Published on 7 March 2017
Screen repair to eliminate Sand production Expandable Steel Patches set on CT Offshore Caspian sea
Context
In an open-hole gravel pack completion (5in18), two sand producing zones were localized thanks to permanently installed optical fiber. 48 (157ft) and 24m (79ft) needed to be sealed, but the riser length limited the maximum possible patch length to 14m (46ft). It was decided to overlap the Patches to provide an effective solution over the entire length.
Solution
Inflatable packer qualification
Saltel Industries casing patch Technology is a unique solution which uses an inflatable Packer to expand the steel patch. This gives a high expansion ratio and means Patches can be overlapped (or Patch run through a previous Patch) to mold to the exact ID of the damaged screen.
Patches set on Coiled Tubing
The patches and setting BHA were conveyed on intelligent Coiled Tubing, to provide pressure from surface. The behavior of the CT at this depth in a horizontal well was the main uncertainty of this job (stick and slip, downhole movements,…). In order to monitor downhole movements and the forces applied on the patch and the BHA during the setting, the CT supplier developed a tension compression sub. The CT MHA also included a CCL module (for positioning), and pressure and temperature sensors.
Read also ‘Caspian patches‘
