Racking Back Pipe in Drilling & Well Completion

"Racking back" in drilling and well completion refers to the process of pulling back a string of pipe from the wellbore. "Racking back pipe" specifically refers to the pipe that is being pulled back.

This process is often used in a number of scenarios, including:

• Running casing: After drilling a section of well, casing pipe is run into the hole to provide support and prevent collapse. The casing is then cemented in place. During this process, the drilling pipe is racked back to make room for the casing string.
• Running production tubing: Once the well is completed, production tubing is installed to carry the produced hydrocarbons to the surface. Racking back pipe is necessary to remove the drilling pipe and make room for the tubing string.
• Retrieving tools: If tools or equipment are lost downhole, racking back pipe might be necessary to retrieve them.
• Troubleshooting: If problems are encountered during drilling or completion, racking back pipe may be required to investigate the issue and implement a solution.

The term "racking back" comes from the method used to pull the pipe back out of the well. Typically, a special rig with a "racking board" is used to lift the pipe and stack it on the board. This board is then rotated so that the pipe can be moved out of the way, making room for the new string of pipe.

In summary, racking back pipe is any pipe being pulled back from the wellbore during drilling and completion operations. This process is essential for various activities, including installing casing and tubing, retrieving lost tools, and troubleshooting problems.