Stuck Pipe Freeing Probability of Success in Geothermal Drilling Operation: a Case Study in Java

Abstract

Stuck pipe is a common problem in geothermal drilling operations. Stuck pipe can lead to extra cost due to lost-in-hole tools, sidetrack, fishing operation, and cost due to prolonged total drilling operation/campaign. The commonly faced dilemma in mitigating stuck pipe is to decide whether to continue with the attempts to free the pipe or cut the pipe or sidetrack the well. One of the consideration factors for the issue is to calculate the probability of freeing the pipe.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the connection between the probabilities of success with stuck pipe freeing attempts. Using statistical analysis, the study analysed the events of stuck pipe from a drilling campaign in Java in the 1990s. This study finds out that the answer to previously unknown effective time of work pipe operations. Further studies are needed to establish the relationships of drilling parameters to the probability of success and develop a cost-effective preventive/corrective measure to stuck pipe problem.