Churchill launches world’s first hydraulic pipe recovery tool - HyPR

ABERDEEN, United Kingdom -- Churchill Drilling Tools has launched the HyPR (Hydraulic Pipe Recovery) system for the rapid and cost-effective recovery of stuck pipe.

Stuck pipe situations cost operators hundreds of millions of dollars a year in wait times. The HyPR tool, developed by the Houston and Aberdeen-located company, can cut that cost significantly by enabling operators to get back on track much more quickly.

HyPR, the world’s first hydraulic pipe recovery tool, was premiered at the Deepwater Operations Exhibition in Galveston in November 2014. It was developed following extensive collaboration between Churchill Drilling Tools, deepwater and Gulf of Mexico drilling teams since 2013.

When drilling challenging wells, stuck pipe situations can be a costly interruption, incurring mobilization wait times and uncertain recovery attempts and delays.

The HyPR tool offers the simplest method to recover the drill pipe rapidly and to begin side-tracking right away. It also delivers a clean cut for operators wanting to maximize BHA recovery options.

The HyPR system consists of a robust full strength sub, strategically positioned in the drill string. It is severed in around an hour by launching and pumping through a HyPR jetting dart, which lands inside the sub.

The dart takes only a few minutes to arrive and, with a relatively short period of pumping, will part easily under a small loading, simultaneously producing a perfect fish-neck for subsequent operations.
 
The expected mode of use is to set a kick-off plug, before coming out of hole with the recovered pipe. However, the system also provides excellent jarring and internal wireline access for further recovery operations.
 
The HyPR tool comes in a range of sizes and connections to suit any drill string configuration. It is a natural partner to Churchill’s DAV (Dart Activated Valve), which can be positioned below to allow circulation to first be regained in pack-off situations. It is also compatible with a wide range of drilling jars.
 
The system contains no explosives or high energy sources and no specialist equipment or personnel are required. The cost-saving benefits are significant for most programs, however it is particularly useful in expensive or remote locations where external assistance is more costly to mobilize.