Coiled-Tubing-Conveyed Perforating for High-Pressure/High-Temperature Environment in Mexico Marine

Abstract

fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractIn the Bay of Campeche, Mexico Marine operators have recently commenced the development of their high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) oil and gas fields in order to meet the high demand. These new developments present tough conditions for all aspects of well drilling and completion activities. They are particularly challenging for performing well intervention, which have driven operators, manufacturing and service companies to develop innovative strategies for servicing these fields.For HPHT well developments, electric line conveyed guns is the most common technique employed to perforate wells in the area, whether dynamic or static conditions. Nevertheless, coiled tubing (CT) deployed perforating has been recently employed as a reliable option in the following cases: • Electric line is not a technically suitable option due to the limited magnitude of under-balance at which it can safely operate. • Drag and buoyancy forces encountered in the wellbore are close to the operational limits of the cable. • Wellbore tortuosity, tubular restrictions and well configuration render electric line unable to access perforation target depth. Initially, this paper discusses the workflow for performing technical analysis to develop safe and economical CT conveyed perforating operations for HPHT wells in offshore Mexico, which considers CT string design, surface equipment, well control equipment and associated downhole tools. It then presents case histories and lessons learned. And finally, provides conclusions and recommendations from the experiences gained for performing HPHT CT deployed perforating activities in Mexico Marine.