3 ways of getting out of trouble with a top drive casing running tool

The top Drive Casing Running Tool has been portrayed as a tool that increases efficiency, keeps people away from red zone and helps you get out of trouble. In this article I will focus on the characteristics that make the tool such a great problem solver, and why I consider it a great insurance policy. 

1. Circulation

The TDCRTi can be used as a filling tool enabling the driller to circulate whenever needed. So when your casing hits a tight spot on it’s way to TD, all the options you need are right at your fingertips. No need for time consuming and QHSE challenging processes of hooking up swedges and hoses. The casing is filled while running in hole and everything is already lined up. 

2. String rotation

You´re running the string down in the hole and suddenly the casing shoe hits a ledge. With conventional tools you pull back up and try again, but the obstruction is still there. You may have a  lipstick casing shoe, but you will be spending quite a lot of time making that casing string rotate before you have a chance to get  past the obstruction. With a TDCRTI you just engage the DDM and rotate the string, giving you increased chances of getting past the obstruction. 

With a reamer shoe you can also have the option of reaming with the casing. The reamer shoe will mill it’s way through a tight spot. 

3. Weight rating

Your casing string is doing fine on it’s way down to TD. Then all of a sudden your string is stuck. Standard casing handling equipment is usually rated for 350 or 500 short tonnes, and taking the string weight into the equation, you may be left with about 100 ton over pull capacity. That may or may not be enough… With a TDCRTi you have a load rating of up to 690 tons. Even with a long string you will usually have enough margin to make a solid effort to pull free. 

You also have the opportunity to go the other way; put weight on the string to force it through the tight spot. With an elevator it is not possible to apply weight from the top drive.  

History of success 

Track records from projects around the world tell the story about a tool that comes to the rescue when the going gets tough. A tool that puts extra power, added flexibility and less stress at the hands of the driller. As a minor side effect of using the tool, I’d like to note that we have recorded speeds up to 38 joints/hour without people in red zone, but that’s another story.

Topics: Casing Running