Underperforming horizontal injection wells

Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Alaska (CINGSA) had drilled and completed five horizontal natural gas storage wells in the Kenai gas field. The wells were perforated highly overbalanced on TCP because the reservoirs were depleted, but the initial flow tests were below expectations. Remedial action was needed before the wells could be brought online. It was determined that reservoir pressure would be increased and the wells reperforated at balanced pressure to minimize perforation damage.

Robust tractor conveyance for perforating

To deliver the deep penetration needed to bypass the existing damage, PowerJet Omega deep penetrating perforating shaped charges were chosen. TuffTRAC cased hole tractor service was selected to convey the perforating gun systems in the horizontal wells because it is engineered to withstand the impact of the gun detonations and it also has low sensitivity to well conditions. Although the TuffTRAC tractor is the shortest tractor in the industry, its modular configuration has built-in critical perforation systems for electrical release, head tension, and shock absorption for increased operating safety, reliability, and versatility.

Up to 300% increase in injection rate

The durable TuffTRAC tractor made 66 trouble-free descents, totaling 47,132 ft, to shoot 1,790 ft of perforating guns using PowerJet Omega deep perforating charges. This robust performance resulted from the application of exclusive active traction control, which continuously controlled the radial force applied by the TuffTRAC tractor arms to compensate for any slippage in difficult well sections. Reperforating conveyed on the TuffTRAC tractor delivered the results that CINGSA wanted: the injection rate was increased 50% to 300% for the four wells that were remediated.