Methods and Processes to Help Improve the Operational Efficiency and Reliability of Wireline-Run Cement Plugs

This paper summarizes the strategies implemented in a mature oil field in Ecuador to revive its production by improving energy efficiency, increasing fluid production and incorporating proved reserves. Results are shown in terms of the field energy efficiency index, energy consumption on ESPs, oil production, annual production decrease tendency and reserves incorporation. The Choke Model philosophy was implemented as a strategy for field development optimization. This methodology allowed the operator to identify that the main chokes were the production wells and the power. By using divergent and convergent thinking techniques focused on these chokes, four main strategies were selected: reduce the pipe diameter size of a fluid line, artificial lift system energy assessment, reactivate closed wells and recomplete others. Complete description of the methodology is provided in detail to permit readers to analyze this successful case. The reduction of pipe size diameter of a fluid line increased the mobility of the fluid from the well pads to the plant, eliminated the recirculation of water and thus increase the energy efficiency indicator of fluid handling from 9,770 to 10,190 BFPD/HP. The energy assessment of the artificial lift systems identified the inefficient wells that were scheduled for ESP redesign and technology upgrade with an energy improvement of 30%. All these energy efficiency improvements lead to rise fluid production. Based on the possibility to increase fluid production, wells reactivations, ESP upsizing’s and recompletions were planned. The team used a screening process to optimize candidates, gaining 2,010 BOPD, in average, over the baseline production profile since September 2017 to December 2018. The activities performed and well interventions diminished the annual oil production decline rate from 14% to 8%, allowed the operator to incorporate 4.8 MBBLS of proved reserves in 2018 and generate 7.6 MUSD of free cash flow in the same year. All the strategies were successfully achieved, and they accomplished the objectives of reviving a mature field, extending its life and generating value for the operator. None of the previous were possible without rethinking energy sustainability and reservoir management. The novelty of this work is the multidisciplinary approach and innovation methodology implemented to provide solutions to operational field chokes by identifying feasible projects in terms of technique, time and economics.

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Digital Slickline: Case Studies Using an Electro-Mechanical Setting Tool and Downhole Anchor Tool

Heaney

Mlcak

2020

Day 2 Tue, October 27, 2020

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Digital slickline (DSL) using radio frequency (RF) communications for on-command surface controlled explosive trigger tools has been available for years (Heaney et al. 2018). Unfortunately, the non-explosive electro-mechanical downhole power unit (DPU) setting tool could only run in timer mode, and all key performance indicators (KPI), including motor current & voltage, force and rod position were only available in the tool’s memory. The expansion of DSL services led to the development of a powered mechanical platform, and the primary tool upgraded was the DPU to an elite downhole power unit (EDPU). This enhancement allows for on-command surface control and real-time KPI sensor data that was formerly only in the tools memory. Also available are the real-time DSL data, including; casing collar locator (CCL), pressure, temperature, inclination, relative bearing, axial & radial vibration, and battery voltage & current that helps corroborate a successful plug set. Case histories presented will show how all the surface readout (SRO) data provide conclusive confirmation in-situ that the barriers set as planned, and provide a repeatable signature of a mechanical plug set. We will also show examples of plugs that exhibit the expected digital signature but did not pass a mechanical integrity test to confirm adequate isolation. Additional tools in the powered mechanical toolbox include an on-command release tool (ESRT) and a downhole anchor tool (EDAT). All devices can be run in combination if required, and each apparatus has a unique address with individual surface commands. The EDAT & EDPU combination expand intervention services with an extremely high push & pull force, which allows for pulling of subsea crown plugs, heavy-duty fishing, pulling retrievable plugs and many other applications. The EDAT can be set up to run in industry-standard 3 ½, 4 ½, 5 ½, and 7inch pipe sizes and can be modified to allow pulling of oversized crown plugs those outside diameters (OD) are more significant than the dimensions of 7inch pipe.

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Methods and Processes to Help Improve the Operational Efficiency and Reliability of Wireline-Run Cement Plugs

Cited by 3 publications

References 7 publications

Fluid experiments on the dump bailing method in the plug and abandonment of oil and gas wells

Fluid experiments on the dump bailing method in the plug and abandonment of oil and gas wells

Reviving a Mature Field in Ecuador by Rethinking Energy Sustainability and Reservoir Management

Digital Slickline: Case Studies Using an Electro-Mechanical Setting Tool and Downhole Anchor Tool

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