‘’As wells become deeper, pay intervals longer and casing designs slim down to accommodate drilling margins, completion designs have evolved that are cost effective to meet the needs of the operators.
Single trip multi zone completion designs are the cornerstone to a $300,000,000 asset, adding tremendous value by cutting weeks off standard completion practices. However, the tremendous workstring weights can make it difficult to accurately manipulate frac service tools due to the closed ABOP effect masking interpretation of what is happening downhole while moving the workstring. Annulus pressure affect under the ABOP simply exacerbates the condition. Misinterpretation of the drag, whether at the ABOP or downhole must be differentiated to be successful. Legacy thinking has many believing they can still work effectively with an ABOP closed on the workstring as its been that way for many years, albeit with very different completion designs.
The Rigscope annular protector tool (APT) eliminates annular drag and is rated for full 10,000-psi annular working pressure and 15,000-psi internal pressure. Workstring weights can be calculated with extreme accuracy against well pressure to ensure the downhole tensile or compression limits are not exceeded while manipulating the service tool.
The APT has eliminated all NPT related to ABOP drag effects at Hess Stampede field. The workstring can be safely raised or lowered as required with high annulus pressures while actual weight indicator reading match the calculated loads based on pressure effects. The tool worked so well it allowed Hess to do the following.
- Shift tool from reverse to frac position with pressurized annulus due to formation being charged after the Mini-frac.
- Shift tool to reverse position after frac with 7,000-psi on the annulus. Not possible with conventional slick joints
- Strip in hole hundreds of feet after frac job in order to close lower circulation sleeve with a pressurized annulus. Not possible with conventional slick joints
- The one time a sticky service tool was encountered, there was no doubt it was the service tool and not the ABOP dragging. Operations continued with maximum allowable overpull at the service tool and it was subsequently safely freed.
Additionally, the APT can be used for standard operations as it will conventional frac operations
- Save the ABOP element from stripping damage, allowing a better chance for a successful stack hop to the next well if required simplify the frac tool movement to reverse. Tool can be sent out as a single pick up allowing quick insertion into the string
- The APT can be used for a reverse displacement allowing lower pump rates for rigs with less than adequate surface volume or filtration
The Rigscope annular protector tool (APT) eliminates annular drag and is rated for full 10,000-psi annular working pressure and 15,000-psi internal pressure. Workstring weights can be calculated with extreme accuracy against well pressure to ensure the downhole tensile or compression limits are not exceeded while manipulating the service tool.
The APT has eliminated all NPT related to ABOP drag effects at Hess Stampede field. The workstring can be safely raised or lowered as required with high annulus pressures while actual weight indicator reading match the calculated loads based on pressure effects. The tool worked so well it allowed Hess to do the following.
- Shift tool from reverse to frac position with pressurized annulus due to formation being charged after the Mini-frac.
- Shift tool to reverse position after frac with 7,000-psi on the annulus. Not possible with conventional slick joints
- Strip in hole hundreds of feet after frac job in order to close lower circulation sleeve with a pressurized annulus. Not possible with conventional slick joints
- The one time a sticky service tool was encountered, there was no doubt it was the service tool and not the ABOP dragging. Operations continued with maximum allowable overpull at the service tool and it was subsequently safely freed.
Additionally, the APT can be used for standard operations as it will conventional frac operations
- Save the ABOP element from stripping damage, allowing a better chance for a successful stack hop to the next well if required simplify the frac tool movement to reverse. Tool can be sent out as a single pick up allowing quick insertion into the string
- The APT can be used for a reverse displacement allowing lower pump rates for rigs with less than adequate surface volume or filtration
In summary, I recommend the APT anytime the workstring is required to be in a stripping operation. The tool pays for itself by allowing managed continuous rig operations no matter the annulus pressure and provides confidence for the service provider to manipulate the service tool at extreme depths effectively’’.
Ronnie Burger
Superintendent of Completions & Interventions
