WHIPSTOCK PLUG SLURRY DESIGNS OVER A WIDE RANGE OF TEMPERATURE EXTREMES
Whipstock plugs provide an essential tool for deviating from the primary hole direction to sidetrack an impenetrable object such as drill pipe or bit, or to initiate a planned hole deviation to complete a lateral or multilateral hole. The successful setting of whipstock plugs and the completion of the sidetrack operations can be very intricate, complicated by high slurry densities, high viscosities, and very low to very high bottom hole temperature extremes where costs escalate with each attempt. The whipstock slurry design should balance the requirement for adequate thickening time with the minimum time necessary to develop sufficient compressive strength for dress-off and kick-off and the rheological characteristics suitable for mixing and placement. In addition compressive strength should not deteriorate or retrogress during the time necessary for dress-off and drill-out. This paper will describe the specific design of whipstock slurries applicable in a wide range of temperatures (80F to 300F).