Workover

Workover
Workover

Workover
Course Aim

To
To introduce
introduce the
the candidate
candidate to
to the
the various
various
methods
methods of
of killing
killing aa production
production well
well safely
safely
with
withminimum
minimumformation
formationdamage.
damage.

Workover
Course Objectives

At
Atthe
theend
endof
ofthe
thecourse
coursethe
thecandidate
candidateshould
shouldbe
beable
ableto:
to:
State
State the
the various
various reasons
reasons for
for killing
killing aa producing
producing well
well
prior
priortotoworkover.
workover.
Identify
Identify the
the common
common methods
methods of
of killing
killing aa producing
producing
well.
well.
Identify
Identify the
the most
most appropriate
appropriate method
method of
of killing
killing aa
producing
producingwell.
well.

List
List the
the well
well and
and reservoir
reservoir parameters,
parameters, and
and the
the
various
variousstages
stagesnecessary
necessarytotogenerate
generateaawell
wellkill
killplan.
plan.

Perform
Performhydrostatic
hydrostaticcalculations.
calculations.
Construct
Constructaawell
wellkill
killgraph.
graph.
Generate
Generateaaprocedure
procedurefor
forkilling
killingaaproduction
productionwell.
well.
Knowledgeably
Knowledgeably discuss
discuss problems
problems inin production
production well
well
kill
killand
andidentify
identifyappropriate
appropriatesolutions.
solutions.
3

Workover
Reasons for Workover

The
Themain
mainreasons
reasonsfor
forperforming
performingaaworkover
workoverare:
are:
Increase
Increase production
production by
by bringing
bringing other
other
productive
productivezones
zoneson
onstream.
stream.
Eliminate
Eliminateexcessive
excessivewater
wateror
orgas
gasproduction.
production.
Maintain
Maintain control
control of
of oil,
oil, water,
water, and
and gas
gas in
in
various
variouszones
zonesor
orlayers
layersin
instratified
stratifiedreservoirs.
reservoirs.
Remove
Remove obstructions
obstructions to
to flow
flow e.g.
e.g. blockage
blockage
with
withsand,
sand,wax,
wax,or
orasphaltene.
asphaltene.
Enhance
Enhanceproduction
productionthrough
throughwell
wellstimulation.
stimulation.
Repair
Repair mechanical
mechanical failure
failure of
of the
the completion
completion
components.
components.

Workover
Reasons for Workover

Some
Somemechanical
mechanicalfailures
failuresof
ofthe
thecompletion
completioncan
canbe
be
repaired
repairedby
byWireline
Wirelineor
orCoiled
CoiledTubing
Tubingtechniques.
techniques.

Failures
Failuresthat
thatrequire
requireaafull
fullworkover
workoverprogram
programare:
are:
TRSV
TRSVfailure
failureor
orleak.
leak.
Casing,
Casing,Tubing,
Tubing,or
orPacker
Packerleak.
leak.
Casing
Casingor
orTubing
Tubingcollapse.
collapse.
Cement
Cementfailure.
failure.
Gas
Gaslift
liftsystem
systemfailure
failureor
orinefficiency.
inefficiency.
ESP
ESPor
orHydraulic
HydraulicPump
Pumpfailure.
failure.
Recovery
Recovery of
of Fish
Fish unable
unable to
to be
be recovered
recovered by
by
conventional
conventionalmethods.
methods.
5

Workover
Definition of Barrier

Define
Define the
the term
term
Well
Well Barrier.
Barrier.

Workover
Well Barriers

Closed Barriers
Production Side

Annulus Side

Wireline Stuffing
Box/Riser Envelope

Packer-Tubing
System

Grease Injection
Head/Riser Envelope

Tubing Hanger
Tubing Head Spool

Coiled Tubing
Strippers/Riser
Envelope
Coiled Tubing Check
Valves
Snubbing
Strippers/Riser
Envelope
Snubbing String
Check Valves

Workover
Well Barriers

Closeable Barriers
Production Side

Annulus Side

Xmas Tree Valves

Casing Head Spool

Outlet valves

BOP Rams

Tubing Hanger Outlet

Valves

Annular Preventers
Shear-Seal Valves
Sub-Surface Safety
Valves (?????)

Annulus Safety Valves

(?????)

Workover
Well Barriers

Additional Barriers
Production Side

Annulus Side

Wireline Plugs
Tubing Hanger
Plugs
Packer Plugs
Bridge Plugs
Cement Plugs
Ice Plugs

Ice Plugs

Additional
Additional downhole
downhole barriers
barriers may
may be
be
installed
installed either
either as
as aa backup
backup to
to aa failed
failed
mechanical
mechanical barrier
barrier or
or for
for the
the removal
removal of
of
the
theXmas
XmasTree.
Tree.
9

Workover
Additional Barrier

10

Workover
Additional Barrier

11

Workover
Additional Barrier

12

Workover
Barrier Philosophy

During
During well
well operations
operations when
when surface
surface
primary
primary pressure
pressure control
control equipment
equipment
(Xmas
(Xmas Tree,
Tree, BOPs,
BOPs, LMV
LMV repairs)
repairs) isis to
to
be
be removed
removed itit will
will be
be Operating
Operating
Companys
Companys policy
policy to
to isolate
isolate the
the
reservoir
reservoir or
or formation
formation with
with atat least
least two
two
independently
independentlytested
testedbarriers.
barriers.
Where
Wherepossible
possiblemore
morethan
thantwo
twobarriers
barriers
are
arepreferred.
preferred.
The
Thesame
samepolicy
policywill
willapply
applyto
toboth
boththe
the
tubing
tubingand
andthe
theannulus.
annulus.
More
Morethan
thanone
onebarrier
barrierof
ofeach
eachtype
typeisisacceptable.
acceptable.
At
Atleast
leastone
onebarrier
barrierbelow
belowthe
thesea
seabed.
bed.
13

Workover
Barrier Philosophy

Barriers
Barriers
Unperforated,
Unperforated,cemented
cementedand
andpressure
pressuretested
testedcasing.
casing.
Unperforated
Unperforatedcemented
cementedand
andtested
testedliner
linerwith
withliner
linerlap
laptested.
tested.
Wireline
Wirelineplug
plugintegrity
integritytested
testedusing
usingwell
wellpressure
pressurefrom
frombelow
below
ororpressure
pressuretested
testedfrom
fromabove.
above.
Permanent
Permanent oror retrievable
retrievable bridge
bridge plug
plug integrity
integrity tested
tested using
using
well
wellpressure
pressurefrom
frombelow
belowororpressure
pressuretested
testedfrom
fromabove.
above.
Cement
Cementplug
plugverified
verifiedby
bypressure
pressureororintegrity
integritytesting.
testing.
Pressure
Pressuretested
testedtubing
tubinghanger
hangerseals
seals(annulus
(annulusbarrier).
barrier).
Pressure
Pressure tested
tested packer/PBR
packer/PBR seals
seals and
and tubing
tubing string
string (annulus
(annulus
barrier).
barrier).
Kill
Killweight
weightfluid
fluidwith
withwell
wellmonitored,
monitored,confirmed
confirmedtotobe
befull
fullofof
fluid,
fluid,and
andstatic.
static.
Possible
PossibleAdditional
AdditionalBarriers
Barriers
Newly
Newly integrity
integrity tested
tested SCSSV
SCSSV which
which will
will remain
remain closed
closed
throughout.
throughout.
BPV.
BPV.
Integrity
Integritytested
testedannulus
annulussafety
safetyvalve
valve(annulus
(annulusbarrier).
barrier).
14

Workover
Barrier Philosophy

During
Duringwell
welloperations
operationswhen
whenpart
partof
ofthe
the
surface
surface pressure
pressure control
control equipment
equipment isis
temporarily
temporarily removed
removed (e.g.
(e.g. wireline
wireline
stuffing
stuffingbox,
box,coiled
coiledtubing
tubingstuffing
stuffingbox,
box,
braided
braided line
line grease
grease tubes)
tubes) atat least
least two
two
barriers
barriers will
will be
be in
in place
place or
or one
one barrier
barrier
and
and the
the facility
facility for
for closure
closure of
of an
an
additional
additional containment
containment device
device in
in the
the
event
eventof
ofan
anemergency.
emergency.
Barriers
Barrierswill
willbe
beintegrity
integritytested
testedbefore
beforeremoval
removalof
of
any
anyequipment.
equipment.
On
OnSub-Sea
Sub-SeaWells,
Wells,the
thefacility
facilitymust
mustexist
existto
tobleed
bleed
off
offsub-sea
sub-seariser
riserpressure
pressurebelow
belowaasurface
surfacebarrier
barrier
in
inthe
theevent
eventof
ofan
anemergency,
emergency,after
afterclosure
closureof
ofaa
sub-sea
sub-seavalve.
valve.
15

Workover
Barrier Philosophy

Barriers
Barriers (in
(in addition
addition toto relevant
relevant barriers
barriers specified
specified
previously)
previously)
Closed
Closedwireline
wirelineBOP
BOPrams.
rams.
Closed
Closedcoiled
coiledtubing
tubingBOP
BOPrams.
rams.
Double
Double coiled
coiled tubing
tubing check
check valves
valves previously
previously pressure
pressure
tested.
tested.
Closed
Closeddrilling
drillingBOP
BOPrams.
rams.
Closed
Closedshear-seal
shear-sealBOPs.
BOPs.
Possible
PossibleContainment
ContainmentDevices
Devices
Cutting
CuttingXmas
XmasTree
Treefor
forwireline.
wireline.
Cutting
CuttingLRP
LRPvalve
valvefor
forwireline
wirelineor
orcoiled
coiledtubing
tubing(sub-sea
(sub-sea
operations).
operations).
Coiled
Coiled Tubing
TubingBOPs.
BOPs.
Shear
ShearSeal
SealBOPs.
BOPs.
Drilling
DrillingBOPs.
BOPs.
Wireline
WirelineBOPs
BOPs(extra
(extraset).
set).

16

Workover
Testing Barriers

All
Alldevices
deviceswhich
whichremain
remainin
inplace
placeduring
during
well
welloperations
operationsand
andwhich
whichmay
maythen
thenbe
beused
used
as
asbarriers
barriersor
orcontainment
containmentdevices
devices(e.g.
(e.g.
drilling
drillingBOPs,
BOPs,wireline
wirelineBOPs)
BOPs)will
willbe
be
pressure
pressuretested
testedbefore
beforeuse
useas
asdirected
directedby
by
Operating
OperatingCompany
CompanyPhilosophy.
Philosophy.

17

Workover
Testing Barriers

The
The lowermost
lowermost mechanical
mechanical barrier
barrier in
in aa live
live
well
well will
will always
always be
be integrity
integrity tested
tested against
against
the
thewell
wellpressure
pressureititisisdesigned
designedto
tohold
holdback.
back.
Testing
Testing under
under these
these circumstances
circumstances will
will be
be to
to
bleed
bleed off
off the
the pressure
pressure in
in the
the tubing
tubing and
and then
then
monitor
monitorfor
forpressure
pressurebuild
buildup
upfor
for30
30minutes.
minutes.

This
This lowermost
lowermost barrier
barrier may
may also
also be
be tested
tested
from
from above
above to
to some
some pressure
pressure above
above the
the
wellbore
wellborepressure
pressureunderneath.
underneath.

18

Workover
Testing Barriers

The
Thenext
nextbarrier
barriershould
shouldbe
betested
testedfrom
fromabove
above
to
to avoid
avoid trapping
trapping pressure
pressure underneath
underneath with
with
no
nomeans
meansof
ofbleeding
bleedingoff.
off.

Note:
Note: Pressure
Pressure testing
testing Pump
Pump Open
Open Plugs
Plugs from
from
above
above may
may be
be limited
limited by
by the
the shear
shear pin
pin
rating.
rating.
Note:
Note: Pressure
Pressure testing
testing may
may also
also be
be limited
limited by
by
the
the pressure
pressure rating
rating of
of aa wireline
wireline lock
lock
mandrel
mandrelto
topressure
pressurefrom
fromabove.
above.
19

Workover
Workover

AA typical
typical completion
completion string
string has
has many
many components
components
and
and sometimes
sometimes isis designed
designed with
with an
an incomplete
incomplete
knowledge
knowledge of
of the
the likely
likely conditions
conditions for
for the
the full
full life
life
of
ofthe
thewell.
well.
Equipment
Equipment may
may fail
fail for
for aa number
number of
of reasons
reasons
including:
including:
Effects
Effectsof
ofpressure.
pressure.
Effects
Effectsof
ofthermal
thermalstress.
stress.
Applied
Appliedand
andinduced
inducedmechanical
mechanicalloading.
loading.
Corrosion
Corrosionfailure
failure(O
(O22, ,CO
CO22, ,HH22S,
S,Acids).
Acids).
Erosion.
Erosion.

ItItisisalso
alsoimportant
importanttotodistinguish
distinguishtwo
twotypes
typesofoffailure:
failure:
Catastrophic
Catastrophic failure
failure implying
implying aa safety
safety concern,
concern, e.g.
e.g. aa tubing
tubing
leak.
leak.
Inability
Inability toto function
function with
with no
no immediate
immediate safety
safety concerns,
concerns, e.g.
e.g.
gas
gaslift
liftvalve
valvefailure.
failure.

20

Workover
Workover

Failure
Failure of
of completion
completion equipment
equipment may
may dictate
dictate two
two
courses
coursesof
ofaction:
action:
1)
1)Repair
Repairor
orremoval
removaland
andreplacement.
replacement.
2)
2) Abandon
Abandon the
the well
well inin cases
cases where
where due
due toto safety
safety
implications
implicationsthe
thewell
wellisisnot
notsalvageable.
salvageable.

The
The consequences
consequences of
of aa component
component failure
failure depends
depends
upon
uponits
itsintegration
integrationwith
withthe
thecompletion
completionstring
stringand
andits
its
replacement
replacementmay
mayrequire:
require:
Removal
Removaland
andreplacement
replacementby
bymeans
meansof
ofwireline
wirelineor
or

coiled
coiledtubing
tubingwithout
withouthaving
havingtotokill
killthe
thewell.
well.

Removal
Removaland
andreplacement
replacementof
ofthe
theXmas
XmasTree.
Tree.
Partial
Partialor
orfull
fullremoval
removaland
andreplacement
replacementof
ofthe
the
completion
completionstring.
string.
Other
Otherremedial
remedialwork.
work.

21

Workover
Workover

ItIt may
may not
not always
always be
be possible,
possible, or
or desireable,
desireable, toto
perform
performaaworkover
workoverimmediately,
immediately,ififfor
forexample,
example,the
the
means
meansare
arenot
notreadily
readilyavailable.
available.In
Inthis
thiscase
casethe
thewell
well
may
maybe:
be:
Shut
Shutin,
in,ififthere
thereisisno
nosafety
safetyproblem;
problem;e.g.
e.g.this
thismay
may

be
bethe
thecase
caseof
ofhigh
highwater
watercut.
cut.

Temporarily
Temporarilysuspended,
suspended,ififthere
thereisisaasafety
safetyproblem,
problem,
such
such as
as aa tubing
tubing leak.
leak. This
This involves
involves installing
installing the
the
required
required number
number of
of fluid
fluid and
and mechanical
mechanical barriers
barriers so
so
that
thatthe
thewell
wellisisrendered
renderedsafe.
safe.
Abandoned,
Abandoned,ififthe
theproblem
problemisisso
sosevere
severethat
thatititisisnot
not
safe
safeor
oreconomical
economicaltotoperform
performaaworkover.
workover.This
Thismay
may
occur
occur ifif there
there are
are major
major well
well performance
performance problems
problems
or
or irretrievable
irretrievable junk
junk inin the
the well.
well. In
In this
this case
case
permanent
permanent barriers
barriers such
such as
as cement
cement plugs
plugs will
will be
be
placed
placedininthe
thewell.
well.

22

Workover
Workover Programs

Typical
TypicalWorkover
WorkoverProgram
ProgramContents
Contents
1)
1)Well
Wellhistory.
history.
2)
2)Current
Currentstatus
statusof
ofthe
thewell.
well.
3)
3)Completion
Completiondetails.
details.
4)
4)Proposed
Proposedworkover
workoverprocedure,
procedure,including:
including:
Well
WellKill.
Kill.
Installation
Installationof
ofbarriers.
barriers.
Removal
Removalof
ofXmas
XmasTree
Treeand
andcompletion.
completion.
Installation
Installationof
ofBOPs.
BOPs.
Cleaning
Cleaningthe
thewell.
well.
Running
Runningnew
newcompletion.
completion.
Removing
Removingthe
theBOPs.
BOPs.
Re-Installing
Re-Installingthe
theXmas
XmasTree.
Tree.
23

Workover
Workover Programs

From
Fromaawell
wellcontrol
controlperspective
perspectivewe
wewould
wouldwant
wanttoto
have
havespecific
specificinformation
informationon
onthe
thefollowing:
following:

Information

Reason

Pore pressure of
exposed formations

Kill fluid
requirements

Fracture pressure of the

exposed formations

Bullheading
Requirements

Permeability of exposed
formations

Kill fluid
specifications

Accessibility of tailpipe
landing nipples

Barriers
considerations

Integrity of packer and

tubing hanger

Procedures to control
the well

Current wellhead annuli Procedures to control

pressure info
the well
Hydrate formation

Procedures to control
the well

24

Workover
Workover Programs

From
From an
an operational
operational point
point of
of view
view the
the
following
followingshould
shouldbe
beconsidered:
considered:
Disposal
Disposalof
ofcontaminants.
contaminants.
Prevalence/likelihood
Prevalence/likelihoodof
ofHH22SSand
andLSA
LSAscale.
scale.
Personnel
Personnelprotection.
protection.
All
Allpressure
pressurecontrol
controlequipment,
equipment,i.e.
i.e.risers,
risers,BOPs,
BOPs,
etc
etcshould:
should:
Be
Berated
ratedtotoatatleast
leastthe
themaximum
maximumanticipated
anticipated
surface
surfacepressure.
pressure.
Be
Besuited
suitedtotothe
theworking
workingenvironment.
environment.
Allow
Allowpassage
passageof
ofall
alltoolstrings.
toolstrings.

25

Workover
Well Control Problems During Workover

The
The following
following are
are typical
typical causes
causes of
of well
well
control
controlproblems
problemsduring
duringworkover.
workover.
1)
1) Different
Different workover
workover philosophies
philosophies within
within the
the
same
same company
company for
for different
different fields
fields can
can lead
lead toto
subtle
subtle changes
changes inin procedures,
procedures, which
which inin turn
turn can
can
lead
leadtotoerrors.
errors.
2)
2) In
In some
some cases
cases there
there isis no
no test
test of
of mechanical
mechanical
barriers
barriersfrom
frombelow
belowthe
thebarrier.
barrier.
3)
3) Attempting
Attempting toto remove
remove aa toolstring
toolstring from
from aa well
well
having
having insufficient
insufficient length
length or
or riser
riser toto isolate
isolate the
the
formation
formationtotodepressurise
depressurisethe
thesystem.
system.
4)
4)Brine
Brinedensities
densitiescan
canbe
beaffected
affectedconsiderably
considerablyby
by
downhole
downhole pressures
pressures and
and temperatures;
temperatures; this
this isis
particularly
particularly hazardous
hazardous where
where aa low
low overbalance
overbalance
margin
marginexists.
exists.

26

Workover
Workover Example

Object
Object--to
toremove
removeaapermanent
permanentpacker
packer
from
fromaawell
well

27

Workover
Normal Production

BARRIER ENVELOPE IN PLACE

Casing
Packer
Tubing
Hanger
Xmas Tree

28

Workover
Well Killed and Barriers In Place for Tree Removal

WELL CONTROL CONSIDERATIONS

Check for gas migration
Check annulus dead
Cause of surface pressure, thermal effects
or well not dead
Do not exceed tubing or csg specs

BARRIERS IN PLACE
Kill wt brine in tubing and annulus
Plug in tailpipe
BPV in tubing hanger

29

Workover
Tree Removal, BOP Installed

BARRIERS IN PLACE
Kill wt brine in tubing and annulus
Plug in tailpipe
BPV in tubing hanger

30

Workover
Prepare to Pull Tubing
Plugs removed
Tubing hanger lockdown
Bolts removed

WELL CONTROL CONSIDERATIONS

Check for trapped pressure before removing
tbg hanger lockdown bolts
Consider the SCSSV
Make final checks for annulus pressure
Enough kill wt material on board

BARRIERS IN PLACE
Kill wt brine in tubing and annulus

WHILST PULLING
Perform regular flow checks
Keep the hole full
Trapped pressure

31

Workover
Tubing Removed, Wearbushing Installed

WELL CONTROL CONSIDERATIONS

Perform regular flow checks
Monitor hole fill on trip tank
Minimise time on the bank

BARRIERS IN PLACE
Kill wt brine

32

Workover
Milling the Packer

WELL CONTROL CONSIDERATIONS

Keep accurate trip record
Gains or losses after packer broken through
Surging whilst RIH with mill
Swabbing whilst POOH
Run wearbushing prior to RIH with mill

BARRIERS IN PLACE
Kill wt brine in tubing

33

Workover
Running New Completion
RU wireline on THROT
Install plug in tailpipe
Set packer
Test tubing
Set hanger
Test annulus between
packer and hanger

WELL CONTROL CONSIDERATIONS

WHILST RUNNING TUBING
Perform regular flow checks
Keep the hole full
Surging RIH slowly
Check tubing burst pressure before testing
Test hanger seal integrity

BARRIERS IN PLACE WHEN

RUNNING TUBING
Kill wt brine in tubing and annulus

BEFORE RUNNING
Consider the SCSSV
Enough kill wt material on board

34

Workover
Plugs Run Prior to Nipple Down BOP

WELL CONTROL
CONSIDERATIONS
PRIOR TO ND BOP
Leak-off test tubing
Check annulus pressures

BARRIERS IN PLACE
Kill wt brine in tubing and annulus
Plug in tailpipe
BPV in tubing hanger

35

Workover
BOP Removed and Tree Replaced

RU wireline, pull plugs

Return well to production

BARRIERS IN PLACE
Kill wt brine in tubing and annulus
Plug in tailpipe
BPV in tubing hanger

36

Workover
Sub-Sea Well Normal Production

BARRIER ENVELOPE IN PLACE

Casing
Packer
Tubing
Hanger
Xmas Tree

37

Workover
Tree Cap Pulled, Sub-Sea Workover Riser Installed

BARRIERS IN PLACE WHILST RUNNING

WORKOVER PACKAGE
Tree valves

38

Workover
Well Killed and Barriers in Place Prior to Removing Tree

WELL CONTROL CONSIDERATIONS

DURING KILL
Check for gas migration
Check annulus dead
Source of surface pressure
Thermal effects or well not dead
Do not exceed tubing or csg specs

BARRIERS IN PLACE
Kill wt brine in tubing and annulus
Plug in tailpipe
2 x BPV in tubing hanger

39

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Tree Removed and BOP Riser Installed - THROT Engaged

BARRIERS IN PLACE
Kill wt brine in tubing and annulus
Plug in tailpipe
2 x BPV in tubing hanger

40

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Plugs Removed, Prepare to Pull Tubing on THROT

WELL CONTROL CONSIDERATIONS

PRIOR TO PULLING
Check for trapped pressure before
removing tbg hgr lockdown bolts
Consider the SCSSV
Make final checks for annulus pressure
Enough kill wt material on board

BARRIERS IN PLACE
Kill wt brine in tubing and annulus

DURING PULLING
Perform regular flow checks
Keep the hole full
Trapped pressure

41

Workover
Tubing Removed

WELL CONTROL CONSIDERATIONS

Perform regular flow checks
Monitor hole on trip tank

BARRIERS IN PLACE
Kill wt brine

42

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Milling the Packer

WELL CONTROL CONSIDERATIONS

Keep accurate trip record
Gains or losses after packer breakthrough
Surging whilst RIH with mill
Swabbing whilst POOH
Run wearbushing prior to RIH

BARRIERS IN PLACE
Kill wt brine

43

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New Tubing Run on THROT
RU wireline on dual running string
Install plug in tailpipe
Set packer
Test tubing
Set and test hanger

WELL CONTROL CONSIDERATIONS

WHILST RUNNING TUBING
Perform regular flow checks
Keep hole full monitor on trip tank
Surging RIH slowly
Check tubing burst pressure before testing

BARRIERS IN PLACE WHEN

RUNNING TUBING
Kill wt brine in tubing and annulus

BEFORE RUNNING TUBING

Pull wearbushing
Consider the SCSSV
Enough kill wt material on board

44

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Plugs Run Prior to ND BOP

WELL CONTROL CONSIDERATIONS

Leak-off test tubing

BARRIERS IN PLACE
Kill wt brine in tubing and annulus
Plug in tailpipe
2 x BPV in tubing hanger

45

Workover
BOP and Drilling Riser Pulled, Tree Run on Workover Package

RU wireline
Pull plugs
Pull workover package
Return well to production

BARRIERS IN PLACE
Kill wt brine in tubing and annulus
Plug in tailpipe
2 x BPV in tubing hanger

46

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Hydrostatic Pressure (Liquids)

In
Interms
termsof
ofpressure
pressuregradient:
gradient:
P = G D TV
G Pr essure Gradient ( psi / ft )
D TV True Vertical Depth ( ft )

In
Interms
termsof
ofspecific
specificgravity:
gravity:
P = SG 0.433 D TV
SG Specific gravity

In
Interms
termsof
ofdensity
densityin
inlbs/gal:
lbs/gal:
P = 0.052 D TV
density ( lb / gal)
47

Workover
Hydrostatic Pressure (Liquids)

Conversion
Conversionof
ofAPI
APIgravity
gravityto
tospecific
specificgravity:
gravity:

141.5
SG =
131.5 + API

48

Workover
Hydrostatic Pressure (Gases)

In
Interms
termsof
ofpressure
pressuregradient:
gradient:
P = G D TV
G Gas Pr essure Gradient ( psi / ft )
D TV True Vertical Depth ( ft )

In
Interms
termsof
ofgas
gascorrection
correctionfactors:
factors:

D TV
P = PS exp

53
.
4
z
T

P Surface Pr essure ( psia )

S
Gas Specific Gravity
D TV True Vertical Depth ( ft )
z Gas Deviation Factor

T Absolute Temperatrure ( F)

49

Workover
Hydrostatic Pressure (Gases)

In
Interms
termsof
ofthe
thegas
gascorrection
correctionfactor
factorCCf:f:

D TV
P = PS exp

53.4 z T
P = PS Cf
C Correction Factor
f

50

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Gas Correction Factors

51

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Methods of Well Kill
Kill Method

Description

Bullheading

Kill fluid pumped into the

tubing at surface.
Tubing contents displaced into
the formation.

Forward
Circulation

Kill fluid pumped into tubing at

surface.
Tubing contents displaced into
the annulus through a deep set
circulation point.
Annulus contents displaced to
disposal system.

Lubricate and
Bleed

A controlled volume of kill

fluid pumped into the tubing at
surface.
After an appropriate time,
pressure is bled off at surface
down to a predetermined value.

Reverse Circulation Kill fluid pumped into the

annulus.
Annulus contents displaced into
the tubing through a deep set
circulation point.
Tubing contents displaced to
disposal system at surface.

52

Workover

Surface Tubing Pressure (psi)

Bullheading Well Kill

Volume Pumped into Tubing (bbls)

53

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Forward Circulation Well Kill

Delayed
Delayedtill
tilllater
later!!!!!!

54

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Lubricate and Bleed Well Kill

55

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Reverse Circulation Well Kill

Well Status before SSD is open.

56

Workover

Well Status after SSD is open.

57

Workover

Well Status with SSD open and THP bled down.

58

Workover

Well Status when THP reaches zero.

59

Workover

Well Status with gas out of tubing, oil at surface.

60

Workover

Well Status when annulus is full.

61

Workover

Well Status when tubing is full of heavy brine.

62

Workover

Well Status when annulus is full of kill brine.

63

Workover

Surface Tubing Pressure (psi)

Reverse Circulation Well Kill Graph Example

Volume Pumped into Annulus (bbls)

64

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Forward Circulation/Reverse Circulation Comparison

65

Workover
Bullheading

Advantages
Advantages--as
ascompared
comparedtotoreverse
reversecirculation.
circulation.

Duration
Durationof
ofpumping
pumpingoperation
operationshort.
short.
Lower
Lowercost.
cost.
Easier
Easiertotoperform
performwith
withless
lesspersonnel.
personnel.
No
Noenvironmental
environmentalpollution.
pollution.

Disadvantages
Disadvantages

No
Noprotection
protectionfrom
fromdamaging
damagingfluids
fluidsand
anddebris.
debris.
Higher
Highertubing
tubingpressures.
pressures.
Pumping
Pumping operations
operations may
may cause
cause accidental
accidental
fracture
fractureof
ofthe
theformation.
formation.
Cannot
Cannotkill
killall
allwells
wells(especially
(especiallytight
tightformations
formations
and
andsome
somegas
gaswells).
wells).
66

Workover
Reverse Circulation

Advantages
Advantages

Reservoir
Reservoirfluids
fluidsare
areexcluded
excludedfrom
fromthe
theA
Aannulus.
annulus.
Fluid
Fluid densities
densities should
should keep
keep reservoir
reservoir fluids
fluids
segregated
segregatedininthe
thetubing
tubingduring
duringpumping
pumpingoperations.
operations.
Formation
Formationmay
maybe
beprotected.
protected.
Tubing
Tubing and
and casing
casing pressures
pressures are
are lower
lower during
during
pumping
pumpingoperations.
operations.
Can
Cankill
killall
allwells
wellsififthe
themechanical
mechanicalcondition
conditionof
ofthe
the
tubing
tubingand
andcasing
casingisisappropriate.
appropriate.

Disadvantages
Disadvantages

A
Aannulus
annulusdebris
debrismay
maymake
makeaatailpipe
tailpipetubing
tubingplug
plug
irretrievable.
irretrievable.

Duration
Durationof
ofpumping
pumpingoperations
operationsmay
maybe
belong.
long.
Higher
Highercost.
cost.
67

Workover
Well Preparation

Well
Well must
must be
be closed
closed in
in to
to stabilise
stabilise
bottomhole
bottomholepressure.
pressure.
Inspect
Inspectand
andservice
servicethe
theXmas
XmasTree.
Tree.
Consider
Considerthe
theSub-Surface
Sub-SurfaceSafety
SafetyValve.
Valve.
Isolate
Isolate well
well control
control from
from all
all external
external
sources
sources(except
(exceptPSD).
PSD).
Stress
Stressanalysis.
analysis.

68

Workover
Information Required for a Well Kill

Reservoir Parameters Completion Parameters

Static Reservoir
Pressure

Survey Data

TVD Formation

Annulus Volume

Permeability

Tubing Volume

Skin Factor

TVD Circulation Ports

Injection Pressure

MAASP

Fracture Pressure

Static Fluid Gradients

TVD Fluid Interfaces
Annulus Fluid Gradient
Kill Fluid Gradient
SITHP
SIAHP

69

Workover
Methods of Equalisation of Pressure

All
Allwells
wellsand
andwell
wellcompletions
completionsare
areunique
uniqueand
andhence
hence
there
thereisisno
nostandard
standardmethod
methodfor
forkilling
killingaaproduction
production
well
well. .

The
The following
following identifies
identifies some
some ofof the
the techniques
techniques that
that may
may be
be
used
used for
for pressure
pressure equalisation
equalisation atat the
the depth
depth ofof aa circulation
circulation
device
deviceprior
priortotopumping
pumpingoperations:
operations:
1)1)Pressurise
Pressurisethe
thetubing
tubingororannulus
annulusby
bypumping
pumpingaacompatible
compatible
fluid.
fluid.
2)2) Pressurise
Pressurise the
the tubing
tubing by
by utilising
utilising pressure
pressure from
from another
another
well.
well.
3)3)Lubricate
Lubricateand
andbleed
bleedthe
thetubing
tubingororthe
theannulus.
annulus.
Note:
Note: The
The method
method used
used will
will be
be dependent
dependent on
on the
the fluids
fluids
present
presentin
inthe
thetubing
tubingor
orthe
theannulus.
annulus.
Note:
Note:The
Theconditions
conditionsofofconstant
constantbottomhole
bottomholeconditions
conditionsmay
may
still
stillbe
beapplicable.
applicable.
70

Workover
Equipment Required for Well Kill Operations

Pump(s)
Pump(s)

pump
pumpstroke
stroke

appropriately
appropriatelypressure
pressurerated
rated
known
known output
output volume
volume per
per
relief
reliefvalve
valve

Surface
SurfaceLines
Lines
Choke
Choke
Check
CheckValves
Valves
Pressure
PressureGauges
Gauges
Fluid
FluidDisposal
DisposalSystem
System

appropriately
appropriatelypressure
pressurerated
rated
adjustable
adjustable
appropriately
appropriatelycalibrated
calibrated

Mixing
MixingTanks
Tanks
Reserve
ReserveTanks
Tanks
Kill
KillFluid
Fluid
Chemical
ChemicalAdditives
Additives
Well
WellIntervention
InterventionEquipment
Equipment
71

Workover
Equipment Required for Well Kill Operations

72

Workover
Golden Rules for Planning a Well Kill

1)
1)Obtain
Obtainrelevant
relevantwell
welland
andreservoir
reservoirdata.
data.
2)
2)Decide
Decideon
onthe
thebest
bestmethod
methodto
tokill
killthe
thewell.
well.
3)
3) Determine
Determine the
the kill
kill fluid
fluid density
density appropriate
appropriate
to
tothe
theformation
formationpressure
pressureto
tokill
killthe
thewell.
well.
4)
4)Generate
Generateaakill
killgraph.
graph.
5)
5)IfIfpossible,
possible,simulate
simulatethe
thewell
wellkill.
kill.
6)
6) Generate
Generate aa well
well kill
kill procedure
procedure identifying
identifying
fluid,
equipment,
and
personnel
fluid,
equipment,
and
personnel
requirements,
requirements, expected
expected pressures,
pressures, and
and
safety
safetyrequirements
requirements(barriers).
(barriers).

73

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Golden Rules When Performing a Well Kill

1)
1)Conduct
Conductan
anawareness
awarenessand
andsafety
safetymeeting
meeting
for
forall
allpersonnel
personnelinvolved.
involved.
2)
2)Prepare
Preparethe
thewell.
well.
3)
3)Pressure
Pressuretest
testall
allsurface
surfaceequipment.
equipment.
4)
4)Check
Checkfluid
fluiddensity
densityand
andvolume.
volume.
5)
5)Commence
Commenceoperations
operationsas
asper
perthe
thekill
kill
procedure.
procedure.

IfIfReverse
ReverseCirculation
Circulationisisused:
used:
equalise
equaliseover
overcirculation
circulationdevice
device
increase
increasepump
pumprate
rateslowly
slowlytotothe
therate.
rate.
surface
surfacechoke
chokemust
mustbe
beadjusted
adjustedtotoregulate
regulatethe
theTHP.
THP.
returns
returnstotobe
bemonitored.
monitored.
pump
pumpthe
theappropriate
appropriatevolume
volumeof
ofkill
killfluid.
fluid.

6)
6)Check
Checkthat
thatthe
thewell
wellisisdead.
dead.

74