Advancements in Remote Completion and Operation of Underwater Satellite Wells

Abstract

American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, Inc. This paper was prepared for the 43rd Annual Fall Meeting of the Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME, to be held in Houston, Tex., Sept. 29-Oct. 2, 1968. Permission to copy is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words. Illustrations may not be copied. The abstract should contain conspicuous acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper is presented. Publication elsewhere after publication in the JOURNAL paper is presented. Publication elsewhere after publication in the JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY or the SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS JOURNAL is usually granted upon request to the Editor of the appropriate journal provided agreement to give proper credit is made. provided agreement to give proper credit is made. Discussion of this paper is invited. Three copies of any discussion should be sent to the Society of Petroleum Engineers office. Such discussion may be presented at the above meeting and, with the paper, may be considered for publication in one of the two SPE magazines. Abstract Humble recently demonstrated an important advancement in subsea completion technology by remotely completing a satellite underwater well with pump-down tools. This was Industry's first known attempt to perform completion operations with the rig off location. Pump-down tools and techniques were used Pump-down tools and techniques were used to perforate and consolidate the producing sand at 10, 100 feet TVD. This pump-down completion along with onshore tests simulating other pump-down completion-workover operations demonstrates the capability to remotely perform virtually all through-tubing type well servicing operations necessary to complete and maintain satellite subsea wells. This technology, in addition to significantly lowering completion costs of subsea wells, will substantially reduce maintenance costs by eliminating the need for many vertical re-entry workovers. The subsea wellhead, tree and control system used for completion of this well and Humble's experience in operating underwater completions in the Gulf of Mexico are reviewed in this paper. Introduction Several significant advancements have recently been made in underwater completion technology. These advancements include both new and improved pump-down tools and well completion systems, as well as continued successful operating experience with underwater completions. They combine to greatly enhance the capabilities, economics, and application of the underwater completions, as well as overall confidence in the system. Specific advancements that have been made Humble are:The development of a complete suite of pump-down production maintenance an workover tools. The development of these tools has eliminated the need for expensive mobile rigs to perform most completion well servicing, and routine workover operations.The development of an unassisted diver connection system for tubing extensions.