The first actions determine the outcome, and they differ by mechanism. Differentially stuck pipe can usually be rotated and may free with torque and a spotting fluid, but pulling hard makes it worse. Pipe stuck by hole packing must not be rotated hard or circulated at high rate, and the first priority is to restore circulation carefully. Applying the wrong first action to the right mechanism commonly turns a recoverable situation into a lost hole.

Most sticking is preventable, and the preventable causes are consistent: inadequate hole cleaning, excessive overbalance against permeable zones, leaving pipe stationary, poor tripping practice and ignoring the warning signs of torque, drag and pack-off. Drilling organisations with low stuck pipe rates usually have strong, simple practices rather than special technology.

Recovery is also an economic decision. Each attempt has a cost and a probability of success, and the alternatives, which are back-off and sidetrack or plug and abandon, become more attractive the longer the operation runs. Setting a time or cost limit before starting is what prevents a stuck pipe event consuming more than the hole is worth.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Identify sticking mechanisms and their warning signs.
• Apply prevention practice through hole cleaning, mud and drilling discipline.
• Apply tripping and connection practice that reduces sticking risk.
• Take the correct first actions for each sticking mechanism.
• Determine the free point and interpret the result.
• Apply jarring technique and design jar placement in the string.
• Design and place spotting fluids for differential sticking.
• Plan back-off, severing and washover operations.
• Decide when to sidetrack and plan the sidetrack.
• Apply economic limits to recovery attempts and reduce stuck pipe frequency across a programme.

The course is instructor-led and case-based. Participants work through stuck pipe scenarios in real time, identifying the mechanism from the available evidence and deciding on actions, with the consequences revealed at each step. Prevention practice is covered through data from wells with high and low stuck pipe rates. Participants are encouraged to bring their own stuck pipe cases for discussion.

Organisations sending participants to this training will:

• Reduce stuck pipe frequency across the drilling programme.
• Improve first response and increase recovery success rates.
• Reduce rig time lost to unsuccessful recovery attempts.
• Make recovery decisions on economic as well as technical grounds.
• Build prevention practice into daily drilling routine.

Participants will:

• Be able to recognise the warning signs of each sticking mechanism.
• Be able to apply prevention practice at the rig.
• Be able to identify the mechanism quickly when pipe sticks.
• Be able to execute jarring, spotting and back-off operations.
• Be able to judge when to stop attempting recovery.

• Drilling engineers
• Rig site supervisors and company representatives
• Drillers and senior rig crew
• Toolpushers and rig managers
• Drilling fluids engineers
• Service company field engineers

Upon successful completion of this training course, delegates will be awarded an official Certificate of Completion issued by the Petroleum Engineers Association (PEA), an ISO 9001:2015 certified training organization. The certificate carries 10 Credits and formally records the total learning hours completed.

Each certificate is signed by the Course Facilitator and the CEO of the Petroleum Engineers Association, and serves as verifiable proof of professional training that delegates can present to employers and professional bodies worldwide.