Abstract
Conventional well interventions using drill pipes, coiled tubing, and slickline suffer much from inaccuracy, absence of downhole control, and lack of surface monitoring. The oil and gas industry has been pushing for a better, lighter, and more innovative approach. During the last 25 years, emerging downhole electric and electrohydraulic tools deployed on electric line (e-line) have gradually replaced some conventional methods, enabling more efficient and precise operational execution with the help of surface read-out data and real-time monitoring while controlling the downhole tools via commands sent through the e-line, adjusting to the needs transmitted by sensors integrated in the tools themselves. The results have been well received, and precision has become a necessity in certain well interventions, especially where the life of a well is expected to extend and the recovery to become more sustainable. Consequently, precision interventions save considerable time and cost to the operators while offering safer alternatives to other methods.
In this case, we show how two cutting-edge, e-line technologies have solved two important challenges for an operator: (1) Orienting an e-line puncher tool sideways to secure circulation when punching tubing at high deviation, and (2) cutting tubing in compression without damaging the outer casing, leaving a clean, beveled edge for subsequent runs.
Both solutions were made available and executed flawlessly for the operator. Surface read-out data from both tools helped real-time monitoring and successful execution. This case demonstrates, once again, what a combination of e-line intervention and disruptive innovation can currently achieve for operators.
On a subsequent well, both solutions described above were combined in one run, saving further rig time and cost, and resulting in safer operations than alternative, conventional methods.
