Negative Operational LL with Wellesley

Grosbeak West (35/11-21 S) – Reservoir section

What happened:

While running the Surface Test Tree (STT) and attempting to make up the Upper stiff joint connection (Pre-assembled to the STT) to the lower stiff joint connection (already made up to the string and set in the slips) the thread was galled out. Both Upper and Lower stiff joint connections were sent with saver subs, so the two damaged saver subs were removed using rig tongs. The back up saver sub for the Upper stiff joint was partially installed onto the Lower stiff joint. The back-up saver sub for the Upper stiff joint was first partially installed onto the new saver sub already partially installed onto the lower stiff joint. The Upper stiff joint, still hanging from the STT, was now lowered almost onto the top of the new Upper stiff joint saver sub. The two saver subs were then rotated counter clockwise to engage the Upper stiff joint. With the three threads of the two new components now properly started and engaged, chain tongs were used to rotate the Upper stiff joint clockwise while the driller slacked off, allowing all three connections to be made up face to face and chain tong tight. Finally, the three connections were made up with rig tongs. The upper and lower connections (saver sub to Upper and Lower stiff joints) were made to 65000 ftps, the middle connection (saver sub to saver sub) to 45000 ftp.

What was planned:

Running STT

What was learned:

For future jobs, the connection procedure should be reviewed. May be best to have one of the saver subs shipped completely loose, allowing a similar technique to be used as was used for the recovery on this occasion.

What actions are required:

Review procedure.