Interim Project Report
Interim Project Report
Interim Project Report
ON
THE DESIGN OF PACKERS
Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad
Session : 2012-13
Department of Petroleum Engineering
SUBMITTED TO :
Dr S.Laik
Professor
Department of Petroleum Engineering
ISM DHANBAD
SUBMITTED BY:-
MUKESH KUMAR
2009 JE 0832
VIIth Semester,
B.Tech, Petroleum Engg.
ISM Dhanbad
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I express my heartfelt gratitude to Prof. S.Laik Sir for giving me opportunity to
work on such a wonderful project that has given me an opportunity to learn so
many new things.
I thank the department of Petroleum engineering, ISM Dhanbad for introducing
project in main course and providing different kind of supports which was vital
for the work.
I am also indebted by the help and efforts given by my project team members :
Piyush Namdeo, 2
nd
year, B.Tech Petroleum Engineering and
Manthan Marvaniya, 3
rd
year, B.Tech Petroleum engineering for their efforts
and support without which this project would have not materialised.
Finally, my thanks to all those who helped me in the work directly or indirectly
through advices, suggestions etc.
MUKESH KUMAR
Admn. No. : 2009 JE 0832
Sign:
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CONTENT
Introduction
Packer Cutaway Diagram
Types and selection of packers
Material selection of Packer
Innovative through-tubing cement packer technique
References
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INTRODUCTION
A packer is a tool used to form an annular seal between two concentric strings
of pipe or between the pipe and the wall of the open hole. It is usually set just
above the producing zone to isolate the producing interval from the casing
annulus or from producing zones elsewhere in the wellbore. It separates fluid
types and protects against pressures and corrosion.
Why Packers are run?
To provide an effective isolation of the casing tubing annulus from
the produced fluids for safety purposes, thus limiting well control
to the tubing at surface.
To isolate the casing from corrosive fluids and/or high pressure.
To stabilize and control flow from pay zones.
In conjunction with an artificial lift system (isolation and control),
in gas lift, Jet Pumps.
To selectively produce multiple zones (isolation)
To make selective stimulation feasible.
To make wire line and down hole operations possible.
To hold annular well killing fluid.
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Packer Cutaway Diagram
As the packer sets, the inner mandrel moves up, driving the cone underneath the
slips, pushing them into the casing wall. The sealing element is compressed &
extruded to the casing wall.
Fig 1 : Different parts of a packer assembly
Ability to effectively set a packer depends on having a clean, non corroded set
point and reaching the set point without fouling the slips or failing other
components. As the packer sets, the inner mandrel moves up, driving the cone
underneath the slips, pushing them into the casing wall. The sealing element is
compressed & extruded to the casing wall.
Lock Ring and Mandrel
Slips
Cone
Seal
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Two examples of typical packer system:
1. An external casing packer (ECP) set to seal the annulus between the surface
or protection string and the inner, production string
2. A conventional packer set near the end of the tubing that isolates the inner
annulus from the tubing.
(Refer the following figure)
Fig 2 : Two examples of Packer System
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PACKER SELECTION PARAMETERS
Selection of one type in preference to another for a given application should be
based on:
designing for those parameters critical to the successful
performance of this equipment in that completion
select the conditions dictated by each individual situation.
General Considerations in Packer Selection
Packer selection involves an analysis of packer objectives in anticipated well
operations, such as initial completions, production, stimulation, and work over
procedures. The packer with the minimum overall cost that will accomplish the
objective, considering both current and future well conditions, should be
selected.
Initial investment and installation costs should not be the only criterion. Overall
packer cost is directly related to retrievability and failure rate and to such
diverse factors as formation damage during subsequent well operations.
Retrievability will be greatly enhanced by utilizing oil or saltwater rather than
mud for the packer fluid. Frequency of packer failures may be minimized by
utilizing the proper packer for the well condition and by anticipating future
conditions when setting the packer. The permanent packer is by far the most
reliable and, properly equipped and set, is excellent for the high pressure
differentials imposed during stimulation, or when reservoir pressures vary
significantly between zones in multi completions. Weight-set and tension types
of retrievable packers will perform satisfactorily when the force on the packer is
in one direction only and is not excessive.
Purchase Price
The most economical types are weight-set and tension packers. However,
inclusion of a hydraulic hold-down with a weight-set packer will increase the
initial cost 20 to 100%. Multi-string hydraulic- set packers are usually the most
expensive and also require many accessories.
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Packer Mechanics
The end result of most packer setting mechanisms is to
( 1 ) drive a cone behind a tapered slip to force the slip into the casing wall and
prevent packer movement, and
(2) compress a packing element to affect a seal.
Although the end result is relatively simple, the means of accomplishing it and
subsequent packer retrieval varies markedly between the several types of
packers . Some packers involve two or more round trips, some wire line time
and some eliminate trips by hydraulic setting . The time cost should be
examined carefully, especially on deep wells using high cost rigs. In some cases
higher first cost of the packer may be more than offset by saving in rig time,
especially on high cost offshore rigs.
Sealing-element
The ability of a seal to hold differential pressure is a function of the rubber
pressure or stress developed in the seal, i.e., the stress must exceed the
differential pressure. In a packer sealing element, the stress developed depends
on the packer setting force, and the back-up provided to limit extrusion. The
sealing element may consist of one piece or may be composed of multiple
elements of different hardness. In a three-element packer, the upper and
lowermost elements are usually harder than the centre element.
Corrosive\WellkFluids
Materials used in packer construction must be considered where well fluids
contain CO2 or H2S in the presence of water. Sweet corrosion: CO2 and water
cause iron carbonate corrosion, resulting in deep pitting. Depending on
economics , corrosion inhibitors may be required to protect exposed surfaces .
Critical parts of production equipment can be made of stainless steel with 1 2%
or higher chromium. For critical parts where high strength is required K-Monel
is resistant to both embrittlement and iron sulfide corrosion. Bimetallic or
galvanic corrosion resulting from contact of dissimilar metals should be
considered. Usually this is not a problem, however, since steel is the anode or
sacrificial member, and resulting damage is negligible due to the massive area
of the steel compared to the more noble stainless or K-Monel.
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Retrievability
It is a combination of several factors , related to packer design and packer use.
Retrievable packers are released by either straight pull or by rotation . In
deviated holes, torque usually develops more down hole releasing force than
pull, although sometimes it is necessary to manipulate the tubing to transmit the
torque to bottom. The packer sealing element should prevent solids from
settling around the slips. Usually the bypass opens before the seal is released, to
permit circulation to remove sand or foreign material. High setting force is
needed to provide a reliable seal under high differential pressures, but it should
be recognized that seal extrusion can contribute to the retrieval problem. A jar
stroke between release and pickup positions is an aid in packer removal. The
method of retaining slip segments is a factor in retrievability. Bypass area is
also important. Where external clearance is minimized to promote sealing,
internal bypass area must be sufficient to prevent swabbing off the sealing
element in pulling out of the
hole.
FishingllCharacteristics
A permanent packer must be drilled out to effect removal. This usually presents
little problem because all material is drillable. Recent expensive variations of
permanent packers provide for retrieval but retain the removable seal tube
feature. Removal of stuck retrievable packers usually results in an expensive
fishing operation because components are non-drillable. In comparing packers
consider the volume of metal that must be removed and the presence of rings or
hold-down buttons that may act as ball bearings to milling tools.
Through-TubingkOperations
Packers with internal diameters equal to that of the tubing should be utilized to
facilitate through tubing operations . Also tubing should be set so as to
minimize buckling where through-tubing operations are anticipated.
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Types and selection of Packers
Retrievable Packers
These are expected to be retrieved and are more prone to leaks. They need an
equalizing port. Retrievable packers are preferred for applications where:
Completion life is relatively short
Wellbore conditions are non-hostile like temperature, pressure, H2S
Setting depth shallow to medium
Low to moderate differential pressures
Straight wellbore or moderate deviation
Multiple zones are to be produced
Weight-set Packers
The weight-set packer is economical and ideally suited to low pressure
situations where the annulus pressure above the packer always exceeds the
tubing pressure below the packer. A hydraulic hold down is often included
where pressure differentials from both directions are anticipated. Weight-set
packers employ a slip and cone arrangement with the slips attached to a friction
device such as drag springs or drag blocks.
The friction device engages the casing and holds the slips stationary with
respect to the remainder of the packer. A " 1" slot device permits vertical
movement of the tubing and causes the cone to move behind the slips and
anchor the packer in the casing. Tubing weight is then applied to expand the
packing element. Frictional drag limits tubing weight and thus the setting force
that can be applied. Release is affected by picking up tubing weight to pull the
cone from behind the slips.
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Tension-set Packers
Tension packers are essentially weight-set packers run upside down and set by
pulling tension on the tubing. After a tension packer is set, a differential
pressure from below increases the setting force on the packer and holds it in
place automatically. This feature renders the tension packer particularly suitable
for water injection wells or stimulation work. Tension packers are frequently
used in shallow wells where insufficient tubing weight is available to seal a
weight-set packer. Being short and compact, they require a minimum of space
for setting and little maintenance. Temperature should be taken into account in
determining the initial setting force on the packer; injection or production of hot
fluids can cause the tubing to elongate and release the packer.
Mechanical-set Packers-
Tubing rotation plays a major role in setting and retrieving mechanical-set
packers . Tubing rotation may either ( 1 ) simultaneously set the seals and slips
in one continuous motion with a screw-thread and cone arrangement which
forces the cones behind the slips and compresses the seals or (2) release the
inner mandrel or allow tubing weight to drive the cones behind the slips and
compress the sealing element. These packers generally incorporate a non-
directional slip system which prevents movement from either direction thus
eliminating the necessity for a hydraulic hold down. After the packer is set,
tension may be applied to the tubing to reduce buckling and thus to facilitate
passage of through-tubing tools. Release is affected by right hand pipe rotation .
The necessity to release the packer by rotating the tubing is the principal
disadvantage of mechanical-set packers; the screw-thread may be inoperative
after extended periods of time, or solids settling on top of the packer may make
it impossible to rotate the tubing.
Hydraulic-set Packers
Hydraulic-set packers utilize fluid pressure acting on a piston-cylinder
arrangement to drive the cone behind the slips. The packer remains set by a
pressure actuated mechanical lock. Release is accomplished by picking up the
weight of the tubing string. A hydraulic hold-down is required because the slips
are unidirectional. Multi-string hydraulic packers are set and retrieved by
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essentially the same process. A primary use of hydraulic-set packers is in multi-
string conventional wells.
Principal advantages are:
( 1 ) The tubing can be landed, Christmas tree installed, and well circulated with
a light fluid or gas before setting the packer to initiate production without
swabbing,
(2) All strings can be landed in tension to enhance the passage of wire line tools
and concentric tubing,
(3) since tubing motion is not required, all strings in a multiple completion may
be run and landed simultaneously with multiple slips and elevators before
setting the packers, and
(4) High setting force can be applied to hold large differential pressures.
Despite their advantages, the expense of hydraulic-set packers limits their use to
situations where other packers are not applicable, such as in dual, triple, and
quadruple-string completions, deviated holes, or ocean floor completions.
Hydraulic Expansion Seal Packers
A version of the hydraulic-set principle is utilized to affect a seal in open hole in
this packer. An inflatable rubber element packer is employed to shut off bottom
water and isolate high gas-oil ratio zones. Including an entry sub above the
packer permits fluid production from above the packer only. The packer is
available with several different length seals. Selecting a long sealing element
and setting the packer in a relatively gauge portion of the hole will increase the
chances of obtaining an effective barrier. Due to the large diametric expansion
the inflatable packer also has application inside casing where it may be
necessary to set a packer below an obstruction.
Permanent Packers
Permanent packers utilize opposed slips with a compressible sealing element
between the slips .They may be run on tubing or electric conductor cable. Wire
line setting is a valuable asset where precise packer location is necessary. Since
the tubing may be run separately from the packer, trip time is faster and
replacement of the packing in the seal nipples is the only dressing required. The
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metallic back-up ring for the sealing element and the opposed-slip principle of
this type packer is outstanding in applications involving high pressure
differentials. Downward movement of the tubing is impeded by either a locator
or anchor sub. The anchor type permits the tubing to be latched into the packer,
thus avoiding contraction. Right-hand rotation releases the anchor assembly
from the packer.
Accessories are available to convert the packer to a temporary bridge plug to
test, squeeze cement, or fracture above the packer.
To set the packer by wire line methods, a setting tool and collar locator are
attached to the packer and the entire assembly is run to the desired setting depth.
An electrically detonated powder charge builds up gas pressure that is
transmitted hydraulically through a piston arrangement to mechanical forces
which set the packer. A release stud then shears and the setting tool are
retrieved from the well. Seal nipples to pack off in the bore of the packer are run
on the tubing. A combination of right-hand pipe rotation, tension, and weight is
utilized to set the packer on tubing.. .
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CEMENT PACKERS
In this technique, tubing is cemented inside the conventional casing. Cement is
circulated into the tubing-casing annulus just as in cementing tubing in the open
hole for tubingless wells The cement packer replaces the conventional packer
by sealing against vertical flow in the tubing-casing annulus .
The technique has these advantages:
1. Isolating leaking squeezed perforations and casing failures without remedial
squeeze cementing.
2. Avoiding setting liners during deepening operations.
3. Minimizing the need for wire line completion equipment in multiple wells.
4. Eliminating communication repair jobs due to tubing and packer leaks.
5. Permitting application of tubingless completion techniques during future
servicing and workovers.
APPLICATIONS OF CEMENT PACKERS:
Fig. Application of cement packers for deepening
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Fig. Application of cement packers for dual completion
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MATERIAL SELECTION OF PACKERS
STEEL SELECTION
All metal parts heat- treated to a maximum hardness of 22 RC, subjected to a
tensile load conform to NACE standard MR-01- 75 for H
2
S service. Differential
pressure should not exceed 10,000 psi.
Alloy steel heat- treated to a maximum hardness of 36 RC. For pressure
differentials not exceeding 15,000 psi.
SEAL SELECTION
Standard seal stack
Standard Seal Sacks are made up of Nitrile chevron seals and steel spacer rings.
It is suitable for normal service and not exceeding 325 degree F This type of
seal stacks are not recommended low temperature gas wells (less than 120
degree F) The seal stack should not be allowed to leave seal bore in service.
V-RI TE SEAL STACK
V-Rite-Seal Stacks are made up of Viton chevron seals with Teflon and Ryton
back-up rings, and Ryton front up rings. These types of seal stacks are suitable
for any well fluids except amine based inhibitors. These seals have been tested
at 400 degree F, with 10,000 psi differential under dynamic conditions and
15,000 psi under static conditions. Should not be allowed to leave seal bore in
service.
BONDED SEAL STACK
Two nitrile or viton seals are bonded to each metal insert with an inner O-Ring
and these inserts are separated by spacer. This type of seal stacks are used
where seal movement out of the seal bore cannot be prevented. Nitrile seal units
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are suitable for normal service and up to a temperature of 350 degree F. Viton
seal units are suitable for sour service, in all well fluids except amine based
inhibitors, and up to a temperature of 250 degree F.
K-RYTE SEAL STACK
A Baker Packer development consists of Kalrez chevron seals, backed-up by
Teflon and Ryton back-up rings, and Ryton front-up rings. This type of seal
stack resists the effect of H2S, CO2, amine inhibitors and highly corrosive
treatment fluids. Baker has tested these seals at 450 degree F and 15,000 psi
differential under static conditions and 500 degree F and 10,000 psi differential
under dynamic conditions, Seal movement should be kept to a minimum and
seal should never leave the seal bore.
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Innovative Through-Tubing Cement Packer Technique
Workover vs. Cement Packer
Reserves with marginal production potential are often bypassed during the early
stages of reservoir development. Reevaluations of well logging data have
resulted in finding potential reserves located above the shallowest packer that
were not previously considered in completion strategies during drilling and
completion of the wells. Therefore, an additional workover or well service job is
then required to access/drain these reserves.
A conventional workover job would require pulling out existing
completions, perforating and running a new completion with a production
packer set above the new zones. This would require a rig or light-pulling unit.
Meanwhile, well service jobs only require coiled tubing that can be done by
using a boat or jack up barge, which is in our case (offshore operations) much
less expensive than a rig. As a result, the well service jobs are chosen. Isolation
of potential zones is accomplished by cementing in the annulus tubing-casing
above the production packer. The cement above the zones replaces or acts as a
production packer.
In the petroleum industry, a cement packer is a not a new technique. Some
operators have used this technique to recover zones above production packers
without pulling out completion strings. However, the applied technique so far
that they must abandon the lower completion or they have to drill out cement in
order to re-gain access into lower completion. A novel technique of cement
packer has been successfully developed in OWJ field to place cement in annulus
tubing-casing while maintaining access into lower completion without need to
drill out the cement. This novel technique is relatively simple and a cost
efficient compare to previous technique or conventional workover.
The advantages of cement packer technique compare to conventional
workover are:
Rigless operation
A cement packer job can be done with coiled tubing or could be done with a
pumping unit in a boat only. Especially on platforms where jack up rigs
cannot move in due to obstacles such as: pipelines, spud can holes, etc, this
technique offers an alternative solution to recover zones above the
production packer.
Inexpensive
In our experience, the average costs cement packer workovers are only 20%-
60% of a conventional workover costs. This means zones with marginal
reserves can be accessed economically.
Minimized Production Deferment.
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Simultaneous operation practices in OWJ require shutting in the platform
during rig move-in/out. The impact of deferring production can be
significant on platforms that have high production rates. Well interventions
using coiled tubing off of a lift boat or a boat do not necessarily require
shutting in the platform.
Still allows access into the lower completion
For single completions, conventional workovers still might allow well
interventions to access lower completions if the new completions can
latch/sting onto lower/old completions properly. But in dual completion
cases, it is almost impossible to gain access into lower completions on both
strings anymore once it has been worked over because no technique to re-
sting/latch the new completions onto both old/existing completions. The
cement packer technique makes wireline/coiled tubing intervention into
lower completion on both strings still possible to perform as no need to
change out the completion.
No need to wait the well achieves economic limits for recovering the zones.
Workovers to recover the zones above the first packer are usually done only
when the well had achieved its economic limit rate. In dual completions,
where one string is still produced, a workover risk sacrificing the other
string. The cement packer technique allows us to recover new zones without
sacrificing the other string since there is no need to pull out the completion
string.
The disadvantages of this technique are: less gun penetration (tubing-cement-
casing-cement-formation must be penetrated), and workover/sidetracking below
the packer is difficult to carry out once the packer has been covered with
cement.
Screening
The first step in selecting a candidate for this cement packer recompletion
technique is proper screening. Without proper screening, problems can occur
during the cement packer operation that can negatively affect well performance.
Wellbore Configuration
The wellbore should allow abandonment of the existing completion without
interfering with other completed or target zones. Typically, candidate wells are
single completions. Another requirement is that circulation must be possible up
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the annulus between the production tubing and casing. Reasonable cement bond
should exist behind the casing on either side of the zone of interest.
Future Wellbore Use
Before performing a cement packer recompletion, a review of the future use of
the wellbore must be completed. In most cases, this requires knowledge of the
depletion plan for an area or field. No future work requiring removal of the
tubing below the cement packer location should be planned.
Well Status
Ideal candidate wells are shutin wells, wells that produce at or below their
economic limit, or wells that produce at a very high water cut. Recent
completions and idle wells in which the tubulars have been properly protected
also are good candidates. In addition, the wellbore should have tubing integrity
above the existing permanent packer.
Operational Process
Preliminary Work
To verify wellbore conditions, slick line is used to check the tubing inside
diameter (ID) and prepare the well to be pressure tested. Gauge runs of various
sizes are made. Gas lift valves or orifices installed in the tubing string should be
replaced with dummy valves. A retrievable plug is set deep in the tubing
(typically below the existing packer, but above the existing completion). The
tubing is tested against the plug to confirm tubing integrity. A check also should
be made to verify that all surface control valves are functioning properly. The
final step in the preliminary work process is to run a static-temperature/-
pressure survey. This information will be used to help determine the cement
slurry specifications.
Abandoning an Existing Completion
Electric line is used to set a mechanical plug above the existing completion;
cement is then placed on top of the plug using a dump bailer. Depending on the
location of the targeted interval, the mechanical plug can be set in the casing
below the tubing or in the tubing. Two types of mechanical plugs are used to set
in the casing below the tubing: an inflatable-type plug and a compression-type
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plug. Both plugs are sufficiently small to pass through the tubing and expand to
the ID of the casing. Several options are available for plugs set in the tubing.
One option is to run a tubing bridge plug and set it at the desired location. A
second option is to set a plug in a deep nipple profile above the existing
completion and below the zone of interest. Cement should be placed on top of
the plug to form a secondary barrier and improve the pressure differential across
the plug. The cement slurry should be designed to allow sufficient time to mix
and run to the desired dumping depth. Only the cement required for one bailer
run should be mixed at a time. To simplify the mixing process and maintain
consistency between the cement slurries for each bailer run, the cement and
additives should be premeasured into kits. Each kit should consist of the
volume of cement and additives necessary for one bailer run. The cement is
placed on top of the plug using a dump bailer. Once the cement is set, the plug
is pressure tested to the maximum anticipated surface pressure.
Tubing Punches
After abandoning the existing perforations, the tubing is perforated using a
tubing puncher gun. The puncher gun will penetrate the tubing but not the
casing. The tubing punches will be used to circulate the cement packer into the
annulus. Ideally, the tubing punches should be located below the recompletion
zone.
Cement Packer Placement
Before pumping the cement packer, an acid tubing wash should be performed
to eliminate any contaminants on the tubing wall that may cause the cement to
set up prematurely. The tubing wash should be circulated down the tubing to the
tubing punches while taking returns up the tubing/casing annulus. Normally, an
acid soak time also is included as a part of the tubing wash to help remove as
many contaminants as possible. The cement packer volume should provide a
minimum of 400 ft of cement packer thickness in the tubing/casing annulus.
This thickness is based on a 100-ft plug with 50 ft of contaminated cement on
both sides using a safety factor of 2. All the cement packers pumped using this
technique, with a thickness within this range, have been successfully tested to at
least a 2,500-psi differential. The cement slurry should be placed a minimum of
100 ft above the tubing punches in the tubing/casing annulus to account for any
discrepancies in volume during pumping the cement packer. The maximum
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observed discrepancy in cement packer placement has been approximately 50 ft.
Before pumping the cement slurry, the well should be circulated with 1 to 2
tubing and tubing/casing annulus volumes. The wellbore circulation can be
performed while batch mixing the cement if all the necessary pumping
equipment is available. A tubing movement calculation should be performed to
analyze the tubing stress for all future wellbore conditions. Immediately before
pumping the cement slurry, all the wing and header valves should be closed.
The swab valve, master valves, and return line from the tubing/casing annulus
should be opened. The cement slurry should be displaced at a rate sufficient to
maintain turbulent flow in both the tubing and tubing/casing annulus. To
minimize contamination, the cement slurry should have a 10-bbl fresh-water
spacer before and after the cement slurry. Once the cement slurry reaches the
tubing punches a noticeable increase in treating pressure will be observed.
When all the cement has exited the tubing punches, a drop in the treating
pressure will be observed. When this pressure drop occurs, the tubing/casing
annular volume necessary to place the bottom of the cement packer at the
desired location in the tubing/casing annulus should be pumped. Immediately
after placing the slurry at the desired location, all valves on the wellhead should
be closed. Closing the valves prevents movement of the cement packer. Once
the cement has set up, slick line gauge runs should be made to verify there are
no restrictions in the tubing. A temperature survey also should be run to verify
the location and quality of the cement packer. Finally, the cement packer should
be pressure tested. Test pressure should be equivalent to the maximum expected
differential from gas lift, stimulation, or production.
Cement Packer Procedure
A guideline procedure for cement packer has been established as a best practice
for this technique. The procedure is as follows:
1. Perform tubing integrity test.
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Plug should be installed at the tubing profile below the production packer for
tubing integrity test purposes. For gas lift wells, all GLV valves should be
dummied-off.
2. Punch a hole in the tubing close to the production packer.
This can be done using a tubing puncher by slickline unit. Typically two
punch holes are sufficient. If GLM depth close enough then just left it blank
and so no need to punch additional hole.
3. Circulate water from tubing to casing to fill up tubing and casing with liquid
(uncompressible fluid)
4. Perform packer-casing integrity test.
5. Run coiled tubing to top of plug.
6. Pump lead cement through the coiled tubing while keeping the casing valve
open and keeping the CT-tubing annulus valve closed.
All cement slurry will automatically go to the casing after filling-up the
tubing pass through the punch hole point.
7. Close casing valve when all cement has gone out of CT. Open CT-tubing
annulus valve while continue to circulate water (displacement fluid).
8. Pump and lay in quivalent weighted mud (or tail cement) from the top of the
plug to the punch hole point. Pull out the CT to the surface (or a safe depth)
24
while keeping water circulating to clean any unwanted cement in the tubing
above the punch hole point.
The cement inside the casing will not flow back into the tubing as long as the
casing valve is closed and the differential pressure achieved between tubing &
casing is maintained. The differential pressure between CHP & WHP is resulted
from different on hydrostatic pressure inside tubing and inside casing due to the
different column/height of cement inside them. In this step, equivalent weighted
mud could be replaced with tail cement. (Tail cement is mixed together with
lead cement to ensure the same cement slurry density but then separated and
added more retarder just before the tail cement will be pumped).
9. Close the CT-tubing annulus valves. Wait for the cement and keep
monitoring the casing pressure (CHP) and tubing pressure (WHP).
Pressure trends on the WHP & CHP can identify whether the cement inside
the casing has set. Once there are indications that the cement inside the
casing has set, bleed off the casing valve to ensure that there are no other
communications (u-tube) between the casing and tubing.
10. Once the cement inside the casing has set, run CT back in hole to clean out
mud (tail cement) to the top of the plug until there is a clear return. POOH
CT.
11. Pull out the plug (if necessary).
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CALCULATIONS
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References:
Production Technology : Vol-II, Alan p. Roberts
Resolving the Completion Engineer's Dilemma: Permanent or Retrievable
Packer? M.T. Triolo, BP; L.F. Anderson, M.V. Smith, Baker Oil Tools.
Packers Designed for Coiled Tubing Completions, Recompletions, and
Stimulation, W. Sid Scott, Petro-Tech Tools, A Division of Schlumberger
Multi Zone Completion Design Considerations, Don Aldridge, Baker Oil
Tools.
Development of a High Pressure, High Temperature Retrievable
Production Packer, Hilts, Robert L., Kilgore, Marion D., Turner, Will,
Halliburton Energy Services.