CUT & THREAD

FISHING PROCEDURES
AND BEST PRACTICES
Version 2005Jan15

Schlumberger Private
Schlumberger
Schlumberger

A CUT & THREAD FISHING OPERATION is the most

dangerous operation involving wireline. Prior to starting a cut &
thread operation ensure the following is completed:
A written HARC is completed and discussed with all involved
This “CUT & THREAD” procedure is reviewed with all involved
The operation involves several companies, including the operating
company, the rig company, the fishing hand and Schlumberger. It is an
integrated effort with one supervisor, the Operator Wellsite Supervisor.
Communication is critical for a safe & successful fishing job
EVERYONE INVOLVED IS EMPOWERED TO STOP THE
OPERATION IF THEY FEEL IT IS UNSAFE!!
1 Hang Sheave In Derrick
Try to hang sheave with fishing sling so it will not
interfere with the handling of drillpipe

Lower sheave must be moved away from rotary to

prevent interference with rig floor operations and
cable contact with top drive

Clear the rig floor while derrick man hangs the sheave.

In order to determine the proper fishing assembly to use,

the derrick man should provide a best estimate of

Schlumberger Private
the distance available between the top of pipe
and the sheave.

Top
Use Longest Links Available Drive

108” ones are standard; try to use 140” ones or longer

Top
Inspect every 5,000’ and before going into open hole for Drive

cable wear, damage of fishing equipment, and tightness

of fishing equipment

If available, install roller assembly on top drive to eliminate 108”

cable rubbing; If one is not available, have rig make one >108”

Do not use the Varco Wireline Adapter commonly known

as “Bicycle Wheels”
Not
Desirable Desirable

Tension Device CMTD

Switch to TDK if using CMTD ( if available) Schlumberger

(Prevents cable backlash)

Compare TDK and CMTD

readings so that fishing operation
is performed under correct tension

Do not pre-load lower sheave with

air hoist tension; Sheave should Schlumberger
hang freely until weight is applied
TDK
2 Cut the Cable
Pull 1,000 to 2,000 lbs over normal tension
and secure T-Bar cable clamp to cable

If hole is straight, cut cable 5 to 7 feet

above rotary table Cable

If hole is deviated, cut cable 10 feet above

rotary table plus 1 foot for every 1,000 feet
greater than 10,000 feet
T-Bar T-Bar
Use proper size cable bushing in T-Bar and

Schlumberger Private
mark cable to ensure there is no slippage

Test T-Bar for slippage before cutting cable

Tapered

Rig Up Spearhead Overshot Cone

Use tapered cones from LEH-Q on top of fishing weights

Highly Recommended
If available, use heavier-shorter fishing weights with
knuckle joints and swivel, or Wire Rope Weight with Cooper
O Or
Knuckle-Swivel (a must on top drives!!) r
Minimum restrictions for all drilling hardware (jars, drill
Knuckle
collars, and heavy weight) must be known to determine Joints
size of overshot guide to use

Always use the largest guide that will fit

through drilling hardware
Cooper Knuckle -Swivel

Never use “after-market” non-SLB rope sockets.

Swivel used to prevent cable torque from backing Overshot Guide

off spear assembly.

Work Order Number

Stamped Here
Rig Up Spear
Never use spears which contain “W’s” in their work
Hexagon
order numbers Adapter

Always use Hexagon Adapter when stripping over;

Hexagon Adapter will stop on top of no-go if dropped
accidentally

Only use plain adapter when drill pipe ID is too small for
Hexagon Adapter and switch back to Hexagon Adapter
as soon as drill pipe ID permits

Never use “after-market” non- SLB rope sockets

3 Assemble Overshot Make-Up Torque
Assemble 4-11/16” overshot, spiral type

4 11/16”
Bowl to Top Sub

5 3/4”
grapple, and no-go (preferred method) 5 3/4” 4 11/16”
7600 3200

If basket type grapple is used, assemble

5-3/4” overshot, basket grapple, and no-go Bowl to Guide
5 3/4” 4 11/16”
1700 1300

ALWAYS VISUALLY INSPECT grapple

for proper size for job and NEVER install
a used grapple

Schlumberger Private
Not
Desirable Desirable

Thread Cable Thru Overshot

Remove hex adapter, pass well end of cable through downhole
overshot and reinstall hex adapter (Remember, 2 1/4” hex
adapter will not pass through the smaller ID no-go)

Install Drain Sub

Drain sub with blow out disk aids in Blow Out Disk
grapple cleaning and prevents pulling
wet drillpipe after disk is blown

Install above downhole overshot assembly

4 Thread Through
Slowly ( <2000 FPH) pull overshot assembly to derrick man
to thread through bottom hole assembly

Communication is critical at this point to prevent pulling

assembly into the sheave!! Use radios!! Clear rig floor!!

Make sure all minimum restrictions are known in pipe First Stand of Drillpipe,
Collars, or Heavy Weight
Flag line at winch after bottom of assembly reaches the
the top of pipe. This flag may need to be adjusted in
Step 5 when full stands of pipe are used.

DO NOT EXCEED THIS FLAG WITHOUT 1st STOPPING

Schlumberger Private
THE OPERATION, YOU WILL PULL INTO
THE SHEAVE!!!

Remove T-Bar
Tighten overshot to bottom of first stand
of drillpipe Tightened Overshot
Assembly

Stab spearhead overshot, pull cable

tension, check for slippage, and remove
Cable Tension= 1000 lbs
T-bar cable clamp after completing check to 2,000 lbs + Normal

Remove IDW and position spooling arm

to one side (If CMTD is used, do not remove) Spear Stabbed into
Overshot

T-Bar

When Slips Are Set

After the slips are set, floorhand should position elevators
away from spearhead assembly until elevators are clear
of assembly. If not done, elevators could catch hex adapter
and cause cable to break

Afterwards, install C-plate, slack off cable,

and release overshot with special tongs

Use correct C-plate for pipe size

Schlumberger

4 1/2 IF 3 1/2 IF

C-Plate
Location
5 Flag Line
After tripping in with drill collars, jars,
and heavy weights, flag line at drum
and bottom sheave with rags, tape, paint,
etc... when spearhead overshot is
positioned over drillpipe by the derrick
man. Derrick man will thread overshot Schlumberger
assembly through drillpipe.

ONCE FLAGS ARE SET, DO NOT

EXCEED WITHOUT 1ST SHUTTING

Schlumberger Private
Schlumberger
Schlumberger
DOWN OPERATIONS AND
DISCUSSING WITH ALL !!

Flag Line Again

Flag line again at drum and
bottom sheave when spear is
stabbed in spearhead overshot

ONCE FLAGS ARE SET, DO NOT Schlumberger

EXCEED WITHOUT 1ST
SHUTTING DOWN OPERATIONS
AND DISCUSSING WITH ALL !! YOU
WILL PULL INTO THE SHEAVE!!
Schlumberger

Trip In Slowly
Maintain Proper Cable Tension
(1,000 to 2,000 lbs plus normal)

Pay particular attention to top

drive / block; If weights are in danger
of hanging up top drive, slack off slightly. Drillpipe
but do so carefully. Pull back to 1-2K lbs over
once the weights are clear.
6 Re-thread Overshot
Pull overshot to derrick man who will thread
through another stand of drillpipe
(watch flag at at drum)

Schlumberger

Schlumberger Private
Stab Overshot Drillpipe

Attach drain sub to second stand of drillpipe

Position pipe over spearhead overshot and slack

off until “the other flag ” on the drum is reached
Schlumberger
Keep hands in safe position Hands

Schlumberger
C-Plate

Make Overshot Connection

Make overshot connection, pull enough tension to
remove C-plate, and adjust tension again to
normal plus 1,000 lbs to 2,000 lbs.

Too low of tension will result in cable being damaged

or completely cut by the overshot assembly as it moves
downward. NOW YOU HAVE A CABLE FISHING
JOB ON YOUR HANDS!!!!

C-Plate
7 Make-Up Drillpipe
Drillpipe is made-up and tightened
Slips are pulled and the descent begins

Do not rotate pipe in hole

Observe tension, if it increases stop & discuss

Slips

Schlumberger Private
Tripping in Hole 1 2
Repeat procedure for each stand Set Slips and
of drillpipe until circulation depth Disconnect
Overshot
is reached

If excessive open hole is present,

Trip in Slowly
circulation every 10 stands (especially
if lost circulation material is used)
should be considered to keep grapple
clean

Remember to watch your speed!!!!

Going in the hole slowly is the only
way
If crew changes, STOP… review HARC & Fishing
procedure before proceeding

3 4 5

Rethread Overshot Stab Overshot Make Overshot

Through Drillpipe Connection

Remove C-Plate

Then Make-Up
Drill Pipe
C-Plate
8 Install Circulating Sub
Install sub one stand above fish
Kelly or Top Drive
Spearhead Overshot

Circulating Sub
Circulating
Basket

Spearhead Sub Circulating Sub

Schlumberger Private
C-Plate

Never put circulating sub in hole

Circulate One Stand Above Fish

Cuttings and debris should be removed from downhole overshot
assembly by circulation of mud at a one stand maximum

Only circulate long enough to ensure grapple is clean

Never circulate too long or too fast; cable damage will occur

Engage Fish
Maintain normal tension plus 1,000 to 2,000 lbs and approach
fish slowly;
Observe tension and set at least 2,000 additional pounds on fish;
Pull at least 2 joints of drillpipe (60’) and observe tension
A minimum tension loss of 2,000 lbs should be observed to
confirm latch (a tension resulting in 0 after pulling pipe would
be a definite indication of engagement)

Repeat this engagement procedure at least twice

If tension does not decrease, the fish in not engaged

DO NOT ROTATE PIPE AFTER ENGAGING FISH!!!

9 Blow Drain Sub Disk
Drain Sub
Apply mud pump pressure to blow disk in
sub

Pump slug; especially for oil base mud

(Do not trip out with oil base wet string; it’s unsafe)

Afterwards, repeat engagement process before breaking

weak point to make sure tool was not pumped out of the
overshot

Blown Disk

Schlumberger Private
Reconfirm Engagement
Repeat engagement process at least twice to ensure
tool is still in downhole overshot

Again, observe tension and set at least 2,000 additional

pounds on fish;
Pull at least 2 joints of drillpipe (60’) and observe tension
A minimum tension loss of 2,000 lbs should be observed to
confirm latch (a tension resulting in 0 after pulling pipe would
be a definite indication of engagement)

Break Weak Point

Install T-Bar and calculate cable stretch
required to break weak point
(Depth) X (Stretch Coefficient)

Move cable up and down within stretch

limit with block to work tension to weak point

Use block to break weak point and record

tension at which break occurs

Make sure rig floor is clear and inspect lower

sheave chain before proceeding
10 Install TIW Valve
Logging Cable
Install TIW valve before spooling
cable onto drum

This could aid in controlling well if TIW Valve

trouble occurs

OPTIONAL

Schlumberger Private
Schlumberger

Tie Square Knot

Cut off rope sockets on both well
end and unit end of cable

Tie square knot in cable, pull tight , To Logging Unit To Well

and tape ends

Square knots reduce cable breaking strength by 50%!!

Consult In-Touch on High Tension jobs!!

Don't pull tension on a square knot above 25% of

the cable break strength. In that case use two T-bar method
to get the knot to the drum plus at least three wraps before
pulling.

Spool Cable Square Knot

Observe square knot as it
goes over upper and lower
sheaves

Afterwards, reinstall IDW

to measure cable
Schlumberger
Do not pull the weakpoint assembly over the
sheave!!

Clear rig floor when near surface

Schlumberger
11 Tripping Out of Hole
Do not rotate pipe while tripping out of hole;
Rotation may cause fish to disengage and fall
out of downhole overshot

DO NOT ROTATE DRILLPIPE!!!

Drillpipe

Schlumberger Private
At Surface
Install make-up plate at first available Downhole Overshot
tool collar and remove overshot assembly With Fished Tool

Remove remaining toolstring with air

hoist, cover hole, and finish breaking
and cleaning tools in rat hole
Make-up Plate

Make sure air hoist is rated for toolstring

Removing Fish Grapple

Remove guide and bump tool

vertically against rig floor to free
grapple control
Grapple Control
Spin tool and grapple out of overshot
by turning in a clockwise motion
(Tool should come free without Guide Shoe
applying excessive force)

If another method is used to release tool,

remove electronics from housing in
overshot to minimize damage
12 Reverse Cut and Thread
Provides an alternative to breaking the weak point after the tool string
has been engaged in the grapple.

USE THIS TECHNIQUE IF:

a) The weakpoint can not be safely broken due to deviation and doglegs
b) If you want the cable to remain attached to the toolstring until it reaches the
casing or surface (normally when fishing with RA sources)
c) If you suspect the rubber boot on the top of bridle is wedged inside the
grapple (when fishing with logging bridles) impeccable

Schlumberger Private
Method1: Single T-Bar and Reef Knot method
- Safest and most reliable fishing technique
- Only one cable clamp is needed
- Cable tension can be continuously monitored. If the fish is pulled out of the
grapple, you can see the tension increase and act promptly.
- The disadvantage is that the procedure is relatively slow and requires a lot of co-
ordinatingwith the derrick man.

Method2: Dual T-Bar method

- Not a recommended procedure
- No longer have control over the down hole tension of the cable.
- Need too feed a lot of slack into the pipe.
- Should the fish fall out of the grapple and become stuck, excessive tension may
either strip the cable out of the cable clamp or break the weak point.
- To use this method you must be 100% sure that the tool is properly engaged in
the grapple.
13 Single T-Bar and Reef Knot method
Cut Spear and Overshot
Break the last stand and put a T-Bar on the
cable and slack until spear,overshot, and
weights are out

Cut off the spear,overshot and weights on

both end of cable

Schlumberger Private
Cut

Remove cable from Drill Pipe

Re-attach one weight bar and pull the cable out of the
drill pipe with help from derickman.
Lower the cable once it is out of the drill pipe

NOTE:
- Need at least 1 weight bar as counter weight so that
cable will not slip from the top sheave
- Better to pull the cable by hand instead of using
winch for better control (reduce chances of weight
bar knocking the top sheave)

Tie Square Knot

Remove the weight bar from the uphole end of the cable.

Tie square knot in cable, pull tight, and tape ends.

NOTE:
Make sure the tails of the knot is long enough and and
properly taped to avoid the knot from coming loose.

Remove
14 Reversing out
Pull up with the winch until the knot is tight
NOTE:
Clear the rig floor when picking up the cable. In case the knot Make sure knot is tight
unravels, the cable will come out through the upper sheave
and fall on the rig floor

Remove the T-Bar and slack down until the knot is inside the
drill pipe

Driller will pull up the drillpipe and break the next

Schlumberger Private
connection.

Remove cable from Drill Pipe

Have the driller pull up the drill pipe

Pull the wireline cable up 90ft/30m (or depending on

the length of the drillpipe connection)

Slack off the cable until the knot is out of the pipe

Cut both ends of the cable

Cut

Continue Reversing out

Re-attach one weight bar and pull the cable out of the
drill pipe with help from derickman.

Lower the cable once it is out of the drill pipe

Remove the weight bar. Tie a square knot and keep

doing this until the bottom of the fish is in the casing
shoe or the tool is at surface

You can proceed with breaking the weakpoint by

following the previous instructions.
15 Dual T-Bar method
Cut Spear and Overshot
Break the last stand and put a T-Bar on the cable
and slack until spear,overshot, and weights are out

Cut off the cable on the downhole end.

Release the spear from the overshot using the

special thong

Schlumberger Private
Cut

Remove cable from Drill Pipe

Pull the cable out of the drill pipe with help from
derickman.

Lower the cable once it is out of the drill pipe

Secure the uphole end of the cable since it will not be

used for now

NOTE:
- Better to pull the cable by hand instead of using
winch for better control (reduce chances of weight
bar knocking the top sheave)

Air Tugger
Preparing the T-Bar
Connect slings to the T-Bar handle and attach the
sling to the rig air tugger Slings

Have the Driller pick up the drill pipe, and pick up

the slack on the air tugger as well along with the drill
pipe
16 Installing 2nd T-Bar
Have the Driller break the connection, and then pick up the
drill pipe just enough to install the 2nd T-Bar

Make sure the air tugger is holding the top T-Bar firmly

NOTE:
Be careful not to pick up too much. If not you can break the
weakpoint

Schlumberger Private
Removing Cable from Top T-Bar
Clear the rig floor of all unnecessary personnel

Have the derickman slowly loosen up the top T-bar.

The cable should slide down from inside the drill pipe

If the cable not coming out, the operator needs to pull

the cable out by using a long hook. Make sure he is
at a safe distance before pulling out the cable.

Pulling Out Pipe

Lower down the top T-Bar using the air tugger

Rat back the drill pipe into the derrick

Cut the cable close to the lower T-Bar

Continue doing this until the bottom of the fish is in

the casing shoe or the tool is at surface

You can proceed with breaking the weakpoint by

following the previous instructions.
Cut
 When Things Go Wrong

Spearhead Cable Shortens During Descent

If cable cutting length calculations are incorrect at the beginning of the job, the
spearhead will move closer to the rig floor as the downhole overshot approaches the
fish. This can be a real problem with highly deviated and dog-legged wells. During the
descent, cable is pulled off the wall reducing its original length. Normal tension also
increases to keep the spearhead assembly at the same distance above the rig floor. This

Schlumberger Private
is similar to holding a rope and applying a force in the center to cause a deflection. As
the deflection increases, the rope’s length decreases (Fig. 1). When this reaches an
unacceptable level where the C-plate can’t be applied, the operation will come to a halt
(Fig. 2). One option to solve this problem is to install an extension below the
spearhead to increase the distance from the rig floor.

Figure 1

New Length

Original Length

Figure 2

Option two involves cutting the cable below the spearhead and adding extra cable by
building two new rope sockets and using a double ended torpedo (Fig. 3). After this
extra length is added, the spearhead is reinstalled and tested.
 When Things Go Wrong Continued…..
Spearhead Assembly Spearhead Assembly

Rope Socket Housing

Extension

Double Ended Torpedo

Schlumberger Private
Rope Socket Housing

Option #2 Option #1
Figure 3

There is a slight possibility that too much cable may be added using these options.
When this happens, slacking off on the cable becomes a reality whenever the C-plate is
removed or installed and can cause cable damage if not performed correctly (Fig. 4).
Slacking when the pipe is motionless is fine and should not cause any problems as
long as it is removed and the correct tension regained before the pipe is moved.

Figure 4
 When Things Go Wrong Continued…..
Cable Breaks While Breaking Weak Point
•Since the fish is already in the grapple, the cable can located by tripping out pipe. Once
the other end is recovered, the T-bar can be reinstalled and the cable pulled again as
before.

•Proper tension must be maintained throughout the entire fishing operation. Slack cable
can cause broken armors and weak spots in the cable. With slack in the hole, the cable

Schlumberger Private
can double back around the guide and get cut. At the very least, this could produce a
weak spot and unfavorable results when attempting to break the weak point.

Dropped Spearhead Assembly

•If the spearhead with rope socket and cable is accidentally dropped into the pipe, run
the cable overshot with the largest applicable guide down the pipe and attempt to
engage the spear. It should only be a few hundred feet below the rotary.

•If this fails, have the drill pipe pulled and retrieve the spearhead. The no-go in the
downhole overshot should catch the hex adapter.

Can’t Confirm Engagement

There are four major reasons why tool engagement can not be confirmed. They are:
•Inoperative or malfunctioning tension device
Confirm Tension Device is working correctly

•Debris in the downhole overshot

An overshot full of debris can prevent the grapple from engaging the fish. The
only way to clear it is by circulating. If circulation does not solve the problem,
one of the other conditions may exist.

•Slack in the cable

Slack in the cable during a fishing job can produce a large coiled “wad” inside
the downhole overshot preventing engagement (Fig. 4). This is why maintaining
the proper tension throughout the operation is so important.

•Wrong size grapple

If the wrong size grapple is used, there is still a slight chance that the tool
can be retrieved. Grapples operate in a range and can expand a little more than
indicated to accept a slightly larger fish.