New Applications for 2 1/8" Well Tractor inside 5" Drill Pipe

Abstract

This paper describes the use of Well Tractor® technology to convey services for recovery of stuck drillpipe in circumstances where conventional methods were considered economically or technically unfeasible. In the first case, the drillpipe became stuck while running in and circulation was subsequently lost. After 100 jarring cycles were performed it was decided to attempt a fishing operation using the 2 1/8" Well Tractor enabling the retrieval of the radioactive logging source. The retrieval tool was deployed on Well Tractor, which enabled the radioactive source to be successfully recovered from the bottom hole assembly (BHA). The drillpipe was subsequently backed-off using Well Tractor to convey the explosives. In the second case, drilling losses to the formation were experienced and it was decided to pump lost circulation material. However, during pumping the drillpipe plugged up completely. At the same time flow was recorded on the annulus side and the drilling BOP annular preventer was closed with subsequent pressure build-up below. A 2 1/8" Well Tractor was successfully run inside the DP to first gauge and subsequently punch holes in the drillpipe to open for circulation, thereby allowing pumping of heavy mud and regaining well control. Introduction The number of horizontal and extended reach drilling (ERD) wells worldwide is dramatically increasing. Now it is possible to drill and complete ERD, long horizontal and designer wells with no greater difficulty than what was considered an acceptable risk level for vertical wells a few years ago. However, when the requirement for intervention in these types of wells become important, it has until recently been impossible to reach a target depth in the horizontal section of the well with normal wireline techniques, since the method relies on gravity to convey the tool and cable to its target depth. Traditionally, the only option for live well intervention has therefore been to employ coiled tubing or snubbing methods to reach into the horizontal section of an horizontal well. Today an alternative to these two methods is available. The necessary force to push a downhole wireline toolstring into the horizontal section of a well can be provided by using the Well Tractor. In many cases and particularly in wells with high well head pressure, coiled tubing and snubbing operations are impractical and involve a large amount of costly equipment, personnel and rigtime. In other cases it is logistically not possible to access the wellsite with a coiled tubing or snubbing unit due to physical constraints, as typically seen onboard a semi submersible or a small wellhead platform with limited deck space. The only method which easily can be adopted is often limited to wireline conveyed services. This fact combined with the relatively short lead-time for mobilization of the Well Tractor and associated equipment, makes it an ideal alternative for emergency mobilisations. Well Tractor was initially introduced to cover cased hole applications like PLT, perforation, cement bond logging etc. and has since moved into open hole operations and lately to drill pipe freepoint/back off operations (Figure 1.). Based upon Well Tractor's flexible hydraulic system, the technology is well suited for operation inside drill strings and completions with changing ID, e.g. drill pipe connections, x-overs, landing nipples, through patches, PBR's etc. So far, 5 operations in the North Sea have been carried out through drill pipe in conjunction with stuck pipe. The cost savings have been considerable, as the only viable alternative has been to cut the drill pipe several 1,000 ft above the depth to where the Well Tractor has conveyed tubing puncher and back-off services. This is especially applicable in wells where the circulation for one reason or another has been lost, preventing pumping down an explosive cutter or back-off bar on wireline.

One New Kind of Worming Pipe Robot

“…The new logging technique was raised by foreign oil companies in the last century 90's, and manufactured prototype was tested application in a special technology well logging. If this method has been successfully applied in the logging technique of special technology well it will play a transformational progress role [1][2][3][4][5] .…”

Enhancement of PLT Tool Reach in Horizontal Wells Using Advanced Wireline Tractor

“…Although, the E-line coiled tubing (CT) and wireline tractor tools are the most commonly used methods to deploy the logging tools in horizontal wells, there are still challenges for both oil companies and service providers, especially with extended reach horizontal wells and/or wells with open hole completion. Accordingly, an extensive joint endevor between both parties has resulted in introducing a new technique for utilizing wireline tractor technology that has a better ability to meet the logging requirements and objectives [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] . This paper reviews the successful introduction of an electro-hydraulic tractor with Logging while Tractoring (LwT) technology using the industry standard mono-conductor logging cable technology in Saudi Arabia for extended reach horizontal open hole wells.…”