Challenge: Streamline completion of uncemented, extended-reach heavy oil wells in unconsolidated sandstone, using equipment suitable for future thermal recovery processes
Solution: Deploy liners using 7-in × 9⅝-in COLOSSUS UNC™ uncemented liner hanger system fitted with thermal elastomers, together with a hydraulic set and release running tool
Results: Reduced liner installation time from 10 days to 1¼ days on average per well with zero NPT, saved operator USD 590,000, and enabled achievement of production goals
Extended-reach wells drilled through unconsolidated sandstone with shale laminations in the Cerro Negro oil field in Venezuela presented significant completion challenges for Petroindependencia, a Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA) joint venture. The average length of the 8.61-in diameter, openhole horizontal sections was 4,500 ft and the maximum dogleg severity was 7°/100 ft. Successful liner deployment in these long, uncemented laterals required the ability to rotate, push, and pull the liner.
In addition, production of the heavy oil (9° API) would require steam injection during later stages of development. Consequently, all completion hardware had to be rated for the extreme conditions that were anticipated.
Service quality incidents during completion of the first well had resulted in a fishing operation, which combined with various technical limitations led to a liner installation time of 10 days. With 13 more wells to complete by year-end, the operator was on a tight schedule with little margin for error and approached SLB for the remaining wells. Robust and reliable liner hanger equipment—which would translate into less rig time, lower opex, and successful achievement of completion goals—was required.
The COLOSSUS UNC uncemented liner hanger system facilitates successful liner deployment in uncemented vertical and long-reach horizontal wellbores, and it can be easily configured for high-temperature environments. The system's push, pull, and rotation capabilities enable the liner to reach target depth quickly even in extended-reach wells. At the same time, the hydraulic setting capability avoids excessive workstring manipulation, which can be damaging in highly deviated wells. While running in hole, a large bypass area reduces the piston effect, thereby enabling higher speeds.
The liner hanger and packer are on the same mandrel and are set simultaneously, maximizing system integrity and simplifying operations. Thermal elastomers suitable for steam-injection applications were used for the packer element.
The 600-degF rated COLOSSUS UNC uncemented liner hanger system was supplemented with SLB Completions Domain Support, which included torque-and-drag analysis and well preparation recommendations. Operations were conducted by a highly experienced team and wells were placed on production earlier than previously possible, helping the company achieve its production goals for the year. The operator has continued to use this liner hanger system; a total of 25 wells have been completed to date with an average liner deployment time of 30 hours/well and zero NPT, saving Petroindependencia an estimated USD 590,000.
