OCTG Casing Running Procedures

The OCTG (Oil Country Tubular Goods) casing running procedures typically involve the following steps:

1. Preparing the rig and equipment: Ensure that the drilling rig is set up properly and all required equipment is in good working condition. This includes checking the elevators, slips, tongs, and other tools needed for handling the casing.

2. Inspecting the casing: Before running the casing, inspect each joint of the casing string to check for any defects, such as cracks, dents, or damaged threads. Any defective casing should be set aside and replaced.

3. Preparing the wellbore: Clean the wellbore and ensure it is free from debris and obstructions. Perform a wiper trip or use scrapers and brushes as necessary to ensure a clean wellbore.

4. Adding casing centralizers: Install casing centralizers at appropriate intervals along the casing string. Centralizers help maintain proper standoff between the casing and the wellbore, ensuring uniform cementing and reducing the risk of casing damage or differential sticking.

5. Running the casing string: Use the rig's casing running equipment to carefully lower the casing into the wellbore. Maintain steady tension and alignment throughout the operation. Use power tongs or manual tongs to make up each casing joint, ensuring proper torque and thread engagement.

6. Cementing the casing: Once the casing string is properly positioned in the wellbore, cement is pumped down the casing to fill the annular space between the casing and the wellbore. Follow standard cementing procedures to achieve proper zonal isolation and bonding between the casing and the formation.

7. Pressure testing and setting packers: After the cementing is complete, pressure test the casing to check for leaks or integrity issues. Install any required packers or other wellbore equipment as needed for the specific well design and requirements.

8. Finalizing the casing installation: Once the pressure testing and additional installations are complete, verify that the casing string is correctly installed and secured. Ensure that appropriate running procedures, torque, and thread compounds have been applied and that all connections are properly made up.

It is important to note that these procedures can vary depending on the specific well conditions, drilling rig equipment, and industry standards. The procedures should always be conducted in accordance with the relevant company policies, regulations, and best practices.