Drill String Sticking Prevention

Stuck pipe

During drilling operations, a pipe is considered stuck if it cannot be freed from the hole without damaging the pipe, and without exceeding the drilling rig’s maximum allowed hook load. Pipe sticking can be classified under two categories: differential pressure pipe sticking and mechanical pipe sticking.
Mechanical causes for stuck pipe include:

Keyseating
Packoff from poor hole-cleaning
Shale swelling
Wellbore collapse
Plastic-flowing formation (i.e., salt)
Bridging
Preventing stuck pipe can require close monitoring of early warning signs, such as:

Increases in torque and drag
Excessive cuttings loading
Tight spots while tripping
Loss of circulation while drilling .