Life-of-the-well annular sealing in cementless completion
Challenges in Cementing Operations and the Need for Zonal Isolation Solutions
Cementing operations are widely used in the upstream oil and gas business to create a critical hydraulic barrier between the casing and formation. The primary objective is to isolate individual zones and prevent annular flow. However, cement is prone to failure, and it may not ensure the required zonal isolation throughout the life of the well. This creates challenges for operators, as well integrity can be compromised, leading to significant risks and costly repairs.
Cementing operations are the most commonly used technique in today’s upstream oil and gas business to ensure a critical hydraulic barrier between the casing and the formation. The goal is to isolate individual zones and prevent annular flow, which can cause issues such as wellbore instability, casing damage, and even production losses.
Annulus cementing is considered one of the essential operations during well construction. However, the cement is likely to fail and may not guarantee the requested downhole zonal isolation throughout the life of the well. This can lead to costly remedial operations and even abandonment of the well.
Solution: Openhole Annulus Packers for Critical Zonal Isolation
To address this challenge, openhole annulus packers are used by numerous oil and gas operators worldwide. These packers can reinforce or even replace the cement in critical external casing sections, providing the necessary zonal isolation required downhole.
Saltel Expandable Steel Packers are specifically designed to meet the requirements of the most challenging applications, such as cementless completions. Our Annular Zonal Isolation Packers (AZIP) provide a life-of-the-well annulus sealing solution that is both reliable and long-lasting. With our packers, operators can achieve optimal zonal isolation and maximize production while minimizing operational costs and risks.
Features/Xpandable Steel Packer | Xpandable steel AZIP-C 1-0 | Xpandable steel AZIP-C 1-1 |
---|---|---|
Mounting | Crimped | Crimped |
Valve system | Lock valve closing permanently packer expansion port. Annulus compensation valve (one side) | Lock valve closing permanently packer expansion port. Dual Annulus compensation valve (both sides) |
Sealing System | Deformable corrosion-resistant alloy (CRA) sleeve with elastomer seal | Deformable corrosion-resistant alloy (CRA) sleeve with elastomer seal |
Reliability | Life of well (Sweet and Sour environment) | Life of well (Sweet and Sour environment) |
Performance | Self energized high-pressure differential from one direction unaffected by temperature variations | Self energized high-pressure differential from one direction unaffected by temperature variations |
Max DeltaP Compensated | Up to 3,000 psi depending on diameter and sleeve thickness | Up to 3,000 psi depending on diameter and sleeve thickness |
Max DeltaP Not Compensated | Up to 3,000 psi depending on diameter and sleeve thickness | Up to 3,000 psi depending on diameter and sleeve thickness |
Max Temp. | 302 degF - 150 degC | 302 degF - 150 degC |
Qualification | API 19 OH V1 | API 19 OH V1 |