TDCRTi is a purely mechanical tool with no hydraulic
interfaces to rig systems.
The TDCRTi is field proven, having been used for running
millions of meters of casing onshore in Romania, Canada, ME,
Thailand, Vietnam, offshore Norway and offshore the Middle
East. OWS have successfully used the tool in a number of
operations offshore in the North Sea, Europe, Asia and the
Middle East since 2009.
The tool is complementary to OWS portfolio of casing running
services and equipment. In combination with OWS wireless
Torque Turn sub (patent pending) the TDCRTi can be used to
run casing without any electrical cables or hydraulical lines or
interfaces to the rig.
Wide range of diameters
Starting from the insertion diameter of the base tool, selected
sizes of integral jaw/dies are used to configure the TDCRTi
tool to support gripping casing of increasing internal diameter
(decreasing weight). Through the use of a patent pending
extended reach die structure, the gripping diameter can be
further increased to include casing sizes much greater than the
base tool. This makes the TDCRTi capable of handling casings
from 7” up to 26”.
Spend less time rigging and
more time drilling
The TDCRTi provides benefits compared to traditional casing
running within safety, efficiency and reduced risk. The rig up
time for OWS TDCRTi is about 30 minutes, compared to up to
five ours for conventional tools. It is only connected to
the top drive with one connection, and tubular operations
can commence.
The size of the TDCRTi compared to tools required in
conventional casing running, reduces requirements for space
both on the base, in transport, on the rig and on the drill floor.
Can you reduce the size of your crew by using the right tool?
• One operator only
• After rig up, when connected TDCRTi to the top drive,
inserted auto slips with OWS remote operated safety
clamp™ or a flush mounted spider, the driller is in
position to run the casing alone with the support and
guidance of one OWS operator.
• Cost effective
• Saving cost related to persons on board (POB).
• Our history has shown that if you are able to pre-stack
casing/tubing in the derrick (dual derrick), the rig is able
to run up to 27 joints or more pr. hour
• Being able to fill the casing while running in hole can
improve running speeds with up to 20% for larger
casings, compared to pausing for filling the casing.
Why you should choose Top Drive Casing Running
Keep your crew away from the red zone
The TDCRTi is fully controlled by the driller, who is advised
by one TDCRTi supervisor that always follows the tool. This
reduces the number of personnel involved in the casing
operations by two to four persons, reducing HSE exposure.
As the tool is operated from the driller’s cabin, no personnel are
required in the red operating zone. Also the torque turn can
be read wirelessly with the OWS Torque Turn sub™ and data
can also be sent onshore to engineers if the rig have internet
connection and have capability to send data from drill floor to
this connection.
• Can eliminate conventional power tongs and equipment on
drill floor.
• Eliminate the need for a stabber.
• Reduce the number of personnel around the rotary table.
• Enabling the client to circulate, rotate and reciprocate
immediately without hands on the rig floor.
The TDCRTi has capabilities that significantly increases the
efficiency of casing running while reducing QHSE exposure.
Why you should choose Top Drive Casing Running
4. How can Top Drive Casing Running
save you money?
Do you plan for stuck?
Of course you don’t. But the challenges of a difficult well might
get you there if you don’t have the right equipment and the
right experience to avoid it.
OWS TDCRTi tools are designed for casing running or drilling
with top drive equipped rigs to enable connection make-up,
breakout, circulation and rotation. These tools are mechanically
activated in tension and both rotational directions solely by top
drive control using TAWG™ (Torque Activated Wedge
Grip) technology.
This patent pending architecture puts control in the hands of
the driller, increasing the success rate to set the casing the first
time. Simple intuitive operating steps for pipe engagement and
release closely emulate the familiar make and break steps used
to run drill pipe-stab; rotate to the right to engage, and reverse
to disengage. Similarly, rig-in and rig-out steps are simple,
intuitive and fast. This architecture has a proven track record in
running close to two million meters of casing.
Get the whole picture
In the planning of a project it is vital to consider all aspects of
the process and given the complexity of the task, the risk of
missing a detail or two is always present. This pressure has
been instrumental in building a culture of care, accuracy and
high work ethics among the people involved in planning and
running a drilling project. They know that there are no shortcuts
to be taken, no details to be overlooked, no security matters to
be skipped.
Choosing the right service and equipment for the job must be
done in the context of the whole project. Focusing solely on
cost of investment will not give you the whole picture.
When you consider top drive casing running, be sure that you
calculate on ALL of the benefits of the service, included HSE,
scheduling, rig time, crew-sizes and of course, the ability to
master the challenges of a difficult hole.
Why you should choose Top Drive Casing Running

Costs of investments vs. drilling efficency

• Save time; the rig up Time for OWS TDCRTi is about 30 minutes, compared to up to up to 5 hours for conventional tools.
• Casing operators on board can be reduced with up to 50 – 75% (2 – 3 persons).
• Reduced cost for additional/spare hydraulic power tongs and power units.
• No further interface to the rig or hook up of hydraulic hoses is required.

AND:

• Avoiding extra rig time (NPT) by setting the casing at first attempt is probably the real money saver.

TYPICAL COST PR. HOUR FOR NORTH SEA RIG OPERATIONS WOULD BE BETWEEN USD 30 000 AND USD 50 000.
Why you should choose Top Drive Casing Running

Comparison between the TDCRTi and conventional equipment

Comparing performance between rigs, fields and equipment is very difficult due to the number of variables that can have an impact
on performance.
However two nearly identical fields offshore Norway provides us with a very good starting point for making comparisons.
They are very similar in many ways, except for casing running performance.

• Casing hanger systems are identical

• Both are developed by jack-ups
• Casing designs are almost identical
• Same drilling contractor on both fields
• Casing setting depths are the same
• Same operating company on both fields

Rig 1: 9,14 joints/hour average Rig 2: 6,08 joints/hour average.

12 12
10.4 10.1
10.0
10 10
8.7 8.8
8.4
8 7.6 8
6.9 7.0
6.4
6.0
6 6 5.3
4.9

4 4

2 2

0 Well 1 Well 2 Well 3 Well 4 Well 5 Well 6 Well 7 0 Well 1 Well 2 Well 3 Well 4 Well 5 Well 6

Joints/hour average Joints/hour average

The time saved on a 4000 meter casing run is 18 hours!

Why you should choose Top Drive Casing Running
5. Is top drive casing running right for you?
How many easy holes are there?
Whether you’re experienced or you’re facing your first big
project, the reality kicks in soon enough. And the reality is that
there is no such thing as an easy hole. We all know that the
skills of the drilling executive team and the information at hand,
is vital to make a sound decision on how to run a project. The
careful collection of data, and the tons of experience from other
projects power the craft of what to expect. The big challenge
when you plan and calculate a new project is still what might
happen when the unexpected trouble occurs.
You can improve your margins!
Although none of us is capable of exactly predicting the process
of a well bore operation, we do have the tools to deal with
the unexpected in a safe and reliable way. The result is easier
planning and less NPT. Let’s recap the main benefits of Top
Drive Casing Running using the OWS TDCRTi.
• One tool. A pure mechanical tool that makes up for at least
three other tools. Simplifies operation and cut rigging
time considerably.
• One operator. The simplicity of operation is underlined by the
fact that it is run by one man only. The conventional casing
tools usually takes two to three operators to run.
• Zero people in red zone. The safety issues are really big
considerations in planning the project. In this case, the
reduction in people involved actually raises the level
of safety.
Why you should choose Top Drive Casing Running
Do you trust your wingman?
At the end of the day your well bore operation is hugely reliable
on your operators experience. No matter how good your
preparations are, the skills of the men and women handling
your operation are the key factors for reaching TD in the least
amount of time with the least amount of trouble.
Even the smoothest way to TD is paved with unexpected
incidents that need to be solved right there and then. That
places a huge responsibility on the people running your project
and underlines the importance of experience. Given the nature
of the process and the character of nature itself, you’re better
of being prepared for trouble.
By using the best methods and the best tools available for the
job, you increase your success rate to a certain level. By hiring
the most experienced crew to operate the tools, you increase
that rate even further.
When it comes to top drive casing running, it would be an
understatement to say that Odfjell Well Services is experienced.
Our track record on (TDCRTi) top drive casing running services is
unparalleled in the business. We know better than anyone that
when the going gets tough, you need professionals to rely on.
Why you should choose Top Drive Casing Running

6. Client’s testimonials

“The tool functioned very well, and maybe we hadn’t managed to get the casing down
without this tool. To pump, rotate and reciprocate were the key to success in these cases”
Songa Dee - Senior Drilling Engineer

“TDCRTi enabled us to work string to TD, NO GO on attempts without TDCRTi”

Borgland Dolphin - DDR report

“The TDCRTi is time saving, and probably what made it possible for us to work through tight
spots. Attempted first without TDCRTi; NO GO. M/U TDCRTi started circulating and worked
string through to TD”
Snorre B - Tool pusher
Odfjell Well Services

Hammaren 19
P.O.Box 152
N0-4098 Tananger
Norway

Tlf: +47 51 64 84 00
Fax: +47 51 64 71 81
email@odfjellwellservices.com

www.odfjellwellservices.com