Once pressure below the plug was relieved and the well was killed, the operator used a rig to pull the remaining bridge plug and latch onto the 3 1/2-in tubing. From there, a 1 1/4-in CT unit was deployed to drill out the cement plug in the 3 1/2-in tubing, displace the well to water-base mud, and place new cement plugs to reabandon the well.

Operator removed plugs in 3 days instead of several additional days

Unlike rig joint pipe operations, CT work can be conducted in live wells without having to overestimate the hydrostatic pressure required to overcome potential trapped pressure behind a plug. Large-OD CT pipe in conjunction with CoilTOOLS tools and solutions’ ruggedized milling and bridge plug coring assemblies enabled successful reabandonment in large casing while maintaining pressure control, where previously the operator had only used jointed pipe. Therefore, Coil Tubing Services was able to remove the surface cement plug and core through the bridge plug as planned in less than 72 hours. Similar operations with joint pipe in a rig would have lasted several additional days with a higher HSE risk exposure. The well was reabandoned in compliance with federal regulations.