Wiper Trip Purposes, Types & Guidelines

A wiper trip, in the context of drilling operations, refers to a specific procedure used to maintain drilling efficiency and wellbore stability. It involves pulling the drill string out of the hole while circulating drilling fluid to clean the wellbore and remove any debris or cuttings that may have accumulated during the drilling process. This operation is crucial for ensuring clear visibility of downhole conditions and preventing any potential issues that could impact the overall drilling performance. Wiper trips are typically performed at regular intervals during the drilling process to optimize hole cleaning efficiency and assess the fluid properties, such as rheological mud properties, in order to modify the drilling program if necessary. In addition, wiper trips can also be used to monitor and adjust the hydrostatic pressure and annular velocity, as well as identify any wellbore instability issues or potential formation pressures.

Purpose of Wiper Trip

Image source: Wiper Trips Effect on Wellbore Instability Using Net Rising Velocity Methods.

A wiper trip is an essential part of the drilling process that serves multiple purposes, all aiming to enhance the efficiency and safety of drilling operations. The primary objective of a wiper trip is to ensure proper hole cleaning and maintain borehole stability.

During drilling, cuttings and debris can accumulate in the wellbore, hampering the flow of drilling fluids and hindering the drilling process. A wiper trip involves running the drillstring with a specialized wiper assembly to clean the wellbore and remove any obstructions. This process helps maintain optimal hole cleaning efficiency and prevents blockages that can lead to operational challenges such as pipe sticking or downhole equipment damage.

In addition to hole cleaning, a wiper trip also serves as an opportunity to assess downhole conditions and select appropriate drilling fluids. By extracting a sample of the drilling fluid after the trip, engineers can analyze the fluid properties, including rheological and chemical characteristics. This information is crucial in modifying the drilling program if necessary and ensuring that the drilling fluids used are compatible with the downhole conditions encountered.

The main objectives of performing a wiper trip operation are to improve hole cleaning efficiency, assess downhole conditions, enhance borehole stability, and select suitable drilling fluids. By accomplishing these objectives, wiper trips bring various benefits to the drilling process, including increased drilling efficiency, reduced risk of wellbore instability, and improved overall wellbore integrity.

Overall, wiper trips play a vital role in maintaining effective drilling operations by optimizing hole cleaning, assessing downhole conditions, and ensuring borehole stability. These activities contribute to the successful execution of drilling programs, leading to safer and more efficient well construction.

Types of Wiper Trip

There are several types of wiper trips that can be performed during drilling operations, each serving a specific purpose. One common type is the stationary circulation wiper trip, in which drilling fluids are circulated without rotating the drillstring. This method is typically used for hole cleaning and removing any debris or cuttings that have settled in the wellbore.

Another type is the multi-phase flow wiper trip, which involves adjusting flow rates and annular velocities to efficiently transport solids and maintain a clean wellbore. This type of wiper trip is often utilized in gas drilling operations or when dealing with formations prone to instability, such as shale or Shiranish formations.

Additionally, there are specialized wiper trips designed for specific situations, such as deviated wells or wells with high deviation angles. These types of wiper trips require careful analysis and modification of drilling parameters to ensure effective cleaning and wellbore stability. Overall, the selection of the appropriate type of wiper trip depends on the specific drilling conditions, formation characteristics, and desired drilling objectives.

Single-Joint Wiper Trip

A Single-Joint Wiper Trip is a crucial step in the drilling process that involves the removal of debris and cuttings from the borehole. This operation is conducted by pulling a single drill pipe out of the hole while circulating mud to clean the wellbore. The purpose of a Single-Joint Wiper Trip is to maintain the integrity of the wellbore and ensure efficient drilling operations.

During the Single-Joint Wiper Trip, a stiff BHA (Bottom Hole Assembly) is often used, which includes undergauge stabilizers. These stabilizers are designed to keep the drill string centered in the hole and prevent deviation. Although using a stiff BHA with undergauge stabilizers provides better hole cleaning efficiency and improved wellbore stability, there are risks associated with this approach.

Double-Joint Wiper Trip

A Double-Joint Wiper Trip is a technique used in drilling operations to remove cuttings and maintain wellbore stability. Unlike a Single-Joint Wiper Trip where one joint of drill pipe is tripped out of the hole at a time, in a Double-Joint Wiper Trip, two joints of drill pipe are removed simultaneously.

The purpose of a Double-Joint Wiper Trip is to optimize drilling efficiency by reducing the number of trips required to clean the wellbore. This technique is typically used when the wellbore conditions allow for the safe and efficient removal of two joints of drill pipe at a time.

There are several situations where a Double-Joint Wiper Trip may be necessary. For example, when drilling in a relatively stable formation with good hole conditions, a Double-Joint Wiper Trip can help save time and improve drilling performance by reducing the overall number of trips required. In cases where hole cleaning is challenging due to high formation heterogeneity or instability, a Double-Joint Wiper Trip can enhance hole cleaning efficiency and ensure the wellbore remains stable.

Overall, the use of a Double-Joint Wiper Trip in drilling operations offers a more efficient and time-saving approach to remove cuttings from the wellbore, while maintaining wellbore stability.

One of the main risks of using a stiff BHA with undergauge stabilizers is the potential for stuck pipe. The increased stiffness of the BHA increases the chances of the drill string getting stuck in the hole, especially in deviated wells or when drilling in unstable formations. Additionally, the undergauge stabilizers can lead to hole bridging, inhibiting effective wellbore cleaning.

However, the benefits of conducting a Single-Joint Wiper Trip with a stiff BHA and undergauge stabilizers outweigh the risks. This method ensures efficient removal of cuttings and debris from the wellbore, reducing the chances of formation damage and improving drilling performance. It also helps maintain wellbore stability by minimizing hole enlargement and preventing fluid losses.

In conclusion, a Single-Joint Wiper Trip with a stiff BHA and undergauge stabilizers is a critical operation in the drilling process. While there are risks involved, the benefits of improved hole cleaning efficiency and wellbore stability make this method essential for successful drilling operations.

Retrievable Casing Cleaner (RCC) Wiper Trip

The Retrievable Casing Cleaner (RCC) Wiper Trip is a specialized technique used in drilling operations to enhance hole cleaning efficiency while maintaining borehole stability. It is specifically designed for situations where the presence of solids or obstructions within the casing needs to be removed to ensure optimal wellbore conditions.

Unlike other types of wiper trips, the RCC wiper trip focuses specifically on cleaning the casing rather than the entire wellbore. It is carried out by deploying a retrievable casing cleaner tool, which is specifically designed to remove debris, cuttings, and other obstructions from the inside of the casing.

The process of conducting an RCC wiper trip involves the following steps: First, the casing cleaner tool is attached to a casing string and lowered into the wellbore. Once in position, the tool is activated to engage with the inner surface of the casing. The tool is then reciprocated along the entire length of the casing, effectively scraping and removing any solids or obstructions. After completing the cleaning cycle, the casing cleaner tool is retrieved to the surface, along with the removed debris.

The RCC wiper trip offers several advantages. It allows for efficient removal of solids and obstructions within the casing, preventing potential blockages that could hinder subsequent drilling or production operations. Additionally, by specifically targeting the casing, the RCC wiper trip reduces the risk of damage to the formation or wellbore walls, ensuring borehole stability.

However, the RCC wiper trip also has limitations. It can only clean the inner surface of the casing, leaving the annulus between the casing and formation untouched. Therefore, if there are significant obstructions or solids in the annular space, additional cleaning techniques may be required. Additionally, the efficiency of the RCC wiper trip may depend on factors such as hole size, casing diameter, and the nature of the debris present.

In conclusion, the Retrievable Casing Cleaner (RCC) Wiper Trip is a specialized technique that focuses on cleaning the casing and enhancing hole cleaning efficiency. While it offers advantages such as preventing blockages and ensuring borehole stability, it is limited to cleaning the casing walls and may require additional cleaning methods for the annular space.