INTRODUCTION:

The word “fish” describes any undesired object in the well bore that must be removed for
further drilling operation. The equipment required to clean out the hole or to remove an
undesired object is called a fishing tool. When a fishing job develops, all drilling
progress ceases, fishing tools and procedures must be adopted to remove the fish. Failure
to recover the fish can require side tracking or even abandoning the well.

CATCHING THE FISH:

There are three methods of taking hold of a fish.
1. Screwing in
2. Outside catch tool.
3. Inside catch tool.

Screwing in:
In normal fishing operation if the down hole assembly has been backed off so there is a
screw type connection on the top of the fish, the fish is usually caught by screwing in.
It is the most common method of catching a fish as it gives a very strong connection and
engagement of the fish is relatively easily. If the connection has been screwed in tightly
to the fish, the screw in connection will have a strength comparable to the strength of the
assembly before it was backed off. Then the fishing assembly can be worked by any
method to release the fish. The screw in connection is also a strong pressure
connection as no packer is required to seal against fish. This lets the operator use a
maximum pressure to establish circulation through the fish.

The size of the hole being drilled at the time of failure will provide information regarding
the amount of clearance that is available to accommodate the required fishing tool. If
there is sufficient operating clearance, the external catching tool is generally selected
as it facilitate the future logging operation like free point location, string shot back
off, severing operation as string I.D is not restricted. If there is not sufficient operating
clearance, the internal catching tool is generally selected.

2.1
STAB IN PROCEDURE:
Circulate and conditioned the mud just above the fish top to clean box of the fish prior to
stab in. Tag the fish top without circulation.. Stab in by giving one to two turn right hand
rotation. Sometimes the fishing string may bypass the top of fish while giving right
hand rotation. In such a situation apply one to two turn left hand rotation for
stabbing in.
To avoid by passing the fish top, it is advisable to attach centering device with
matching pin connection. This centering device should preferably be threaded
connection instead of welded joint. Any welded joint should be avoided as far as
possible.

SCREWING IN PROCEDURE:
Stab the pin in the fish box. Apply 1 - 2 Tons of weight. Give one to two turn right hand
rotation and observe for any back torque. If the torque is fully or partially absorbed, it
can be judged that the threads are screwing in properly. Adopt the same procedure
three – four times for initial make up. Then apply full torque to tighten the joint properly.

If the right hand torque does not absorb at all in the very first rotation, it can be judged
that the threads are cross threading. Lift the string, stab the fish with less weight and try
to engage in the same manner as discussed above.

NOTE: Never try to connect the pipe in single rotation attempt as it may lead to damage
of box and pin threads due to cross threading.

FISHING CATCH TOOL

OVERSHOT (POSITIVE NGAGEMENT AND DIS-

ENGAGEABLE TOOL)
1. OUT SIDE CATCH
TOOL DIE COLLAR

SPEAR (POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT AND

2. INSIDE CATCH TOOL DIS-ENGAGEABLE TOOL)

MALE TAP

2.2
OVERSHOT:

Overshot is a positive engagement and dis-engageable tool. Positive engagement

means the overshot is capable of withstanding even jarring impact (F.S type). Dis-
engageable means, it can be dis-engaged from the fish at any position/depth.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF OVERSHOTS ARE:

1. F.S (Full Strength) : Capable to withstand all pulling, torsional and jarring strain.
This is the most widely used overshot in oil industry.
2. X.F.S (Extra Full Strength): Engineered for extreme use.
3. S.F.S (Semi Full Strength): Engineered for special hole condition commensurate with
max. strength.
4. S.H (Slim Hole): Meant for heavy pulling strain only.
5. X.S.H (Extra Slim Hole): For pick up jobs only.

BOWEN SERIES 150 RELEASING AND CIRCULATING OVERSHOT:

Releasing and circulating overshot provides the strongest tool available to externally
engage, pack off and pull a fish. It takes a positive grip over a large area of fish and is
therefore capable of withstanding extremely heavy pulling, torsional and jarring strains
( F.S type) without damage or distortion to either the tool or the fish and full circulation
can be established through the fish if not plugged. It is the strongest possible out side
catch tool and its outstanding performance characteristics have made it the choice of
operators throughout the world.

USE:

It is designed to catch smooth round tubular O.D fish only. If the down hole assembly has
been parted by backing off, cutting or is broken, an overshot is used. Excluding slim hole
overshot, the standard overshot is as the equivalent tool joint strength for screw in
connection. The overshot can be disengaged from the fish at any time.

2.3
CONSTRUCTION:
Overshot is composed of three out side
parts; 1) Top sub, 2) Bowl and 3) Lip guide.

TOP SUB: It is fitted with the top side of

the bowl with matching thread for engaging
overshot bowl with the string. Top of Top
sub is having box connection.

BOWL: The inside of the overshot bowl is

turned with a tapered left hand helical spiral
thread. The gripping member (spiral or
basket grapple) is fitted into this section.
Bowl has got both side box connection with
fine or ACME thread.

LIP GUIDE: It is fitted against bottom of

overshot bowl with matching thread. The lip
guide is meant for centering the fish.

HOW TO SELECT COORECT INTERNAL PARTS:

Depending on fish size, the overshot can be dressed either with spiral grapple or basket
grapple. If the fish diameter is near to the maximum catch of the overshot, a spiral
grapple is used. If the fish diameter is considerably below maximum catch size (usually
½”) of the overshot, a basket grapple is used. Maximum catch size of overshot with
spiral and basket grapple is fixed for a particular size and type of overshot.
Specifications of common size Bowen 150 series circulating and releasing type overshot
are given in table – 1 for selection of type, size of overshot and type of grapple.

2.4
 TABLE : 1
SPECIFICATION OF BOWEN OVERSHOT

Overshot
O.D 5-3/4” 7-5/8” 8-1/8” 8-1/8” 9-5/8” 11-1/4”
Overshot type
F.S F.S F.S S.H F.S F.S
Max. Catch size
with spiral 4-3/4” 6’ 6-1/2” 7” 8” 9-5/8”
grapple
Max. Catch size
with basket 4-1/4” 5-1/4” 5-3/4” 6-3/8” 7-1/4” 8-7/8”
grapple
Spiral grapple /
Basket grapple 6112 220 B-2374 9222 238 B-12827
part No.
Spiral grapple
control / Basket 6113 219 B-2375 9223 239 B-12828
grapple control
part No.
Type “A” Packer
part No. 6114 223 L-2372 L-9224 235 B-12825
Basket grapple
control packer 6114-R 223-R B-6635-R L-9224-R 235-R B-12825-R
part No.

2.5
TOLERANCE IN GRAPPLE:
Grapple of overshot is having the same taper as that of the bowl taper. Hence the
overshot grapple has got some tolerance in catch size as given below.
TOLERANCE IN SPIRAL GRAPPLE :
F.S type overshot. The spiral grapple will effectively catch and pack off worn fish as
much as 3/32” maximum undersize and over range of 1/32” approximately.
S.H type overshot. The spiral grapple will effectively catch and pack off undersize and
oversize fish by no more than 1/16” maximum.
TOLERANCE IN BASKET GRAPPLE:
F.S type overshot. The basket grapple will effectively catch and pack off worn fish as
much as 3/32” maximum undersize and over range of 1/32” approximately.
S.H type overshot. The basket grapple will effectively catch and pack off undersize fish
by 1/16” maximum.
The internal parts of overshot when dressed with spiral grapple assembly are:
i) Spiral grapple: The thread and taper of the spiral
grapple matches with the helically tapered thread of
the bowl. Its interior is wickered for engagement
with the fish.
ii) Spiral grapple control: Grapple controls are used
as a special key to hold the bottom part of the
grapple in position and to allow the grapple to
expand during engagement. Spiral grapple control
is used with the spiral grapple only. It is plain type
and without packer.
iii) Type “A” Packer: When the overshot is dressed
with a spiral grapple , a type “A” packer is installed
in between top sub and bowl. It has an internal lip,
which seals around the fish. Type “A” packer is
designed to pack off a specific size of fish. This

2.6
 packer is required to be changed with the change in
fish O.D.

ASSEMBLING OF OVERSHOT WITH SPIRAL GRAPPLE:

Screw in spiral grapple as per fish O.D in the overshot bowl
by rotating the grapple in left hand direction. A rectangular
groove is cut in the inside of overshot bowl. The grapple
tang of the spiral grapple must be positioned in that groove.
Control finger of the spiral grapple control should be
positioned in that groove only. For a particular size
overshot only one size spiral grapple control is available
and it need not be changed with the change in size of the
spiral grapple because
a) Its I.D is more than the max. catch size of spiral
grapple.
b) It does not have any packer to seal against fish.

Assemble lip guide with the bowl. Open the joint of bowl
and top sub. Place same size type “A” packer as that of the
spiral grapple in the bowl.
It is extremely important that the Grapple and the Packer
installed in the Overshot be of a size that is precisely correct to engage and pack off the
fish. If the fish is worn it is necessary to use undersized parts.
As the undersize requirement decreases, Grapples and type “A” Packers must be changed
at 1/8” intervals. As the Overshot is lowered over a fish, the inner lip of the type “A”
packer will seal off completely around the fish and thereafter directing the drilling fluid
down through the fish. Circulation returning under pressure up and around the outside of
a stuck fish is a very important factor in loosening it.

2.7
 The internal parts of overshot when dressed with basket grapple assembly are:
i) Basket grapple: Basket grapple is an expansible cylinder
with a tapered exterior to conform with the helically tapered
thread of the bowl. Its interior is wickered for engagement
with the fish.

ii) Basket grapple control: There are two types of

basket grapple control, plain and mill type control.

a) Mill control: When the overshot is dressed with basket

grapple mill control, fish O.D can be packed off and
circulation can be established through the fish. Mill
control is dressed with type “R” packer and it should be
the same size as that of grapple. Basket grapple mill
control is having teeth profile to remove small burrs
only. It is required to be changed with the change in
size of grapple to have effective pack off against fish.

b) Plain basket grapple control: It does not have any

seal and used when pack off is not required for
circulation through fish. It need not be changed for
different size of the grapple.
iii) Type “R” mill control packer: It is used with mill
control when a pack off is required. It is composed of
one inner seal and one outer seal. The double lip seal
of the inner packer provides a positive seal on the fish.

2.8
 The outer seal of type ‘R” mill control packer seals
between bowl and mill control.

ASSEMBLING OF OVERSHOT WITH BASKET GRAPPLE:

Screw in basket grapple as per fish O.D in the overshot
bowl by rotating the grapple in left hand direction. There is
a cut groove portion in the overshot. The grapple cut grove
of the basket grapple should be positioned matching with
overshot bowl groove. Control finger of the basket grapple
mill control should be positioned in that groove only. Mill
control size should be same as that of the basket grapple to
pack off the fish. It is extremely important that the Grapple
and the Packer installed in the Overshot be of a size that is
precisely correct to engage and pack off the fish. If pack off
is not desired, the Basket Grapple may be used with a plain
Basket Grapple Control. If the fish is worn, it is necessary
to use undersized parts. As the undersize requirement
decreases, Basket Grapples and mill control Packers must
be changed at 1/8” intervals. Assemble lip guide with the
bowl.

HOW TO TIGHTEN LIP GUIDE AND BOWL JOINT PROPERLY.

Fish is engaged in the grapple which is fitted inside the bowl. Hence no torque is
transmitted to the lip guide and bowl joint once the fish is engaged in the overshot. So
there is tendency to tightened the lip guide and bowl joint by chain tong or hammer only
as there is problem of tightening the joint properly as there will be no space for putting
the tong after resting it on the rotary. So long there is no problem in running in upto fish
top, there is no chance of opening the joint. But if there is any held up during running in,
the joint may open in the process of clearing held up due to back torque. Hence the joint
should be tightened by the following procedure.

2.9
 a) Pick one single drill pipe and rest on the rotary with slip.
b) Lift the overshot assembly and insert the lip guide over the drill pipe tool joint to
have some support for tightening the joint.
c) Apply both the tongs and tightened the joint with recommended torque.
OPERATION FOR ENGAGEMENT OF OVERSHOT WITH FISH:

Assemble the overshot with correct size of grapple and pack off assembly and lower it
with the help of string. Before engaging the fish circulate above fish top. Stop circulation.
Rest a fraction of weight and allow little rotation for entering into the fish. Rotation of
the overshot and lowering will expand the grapple, allowing the fish to enter the grapple.
Thereafter with rotation ceased and upward pull exerted, the grapple is contracted by the
taper in the bowl and its deep wicker grip the fish firmly. When upward pull is exerted
against a fish, the compression strain which can crush the fish is spread over a large area.
In addition, the expansion strain which would tend to swell the Bowl is spread over a
similarly long area. This enables the tool to withstand greater pulling and jarring strains.

OPERATION FOR DISENGAGEMENT OF OVERSHOT FROM FISH:

During the releasing operation, a sharp downward bump breaks the hold. Thereafter when
the overshot is rotated to the right, the grapple expands. The wickers will screw the
grapple off the fish. Slow right hand rotation and slow lifting are to be continued till the
fish is out from the grapple.
Note: Circulating and releasing overshot require right hand rotation only for both
during engagement and disengagement.

OVERSHOT ACCESSORIES:

EXTENSION SUB:
Sometimes the manner in which the twist-off has occurred, which
may lead either split in the upper end of the drill pipe or leave a
considerable portion of the upper end in an unengageable shape.

When this occurs, an Extension sub should be installed between

the Top Sub and Bowl of the Overshot. When a distorted fish of
the type just illustrated is encountered, an Overshot equipped with
an Extension can be lowered far enough over the fish so the

2.10
Grapple will engage with an undamaged section of the fish. The
damaged portion of the fish will pass through the Grapple and on
up into the Extension.

ITCOLOY MILL EXTENSION:

It is used to mill away flared or jagged metal from the top of the
fish so that the fish will pass easily into the overshot bowl. It is
installed between the bowl and the standard, oversize or wall hook
guide.

OVERSIZED GUIDE

The Standard Guide furnished with an Overshot has the same

outside diameter as the Bowl of the tool. If the hole size in which
the Overshot to be operated is so large that the Overshot might
pass along one side of and down past the top of the fish, an
Oversized Guide should be installed in place of the Standard
Guide. The Oversized Guide will contact the fish and bring it into
alignment for entry into the Bowl of the Overshot.

WALL HOOK GUIDE

Because of circumstances that might exist when the formation is

caved away, the top of fish may be laying in a recess to one side of
the hole. Under these circumstances, the Overshot with standard
lip guide cannot be brought into contact with the top of the fish and
it is necessary to provide a means to move the fish into the center
of the drilled hole. By installing a Wall Hook Guide in place of
the Standard Guide, the Overshot can be lowered until it contacts
the pipe at the point below the cavity.

2.11
Operating procedure:

The configuration of the Wall Hook Guide is such that it can be rotated to cause the
lower lip to wrap itself around the fish. Rotate the string to the right and hold the torque
with the help of tong. Then, by slowly elevating the Overshot, the lipped Guide
engagement with the pipe will pull it away from the recess in the side of the hole and
bring it into the center. After the pipe has been centered by means of the Wall Hook
Guide (when release of holding torque is noticed at the surface, the Overshot can be
slowly rotated and lowered over the fish to permit the Grapple to engage it. Other uses of
the wall Hook Guide are discussed later.

OVERSHOT O.D OVERSIZE GUIDE O.D LENGTH OF WALL HOOK

AVAILABLE AVAILABLE
8-1/8” 11 – 11-1/2”, 16 – 16-1/2”, 30”, 36”, 42”
20-1/2” – 21”.
11-1/4” 16 – 16-1/2”, 20-1/2” – 21” 42”, 48”

MILLING GUIDE

In cases where the top of the fish is a badly

burred tool joint or drill collar, a Type “A”
Milling Guide should be installed on the
Overshot to trim the burrs off the fish so that it
can enter the Overshot. Type “C” Milling
Guides are also available, and they perform the
same service to mill away an external upset
section or a damaged fish so that it can be

2.12
conditioned for proper engagement by the
Overshot.

Lock rings:

Lock rings are available to prevent the top sub and bowel from unthreading during
backing off operations. Lock rings are used in pairs consisting of two identical rings. The
rings have cam teeth on one face, knurls on the other and two breakout grooves on the
edges. One lock ring is inverted and placed on the other so the cam teeth intermesh and
the breakout grooves are aligned, and they are placed in between top sub and bowl. As
the joint is made up, the knurl faces grip the shoulders. The pitch on the cam teeth is
greater than the thread pitch. If reverse rotation is applied, the cam teeth begin to ride up
on each other. This produces a wedging action which effectively locks the top sub to the
Bowl. When the overshot is dressed with a spiral grapple and type “A” packer, a spacer is
required between the packer and Top Sub to fill the space. No spacer is required when
type “A” packer is not used.

2.13
STRENGTH OF OVERSHOT.

MAX. MAX. LOAD CAP. LOAD CAP. LOAD CAP.

OD TYPE CATCH CATCH SPIRAL BASKET BASKET
SPIRAL BASKET ( LBS ) W/O STOP WITH STOP
(LBS) (LBS)
5-3/4” F.S 4-3/4” 4-1/4” 432,900 411,600 303275
5-3/4” S.H 4-7/8” 4-3/8” 283,000 238,800 184,000
8-1/8” F.S 6-1/2” 5-3/4” 610,000 550,000 444,000
8-1/8” S.H 7” 6-3/8” 422,000 400,000 309,000
11-1/4” F.S 9-5/8” 8-7/8” 657,000 578,000 465,000

2.14
 ROTARY DIE COLLARS
Rotary Die Collars are the simplest fishing tools
available for engaging a fish externally. This is
not a positive engagement tool.
CONSTRUCTION:
Bowen die collars are furnished in two types.
Type A:- Type “A” die collar have a smooth
end on the large diameter end. The guide is
integral with the die collar. Cut lip design type
“A” die collar is also available.
Type B:- Type “B” die collar have a threaded
lower end so that various sizes of lipped-type
guides or milling-type guides can be fitted to the
tool.
Rotary Die Collars feature wicker threads, and
the horizontal faces of the wicker enable the tool TYPE “A” TYPE “B”
DIE COLLAR DIE COLLAR
to withstand greater pulling strains than
common “V” threads. The sharp cutting edges
are carburized to extreme hardness to insure
deep and easy cutting ability.

CONSTRUCTION:
Wickers: The wickers are plain water tight non-fluted design if circulation is required
below the stuck point. Fluted type design also available to flush cutting while engaging
fish.

Length of wicker: The length of wicker is upto 24”. Length larger than 24” require two
piece construction.

Wall thickness: It should never be less than ¼” to avoid cracking.

2.15
Taper per feet (TPF): The standard TPF is ¾”. It should never be exceed 1” TPF as it
reduces the number of wickers which can engage the fish during fishing operation.
Water course: All die collars are furnished with a circulation hole drilled through the
center.
SELECTION OF DIE COLLAR:

Larger wicker I.D: The larger wicker I.D should be at least ½” larger than fish O.D.

Smaller wicker I.D: The smaller wicker I.D should be at least ½” smaller than fish O.D.
The smaller wicker I.D should never be less than 1-1/2” due to boring and wickering
operation during manufacturing process.

OPERATION:

In operation, it is necessary only to run the Die Collar in the hole to the top of the fish,
apply less than one point of weight and rotate sufficiently to embed the taper threads of
the Die Collar into the fish, cease rotation, and pull the fish.

ADVANTAGE:

The principle advantage of a Die Collar is that it is inexpensive and that it requires
virtually no maintenance.

DISADVANTAGE:

The disadvantage of a Die Collar lies in the fact that it cannot be disengaged from the fish
in the event that it proves impossible to pull the fish. Furthermore, it is difficult to gauge
the amount of torque required for its operation. Insufficient torque results in an insecure
hold; too much torque can result in distortion of the fish and damage the tool to such an
extent that engagement might be lost.

Two-step Die Collars are also being manufactured whose upper portions are tapered and
wickered to engage a smaller diameter and whose lower portions are tapered and wickered
to engage a large diameter.

2.16
LEFT HAND DIE COLLAR:

Left hand die collar has got left hand box connection as well as left hand wickers. This
tool is mainly used in conjunction with left hand string for mechanical back off.

2.17