A longtime Houston executive, Ivor R. Ellul leads CiSK Ventures, Ltd. in providing advisory services to companies in the energy sector. With a background in pipeline and well engineering, Ivor R. Ellul is interested in developments in this area.
A Journal of Petroleum Technology article explored the case of a remote well with collapsed tubing off the Papua New Guinea coast and deployment of a wellbore repair tool solution. Collapsed tubing can happen when external pressure on the casing exceeds the pressure on the inside. This can be caused by seismic activity or operational issues such as a cement squeeze. As a result, casing and tubing can be damaged, restricting wellbore access and delaying drilling operations. Maintaining viable tubing is particularly critical as boosting the recovery of hydrocarbon from existing wells comes to the fore, and tubing lifespan is extended.
In the situation described, the casing collapsed within two meters of the surface, and thus swaging (forced metal shaping) operations were not viable. Instead, with further equipment damage a possibility, a nondestructive wellbore repair tool was employed. This involved using a hydraulic pressure-pumped drive unit that pushed in a cone, expanding the tubing, and reforming the collapsed section, with downward force.
This surface-controlled approach enabled expeditious reformation of the restriction at the site, with the tubular expanded successfully within a three-day period. As a result, the operator was able to resume wireline operations, with no additional intervention needed.
A Journal of Petroleum Technology article explored the case of a remote well with collapsed tubing off the Papua New Guinea coast and deployment of a wellbore repair tool solution. Collapsed tubing can happen when external pressure on the casing exceeds the pressure on the inside. This can be caused by seismic activity or operational issues such as a cement squeeze. As a result, casing and tubing can be damaged, restricting wellbore access and delaying drilling operations. Maintaining viable tubing is particularly critical as boosting the recovery of hydrocarbon from existing wells comes to the fore, and tubing lifespan is extended.
In the situation described, the casing collapsed within two meters of the surface, and thus swaging (forced metal shaping) operations were not viable. Instead, with further equipment damage a possibility, a nondestructive wellbore repair tool was employed. This involved using a hydraulic pressure-pumped drive unit that pushed in a cone, expanding the tubing, and reforming the collapsed section, with downward force.
This surface-controlled approach enabled expeditious reformation of the restriction at the site, with the tubular expanded successfully within a three-day period. As a result, the operator was able to resume wireline operations, with no additional intervention needed.