Reasons to run a tie-back string of casing include: damaged production casing due wear or corrosion upgrading of the production

annulus to a higher working pressure, e.g. reservoir pressure underestimated. The tie-back string is run with a tie-back stem and after spacing out the string is hung off (the string may have been cemented before being hung off).

The tie-back stem shall be 15 ft long to fit in a 15 ft PBR or standard machined tie-back extension with three sets of pressure-actuated moulded seals with half mule shoe entry guide on bottom. The following procedure should be used when running a liner tie-back string: 1. RUN IN with the casing with shoe track configured as follows: tie-back stem one full joint of casing orifice float collar (without back pressure device) or baffle collar. 2. TAG the top of the tie-back extension or PBR by installing a circulating head when approaching it and circulating slowly while observing for a pressure build-up. As soon as the pressure build up occurs, SHUT OFF the pumps. The pressure shall only be allowed to build up to a maximum value 250 psi. 3. BOTTOM OUT the string by applying 1 000 lbs weight down. PRESSURE TEST the casing and tieback seals to 3 000 psi, BLEED OFF pressure. 4. PULL BACK, SPACE OUT the casing, and INSTALL the hanger assembly. MAINTAIN accuracy within 0.3 m while spaced out to the 1 000 lbs weight down position. Note: In case the string is not to be cemented, the space out will be advised. 5. LOWER casing again while pumping. After a pressure build up occurs (indicating that the first seal has entered the seal bore) CHECK the space-out and CORRECT if necessary. BOTTOM OUT to double check the space out. 6. PULL the string above the tie-back position. 7. SLOWLY LOWER string while a decrease in string weight will indicate that the stem seals are entering the tie-back extension or PBR. BLEED OFF pressure and OPEN casing to atmosphere while lowering the string until the casing is landed. 8. CIRCULATE the casing contents + 25 % and CEMENT as per the Cementing Programme. TEST casing as required in Pressure Testing -Tie-Back Packers of this chapter after bumping the plug.

9. BLEED OFF test pressure. HOLD enough pressure to contain the hydrostatic differential pressure from the annulus. 10. In the event of a stem seal leak, to avoid back flow, CLOSE casing while watching for a pressure build-up in the string. If no build-up of pressure occurs, BACK OFF landing string or INSTALL emergency hanger assembly. If build-up occurs, DELAY rigging down until the cement is hard. Running and Setting Tie-Back Packer Following is a procedure example for running and setting a weight set tie-back packer with a 7in liner. 1. Suspend tie-back packer in slips. Make up the running tool on a joint of drillpipe and stab into assembly. Rotate tool to engage lugs, then slack off and rotate the tool to the left 6-7 turns to engage the float nut. Back off the drillpipe joint. 2. RIH assembly on drill collars. Approximately 50 000 lbs slack off is required to set the packer. RIH, making sure that the string does not rotate, i.e. use back up tong. 3. Continue RIH to within a few meters of TOL, break circulation before continuing with RIH. 4. Stop pumps and check weight up and down. 5. Start circulating with a maximum circulation pressure of 200 psi and slowly lower the string, stabbing the seal assembly into the PBR. Observe for a pressure increase as the seals enter the PBR, stop pumps and bleed pressure. Mark pipe. 6. Lower string, ensuring that slacked off length corresponds to the length of the seal assembly. Slack off 2 000 lbs over string weight. Pressure test string to 500 psi,bleed off pressure. 7. Slack off 50 000 lbs to set packer and hold for 15 min.

8. Pull 10 000 lbs over string weight up to ensure packer slips are set. 9. Release setting tool by slacking off 15 000 lbs and rotating the string 10 turns to the right. 10. Pick up to check the setting tool is free but do not pull PBR seals from upper PBR. 11. Close BOP and pressure test annulus to required pressure. Check for returns from string. 12. Open BOP and presure test string to required pressure. Check for returns from annulus. 13. POOH.

Tie-Back Packers - PBR Clean Out and Packer Setting The following procedure should be used when cleaning out the PBR for setting a weight set tie-back packer with a 7in liner.

1. RIH combined lower, upper tie-back polish mills and casing scraper. 2. Position of packing element relative to top PBR when set must be established to ensure that scraper will clean setting area if it is run in combination with casing mills. 3. A separate 9.5/8in casing scraper to TOL may be required. 4. Circulate at 4 bbl/min and rotate at 40 rpm. Lower mill into PBR of liner hanger. Pressure will increase as mill lands off. 5. Mark the pipe and pick up 3m. Rotate at 40 rpm and circulate at 4 bbls/min until mills are clear of PBR. 6 Circulate clean, do not enter the PBR again. 7. POOH check drillpipe tally and drift all drillpipe including pup joints. Check mark on mill at surface.

Weight Set Tie-Back Packer Make-Up The following procedure should be used when making up a weight set tie-back packer with a 7in liner. 1. PICK UP weight set tie-back packer c/w setting sleeve and PBR 9.5/8in, 43.5-53.5 lbs/ft x 7in 23-32 lbs/ft L-80. 2. PICK UP liner running tool, type 2RH with PBR seal assembly 4.1/2 IF box up (installation to be performed on rig site by Liner Service Company with assembly in vertical position). 3. CHECK tie-back packer internally and externally, CHECK conditions of seals. 4. CHECK calliper of the tie-back packer for correct OD/ID. 5. MEASURE length of each component and note them on the casing tally list. 6. CHECK running tool internally and externally, CHECK pack-off seals and running nut, MEASURE adjustment stand off.