Coiled Tubing Firing Heads

(Third Part)
Schlumberger Confidential

Training Course Presentation

TCP Level 2
May 2008

Content
Example of Shear Pin Calculations

Reperforation

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Shear Pin Calculations

1.25 in. OD
0.102 in. Wall
18,000 ft on
reel

Coiled Tubing Data:

1.25 in. OD
0.102 in. Wall
18,000 ft on reel

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Well Parameter (Flowing Condition):

BHP = 1,750 psi
BHT = 260F
WHP = 1,420 psi
Fluid Parameter:
Brine = 8.75 lb/gal
Firing Head Depth: at 7,260 ft TVD
True shear pin value = 485 psi
BHP = 1,750
psi
BHT = 260F

Brine, 8.75 lb/gal

Firing Head at 7,260
ft TVD
True shear pin value =
485 psi

Job Design and Calculations

Bottom Hole Pressure at Firing (BHP at firing).
For this specific case, we have a flowing condition so the well has already been
perforated.

Total CT Pressure at Firing (PCT-pump).

Maximum pump pressure (PCT pump) to shear CBF/BCF pins

Note: If no firing pressure has been specified, use 1,500 psi as a first approximation.
Include in the CT firing head design an overkill pressure equals to 500 psi
PCT-pump = P firing + P overkill
PCT-pump = 1,500 + 500 = 2,000 psi

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BHP at firing = P well flowing = 1,750 psi

Job Design and Calculations

Calculate the hydrostatic pressure of the Coiled Tubing String (PCTHydrostatic).
This is the fluid column inside the CT when the ball lands into the ball seat of the firing
head.

PCT-Hydrostatic = 8.75 x 7,260 x 0.052 = 3,303 psi

Determine the differential pressure (dP Bleeder Hole) across the bleeder
holes at firing.
dP Bleeder Hole = PCT-Hydrostatic + PCT-pump BHP at firing (PCT-Friction)
dP Bleeder Hole = 3,303 + 2,000 1,750 (PCT-Friction)*
dP Bleeder Hole = 3,553 psi (PCT-Friction)*
The CT friction pressure is a function of the flow rate through the bleeder holes and
unknown. For the first iteration, the friction pressure is neglected and the estimated
differential pressure will be higher than the true value.

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PCT-Hydrostatic = fluid wt (lb/gal) x depth (ft) x 0.052

Job Design and Calculations

Determine the empirical data for (Q Bleeder Holes) taking in consideration the dP
already calculated:
dP Dp Bleeder Hole = 3,553 psi

Averaged empirical data for Q Bleeder Holes = 0.4 bbls/ min.

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Job Design and Calculations

Determine the approximate friction pressure drop (P drop/ 1,000 ft)
for the CT size used.

The graphs, which can

be found in the Coiled
Tubing Handbook
Varco (InTouch ID
3314629), are provided
by the Tubing
Manufacturer for the
most common fluids.
Here P drop/ 1,000 ft =
100 psi

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For (P drop/ 1,000 ft)

enter the flow rate and
read the pressure drop
per 1,000 ft.

Job Design and Calculations

Calculate the total friction pressure loss of the CT string (PCTFriction).
PCT-Friction = CT-Length x P drop/ 1,000 ft

Calculate the total internal CT pressure at firing (PCT at firing)

corrected for the friction pressure loss.
PCT at firing = PCT-Hydrostatic + PCT-pump (PCT-Friction)
PCT at firing = 3,303 + 2,000 1,800 = 3,503 psi

Correction of differential pressure across the bleeder holes (dP*

Bleeder Holes) due to high friction loss in 1.25 in. CT.
dP* Bleeder Hole = PCT at firing BHP at firing
dP* Bleeder Hole = 3,503 1,750 = 1,753 psi
* Values corrected for friction loss due to bleeder holes

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PCT-Friction = 18,000 x 100 psi / 1,000 ft = 1,800 psi

Job Design and Calculations

Having the new value for dP Bleeder Holes called dP* Bleeder Holes, determine the
NEW empirical rate.
dP Dp Bleeder Hole = 1,753 psi

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So the new averaged empirical data for Q Bleeder Holes = 0.3 bbls/ min.

Job Design and Calculations

At this time use the chart and determine the new approximate
friction pressure drop (P drop/ 1,000 ft) for CT OD = 1.25 in.

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P drop/ 1,000 ft = 60
psi

Job Design and Calculations

Calculate the total friction pressure loss of the CT string (PCTFriction).
PCT-Friction = CT-Length x P drop/ 1,000 ft

Calculate the total internal CT pressure at firing (PCT at firing)

corrected for the friction pressure loss
PCT at firing = PCT-Hydrostatic + PCT-pump PCT-Friction
PCT at firing = 3,303 + 2,000 1,080 = 4,223 psi

Calculate the Maximun High Shear Value (HSV max).

HSV max = PCT at firing BHP at firing P overkill
HSV max = 4,223 1,750 500 = 1,973 psi

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PCT-Friction = 18,000 ft x 60 psi/ 1,000 ft = 1,080 psi

Job Design and Calculations

Determine for a given (BHT) the temperature correction fcator (G
BHT).
BHT = 260 F , GBHT = 0.91.
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Determine the Nominal Shear

Value (NSV).
Nominal Shear Value = HSV max (GBHT x
1.05)
Nominal Shear Value = 1,973 (0.91 x 1.05)
=

2
1

Job Design and Calculations

The number of pins required is calculated from the firts approximation of the HSV max:
Nominal Shear Value = HSV max (GBHT x 1.05)
Nominal Shear Value = 1,973 (0.91 x 1.05 x ) = 2,065 psi

Number of Pins = Nearest Whole Number = NSV/ True Shear Value of Pin
Number of Pins = 2,065 psi/ 485 psi
Number of Pins = 4.26 pins = 4 pins

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(Where 1.05 is the safety factor and GBHT is the temperature correction factor).

Job Design and Calculations

Verification of shear pin selection
Nominal Shear Value = Number of pins x True Shear Value of Pin x GBHT
Nominal Shear Value = 4 x 485 x 0.91 = 1,765 psi

High Shear Value = 1,765 x 1.05 = 1,853 psi

Low Shear Value = NSV x 0.95
Low Shear Value = 1,765 x 0.95 = 1,677 psi

Verification of required pump pressure at firing PCT-pump

PCT-pump = HSV + BHP at firing PCT-Hydrostatic + PCT-Friction +P overkill
PCT-pump = 1,853 + 1,750 3,303 + 1,080 + 500 = 1,880 psi

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High Shear Value= NSV x 1.05

Job Design and Calculations

Now compare the last calculation with the originally estimated PCT-pump.
PCT-pump = HSV + BHP at firing PCT-Hydrostatic + PCT-Friction +P
overkill
PCT-pump = 1,853 + 1,750 3,303 + 1,080 + 500 = 1,880 psi

PCT-pump = P firing + P overkill

PCT-pump = 1,500 + 500 = 2,000 psi
If the value is significantly different from the original estimated PCT-pump pressure,
review the calculations.
This is the maximum value requiered at surface to activate the firing head as soon as
the ball is in position.
The minimun pump pressure at wich teh head can be activated is:
PCT-pump min = LSV + BHP at firing PCT-Hydrostatic + PCT-Friction
PCT-pump min = 1,677 + 1,750 3,303 + 1,080 = 1,204 psi

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VS