TAC Best Practices: Running and Setting the Anchor Downhole

Using a pipe wrench on well tubing

TechTAC’s Setting and Releasing Instructions provide essential guidance for realizing optimal performance from a tubing anchor. This article is the second in a three-part series where each post will highlight one key section from those instructions. This piece focuses on important TAC best practices that should be followed DURING the running and setting of the anchor downhole.

Periodically Add a Right-Hand Turn

Sometimes as a TAC is being run downhole, the movement of the tubing – especially through bends, turns and deviations – can generate torque at the anchor and begin to actuate the slips prematurely. To prevent the anchor from setting while running in, it is recommended to occasionally – every 5-10 stands is a good rule of thumb – put a right-hand turn in the tubing. If you’re running a right-hand set TAC, then it would be a left-hand turn. Whenever possible, use a pipe wrench to add the right-hand turn in the tubing (more on that below).

Slow Down

Another of the TAC best practices for running an anchor is to simply slow down. Especially when the anchor is navigating a tight spot or hitting fluid, running it too fast can damage the tool.

Use a Pipe Wrench to Set the Anchor

Once the desired setting depth in reached, you should rotate the tubing to the left (to the right if the TAC is right-hand set) until the slips contact the casing. Whenever possible, set the TAC using pipe wrenches. Doing so minimizes the risk of backing off the tubing or over-torquing the anchor. However, if power tongs are needed, make sure the torque on the tongs is several hundred pounds less than what the tubing string was initially tightened with. This approach will also help prevent the tubing from backing off.

The tubing will torque up when the slips have set. To ensure all tubing torque works its way down to the tool, maintain left-hand torque and alternate several times between setting down and pulling up.

Pull and Hold Tension

Among these TAC best practices, maintaining proper tension is also key. During the slip-setting operation, the strain pulled should be at least equal to the final strain that will be applied when the tubing is landed and full set-down weight is applied. As an added measure to help prevent the TAC from backing off during pump operation, hold tension for at least 2 minutes to ensure the slips permanently bite the casing. Finally, put an additional 1/2–3/4 turn immediately before landing the tubing.

Measure Tension in Inches of Stretch

Pulling the proper tension while setting the TAC is very important. However, it is essential that this tension is measured in inches of stretch and NOT pounds of pull. Particularly in a well with high dog-leg severity or cork-screwed geometry, all of the bends the tubing must navigate can make the surface measurement of pounds of pull highly inaccurate when compared to the tension at the tool. Instead, a calculation like this one (taken from the Setting and Releasing Instructions) should be used:

(Example) 20,000 lbs. of pull on 8,000 ft. of 2.375” OD, 4.7#, 1.995” ID tubing.

20 x 8 x 0.30675 (stretch constant for 4.7# 2.375 tubing) = 49.08 inches of stretch

The Value of Following TAC Best Practices

Following TAC best practices like those noted above provides two significant benefits to operators. First, the chance of breaking or damaging the TAC is greatly reduced. That means less downtime and less finger pointing. Second, with the TAC properly set, the entire downhole production string becomes more efficient, leading to better results.

To learn more about TechTAC’s suite of tubing anchors, check out our Product Catalog.

Like this post? Spread the word.

TECHTAC® BLOG

Featured Posts

Make sure you don't miss any of these!

January 27, 2025

Oil Well Efficiency: Lower Lifting Costs and Boost Productivity from Your Existing Wells

“[S]oftening oil prices have eroded profits and cash flows since early 2023…. However, all 15 companies in the peer group remained... View More
June 26, 2024

Gas Locking in Oil Wells: Causes, Consequences and Solutions

Gas locking in oil wells is a common challenge that can have a significant impact on overall well production. In this article, we will... View More
September 12, 2023

The High Cost and Impact of a Stuck Tubing Anchor Catcher in an Oil Well

Oil drilling is a complex and costly process, with numerous challenges and risks involved. One of the potential problems that can occur... View More