Pushing the Limits of Tractor Technology to Rejuvenate Steam Injection Wells in Canada

Abstract

Using steam injection to produce wells has been a common practice in Canada for several decades. Steam injected into the well causes heavy oils to flow more freely, increasing or even enabling production. There are several methods for stimulating a well with steam. A common practice is to drill two horizontal wells on a vertical plane and inject steam into the top well. This promotes oil flow to the bottom well, where it can be produced. The horizontal wells can have extremely high temperatures. As wells age, it may be necessary to revisit the steam injection strategy. Cost efficiency plays a role in these wells; thus, wireline is a good operations candidate. However, performing wireline measurements and services, such as perforating, in these wells can be difficult due to the high temperatures and challenging environments, such as in horizontal wells. New tractor technology enables wireline tractors to go into uncharted territory. Several jobs have been performed at temperatures above 175°C, which is the temperature rating for standard industry tractors. In some jobs, temperatures above 210°C have been reported. Logging while tractoring can obtain a temperature baseline as the tools are run in hole. From these temperature logs, injection profiles can be obtained for optimization. Pushing the limits of tractor technology facilitates the optimization of steam injection wells. High-temperature tractoring and logging while tractoring provide critical information for changing the steam injection strategy of older wells. The ability to perforate at high temperature is also advantageous because the steam injection does not have to be shut down for very long, if at all. The result is increased production efficiency and reduced downtime. This paper will describe a tractor concept that has been used successfully in steam injection wells.