2M Cut-and-Pull System

The 2M cut-and-pull system is a single-trip casing cutting system designed to simplify mechanical abandonment operations. It eliminates the need for a marine swivel and a long drill collar string and reduces workstring handling time because only one stand of 8-in drill collars is required to run above the cutting assembly. Once engaged, the 2M cut-and-pull system can retrieve the wellhead and casing section together or just the casing section. The system eliminates remachining for future service by catching wellheads and casing hangers in noncritical areas and avoiding seal bores.

Cut-and-pull assembly

The 2M cut-and-pull system comprises the 2M rotating spear, the hydraulic pipe cutter, and nonrotating stabilizers placed above and below the pipe cutter. Steps for the cut-and-pull operation include

• set up the appropriate spacing between the cutter and the spear to achieve target cut depth
• run into the wellhead
• ensure spear engagement with suitable overpull
• reduce overpull to keep the casing in tension during cutting
• rotate workstring and engage pumps to commence cutting.

The workstring can be removed easily from the wellhead at any time, and no overpull is required. A collet-type catcher is available for a full range of subsea wellheads that can recover wellheads and associated casing hangers undamaged by the abandonment process.

Deepwater application

This system is ideal for deepwater operations because weight does not have to be slacked off onto a marine swivel. This feature reduces the bowing effect in the workstring. The risk of fatigue failure is also minimized because the string stays straighter, eliminating rotating bending fatigue.