Title : Implementation of tubing patch and straddle packer for rigless solutions
Abstract:
This paper examines a cost-effective approach for maintaining production while avoiding high workover expenses by utilizing tubing patch technology to address tubing leaks without rig interventions. Tubing patches offer a rigless repair solution, reducing operational costs and downtime significantly. The study highlights the technical application, associated risks, and economic benefits of the technology, as well as the importance of accurate candidate well selection for successful outcomes. The analysis focuses on six wells, a mix of oil producers and water injectors, identified as inactive yet crucial for meeting production targets. Selection criteria involved comprehensive logging techniques, such as noise and multi-finger caliper logs, to pinpoint leak locations accurately. Two tubing patch methods were tested: one applied via wireline and another using coiled tubing. Successful implementation restored well integrity, as confirmed by pressure and noise log evaluations, achieving a 30% cost reduction over five years. Particular attention was given to wells with Gas Lift Mandrels (GLMs), where depth accuracy and material compatibility were critical factors. The study explored various methods to ensure precise patch placement, including the use of casing collar logs and dissolvable plugs. The success of these patches, installed without rigs, not only avoided the expenses of traditional interventions but also reduced capital expenditure (CAPEX) by 20% and boosted daily oil production recovery. A standardized selection criteria matrix now guides well integrity management in identifying ideal candidates for tubing patch application. The approach proves especially valuable in reducing rig mobilization costs, shortening non-productive time, and extending well life cycles. The study also reveals that corrosion levels critically impact patch effectiveness, as observed with one of three evaluated wells failing due to severe tubing deterioration. In conclusion, tubing patch technology offers a viable rigless solution for managing SAP-A issues and enhancing well performance while minimizing costs. The findings underscore the operational and financial benefits of this approach, establishing it as a preferred alternative to conventional workovers for wells with tubing integrity issues. This technology promotes sustainable production, optimizes resource allocation, and provides a framework for well barrier assessments, contributing to the overall efficiency and profitability of oilfield operations. (about 250 - 500 words)
Audience Take away:
Cost-Effective Rigless Repair Solutions
- Takeaway: Learn about tubing patch technology as a viable alternative to traditional rig interventions, which are typically expensive and time-consuming.
- Application: Reduce operational expenses and non-productive time, enabling organizations to maintain productivity while managing costs effectively.
Well Selection and Candidate Analysis
- Takeaway: Understand the importance of selecting suitable wells for tubing patches, using detailed logging and analysis (e.g., noise logs and multi-finger caliper logs) to accurately identify leak points.
- Application: Improve tubing repair success rates by assessing well suitability, ensuring better planning and more efficient resource allocation.
Operational Challenges and Solutions for Complex Well Types
- Takeaway: Discover the challenges of applying tubing patches in complex wells (e.g., those with Gas Lift Mandrels or GLMs) and the solutions to overcome them.
- Application: Gain insights into depth correlation methods and patch placement techniques to make informed decisions, reducing risks and enhancing job design for improved outcomes.
Standardized Well Integrity Management and Selection Matrix
- Takeaway: Be introduced to a standardized selection matrix for well integrity management, which offers a clear framework for evaluating and prioritizing candidate wells.
- Application: Incorporate this standardized approach into well integrity protocols, streamlining decision-making and ensuring a consistent, data-driven selection process across teams and projects.
Impact of Corrosion on Repair Viability and Long-Term Performance
- Takeaway: Learn how corrosion affects the viability of tubing patch technology and when alternative solutions may be needed.
- Application: Factor corrosion levels into evaluations to make informed repair vs. replacement decisions, enhancing the longevity and productivity of wells.
