Abstract
This paper will describe the development, testing and installation of a high pressure rated mechanical bridge plug for a major oil and gas operator on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Due to low reservoir pressure a mechanical high pressure rated bridge plug was required to be set as a zonal isolation barrier prior to a frac operation.
The plug was set in a heavy wall liner with a 4.375" ID, but had to pass a 3.725" ID minimum restriction and hold 7500 psi differential pressure during the frac operation. The combination of high pressure rating and expansion ratio was a challenge to solve. A new metal-to-metal sealing technology was the solution to meet the required criteria.
In July 2005, the first plug was successfully set, conveyed on coiled tubing. This new plug technology has improved the way of performing the zonal isolation and frac operation in low pressure reservoirs.
