An operator encountered a critical drilling challenge when a 5-in wired heavyweight drillpipe with internal plastic coating became stuck in a horizontal well section at approximately 3,500 m depth, offshore Norway. The uphill well trajectory increased operational complexity, while complete loss of circulation prevented deployment of conventional pumpdown intervention tools.
The operator required a reliable pipe recovery solution capable of conveying a high-energy severing system beyond a 2.75-in minimum restriction, reaching the stuck point, and restoring drilling operations as efficiently as possible.
SLB deployed the 2.125-in TuffTRAC iX tractor to convey a SwETech Type #3 severing tool to the target depth. An initial tractor-conveyed explosive puncher run attempted to reestablish circulation but was unsuccessful. A second intervention used the tractor system to deploy the severing tool directly to the stuck point. The toolstring included WIReD™ wireline inline release devices and shock-absorption components designed to withstand the detonation forces generated during severing operations.
After precise depth correlation and positioning, the severing tool successfully cut the drillpipe. The TuffTRAC iX tractor conveyed the severing assembly to approximately 3,500 m despite the absence of circulation and the challenging horizontal uphill trajectory.
Telemetry confirmed the tractor remained fully operational after detonation, and postjob inspection identified no equipment damage. The operation enabled recovery of the BHA, restoration of rig activities, and resumption of drilling operations.
Key results:
