Modern Wireline Forces Modeling Using High-Impact Supplementary Utilities

Abstract

With the increased popularity of long, deep and tortuous wells, mainly in high-cost operating environments, the risks associated with wireline logging operations and interventions in these modern complex wells have become more acute. Several risk-reduction technologies and forces-modeling software capable of simulating these operations have been developed and successfully applied. This paper describes several high-impact supplementary modeling utilities that have been implemented within a leading forces-modeling software that enable users to adequately plan and execute complex wireline operations. The utilities are designed to perform dedicated analyses using the project data already included in the wireline operation models. The following utilities are presented in this paper: Pump Down AnalysisCable Tension AnalysisFriction Coefficient AnalysisTool Depth Creep AnalysisStuck Pipe AnalysisStuck Wireline/Tool AnalysisTool Free Fall Analysis The effective use of these utilities significantly reduces the non-productive rig time associated with recovery operations and can assist with optimizing pump down operations, accurate positioning of downhole tools, as well as locating tool strings dropped in the well. Use of the utilities can also improve the accuracy of wireline downhole conveyance models while enhancing the ability to perform high-tension operations in a safe and efficient manner. The economic value resulting from the use of these applications is directly associated with the aggregate daily rig cost and the financial cost of the resulting deferred production volume during non-productive time, which together can be in excess of a million dollars a day. This paper provides descriptions and application examples of these supplementary wireline modeling utilities, the logic and calculations supporting them, and the resulting economic benefits they deliver.