Improving Well-Work Efficiency and Mitigating Risk Exposure by Utilizing Digital Slickline in the Kuparuk River Unit, North Slope, Alaska

Abstract

With approximately 1,200 wells and 47 developed drill sites in the Kuparuk River unit (KRU), North Slope, Alaska, a variety of well intervention services are required to keep wells in safe operating condition. Historically, conventional slickline and electric line services have performed a large portion of the non-rig diagnostics and repairs. With slickline operations generally limited to mechanical interventions and electric line required for depth-critical logging operations, both services are commonly required to complete a given well-work program. Because the intervention units are a shared resource, and the well-work schedule is priority based, there are often delays between slickline operations and the electric line diagnostics that follow. Digital slickline services are being used in the KRU to improve overall well-work efficiency by completing intervention programs without the need for separate slickline and electric line services. Digital slickline services are being used to mechanically prepare wells for diagnostics, perform logging operations that would normally require electric line, and ready wells for repair without the need of additional service units. The enhancements linked to incorporating real-time surface readout data while performing mechanical interventions has reduced uncertainty and provided information for effective workover decisions. Using digital slickline technology has also mitigated risk exposure, as fewer crew hours are spent traveling and handling surface equipment. Examples of intervention work that have been completed with digital slickline services in the KRU include setting retrievable tubing patches, well integrity diagnostics and conventional slickline operations. The operations in the KRU have provided lessons learned and an understanding of the challenges associated with the technology.