GROUP ASSIGNMENT

CGE 659: PETROLEUM PRODUCTION ENGINEERING

GROUP MEMBERS MATRIC NO. GROUP

HARITH BIN MOHD NORDIN 2018645312 EH2435

SITI NUR AISYAH BINTI SHAMSUL 2019488262 EH2435

ADLIN NADIA BINTI HA TAUFEQ 2019257374 EH2435

SALAHUDIN HA

Prepared for :

Dr. Rozana Azrina Sazali

Date Submitted :

18 May 2022
 TABLE OF CONTENT

1.0 Introduction 3
1.1 Current Problems in Tubing Conveyed Perforation (TCP) 3
1.2 Mitigation method 4
1.3 Operating Principle 6
1.4 Pros and Cons of Tubing Conveyed Perforating 8
1.5 Success Stories 9
1.6 Appraise Of Future Trends 11
1.7 Conclusion 12
REFERENCES 13
APPENDICES 15
1.0 Introduction

Tubing Conveyed Perforation (TCP) had been used for a long time especially in
well completion system which rather than making many wireline excursions, TCP allows
the well operator to perforate long, or widely dispersed, intervals concurrently on a single
trip into the well. The time difference between TCP and wireline-perforating rigs is
determined by the interval length and number of wireline descents vs. the time spent
positioning the string and preparing the well for TCP operations. TCP, on the other hand,
keeps the gun in contact with the well environment for longer than wireline perforating,
which is a concern in high-temperature operations.

1.1 Current Problems in Tubing Conveyed Perforation (TCP)

TCP performance in underbalanced high pressure or high temperature condition

was still in doubt as it may affect the performance of the perforation itself. A case studies
conducted on KN ultra deep field, located offshore in Sabah. The lubricator was under
high pressure (up to 10,000 psi) from the accelerated well percolation of gas from the
reservoir every time a gun body was removed during the back deployment of the guns. A
special bleed off line was built and connected to the well-test choke manifold to bleed out
the lubricator. The fluids under pressure (a combination of inhibited fresh water and
reservoir gas) were transferred to the well-test separator every time the lubricator was
bled off, and the hydrocarbons were flared via the burner booms. The bleed off line was
connected directly to the well-test choke manifold as part of the well design. Given the
length of the line, this resulted in an additional high-pressure volume (Carpenter 2018).

Another problem was the effect of load impact and the shock absorption when
conducting perforation. The perforating gun transmits the impact overload generated by
the perforating shaped charge explosion to the perforated pipe string. The tubing is
loaded axially with tensile or compressive loads, radially with shear loads, and
circumferentially with torsional loads. Those three forms of impact loads may occur
alternately and frequently on the pipe string during the field piercing procedure. The

3
 perforated string may exhibit a complex kinetic response as a result of multiple
laminations generated by the pressure difference between the inner and outer walls of the
pipe string. The perforating gun is used to screw the bottom of the tube, which is the
explosive load's first output unit. The foundation for further research of the dynamic
damage of the perforated pipe string is a dynamic analysis of the bottom of the tubing and
the perforating gun. As a result, by examining the kinetic data at the tubing's bottom, the
response rules can be determined. However, dynamic calculations are accompanied with
stress wave refraction and reflection, resulting in vast differences in dynamic data
between nodes (Deng et al., 2019).

1.2 Mitigation method

The problem presence in TCP could be catered by applying certain methods such
as using Single Trip Tubing Conveyed Perforation method or also known as STTCP. To
compensate for the weight and shockwaves from detonation, the lengthy set of guns were
connected together using tandem crossovers. Separating successive perforation intervals
with drill pipes and blank pipes was done to avoid the high cost of utilizing blank guns.
Due of the restrictions of using a mechanical system, the STTCP was designed using a
hydraulic firing mechanism. Because a mechanical firing head is detonated by a falling
ball or bar, it can only be mounted on top of the gun so that the bar or ball may fall to the
device under gravity. As a result, this cannot be applied to all six sets of guns that are
separated by drill pipes. Also, the velocity of a dropped bar or ball decreases with
inclination, and it may not travel with enough impact to detonate the gun at a high slope.
The hydraulic firing head might fail for a variety of reasons, including manufacturing
errors, incorrect firing head calculations, incorrect well information, or inadequate
applied firing pressure (Agbo et al., 2019). Table 1 shows the gun design used in the
STTCP system.

4
 Table 1: The design for the gun

S/N Description Design

1. Gun Size 7”

2. Perforation Charges S-shape Deep Penetration

3. Perforation Phasing 45”

4. Perforation Length 51.5 inches

5. Entrance Hole 0.39”

6. Perforation Density 12 spf

7. Firing Mechanism Hydraulics

8. Temperature Effect HMX Guns (400°F)

9. Pressure Rating 13000 psi

10. Tensile Strength 890000

11. Torsional Yield 35800 lbs/ft

Aside from vertical oriented perforation, the goal was to use Dynamic
Underbalance (DUB) to surge clean the perforating tunnels and eliminate crush damage.
This combines Static Underbalance (SUB), which is a difference between lower wellbore
pressures and formation pressures, or Static Overbalance (SOB), which is a difference
between higher wellbore pressures and formation pressures, with empty gun system
chambers (0 psi) firing, 0 psi, which extends the time and volume of fluid surge to further
clean the tunnel. The purpose of this strategy is to create formations that have the same
production (flow) capability as virgin formations (Kc/K=1). A fundamental feature of
DUB is that it is a timed event; this can be leveraged to extend the DUB event by using
later opening vents to allow for further cleaning. The DUB was limited in this case to
minimize sand generation therefore no vents were used (Rahman et al., 2019).

5
 Figure 1: Dynamic Underbalance (DUB) method with flow into gun

1.3 Operating Principle

In the early 1980s, the conveyance method of running guns with tubing was
introduced for low permeability gas reservoirs, and due to the impressive results, it
became widely used. This method is typically used for large diameter guns with high
underbalance perforation and high deviated horizontal applications. This method is
becoming more popular around the world due to its flexibility and cost-effective working
technique, which saves rig time by perforating long intervals in a single trip and allows
for the use of various combinations of gun diameter, length, and shot density.

6
 Figure 2: TCP Gun String Positioned Downhole (Robson, 1990)

As shown in Figure 1, large diameter casing guns are run down on tubing beneath
a packer. According to Farid (2012), the packer reduces the size of large diameter casing
guns on tubing. An acquired depth for the assembly to reduce and position is required by
correlating the wireline collar locator and gamma or neutron tool logs with the
radioactive reference depth construction. The tubing is partially loaded with a light fluid,
nitrogen, and other fluids for an underbalance situation in order to achieve the fitting
condition, which is then followed by the packer setting. When a vent valve under the
packer is opened during detonation, the tubing fluid and reservoir fluid are allowed to
flow up to the top.

To detonate the guns, a top-mounted-percussion-type firing device is used, in

which a bar is released along the tubing. To monitor this activity, noise or shock
transducers are connected to the tubing at the surface. After the gun is discharged into the
excess space, known as rathole, under the interval in the wellbore, future operations can
be authorised. Large diameter guns with high penetration lengths and the additional
feature of multiphasing are commonly used. Because of the vent valve, the desired

7
 underbalance is achieved efficiently without blowing up the guns. High pressure
performance with H2S and deviated wells are also regarded as safe.

There is no universal method for inspecting gun misfire, resulting in low TCP
productivity. The only way to inspect it is to withdraw the gun string and then run it out.
As a result, the cost and rig time have increased. To secure the gun beneath the pay zone,
the rathole is drilled, which increases the cost.

1.4 Pros and Cons of Tubing Conveyed Perforating

Tubing conveyed perforating (TCP) technology has advanced dramatically in

recent decades. Studies have been conducted to highlight various benefits and limitations
of TCP when compared to other available technologies.

To begin, one of the significant benefits of TCP is operational efficiency. TCP

enables the well operator to perforate long or widely spaced intervals on a single trip into
the well, rather than having to make multiple wireline runs. The time difference between
TCP and wireline-perforating rigs is determined by interval length and the number of
wireline descents, as well as the time required to position the string and prepare the well
for TCP operations. TCP, on the other hand, exposes the gun to the well environment for
a longer period of time than wireline perforating, which is a concern in high-temperature
operations. TCP allows the well operator to perform a flow test immediately after
perforating. In addition to impulse testing, the TCP string can be combined with a variety
of other testing and completion equipment to provide a comprehensive reservoir
evaluation immediately after perforating.

Moreover, underbalanced perforating is also highlighted as one of the advantages

of TCP. An underbalance between formation and wellbore pressures established before
the TCP guns are fired causes an instantaneous and controlled surge of formation fluids
into the well, cleaning the perforations and increasing the well's productivity and
injectivity.

8
 One significant drawback of tubing-conveyed perforating is that there is no way
to know how many charges were fired except by pulling the guns (Petrowiki, 2015). To
determine that the detonation cord was ignited to the bottom of the gun, a signal charge
device that either fires a small explosive charge or trips a hammer device a few seconds
after the primer cord detonation reaches the bottom of the gun can be used in conjunction
with a sensitive sound-recording device. Although the signal charge detonation does not
reveal how many charges were fired, it does indicate that the primer cord has burned
through all of the charges. Because the major mechanical problems of tubing-conveyed
perforating systems have been in two areas, failure to initiate the guns at the firing head
and failure to initiate the next gun at the gun junctions, using a bottom-shot detector is
extremely beneficial. According to early reports, this system has been very successful on
land-based wells but has issues on offshore wells due to the high noise levels associated
with platforms.

The cost of operating tubing conveyed perforating is estimated to be between 1.2

to 2.4 million dollars per well. According to studies, the new improvements in the TCP
system can save an estimated USD 800,000 per well in operating costs. In addition, the
global perforating gun market is expected to be worth USD 1.1 billion in 2022, growing
at a CAGR of 5.6 percent over the forecast period. Rising exploration and production of
unconventional oil and gas resources are driving the growth of the perforating gun
market. According to estimates, the tubing conveyed perforation system has the largest
market share. Because of their versatility and high operational efficiency, these gun
systems are expected to drive through tubing perforation systems, increasing the demand
for perforating guns. By 2027, the global perforating gun market is expected to reach
USD 1.4 billion.

1.5 Success Stories

Since the introduction of these tools, there have been numerous case studies of
how the Tubing Conveyed Perforating (TCP) has been used. The completion objectives
were met in all cases.

9
 Mason et al. (1995) study that one of the cases that demonstrated the success of
using TCP was in Liberty County, United States, by implying the run gun hanger and
guns as one unit on tubing workstring method during the operation. The operation's goal
was to eliminate the need for extensive ratholes because the operator planned to wireline
perforate an upper zone at a later date. Bottomhole assembly was detected and correlated.
The gun hanger got it right away on the first try. To confirm separation from the
assembly, one joint was pulled and an attempt was made to reset the gun hanger. The gun
depth was then verified using a gauge ring and junk basket. At 11,400 feet, a permanent
production packer was run on a workstring. The workstring was installed, and the
production tubing was tested as it entered the hole. 5,000 psi was used to activate the
time-delayed firing head. There was a strong indication of gunfire. Slickline was used to
confirm the gun release. The operation was a success, though the success rate was not
specified.

Figure 3: Completion design for case history 1

Furthermore, a TCP-enabled operation in Central Texas with the goal of

eliminating 2500 feet of tailpipe between the pistol and the PBR has proven to be a
success story. The Auto Release Run Hanger was picked up and run in the hole with
electric wireline during the operation. It was logged into position and set with wireline

10
 reciprocation. The wellbore was then inflated to 2,500 psi in order to activate the
releasing tool. The wireline was then used to pick up a 46-foot gun module, which was
then run through the hole and stacked on the gun hanger. The wireline was pulled out of
the hole after the wellbore was pressured to 2,500 psi and the releasing tool was
activated. The following five days were spent running and testing production tubing as
well as installing surface equipment. When the guns were ready to fire, the tubing was
pressed to 7,000 psi to activate the firing head, then bled back to zero. After four minutes,
there was a positive gun detonation at the surface, and the well began unloading. Later, a
slicklinerun was performed to confirm that the gun hanger had released and was on
bottom. The operation was also a success, though no rate of success was given (Mason et
al., 1995).

1.6 Appraise Of Future Trends

Based on the findings, the problems, issues or challenges of Tubing-conveyed

perforating (TCP) in this industry are to enhance the performance of an existing well in
an older, low-pressure formation. Next is to reduce flow resistance by lowering
hydrostatic pressure in the wellbore. And last but not least is to obtain real-time reservoir
data for assessment reasons.
After analyzing and studying the problems above, there is a solution that was
found. The solution that was made is to evaluate and perforate the well using the
Halliburton technique listed below. The WiFire acoustic firing head offers an alternative
activation method to applied-pressure or bar-drop systems, potentially reducing the
uncertainty of TCP firing operations.The WiFireTM acoustic firing head is used to start
tubing-conveyed perforating (TCP) weapons.And the downhole sensors will offer real-
time data to the DynaLink® telemetry system.
The WiFire acoustic firing head offers an alternative activation method to
applied-pressure or bar-drop systems, potentially reducing the uncertainty of TCP firing
operations. Multiple firing interrupt mechanisms are built into the WiFire equipment to
assure the maximum level of safety while the guns are at or near the surface. The WiFire
tool alerts an operator when the firing head is ready to start the gun systems with
downhole feedback prior to perforating. After sending the fire command, the WiFire

11
 acoustic firing head responds to the surface with confirmation that the command to
activate the TCP guns was received and executed.
By successfully deploying the first field usage of the WiFire acoustic firing head,
enabled by the DynaLink telemetry system, the operator gained significant savings on
third-party costs and rig time, achieved the objective of perforating the formation with the
desired underbalanced pressure, and successfully evaluated the formation. The operator's
success in analyzing the formation prepared the path for future well production
projections. As a result, the formation was successfully analyzed by utilizing real-time
data from downhole sensors. The perforation outcomes are achieved at a cheaper cost
than coiled tubing, with considerable savings on third-party costs and rig time.

1.7 Conclusion

As a conclusion, Tubing conveyed perforating (TCP) also has its own issues and
problems. The current issues and problems have been analyzed, thus the discussion about
the solution provided to manage and minimize the issues and problems have been done.
With the help of technologies, there was progress in handling and managing Tubing
conveyed perforating (TCP) and its problems. The available technologies in the industry
have been discussed in detail to know the pros, cons, efficiency and its impact. From this
discussion, the example of successful implementation of the technologies have been
discovered. Lastly, based on the study, the future trends of the evolving technologies in
managing and minimizing the problem or issues is discovered. Thus, Tubing conveyed
perforating (TCP) may has chance to improve in the future to bring more profits in the
industry.

12
REFERENCES

Adib Mahfuz A Rahman, Hasmizah Bakar, Daly, K. G., Adhi Naharindra, Suman Kumar,
Nurbaiti Baharuddin, & Ahmed Abdelatty Abbas Ibrahim. (2019, October 21). Oriented
Perforation using Tubing Conveyed Perforating TCP Gun with Dynamic Underbalance
DUB as Sand Control Method in Low Angle Wells, Offshore Sarawak, Malaysia.
OnePetro. https://doi.org/10.2118/198678-MS

Agbo, E., Anyanwu, C., Olowoyeye, O., Ini, T., & Enah, V. (2019). Single trip tubing
conveyed perforations across multi-lobed differentially depleted reservoir complexes in
a highly deviated well - challenges, lessons learned and best practices. Day 1 Mon,
September 30, 2019. https://doi.org/10.2118/195814-ms

Application and Evaluation of Tubing-Conveyed Perforating System Combined With Sucker

Rod Pump Installation (Russian). (n.d.). ResearchGate; www.researchgate.net.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254528317_Application_and_Evaluation_of_T
ubing-
Conveyed_Perforating_System_Combined_With_Sucker_Rod_Pump_Installation_Russi
an

Carpenter, C. (2018). Ultra Deep-field study: Extreme-underbalanced HP/HT coiled-tubing-

conveyed perforating. Journal of Petroleum Technology, 70(04), 84–85.
https://doi.org/10.2118/0418-0084-jpt

13
Craig, J. (2001, March 1). Petroleum Production Engineering - Perforation. Petroleum
Production Engineering - Perforation; www.slideshare.net.
https://www.slideshare.net/akincraig/petroleum-production-engineering-perforation

Deng, Q., Zhang, H., Li, J., Hou, X., & Wang, H. (2019). Analysis of impact load on
tubing and shock absorption during perforating. Open Physics, 17(1), 214–221.
https://doi.org/10.1515/phys-2019-0022

Farid, J. (2012, February). IMPORTANCE OF PERFORATION PROCESS AND ITS

TECHNIQUES. Dalhousie
University. https://cdn.dal.ca/content/dam/dalhousie/pdf/faculty/engineering/peas/
MEngProjects/2012MEngProjects/Jawad%20Farid%2C%20IMPORTANCE%20OF
%20PERFORATION%20PROCESS%20AND%20ITS%20TECHNIQUES.pdf

Mason, J., George, F., & Pacheco, E. (1995, March 11). A New Tubing-Conveyed Perforating
Method. OnePetro. https://onepetro.org/SPEMEOS/proceedings-abstract/95MEOS/All-
95MEOS/SPE-29820-MS/57184?redirectedFrom=PDF

Perforating equipment. (2015, June 29). PetroWiki. Retrieved May 16, 2022,

from https://petrowiki.spe.org/Perforating_equipment#Conveyance_systems

Perforating gun market by gun type (Through tubing hollow carrier & exposed, Wireline
conveyed casing, TCP), well type (Horizontal, vertical), application (Onshore, offshore),
pressure, depth, type, orientation, explosives, region - Global forecast to 202. (2022,
March 8). MarketResearch.com. https://www.marketresearch.com/MarketsandMarkets-
v3719/Perforating-Gun-Type-Tubing-Hollow-30996024/

14
Robson, M. K. (1990, February 1). Introduction to and Benefits of Tubing-Conveyed
Perforating. OnePetro. https://doi.org/10.2118/19109-PA

Romero, J. J. (2019, April 14). Introduction To TCP.

Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/406235377/Introduction-To-TCP-pdf

Tubing-Conveyed Perforating Systems. (n.d.).

Weatherford. https://www.weatherford.com/documents/brochure/products-and-services/
formation-evaluation/tubing-conveyed-perforating-systems/

WiFire® Acoustic Firing Head. (n.d.). WiFire® Acoustic Firing Head; www.halliburton.com.
https://www.halliburton.com/en/products/wifire

15
APPENDICES

Figure 1: Dynamic Underbalance (DUB) method with flow into gun

Figure 2: TCP Gun String Positioned Downhole (Robson, 1990)

16
Figure 3: Completion design for case history 1

17