In the drilling world, things don’t always go according to plan. One such challenge is when the drill string strikes an obstruction — leading to stuck pipe, broken tools, or lost BHA components. This is when the rig team shifts focus from drilling to fishing operations — a high-stakes recovery process.
Fishing refers to retrieving equipment or debris (the “fish”) left in the wellbore. This can include drill pipe, BHA parts, wireline tools, or even metallic junk.
Common fishing tools include:
-Overshots & Spears – to latch onto the fish
-Junk baskets & magnets – for loose debris
-Washover pipes & mills – to clear or cut around the obstruction
Successful fishing demands a deep understanding of the well geometry, formation behavior, and tool capabilities. It’s both an art and a science.
Preventing strike or fishing incidents:
-Proper hole cleaning & circulation
-Monitoring torque, drag, and pressure trends
-Using stabilizers and good BHA design
-Avoiding overpull and sticking-prone formations
Steps in a Fishing Operation
- Identify the type, depth, and condition of the fish
- Run a free point indicator (to find where the pipe is stuck)
- Back off the pipe if needed (via explosive or mechanical means)
- Select proper fishing tool
- Run fishing BHA
- Engage and retrieve the fish
- Circulate and clean the hole
Contingencies if Fishing Fails
-Side-tracking: Drilling a new well path around the obstruction
-Cement plug and abandon: If the cost of fishing outweighs value
-Milling over: Cutting through or bypassing the fish.