Benefits:

Reduced risk and cost associated with additional wireline trip to bring well on production.

Challenge:

One year of temporary abandonment

Solution:

PetroQuip’s innovative PASS Tool and APCV III for reliable remote operation

Details:

A Major Gulf of Mexico operator installed PetroQuip’s Pressure Actuated Sliding Sleeve or PASS™ Tool along with PetroQuip’s industry leading Annular Production Control Valve (APCV™ III) in the gravel pack completion of a single zone well. The PASS Tool is designed to replace the mechanical shifting sleeve typically installed to handle production after stimulation. A second mechanical sleeve was installed in the lower section of the screen assembly in order to take returns during the stimulation.

In this particular well, the system was run downhole and the well was stimulated as designed. Once the well was completed, a hurricane threatened the Gulf of Mexico operations, so the operator elected to remove the rig from location and return at a later date to bring on production. Prior to departing location, pressure was applied down the production tubing then bled off shearing the screws and leaving the PASS Tool ready for opening. The BHP on this well was low, so by design, the operator planned on using the Gas Lift system to lighten the hydrostatic pressure and actuate the tool.

The well was temporarily abandoned, and the rig departed location. The operator did not direct operations to gas lift the well to achieve the required underbalance for a period of 10 months.

There was some initial concern that after sitting in the well for this period of time, the functionality of the PASS Tool and APCV III could be affected due to asphaltene or paraffin build-up.

When directed, operations lightened the fluid column with the Gas Lift Mandrels and the PASS Tool and APCV III functioned as designed and the well came on production with no issues.

Since this well, this operator has deployed a number of PASS Tools and APCV III’s in order to mitigate risk and reduce cost. In all of the applications, the PASS Tool and APCV III have performed as designed. It is expected that this technology will be deployed in many future wells around the world.