Production Through Intervention: A Case Study Documenting the Multi-Phase Electric Line Tractor Conveyed Solution to Bring an Offshore Well Back Online by Efficient Wellbore Cleanout and Ultra-Precise Electro-Mechanical Punching

Abstract The reason for the lack of production in shut-in wells varies but main issues can be grouped into i) mechanical challenges (fish or sand / debris in the wellbore), ii) integrity (leaks or surface contained pressure) & iii) direct production related due to reservoir performance. The reality will likely be a combination of the above. Any credible intervention recipe must have the technology to address each of the above listed challenges. The well is located on the Norwegian continental shelf and the focus of the paper will be the efficient electric line solutions that were able to contribute to bringing the well back to production. The first objective was to achieve full wellbore access to the inflow control device (ICD) screen zones as there was a significant volume of debris across and above the screen area. The second objective was to open a flow-path through the base-pipe to the ICD screens to enable a direct opening and thereafter re-establishing production from the well. The paper will present a summary of the events beginning with meticulous pre-job planning and surface interface testing onshore one year in advance of the planned offshore operation. The solution involved multiple trips of electric line tractor conveyed wellbore cleanout technologies recovering a wide range of debris types totaling approximately 100 liters in volume from above and across the screens. With wellbore access to the ICD screens achieved, it allowed the creation of ultra-precise hole openings in the 5.5 in. OD base pipe. It was critical that the hole openings were created without any contact or damage to the wire-wrap ICD screens. These ultra-precise holes were created using the latest electro-mechanical puncher technology conveyed on tractor integrated with a downhole stroker. The request was to create the maximum number of hole openings equally phased radially around the pipe circumference at each depth, repeating at multiple stations in a narrow vertical distance using the downhole stroker for axial depth control. 26 x 1 in. diameter holes were created across 5 depths creating ~20 in2 flow area to enable production to restart. The outcome demonstrated the necessity of advanced electric line tractor conveyance with powered mechanical technologies to deliver a smarter intervention solution. Key takeaways include the importance of real-time downhole instrumentation and diagnostics, automation and an effective wellsite debris management system. The front-end adaptive planning approach significantly enabled an efficient operation minimizing non-productive time ultimately restoring wellbore access and subsequent production.