Schlumberger Wireline Deployment

Proven reliability and safer operations

Consistently deploy and retrieve logging tools in
high angle wells with Schlumberger conveyance
and high-strength pulling technology.
APPLICATIONS

Reliable conveyance for deep
and complex well trajectories

Sticking avoidance

Increased pulling power
for deep wells and heavy
toolstrings
BENEFITS

Rig time savings from avoiding
pipe-conveyed logging

Reduced number of descents
with the ability to run heavier
toolstrings

More pulling power for a
reduced possibility of fishing
As drilling rig spread rates climb in excess of USD 1 million per day,
Schlumberger understands both the importance of avoiding pipe-
conveyed and fishing operations and the benefits of being able to
deploy tools on wireline in trajectories and well conditions that were
not previously wireline accessible.
As the only oilfield services company that consistently logs ultradeep
wellsin excess of 30,000 ft [9,100 m]Schlumberger provides a
deployment package with a proven track record comprising proprietary
tool planner software, innovative conveyance accessories, high-
strength cable, and high-tension deployment systems.
TOOL PLANNER
Schlumberger tool planner soft-
ware is used to guide conveyance
design and weakpoint selection.
Input to the software includes the
wellbore trajectory, friction coef-
ficients, and cable and toolstring
specifications. The program
output includes surface tension,
head tension, and tension along
the cable while running in and
pulling out of the hole. This
information is critical for designing
the toolstring, selecting the cable
and weakpoint, and specifying
running speeds during the job.
Reliable Conveyence
Tool planner assessment determined that wireline conveyance of the
MDT toolstring could be extended from 4,500 m to 5,500 m by adding
MDT roller assemblies to the toolstring. The roller assemblies reduce
the friction coefficient, resulting in sufficient additional tension at the
head to complete the descent.
Using a tool friction coefficient of 0.43, the tool planner assessment indi-
cated that below 4,500 m, the tension along the cable and at the head
would approach 0 lbf, preventing further wireline descent.
Simply adding MDT roller assemblies lowered the tool friction coefficient
to 0.19 and enabled continued wireline descent to TD.
The tool planner assessment for deployment of the MDT* modular
formation dynamics tester in a highly deviated well (67) began with
estimation of the friction coefficients that are used in the model. In this
example, a friction coefficient of 0.43 was used, based on historical
data of running the MDT toolstring with conventional standoffs in highly
deviated wells.
With this value input for the tool friction coefficient, tool planner software
indicated that below 4,500 m [14,800 ft], the tension along the cable and
the head tension would approach 0 lbf. This situation meant that the
toolstring would not be able to descend on wireline past 4,500 m, and
alternative conveyance methods would be needed to get to TD.
Further tool planner assessment showed that the addition of MDT roller
assemblies to the toolstring would reduce the friction coefficient to 0.19
from 0.43, resulting in approximately 500-lbf [2,200-N] tension on the logging
head at 4,500 m. With this simple addition, the MDT toolstring was able
to descend the remaining 1,000 m [3,280 ft] along the 67-deviated well-
bore to TD without requiring an alternative method of conveyance.
Normal Head Tension
with Tool at Various Depths
Depth, m
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2,000
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80
60
40
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0
6,000 4,000 2,000 0
Up
Down
Deviation
Normal Tension Along the Cable
with Tool at 5,550 m (TD)
Depth, m
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4,000
2,000
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60
40
20
0
6,000 4,000 2,000 0
Up
Down
Deviation
Normal Tension Along the Cable
with Tool at 5,550 m (TD)
Depth, m
Up
Down
Deviation
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8,000
6,000
4,000
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60
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6,000 4,000 2,000 0
Normal Head Tension
with Tool at Various Depths
Depth, m
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2,000
1,000
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80
60
40
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6,000 4,000 2,000 0
Up
Down Deviation
5,500
4,500
3,000
1,500
D
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m
Sticking Avoidance
Two wheels of the MDT roller assembly are in contact with the borehole at all
times. Their orientation ensures that the MDT probe faces the borehole wall
during sampling or pressure measurements.
CONVEYANCE ACCESSORIES
Schlumberger conveyance accessories are available in a wide range
of designs to assist wireline operations in high angle wells. In addition to
conventional standoffs and centralizers, Schlumberger has developed
MDT roller assemblies, low-friction Teflon

standoffs, reduced contact

area standoffs, inline rollers, slipover rollers, and Teflon bottom noses.
The use of these conveyance accessories can significantly reduce
the frictional drag forces acting on a toolstring in a deviated well by
effectively reducing the friction coefficient. Reducing the tool frictional
drag enables deeper descents using conventional wireline in wells that
would otherwise require alternative methods of conveyance.
MDT ROLLER ASSEMBLIES
MDT roller assemblies are the most recent innovation in conveyance
accessories. The rollers provide a rolling resistance, rather than
a sliding resistance, in the downhole environment, which reduces the
effective friction coefficient. In addition, the contact area of the roller
assembly with the borehole is reduced in comparison with that of
a conventional standoff, which decreases the likelihood of differential
sticking occurring for long MDT toolstrings.
WIRELINE JARS
Getting stuck during a logging operation can add significant cost
to a well. Wireline jars are effective in freeing stuck wireline tools to
complete data acquisition and avoid costly fishing operations. Using
wireline jars also makes it possible to run relatively less expensive wireline
toolstrings in hole conditions that previously always required drillpipe-
conveyed operations.
Schlumberger uses a variety of wireline jars incorporating the latest
advancements in logging technology, such as enhancers and hydraulic
time delays.
MINIMIZED STATION TIME
The greatest risk of becoming differentially stuck occurs when the tool
is kept stationary, which can be a necessary part of operations, such
as when formation pressure is measured or fluid samples collected. To
reduce the risk of stationary operations, Schlumberger has developed
wireline tools that minimize the time spent stationary downhole.
For example, obtaining clean, representative fluids with conventional
openhole sampling techniques typically requires long pumping times.
Quicksilver Probe* fluid extraction focuses the fluid flow to efficiently
separate contaminated fluids from pure formation fluid. Synchronized
pumps for the guard and fluid acquisition flowlines optimize the flow
rates between the lines, resulting in the extraction of cleaner, purer fluid
with minimal contamination. Fluid samples are obtained in a fraction of
the time required by traditional probe-type wireline formation testers.
Quicksilver Probe samples
Standard probe samples
0
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Time on station, h
C
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During a recent campaign in the Gulf of Mexico, Quicksilver Probe fluid acquisition
delivered superior-quality samples in much less time than conventional sampling.
The Quicksilver Probe technique took only 2 to 3 h versus 10 to 11 h for a standard
probe. In a high-overbalance formation, the amount of time on station can be the
difference between getting stuck and moving freely.
MDT roller assemblies, low-friction standoffs, and Teflon bottom noses were
developed to effectively reduce the frictional drag acting on wireline toolstrings
in deviated wells.
Low-friction standoffs
Teflon bottom noses
MDT roller assemblies
HIGH-STRENGTH CABLE
With high-strength capability, cable conveyance remains the most
cost-effective method for deploying tools in and out of wells. To meet
industry needs for increased logging efficiency in increasing well
depths, Schlumberger has developed super ultrastrength (SUS) cable
capable of pulling more than 21,000-lbf [93,400-N] tension at surface.
Manufactured from the highest strength galvanized steel, SUS cable
has a higher strength to weight ratio than conventional high-strength
cable to provide additional load capacity. This superior pulling capabil-
ity in combination with the reduced weight of Schlumberger SUS cable
results in a much larger pull at the logging head than possible with
conventional high-strength cable.
Using Schlumberger SUS cable provides an additional pull of 4,000 lbf [17,800 N]
at the head at a depth of 30,000 ft [9,140 km]. This additional capacity over industry-
conventional high-strength cable is by far the most effective method of avoiding
a stuck tool and a subsequent fishing operation.
Schlumberger SUS cable is being used successfully around the world
to log very deep wells and wells in which a very large pull may be
required to avoid becoming stuck. Typical of this reliable performance
are applications in the Gulf of Mexico, where wireline operations regu-
larly exceed 30,000-ft measured depth, resulting in sustained tensions of
16,000 lbf [71,000 N] and sticking mitigation tensions reaching 21,000 lbf.
P
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22,500
Schlumberger SUS cable
Industry-conventional
high-strength cable
Standard cable
20,000
17,500
15,000
12,500
10,000
7,500
5,000
2,500
0
Depth, ft
0 4,000 8,000 12,000 16,000 20,000 24,000 28,000 32,000 36,000 40,000
4,000-lbf
additional pull
Increased Pulling Power
Schlumberger SUS cable is available
in lengths up to 40,000 ft [12,000 m]
with a temperature rating to 500 degF
[260 degC]. This seven-conductor
heptacable has filler strands to give
it a rounder shape and an interstitial
filler to prevent air pockets and increase
core rigidity. The outer layer consists
of a jacket and two armor layers of
helically wound metal strands, one
layer wound clockwise and the other
counterclockwise.
HIGH-POWER UNITS
Having the strongest cable in the industry is a valuable asset for
smooth and efficient wireline operations, but ensuring the means to
safely deploy it is equally, if not more, important. The Schlumberger
OSU-P series of logging units is certified for sustained logging tensions
up to 16,000 lbf. The OSU-PA mechanical version is field proven to
easily pull higher tensions than with conventional units. Paired with
high-strength cable, the OSU-PA reliably manages high-tension
wellbore conditions to improve operational safety and reliability
in challenging conditions.
HIGH-TENSION CONVEYANCE SYSTEM
With depths surpassing 30,000 ft, ultradeep wells demand effective,
reliable technologies. Wireline cable weight and drag, as well as
the weight of the tools, can result in surface tensions and necessary
stick mitigation tensions as high as 21,000 lbf. Even with the increased
capability of high-power units, the logging cable stored on the drum
under high tension as well as the drum itself can be damaged. To meet
these challenges, the Schlumberger high-tension conveyance system
leads the industry in delivering strength and efficiency to wireline
operations in ultradeep wells. The system pairs high-strength cable
with the following specialized surface equipment to reliably manage
high-tension wellbore conditions:

capstan-compatible offshore skid unit

wireline capstan, rated to 24,000 lbf [107,000 N]

high-tension rig-up equipment

high-tension logging head, rated to 25,000 lbf [112,000 N]

and incorporating mechanical and electrical release devices.
Certified for logging tensions up to 16,000 lbf, the OSU-PA logging unit
is deployed worldwide.
High-tension conveyance is more than just the load capacity of the cable.
Schlumberger provides an integrated equipment setup for high-tension operations.
High-strength cable
Capstan-capable
offshore skid unit
Wireline capstan
High-tension
rig-up equipment
Schlumberger
Wireline Deployment
Reliable and Effective
An integrated system bringing
the efficiency of wireline
operations to ultradeep,
highly deviated wells
www.slb.com/wireline
*Mark of Schlumberger
Other company, product, and service names are the properties of their respective owners.
Copyright 2009 Schlumberger. All rights reserved. 09-FE-0016