• The customer contacted Weatherford and indicated the challenges of the job. In this specific case, because of the temperature profile of the well, explosives would help to free only the first 2,461 ft (750 m) of drillpipe, and a mechanical back-off operation over an estimated 2 weeks would have to recover the rest of the pipe. This approach would accumulate rig time and costs on top of a prior attempt by a coiled tubing company that cleaned out the drillpipe for 10 days and made unsuccessful cuts.
• Weatherford suggested using an explosive-free wireline solution--including a motorized anchor tool, PTC™ perforating torch cutter, and RCT™ radial cutting torch—for immediate mobilization and bottomhole temperatures up to 500°F (260°C). The customer agreed to this option.
• The Weatherford team deployed the solution with the PTC and RTC tools. Each had 2.5-in. (60-mm) IDs, which enabled passing through a 2.75-in. (70-mm) restriction.
• The PTC tool perforated the drillpipe at a depth of 6,017 ft (1,834 m) with a downhole temperature of 482°F (250°C). The resulting 2.2-in.² (14-cm²) hole enabled the customer to restore circulation and cool down the well.
• On the next run, in combination with the motorized anchor tool, the RCT tool cut the drillpipe at 6,014 ft (1,833 m).

• The Weatherford wireline solution enabled the customer to cut the stuck drillpipe, quickly resume well operations, and save rig costs of approximately US $300,000.
• The safe, effective, non-explosive approach provided an alternative that worked up to 500°F (260°C) and delivered in just a few hours. It saved the customer significant time and costs by avoiding the need to use explosives, transport them, coordinate the associated approvals, and perform a long mechanical back-off operation.

* PTC and RCT are both trademarks of MCR Oil Tools and supplied by Weatherford under license from MCR Oil Tools, LLC.