Abstract
When planning a well intervention, there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration prior to the execution of the operation. The operator has many tasks to perform before the actual job and the last thing he or she wants to worry about is "Have I chosen the right isolation device and has this equipment been custom-fitted for my application?". Last, "does the performing service company have the ability to engineer the job correctly?" This paper will attempt to cover set up for thru-tubing inflatable devices run on coiled tubing.
This paper will examine guidelines with regards to the planning and execution of well interventions using thru-tubing inflatable devices such as bridge plugs (both permanent and temporary), packers, cement retainers and straddle systems. Discussion will involve the information required to be collated prior to equipment selection and job engineering and how said information relates to the equipment's performance and overall success or failure of the objectives of the intervention. Also discussed will be the most common failure methods of such devices and information with regards to preventative methods and practices to minimize such failures, taking into consideration information gathering, technological developments and correct tool usage. The paper will go on to highlight the impact of hydraulic considerations with regards to applied pressure differentials and drawdown or inflow testing, as it effects inflatable isolations, before, during and after the installation.
