Tripping Out/In
Introduction
Tripping is a vital process in drilling operations that involves removing ("tripping out") and/or inserting ("tripping in") the drill string into the wellbore.
Connecting Drill Pipe
This operation is required for various reasons, such as changing a worn-out drill bit, inspecting equipment, running certain tests, or inserting casing or other downhole tools.
The tripping process must be performed with precision to ensure safety and efficiency. It involves coordination among crew members and careful handling of heavy and suspended equipment. Although "tripping in" follows the same steps in reverse, this guide focuses on the steps involved in "tripping out," with an overview of key actions during "tripping in."
Tripping Out Process
- Setting slips: Slips are set into the rotary table to hold the drill string in place before detaching the kelly.
- Breaking out and setting back the kelly: The kelly is disconnected from the drill string and placed in its rack or stand.
- Attaching elevators to the elevator links: Elevators are secured to strong metal links that hang from the traveling block.
- Latching elevators to pipe: The elevators are closed around the pipe stand to allow it to be hoisted out of the hole.
- Working on the monkeyboard: The derrickman on the monkeyboard guides and racks the upper end of the pipe stand.
- Breaking out pipe: Each pipe connection is unscrewed using tongs or an iron roughneck.
- Maneuvering pipe to racking area: The separated pipe stand is moved to a vertical storage area called the racking board or pipe rack.
Tripping In Process
- Elevators raised: The elevators are lifted to retrieve a pipe stand from the rack.
- Latching elevators to top of stand: Elevators are latched around the top of the pipe stand to begin inserting it into the well.
- Moving pipe to rotary: The stand is guided from the rack to the center of the rotary table.
- Pipe is made up: The stand is screwed into the drill string already in the hole.
- Slips are pulled: The slips are removed to allow the string to be lowered into the well.
- Slips are set: Once the pipe is in place, slips are reset to hold it while the next stand is added.
- Elevators are unlatched: Elevators are opened and raised to retrieve another stand.
- Process repeated: This sequence continues until all stands are reinserted into the well.
- Pickup kelly and attach: The kelly is connected back to the top of the drill string.
- Break circulation: Drilling fluid is circulated through the pipe to clean and cool the bit.
- Resume drilling: Normal drilling operations begin again.
Note: This section focuses mainly on the "tripping out" sequence, but the step of latching elevators to the top of stand during the "tripping in" phase will also be discussed in the last section.
We will primarily cover the steps for manual "tripping out" in the last section. We will discuss latching elevators to the top of stand during the tripping in process.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
6-1. Which of the following procedures is part of the tripping out process?
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