Technical Unit

Unit No. TU 4579

September 29, 2010
Rev. G Page 1 of 5
Conventional Fishing- Internal/External Cutters

Multi-String Cutter
Product Family No. H17008

Table of Contents

Introduction .......................... 1 Surface Operation ............................. 4

Features/Benefits................. 2 Preparation and Testing .... 4 Run in hole .......................... 4
Description ........................... 3 Bottomhole Assembly .......... 4 Single cut From Fixed
Specification Guide .............. 3 Fixed Platform or Rig ........... 4 Platform or rig .................... 5
Floating Platform or Rig ....... 4 Single cut From a Floating
Platform ............................. 5

Introduction
The multi-string cutter is a hydraulically operated tool designed to cut single or multiple strings of casing.

This document is and contains unpublished, copyrighted and confidential information of Baker Hughes, and is revealed for limited purposes only. This document is the property
of Baker Hughes and is to be returned to Baker Hughes on request and may not be reproduced, used or disclosed to persons not having a need to know consistent with the
purpose of the document, without the written consent of Baker Hughes. This document is not rented, loaned or sold, either alone or in conjunction with equipment or product.
 9/29/10 Baker Hughes Incorporated.
 WARNING
Use of Baker Hughes equipment contrary to
manufacturer’s specifications may result in
property damage, serious injury or fatality.

Features/Benefits
• Variety of knives and cutters will cut complete range
of API casings
• Rugged design can withstand extreme shock loads
during cutting
• Knives can be easily changed at the rig floor
• Knives are dressed with carbide inserts,
SUPERLOY™, or METAL MUNCHER™ inserts
• Large piston area reduces amount of surface
pressure required to operate cutter
• Nozzles can be easily changed to accommodate
available flow rate
• Cutter can be set to cut single strings only
• Can cut both concentric and eccentric casing

Drawing No. 999-682

Unit No. TU 4579 This document is and contains unpublished, copyrighted and confidential information of Baker Hughes, and is
revealed for limited purposes only. This document is the property of Baker Hughes and is to be returned to Baker
September 29, 2010 Hughes on request and may not be reproduced, used or disclosed to persons not having a need to know consistent
with the purpose of the document, without the written consent of Baker Hughes. This document is not rented, loaned
Page 2 of 5 Rev. G or sold, either alone or in conjunction with equipment or product.  9/29/10 Baker Hughes Incorporated.
Description aration between the piston and the indicator. At this
point drilling fluid begins to flow freely through this sep-
All multi-string cutters have three knives. The knives aration which results in a reduced pressure differential
can cut through casing quickly and with little effort and which signals the operator that the knives have come to
are available in various lengths dependent on the re- the fully extended position. The multi-string cutter can
quired cut or cuts to be made. The knives are dressed be used in any cutting application where rotation and
with either SUPERLOY, METAL MUNCHER inserts, or pressure can be applied to the tool. In subsea applica-
in special applications, an integral shaped carbide tip tions, a marine swivel, universal wellhead retrieval sys-
(limited to cut through a single casing member). tem, or cut and pull spear are required. When
The multi-string cutter is hydraulically operated by performing casing repair or “cut and pull” operations for
drilling fluid pressure acting against a piston. The nec- a slot recovery, safeguards must be taken to assure the
essary pressure differential is established by the flow outer casing is not damaged. For this type operation,
rate of the drilling or workover fluid through the indicator the multi-string cutter may be ordered with spacer rings
nozzle. The nozzle size can be adjusted as necessary which modify the pressure drop point as related to knife
to produce a sufficient pressure differential depending extension position. Knife extension can also be me-
on the fluid pump flow rate available. Standard bit noz- chanically controlled by a stop ring which is installed be-
zle sizes are utilized for convenient interchangeability. low the piston head in the piston bore limiting the total
At sufficient pressure differential, the piston will move piston travel and thus the maximum knife extension.
against the compression spring and contact the knife The inside mechanical cutter (product family no.
heel moving the knives into cutting position. The contin- H17012) may be better suited for this type of single cut
ued movement of the piston forces the knives to pivot operation.
about the knife pins. The indicator contacts the indicator
stop and further movement of the piston causes a sep-

Specification Guide
Size - Body OD (in) 3-1/8" 3-3/4" 4-1/2" 5-1/2"
Material No. HT17008150 HT17008170 HT17008160 HT17008100 HT17008210
Design to cut
4" - 5-1/2" 4-1/2" - 6-5/8" 5-1/2" - 9-5/8" 7" - 13-3/8"
Casing Size (in.)
Top 2-3/8" 2-7/8" 2-7/8" 3-1/2"
Connection (in.) API Reg Box API Reg Box API IF Box 3-1/2" API Reg Box
Bottom 2-3/8" 2-7/8" 2-7/8" API Reg Box 3-1/2”
Connection (in.) API Reg Pin API Reg Pin API IF Pin API IF Box

Size - Body OD (in.) 5-3/4" 7-1/4" 8-1/4" 11-3/4" 16"

Material No. HT17008110 HT17008200 HT17008190 HT17008120 HT17008180 H170-081-601
Design To Cut
7" -13-3/8" 8-5/8" - 20" 9-5/8" - 30" 13-3/8" - 60" 18-42"
Casing Size (in.)
Top 3-1/2" 4-1/2"
Connection (in.) API IF Box X-Hole Box 6-5/8" 7-5/8"
Bottom 31/2" 3-1/2" 4-1/2" API Reg Box API Reg Box
Connection (in.) API IF Pin API Reg Box API Reg Box

This document is and contains unpublished, copyrighted and confidential information of Baker Hughes, and is Unit No. TU 4579
revealed for limited purposes only. This document is the property of Baker Hughes and is to be returned to Baker
Hughes on request and may not be reproduced, used or disclosed to persons not having a need to know consistent September 29, 2010
with the purpose of the document, without the written consent of Baker Hughes. This document is not rented, loaned
or sold, either alone or in conjunction with equipment or product.  9/29/10 Baker Hughes Incorporated. Rev. G Page 3 of 5
Surface used. When running the switch blade knives it is
Preparation and Testing necessary that this stabilizer be run. Proper stabi-
lization will give you optimum cutting times and
Prior to sending the multi-string cutter tool to a job knife wear. Drill collars should be run with any cut-
site, the cutter should be disassembled to assure the O- ting assembly as the mass of the drill collars supply
rings are in good condition and that the tool is properly the inertia needed for a smooth consistent rotation
dressed. Nozzle size should be checked to assure ade- of the work string. This procedure will prolong the
quate pump pressure can be applied to function the tool
usefulness and reduce the likelihood of vibration
(refer to “pressure drop and flow rate table”). Check the
knives to be sure the knives do not protrude beyond the
induced damage or failure of the knives.
cutter OD when in the closed position. If the sweep of Floating Platform or Rig
the knives is to be limited, assure that the piston stop
ring and/or the indicator spacer ring of proper size is in- Cutting from a floating platform or rig requires spe-
stalled (refer to charts; “spacer ring chart” and “knife cial attention to the effects of any wave activity on the
swing vs. stop ring chart”). The cutter should be tested cutter below. The cutter must be secured in a fixed ver-
prior to running into the hole. This can be accomplished tical position at the point of the cut to prevent motion
by make up of the tool to the top drive or kelly at surface. from hampering the cutting action of the knives. This
The pumps should be turned on slowly with close atten- can be achieved by the use of a marine swivel, a cut and
tion paid to the strokes per minute. Once the tool opens pull spear or the universal wellhead retrieving system
fully, note the strokes per minute required; this will be with the cutter spaced out at the correct distance from
the minimum strokes required to establish operational the wellhead or preventer. A slack joint or long stroke
flowrate to open the tool downhole. Knives should be bumper jar must be run above the marine swivel. A
secured in the “closed” (retracted) position prior to run- bumper jar should always be run below the cut and pull
ning in hole to prevent inadvertent extension and possi- spear and the universal wellhead retrieving system. The
ble damage. ring type space out assembly should be run to aid in the
location of the knives in cases where more than one
The easiest way to tie back the knives is to position size knife may have to be run. The cutter should be sta-
one [1] or two [2] small strands of rope between the bilized on top and bottom if possible and four bladed
knife and cutter body. To do this, lift the knife and place stabilizers should never be used. (refer to individual
the rope under the back side of the knife toward the units for details on the marine swivel, cut and pull spear,
knife pin, slowly lower the knife wedging the excess the universal wellhead retrieving system, and the ring
rope between the sides of the knife and the body of the type space out assembly).
cutter jabbing the knife in tightly. Small gauge seizing
wire or tape may also be used instead. Basic service procedures and operating recommen-
dations only are contained in this manual along with ref-
Bottomhole Assembly erence data necessary when assembling tool.

Fixed Platform or Rig Operation

The multi-string cutter is usually run on the bot- The multi-string cutter has several recommended
tom of the workstring. Additional tools may be run operating procedures depending on types of cuts and
below the cutter but there will be no positive circu- types of rigs or platforms. The bottomhole assembly
lation through the bottom of the cutter. It is impor- should be tailored for the specific operation and rig type
tant to use a stabilizer to facilitate a smoother cut per the following guidelines.
any time the cutter OD is more than .250" under Operation - Single cut from fixed platform or rig
the drift ID of the inner casing. This stabilizer Operation -Single cut from floating platform or rig.
should always be located immediately above the
cutter tool. It is also recommended a second stabi- Operation -Multiple cut from fixed platform or rig
lizer be run immediately below the tool for addition- Operation -Multiple cut from floating platform or rig.
al stabilization. Non-rotating stabilizers with five [5]
or more blades provide for the smoothest rotation Run in hole
(four [4] blade stabilizers should never be used).
For large size casings (30" - 60") the hydraulic sta- Run in hole at a moderate speed. It is important to
bilizer (product family No. H17230) should be avoid reverse circulation operations while the MS cutter
is in the BHA. While reverse circulation through the tool

Unit No. TU 4579 This document is and contains unpublished, copyrighted and confidential information of Baker Hughes, and is
revealed for limited purposes only. This document is the property of Baker Hughes and is to be returned to Baker
September 29, 2010 Hughes on request and may not be reproduced, used or disclosed to persons not having a need to know consistent
with the purpose of the document, without the written consent of Baker Hughes. This document is not rented, loaned
Page 4 of 5 Rev. G or sold, either alone or in conjunction with equipment or product.  9/29/10 Baker Hughes Incorporated.
is possible, damage to the piston, packing, and/or tool If the pipe to be cut is “thick wall” (3/4" +), it will help
body is likely, and will result in poor cutter performance to slack off a small amount (1/16") periodically. Do not
or tool failure. If during run in the knives should open up set weight down on knives as this will cause bending.
it may be possible to work the cutter past each casing
If knives confirm casing is cut and the cutter is to be
collar, depending on the depth it may be best to pull out
laid down, the connection between the top sub and the
of hole and better secure the knives in the closed posi-
body should be broken at the rig site and the knives
tion.
should be removed to avoid damage during transit. If
Once at the desired cutting depth, establish pickup possible the cutter should be disassembled so that the
weight, slack-off weight, rotating weight and free rotat- customer at the rig site can be made aware of any inter-
ing torque. The free torque should be established at the nal damages which occurred during the cutting opera-
recommended RPM from table. tion.
It will be faster to make the cut in the tube of the cas- Single cut From a Floating Platform
ing than in the collar. For internal seal couplings (such Operating Procedure
as VAM) it will not be possible to locate a coupling. For
non-internal seal casing couplings, the pumps may be Assemble proper cutting bottomhole assembly
started without rotation and brought up to the strokes (BHA) with the distance between the marine swivel and
per minute (SPM) flowrate established during surface cutter equivalent to the distance from the swivel landing
testing. Slowly slack off in the area of the cut to assure point to the desired cutting point. Refer to the “single cut
there is no casing coupling. Once established shut off operations running chart” to determine the proper knife
pumps. size, rotation speed and orifice pressure differential.

Single cut From Fixed Platform or rig Run the cutter into the hole and seat the swivel in
the wellhead or riser. Lower the string one-half of the
Operating Procedure
slack joint stroke. If using a cut and pull spear, 3000lb to
Refer to “single cut operations running chart” to de- 5000lb overpull should be applied with the compensa-
termine knife size, rotary speed, and orifice differential. tor. If running the universal wellhead retrieving system,
Dress tool as indicated. pull 50,000lb overstring weight with compensator. Free
torque should then be re-established. Excessive torque
Position cutter at depth cut is to be made, apply
may indicate that the bearing in the spear is not func-
pressure to the tool and check for coupling location.
tioning properly. The compensated overpull or set down
Slight pressurization forces the knives to contact the
weight may need to be adjusted or tools pulled and
casing ID. Raising or lowering the tool enables the
checked.
knives to slide up and down the casing. When the
knives enter a collar recess, a change in the weight in- Start the rotary and come to recommended rotation
dicator will be noted as the tool begins to support speed. Note free torque. Start pump and bring the circu-
weight. The tool may then be raised or lowered to avoid lation rate to that required to produce the recommended
making the cut at a casing coupling location. Determine pressure differential. Continue cutting at recommended
proper cutting depth and mark the Kelly joint and drill speed and pressure until the knives are extended (cir-
line for possible repositioning at a later time. culation pressure decreases) or the pipe is cut through.
When the cut is complete there will be a standpipe pres-
Start rotary and come to recommended speed as
sure loss. If the casing is free and in tension the loss will
noted on chart. Note free torque and zero the weight in-
be sudden, if the casing is stuck or in compression the
dicator. Start pump and bring the circulation rate to that
pressure decrease will be more gradual. When pres-
required to produce the recommended pressure differ-
sure loss occurs increase pump strokes slightly in an at-
ential. Continue cutting until the knives are extended
tempt to resume cutting torque. If cutting torque returns
(circulation pressure decreases) or the pipe is cut
it is possible a seal has failed causing the pressure loss.
through. When the cut is complete there will be a stand-
Continue cutting until cutting torque can no longer be
pipe pressure loss. If the casing is free and in tension
obtained.
the loss will be sudden, if the casing is stuck or in com-
pression the pressure decrease will be more gradual. If knives confirm casing is cut, and the cutter is to be
When pressure loss occurs increase the pump strokes laid down, the connection between the top sub and the
slightly in an attempt to resume cutting torque. If cutting body should be broken at the rig site and the knives
torque returns it is possible a seal has failed causing the should be removed to avoid damage during transit. If
pressure loss. Continue cutting until cutting torque can possible the cutter should be disassembled so that the
no longer be obtained. Generally the cutter will torque customer at the rig site can be made aware of any inter-
up when the pipe settles on the knives, or free up if the nal damages which occurred during the cutting opera-
pipe does not settle. tion.

This document is and contains unpublished, copyrighted and confidential information of Baker Hughes, and is Unit No. TU 4579
revealed for limited purposes only. This document is the property of Baker Hughes and is to be returned to Baker
Hughes on request and may not be reproduced, used or disclosed to persons not having a need to know consistent September 29, 2010
with the purpose of the document, without the written consent of Baker Hughes. This document is not rented, loaned
or sold, either alone or in conjunction with equipment or product.  9/29/10 Baker Hughes Incorporated. Rev. G Page 5 of 5