Expandable Liner Hanger Resolves Sealing Problems and Improves Integrity in Liner Completion Scenarios

The expansion experiment of the expansion liner hanger is a one-time failure process, so in order to save cost, the finite element technology needs to be used to simulate the expansion experiment. Obtaining the mechanical parameters of the expansion liner hanger can effectively optimize the size of the expansion liner hanger structure and guide the expansion completion. Firstly, main structure and principle of expandable liner hanger were introduced. Secondly, mechanical equilibrium equations of the expandable process were established to obtain pressure of the expandable fluid, and pressure of the expandable fluid is obtained. Thirdly, finite element (FE) simulation mechanical model of the expansion of the Ø244.5 mm × Ø177.8 mm expandable liner hanger was established to analyze the hang mechanism and the change rule of mechanical parameters during the expansion. The FE results have shown that radial displacement and residual stress of the inner wall of hanger varied in 5 cycles, and the expansion ratio of the expandable tube was 7.4% during the expansion. The expansion force did not change stably but gradually increased in stages. And the hydraulic pressure required for the expandable cone to continuously move down was 18 MPa. According to the contact stress generated on five rubber cylinders and the contact stress generated on five metal collars, the total hang force has been calculated, which exceeds 1000 kN and meets the design requirements. Lastly, the expansion test results have shown that expansion pressure was 19 MPa, and the expansion rate was 7.1%. The mechanical analysis results of the expandable liner hanger were in good agreement with the experiment results in this study, which provide important mechanical parameters for well completion with expandable liner hanger.

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“…According to formulas (13)- (16), the total hang force of the expandable liner hanger is F � 1112 kN + 59.7 kN � 1171.7 kN.…”

Section: Hang Force Generated By Metal Convex Collarmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…e expandable liner hangers have been applied in more than 2,000 well-times overseas [16][17][18][19][20][21], which lower the potential down hole risk of the conventional liner hanger and the poor sealing quality of the overlapped section and improves the stability of the liner cementation system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Mechanical Numerical Simulation and Expansion Experiment of Expandable Liner Hanger in Oil and Gas Completion

Chen

Xiao

Zhong

et al. 2020

Shock and Vibration

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Failure Mechanisms of the Wellbore Mechanical Barrier Systems: Implications for Well Integrity

Ahmed

Salehi

2021

Journal of Energy Resources Technology

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Energy sustainability is the main motive behind the evolution of the concept of well integrity in the oil and gas industry. The concept of well integrity adopts technical, operational, environmental, organizational, and safety measurements to secure the energy supply throughout the life of the well. Technically, a high quality well performance can be maintained by establishing robust barrier systems that are responsible for preventing, controlling, and mitigating potential risks that could arise during the well life cycle. A barrier system is conventionally nested from one or multiple elements that acts individually or collectively to scaffold the well integrity. The protection layers in a wellbore can be lost if the integrity of the barrier system is compromised according to the failure of one or all of its elements. Failure can be triggered by technical or non-technical factors. In this study, technical aspects that drive barrier failure mechanisms have given more emphasis. The failure mechanisms of the key mechanical barrier systems such as casing strings, cement, diverters, blowout preventers (BOPs), production stream valves, and seal assemblies have been thoroughly investigated. In this study, a comprehensive review of barriers failure mechanisms has been conducted to identify the roots of failures and to outline some of the essential safety measures adopted to avoid the loss of well control. The major findings of this paper revealed that well barrier systems are highly susceptible to failure in unconventional reservoirs, deep, and ultra-deep offshore wells, and geothermal wells. The predominant failures identified are casing collapse resulting from cyclic loads, cement percolation by gas migration, cement carking by hoop stress, BOPs wear and tear promoted by frequent tests, and elastomeric materials disintegration caused by acidic gases. Considering these failure mechanisms while designing a wellbore can help the engineers improving the construction quality. In addition, it can assist the operation and maintenance crews in optimizing safe operation boundaries.

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First True Two-Stage Cement Treatment Using an Expandable Liner Hanger

Jaramillo

Jackson

2015

Day 3 Tue, December 08, 2015

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As wells increase in complexity, new challenges must be addressed in order to produce hydrocarbons in the best way possible. Some wells should be cemented in two stages because of the risks of fracturing the lower zone. Running a long casing string increases the equivalent circulating density (ECD) and also increases the chance of damaging that zone, so running a liner is the best option. Cementing liners in two stages has been performed with conventional liner hangers for some time because of their capability to run an inner string and their capacity for manipulation after the hanger is set. Now, new technologies allow those treatments to be completed with expandable liner hangers (ELH). The ELH provides a premium liner top seal (Williford, Smith, 2007) and excellent tensile capabilities. They also help to improve the cement bond by allowing the movement of the string while the cement is being pumped in place. ELHs have proven to be a reliable tool (Jimenez, C., et al., 2009), and every year their popularity increases tremendously. This paper discusses the first true two-stage cement job with an ELH performed in Kazakhstan. The use of the ELH helped the operator reach total depth (TD), cement the two zones without issues, and create a premium barrier at the top of the liner.

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Expandable Liner Hanger Resolves Sealing Problems and Improves Integrity in Liner Completion Scenarios

Cited by 3 publications

References 8 publications

Investigation of Mechanical Numerical Simulation and Expansion Experiment of Expandable Liner Hanger in Oil and Gas Completion

Investigation of Mechanical Numerical Simulation and Expansion Experiment of Expandable Liner Hanger in Oil and Gas Completion

Failure Mechanisms of the Wellbore Mechanical Barrier Systems: Implications for Well Integrity

First True Two-Stage Cement Treatment Using an Expandable Liner Hanger

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