Page 410 - Practical Well Planning and Drilling Manual

Section 3 revised 11/00/bc 1/17/01 12:00 PM Page 386

[ ] Practical Wellsite Operations
3.4.3

Casing accessories such as floats and stage collars can be made up
on the pin end of joints by cleaning the threads and applying a thread-
locking compound to the pins. They can also be made up using the
forklift truck and tongs after running them in by hand with chain
tongs. Accessories should not be made up on the box end because, if
the casing is dropped, a releasing spear will be used to recover it, and
if the accessory is at the top of the fish, it may be impossible to fish it.
For casing collars within the shoetrack, backoff (or cut) the collars and
threadlock them (or a replacement) on.
If using a solid mandrel type hanger, make up a pin by pin pup
joint underneath with threadlock to save time on the rig floor con-
necting the hanger. Also select and make up the landing joint with a
running tool if used and mark on it (from the top of the hanger) the
distance from the top of the wellhead spool to the rotary. When the cas-
ing is landed this mark should then be level with the rotary table.
Check the diameter of hangers and running tools. Compare to the
ID of the bell nipple, stack, and riser to ensure that they will pass
through.
Stop collars and centralizers can be applied to the top row of cas-
ing on the rack. As the job progresses, the deck crew can apply them
as required to the remaining casing. This will save time when running
the casing.
Once the casing crews arrive, they should check out their equip-
ment thoroughly. It is worth having them rig up the tongs to the
hydraulic power pack and running them, so you can see for yourself
that everything works and no leaks are visible. Especially check the
casing hand slips; it is very common to find that either the dies are
incorrect for the casing to be run or that the slips have more than one
type of die, which is very dangerous. Refer to the Varco chapter in the
Composite Catalog or the Varco catalog for details of how Varco slips
should be dressed, or to other manufacturer’s details if appropriate.

3.4.3. Job Preparation for Casing

Before pulling out just prior to running casing, condition the mud
to the lowest PV and YP and gels. The mud no longer has to clean cut-
tings out or suspend drilled cuttings and lowering these properties will

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