Abstract
As completions become more complex and operating environments more severe, deeper, hotter and in higher pressure, exploration and field development solutions are needed that provide results and improve well savings. Five years of improving the application record of solid expandable tubulars with solution enhancements have resulted in greater value and mitigated risks for end users. This enabling technology has been used to address a myriad of drilling situations and downhole conditions as part of the well design, as a planned contingency option and as a last resort. Currently, the technology consists of several expandable systems that include cased-hole liners, openhole liners, openhole cladding systems and flexible cladding systems. These systems have been used to solve problems associated with borehole instabilities, pore-pressure/frac-gradient issues, wellbore tapering and perforated sections to name a few.
The ability to run, clad and expand into the base casing efficiently and reliably is paramount considering the increase in well pressures, production depths and drilling costs. An application legacy of over 300 installations has led to system enhancements and process modifications that have helped increase reliability and efficiency. These changes to solid expandable systems help operators reach and produce reserves that previously were unattainable due to drilling conditions and economic constraints, provide flexibility for exploration well uncertainties, reduce nonproductive time, provide larger corrosion resistant production conduit and reduce well costs by slimming well design.
This presentation will discuss improvements made to solid expandable tubular systems and how this technology can increase the life of, and add value to, both new and existing oil and gas wells.
