UNIT 12

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MTDC
HYDRAULIC SET WHIPSTOCK SYSTEM

1 of 11 MTDC HYDRAULIC SET WHIPSTOCK – REV F – 12.11.13

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PORTLETHEN AB12 4YD
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MTDC HYDRAULIC SET WHIPSTOCK

RUNNING & WINDOW MILLING GENERAL PROCEDURE

1. A gauge run should be made with a Full Gauge Window Mill, Casing Scraper and
Watermelon Mill assembly to ensure that the Whipstock and all milling assemblies will
run in the well without hanging up. Tagging an obstruction with the Whipstock on the
way in the hole could result in premature setting of the packer or inadvertent shear of the
mill from the Whipstock.

2. Preferably, the Whipstock needs to be positioned so that the window is milled across the
joint of the casing and not through a coupling or connection. Should a Cement of Bridge
Plug be in the well, confirm the Cement or Bridge Plug depth prior to running in with the
Whipstock assembly, ensuring that the Whipstock will be set above “bottom”.
Preferably, setting depth should be 3-5 feet (1-1.5 meters) above a casing collar or
connection,, such that the Whipstock and Packer / Anchor are in the same joint of casing,
and that the top of the window will also be in the same casing joint.

3. Typical Bottom Hole Assembly for MWD Survey One Trip Whipstock is as follows:

1. Whipstock Assembly
2. Mill Assembly (2 Mills)
3. Running Tool – it is recommended that the flex joint is run below the Running
Tool if HWDP or DC is used
4. Flex Joint – (Single Joint of Drill Pipe Grade S135) CUSTOMER SUPPLIED
5. Circulating Valve or Ported Sub
6. Spacer Joint (HWDP)
7. Survey Tool: MWD Tool (or UBHO Sub) if well inclination over 3°; UBHO Sub
if well vertical
8. Heavy Weight or Drill Collars
9. Drill Pipe to Surface
Note: Any damage to the flex joint is for the customer account

4. Make up the Survey Tool, Flex Joint, Bypass Valve and a Blank Sub (or closed Kelly
Valve inverted). Run in hole 1-2 stands (subject to well bore fluid level) and flow test the
MWD and Circulating Valve, noting parameters to function the Circulating Valve and
flow rate to obtain a signal from the MWD. POOH.

Note: Refer to the Circulating valve operating procedure document, the circulating valve will
be configured to close at less than 250gpm.

5. Reset the Circulating Valve as required.

2 of 11 MTDC HYDRAULIC SET WHIPSTOCK – REV F – 12.11.13
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6. Picking up the whipstock. Normally the whipstock is provided with a False Rotary
Table / Handling device, use this or, if not using the supplied combined False Rotary
Table / Handling Device, secure a Safety Clamp around the body of the Whipstock
approximately half way down the concave face while the tool is lying on the pipe deck /
cat walk. Pick the Whipstock up with the winch or tugger line using a shackle secured to
the Lifting Eye Ring or a sling double wrapped on the Whipstock body UNDER or
BELOW the Safety Clamp.

SAFETY NOTE:
The Whipstock should be picked up with a shackle secured on the Pick Up Ring or with
a Sling double wrapped around the Whipstock Body below the Safety Clamp to ensure
that the Sling will not slip off the tapered Whipstock face during handling.

Close the BOP Blind Rams. Lower the Whipstock in to the main hole on the drill floor and
secure with the appropriate handling tools.

Attach the Mill to the Whipstock Concave and tighten Shear Bolt. Care must be taken not to
over tighten the Shear bolt, with a maximum tightening torque between 50 to 100ft-lbs, but
sufficient to pull the mill head into firm contact with the mounting block.

Attach the hose to the Mill and Whipstock assembly, ensure system integrity by filling the
mill with CLEAN water or light oil, and check for leaks, note that air will need time to
percolate out at this point. (To check the air has percolated out, it will be necessary to lower
the assembly sufficiently to see into the tool joint).

7. Pick up the assembly and remove the False Rotary Table and / or sling / Dog Collar /
Safety Clamp Assembly.

8. Scribe line from shear bolt location to top of mill. Run the Whipstock assembly in
through the rotary table, land the mill in the slips, with Dog Collar for safety.

9. Make up Running Tool to Mill, and fill to top of Running Tool with CLEAN water or
light oil, allow sufficient time for the air bubbles to percolate out of the system. Insert
Running Tool Piston, bleed air out of extension and fit cap.

10. Make up Flex Joint and scribe line to top. Open the BOP Blind Rams.

11. Run in hole. Make up Circulating Valve or Ported Sub, MWD, and note offset of
whipstock face to Survey Tool.

3 of 11 MTDC HYDRAULIC SET WHIPSTOCK – REV F – 12.11.13

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12. Run the Whipstock assembly, Mill, Running Tool, Flex Joint, Circulating Valve, Spacer
Joint and Survey Tool in the hole and set the slips on the single in the rotary table.
Continue to make up the bottom hole assembly with Drill Collars and / or Heavy Weight
Drill Pipe to facilitate milling and shear off weight requirements. Trip in hole in a slow
and smooth manner, approximately 1 stand every 2 minutes.

Avoid any sudden stops or jerks as this may result in premature shearing of the setting
bolts.

IMPORTANT:
Proceed with extreme caution through B.O.P.’s, Well Head, Liner Lap and any
other restrictive sections.

13. Proceed in the hole and run the last 5 singles with extreme care subject to setting depth
and bottom. Recheck the tally and the pipe count on location. Record accurate up and
down string weights. Pick up Kelly and or top drive, establish circulation and take
directional surveys to establish kick off direction. Start pumps and slowly increase
circulation rate to obtain MWD survey (alternatively run Gyro and pump down if
required with minimum pump rate). Do not surge pumps to break circulation, noting
surface pressure and pressure drop across Circulating Valve to avoid premature set of the
packer.

14. Rotate the Whipstock slowly in increments to adjust direction if required, picking up and
setting down to work the torque out of the string.

15. Upon establishing proper direction, work the drill string up and down to remove all
excess torque from the drill string. Confirm orientation with Directional Drillers or
Company Man.

16. Increase pump rate to close the valve and set the packer. Surface indication may be noted
by a flicker on the weight indicator. When the bypass valve closes, there will be a
sudden surge in pressure which will require an instantaneous reduction in pump
rate! Ensure the packer has been set with at least 3000psi to obtain full isolation in the
well bore. Whilst pressure is on the Packer, work the string up and down 10,000lbs to
confirm set.

Continued down weight is applied to the shear off the Mill Assembly from the
Whipstock, in the event an upward shear is required, this is also possible. Note that the
whipstock is provided with an emergency shear release from the Hinge Connector and
Packer and up loads must be limited below this value whilst working the Mill Shear Pin.

4 of 11 MTDC HYDRAULIC SET WHIPSTOCK – REV F – 12.11.13

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17. Raise the drill string to a neutral position, pick up approximately 10feet above the
whipstock, if pressure is still on the system at this time, it will bleed off as the hydraulic
isolation hose is ruptured. Increase pump rate to maintain circulating valve in closed
position, or cycle valve round into closed position whilst circulating through the mill.

18. Carefully start rotation. Record up / down and free rotating torque and weights.
Lower the milling assembly to contact the top of the Whipstock.

Torque should increase as milling assembly comes in contact with the deflection slopes.

With minimum pump rate, the hydraulic isolation fitting will knock off and open up full
circulation through the Milling assembly, whereupon the pump rate may be increased to
establish normal circulation rates. (Ensure that circulating valve is closed).

19. Bring the rotary up to milling a speed of 80–120rpm and record rotary torque with the
pump at normal circulation rate. Lower the drill string and apply 2-5,000lbs weight onto
the Mill Assembly. Record the depth as datum point (Top of Whipstock). Watch
closely for increase in torque.

Continue the cut out with the Mill Assy. using light weights while monitoring torque rates
until approximately 8-12inches of Window has been cut.

General parameters when cutting out should be 80–120rpm, 2–6,000lbs weight and
normal full circulation. Continue milling the window from the 12–24 inch range with
care, however, an increase in weight and rotary speed can usually be attained.

General parameters when milling the Window should be 80–120rpm, 2–15,000lbs weight
on Mill, torque should be 2-4,000ft-lbs above free rotating torque.

The minimum window length should be such that the full gauge diameter of the second
mill passes out through the bottom of the window, giving at least 3ft of rat hole in the
formation. Should a third mill be run, it would be prudent to extend the rat hole length to
allow this mill to pass across the bottom of the window.

Additional Operational Note:

The Milling rates may slow when the Milling assembly is half way down the Whipstock
face approximating to centre point incidence of the Milling Assembly with the casing.
Light to medium variance of weight and rotation should be used to facilitate the Milling
assembly through this area.

Upon completion of the window the Milling assembly should be reamed through the
Window several times to clean up the top and bottom sections. The window should be
cleaned until the drill string is able to pass through the Window with no rotation and very
little drag.

5 of 11 MTDC HYDRAULIC SET WHIPSTOCK – REV F – 12.11.13

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PORTLETHEN AB12 4YD
ABERDEEN
SCOTLAND
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20. Upon completion of the window pull out of the hole and inspect the outside diameter
gauge of Milling assembly. If mills with gauge to 3/4” under gauge proceed with drilling
operations.

21. If mills are further under gauge a final Mill run will be required with a set of full gauge
Mills run directly on drill collars or heavy weight drill pipe. This Assembly will
elongate the Window and proves the ability to pass a stiff directional assembly through
the window if required.

SHEAR BOLT AND PACKER SHEAR PIN SELECTION

The whipstock will be supplied with a shear bolt with a predetermined rating for the size of
whipstock system. Since the shear bolt rating does not affect the packer setting capability,
which is purely dependent on pressure, the selection will be determined by the application
in the well, and the ability to shear up or down as conditions permit. It is necessary to
consider that the hinge connector is provided with a hinge pin which doubles as a safety
device in the event that the whipstock needs to be recovered independently of the packer,
and so sufficient margin must be left between the whipstock shear bolt rating and the hinge
pin rating to ensure inadvertent shear does not occur. The hinge pin rating is also variable.

The packer will be fitted with sufficient shear pins to ensure that it can not be prematurely
set whilst circulating through the valve to obtain a survey with MWD. The pressure drop
across the ports of the valve whilst circulating will be determined by the circulating rate to
obtain the MWD signal after surface test and combined with the fluid density and piston
orifice size can be calculated, whereby this figure should not exceed the shear pin rating as
fitted to the packer. For this reason, the packers are generally fitted with the maximum
capacity of shear pins, though care must be taken to establish the rig capability to provide
this pressure. Accordingly the quantity of shear pins may need to be varied, as with the
valve piston nozzle size, however the valve nozzle size is dependent on other parameters.
Typically the pressure to initiate setting is 1,200psi with full set between 2,400 – 3,000psi.

The valve requires a minimum flow rate to function, based on the need to overcome seal
friction, mechanical friction and spring forces, which requires that the nozzle is sized to
generate this force. The minimum flow rate selected needs to be below the MWD operating
range such that the piston is held down by the circulation rate required for the MWD
signal when functioning. The valve will need 8cycles of pumps on and off to close, and the
pump rate must be in excess of the minimum flow rate to activate the MWD. The MWD
may malfunction, which allows for several pumps on and off cycles before becoming critical
to setting the packer. The pressure drop across the valve must not exceed the packer shear
pin rating, and a safe margin must be observed to ensure premature setting of the packer
does not occur. Check the rig surface pressure limitations do not limit the circulating
configuration of the assembly.

6 of 11 MTDC HYDRAULIC SET WHIPSTOCK – REV F – 12.11.13

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BADENTOY BUSINESS CENTRE
BADENTOY CRESCENT
PORTLETHEN AB12 4YD
ABERDEEN
SCOTLAND
+44 1224 784597

RETRIEVING THE WHIPSTOCK ASSEMBLY

Note that the packer may be permanent and if so will need to be washed over to release the
slips for recovery. A retrievable packer is also available.

Retrieval of the whipstock assembly is recommended using a Hook Retrieval Tool. The
whipstock assembly may be recovered irrespective of whether the window has been milled
or not, without the need to mill the mounting block off the whipstock. Confirm that the
assembly will pass through the wear bushing before commencing the retrieval operation.

Hook Retrieval
1. Typical Bottom Hole Assembly for retrieval of Whipstock with a hook is as follows:

1. Hook Retrieval Tool (maximum pull noted on Hook)

2. String Stabiliser (optional subject to orientation and hole angle, but
recommended)
3. Flex Joint – (Single Joint of Drill Pipe Grade S135)
4. Survey Tool: MWD Tool (or UBHO Sub) if well inclination over 3°; UBHO Sub
if well vertical should survey be required for hook tang alignment with whip face.
5. Super Fishing Jar (see Note)
6. Heavy Weight or Drill Collars
7. Drill Pipe to Surface

2. The Hook Retrieval tool is provided with 2 x 12/32 nozzles fitted to the tool joint 180º
opposite the tang. The tang orientation should be noted relative to the MWD or UBHO
sub offset if one or other is being utilized, however, on many occasions, specific use of
survey tools is not required for retrieval of the whipstock.

3. Make up the BHA above and run in hole to depth. (Note, if MWD is being utilised, a
function check should be performed close to surface).

4. If the mounting block has not been milled off. It is recommended that MWD is used
for this retrieval operation. Tag the top of the whip to establish depth parameters, pick
up and orient the hook to align the tang 90º left of the whipstock face, slack off weight
and work the hook nose past the mounting block and then align the tang with the whip
face. Work the hook up and down to engage the hook slot, noting that the hook can
foul hook the mounting block during this phase of the retrieval operation. Circulation
may be used to assist with the jet force reaction to engage the hook tang. Once the
hook tang has entered the slot movement up and down will be limited to approximately
4inches. Take an over pull to release the slip on the anchor and pull out of hole,
checking continuously for an increase in weight and that there is no loss in weight.

5. If the mounting block has been milled off and a window created. Tag the top of the
whip to establish depth parameters, pick up and orient the hook to align the tang 180º
opposite the whipstock face, slack off weight and work the hook nose past the
whipstock top, circulating down along the whipstock face (nozzles will be aligned with
the retrieval slot to wash any debris out. Apply incremental (¼) turns into the string and
work the torque down, to rotate the hook tang into alignment with the hook slot and the
7 of 11 MTDC HYDRAULIC SET WHIPSTOCK – REV F – 12.11.13
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whip face. Work the hook up and down to engage the hook slot, noting that the hook
can foul hook the top of the hook slot if it has not passed the entry point to the slot, or it
is not correctly oriented with the whip face during this phase of the retrieval operation.

6. Once the hook tang has entered the slot movement up and down will be limited to
approximately 4inches. Take an over pull to release the hinge pin between the
whipstock and the hinge connector and pull out of hole, checking continuously for an
increase in weight, and that there is no loss in weight.

7. Note that when passing the milled window, the top of the whip may hang up at the
top of the window. If difficulties are encountered, it is recommended that the
whipstock is turned such that the tip orientation is opposite that of the milled
window.

8. When at surface, keep the hook engaged, and if necessary, tie it off onto the whip top.
Pick up sufficiently to expose the lifting clamp (False Rotary) bolt holes, clean the
threads, and fit the false rotary assembly. The hook may now be released. If not using
the supplied combined False Rotary table / Handling device, secure a Safety Clamp
around the body of the Whipstock approximately half way down the concave face while
the hook is still engaged. Pick the Whipstock up with the winch or tugger line using a
shackle secured to a Lifting Eye or a sling double wrapped on the Whipstock body
UNDER or BELOW the Safety Clamp. Then release the hook.

SAFETY NOTE:
The Whipstock should be picked up with a shackle secured on the Lifting Eye or
with a Sling double wrapped around the Whipstock Body below the Safety Clamp
to ensure that the Sling will not slip off the tapered Whipstock face during
handling.

9. Pick up the whipstock and lay out on surface, checking for integrity of components and
that nothing has been left in hole.

Die Collar Retrieval

1. Typical Bottom Hole Assembly for retrieval of Whipstock with a die collar is as
follows:

1. Die Collar , cut lip or plain entry

2. Safety Joint
3. Flex Joint – (Single Joint of Drill Pipe Grade S135)
4. String Stabiliser (optional subject to orientation and hole angle, but
recommended)
5. Super Fishing Jar (see Note)
6. Heavy Weight or Drill Collars
7. Drill Pipe to Surface

2. The Die Collar is provided with a through bore for circulation and a taper to match the
top of the whipstock.
8 of 11 MTDC HYDRAULIC SET WHIPSTOCK – REV F – 12.11.13
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3. Make up the BHA above and run in hole to depth.

4. Tag the top of the whipstock, pick up and rotate slowly (5-10rpm above established
string free rotation) down to the top of the whipstock checking for an increase in torque
and loss in string weight. The whole taper should be swallowed, roughly equivalent to
the die collar bowl length before a full bite is achieved. Specific limits regarding
torques and procedures apply subject to system sizes.

5. Take an over pull to release the hinge pin between the whipstock and the hinge
connector and pull out of hole, checking continuously for an increase in weight, and
that there is no loss in weight.

When at surface, keep the die collar engaged, and if necessary, leave it engaged on the
whip top. Pick up sufficiently to expose the lifting clamp (False Rotary) bolt holes,
clean the threads, and fit the false rotary assembly. If not using the supplied
combined False Rotary table / Handling device, secure a Safety Clamp around the
body of the Whipstock approximately half way down the concave face with the die
collar still engaged. Pick the Whipstock up with the winch or tugger line using a
shackle secured to a Lifting Eye or a sling double wrapped on the Whipstock body
UNDER or BELOW the Safety Clamp.

SAFETY NOTE:
The Whipstock should be picked up with a shackle secured on the Lifting Eye or
with a Sling double wrapped around the Whipstock Body below the Safety Clamp
to ensure that the Sling will not slip off the tapered Whipstock face during
handling.

6. Lay out the assembly checking for integrity of components and that nothing has been
left in hole.

Note: Recovery of the whipstock assembly utilising either the Hook Retrieval Tool or the Die
Collar may need the placement of a Fishing Jar in the BHA, generally this is located close to or
at the retrieval tool, and is either used to give a small impact to assist the release operation, or
slowly bled open to eliminate any impact on the retrieval tool. For a specific or specialised
placement of the Fishing Jar, or other related information contact Operations management.

Parameters stated herein are generic and may vary according to assemblies and down hole
conditions.

9 of 11 MTDC HYDRAULIC SET WHIPSTOCK – REV F – 12.11.13

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ILLUSTRATION OF A WHIPSTOCK ASSEMBLY WITH FALSE ROTARY

HANDLING
• PICK UP WHIPSTOCK USING HANDLING DEVICE
AND SLING AT HINGE CONNECTOR
• WHEN VERTICAL LOWER INTO ROTARY TABLE,
LAND OFF ON HANDLING DEVICE, NOTE:
REMOVE SHIPPING SLEEVE BEFORE LOWERING
ANCHOR THROUGH ROTARY TABLE.
• FIT SHEAR BOLT IN MOUNTING BLOCK
• PICK UP MILLING ASSEMBLY
• ALIGN MILLING ASSEMBLY WITH MOUNTING
BLOCK AND SHEAR BOLT, MAKE UP
• CHECK INTEGRITY, PICK UP WHIPSTOCK
ASSEMBLY AND REMOVE HANDLING DEVICE
• SCRIBE FOR ORIENTATION AS REQUIRED
• MAKE UP REST OF BHA AND RUN IN HOLE

10 of 11 MTDC HYDRAULIC SET WHIPSTOCK – REV F – 12.11.13

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PORTLETHEN AB12 4YD
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MTDC HYDRAULIC SET PACKER MTDC CIRCULATING VALVE

PACKER IS AVIALABLE AS A RETRIEVABLE OPTION

11 of 11 MTDC HYDRAULIC SET WHIPSTOCK – REV F – 12.11.13

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