Application of Coil Tubing in High Density Mud in Deep HPHT Well

Abstract

This paper highlights the design, planning, challenges, operational complications and successful execution of coil tubing application in active deep well in West Kuwait. The aim of coil tubing job is to clear the pipe from inside to recover the stuck pipe to eliminate the sidetrack in highly pressurized complicated Salt/Anhydrite sequence. In one of the West Kuwait wells, during drilling the well got a kick with high gain rate. During shutting in and at starting of killing the well, it was observed that the pipe & annulus were plugged. Pipe puncture job was carried out & the well was killed off bottom with 19.7 ppg mud. Throughout running in hole with the free point locator tool prior to back off job, the held up was observed at 12,490 ft i.e. 1,300 ft above the bit. It was then selected to clean inside drill pipe to avoid sidetracking. The well conditions presented challenges to the design and operation of coil tubing in this well. Challenging factors included: Use of high weight and yield strength, 15 ksi coil tubing, high mud density of 19.7 ppg, high pumping pressures, deep well, ID restriction 3 ½ in DP with 2 in ID, active well, deviated well of around 57 degrees. The coil tubing job design was critical for success of the operation. It included selection and analysis of coil tubing material, size, wall thickness; managing potential coil tubing burst and collapse pressures, calculation of coil tubing stretch, circulation pressure with high density mud, coil tubing force analysis, and wellbore solids removal with very minimum clearance & minimum pumping rate. Initial simulations with 1.5 in coil tubing showed that circulation pressures would go above the 15 ksi rating. It was then decided to switch to high pressure 1.75 in coil tubing with which simulation showed that pressures at the rotating joint would be at 8,000 psi, using a jetting nozzle. While lowering with jetting nozzle, held up was observed at overshot due to the deviation. After changing jetting nozzle with the 1 11/16 in kick off tool, the coil tubing was able to pass through the gelled mud with circulation. To keep under check, high circulating pressure with aid of hydraulics analysis, related to dynamic circulation rate to 0.2 bpm at 7,500 psi & static rate to 0.35 bpm with 8,500 psi. Resulting in successfully clearing the drill pipe from inside to 12,974 ft, below the observed settling of hard barite. Coil Tubing intervention with the restricted pipe diameter and heavy mud at high inclination well using a kick off tool was done for the first time in Kuwait. It achieved the purpose of cleaning the pipe to definite depth enabling back off operation below the jar & enhanced the chance of pipe recovery.