Abstract
Objectives/Scope
Downhole Annular Barrier (DAB) systems employed in intervention can correct integrity and conformance control issues during well lifecycle, extending the productive term in a safe and costeffective manner. These emergent wireline technologies come with unique challenges for logistics, quality control, and engineering, but can also provide solutions to difficult problems, with high value to spend ratio, in the non-rig intervention sector. The paper will review one such successful intervention, completed offshore Trinidad W.I., in a gas well presenting long term Sustained Casing Pressure (SCP). The desired end state of the well was A-Annulus at 0 psi SCP, which would return the well to a safe state and permit a planned infrastructure project to move ahead.
Methods, Procedures, Process
Operational objective was isolation of the casing annulus pressure from the source by injecting epoxy into the annular space at depth, forming a 360-degree pressure barrier. The project can be broken down into three main sections. The paper and presentation will address each section with its specific challenges, learnings, and outcomes: Onshore Epoxy and Tool Preparation Each Downhole Annular Barrier job employs a custom recipe epoxy suited to the planned logistics timing and expected bottomhole conditions. Quality control of the epoxy recipe and mixing process as well as temperature control of the batch after mixing is key to the sealing properties of the final epoxy plug. • An Epoxy Lab and Mixing Station was dismantled, air freighted, and reconstituted in Trinidad near to the field operations port. Special insulated offshore CCU were built to transport and contain filled epoxy canisters while maintaining low temperature requirements (near to 0 deg C for up to 30 days). • Build and System Integration Testing (SIT) of the downhole system (anchoring, stroking, hydraulic testing, perforation, and injection) with the electric line system (conveyance, telemetry, power). Offshore Job Execution The DAB system employed is designed to complete multiple operations in a single trip into the well, including perforating and high-pressure epoxy injection, with precise position control and monitoring. This is made possible with the multi-function modular tool. The operation was dynamic by design and contingencies were implemented based on the well response. Multiple epoxy annular plugs were placed into the A Annulus at depth, with high pressure injection.
Results, Observations, Conclusions
Well Response and Assessment Utilizing advanced annular surface monitoring technology and PvT analysis, precise assessment of the annulus pressure build was recorded throughout the operation. Once the project criteria were met, the operation was successfully concluded.
Numerical modeling study of a man-made low-permeability barrier for the compressed air energy storage in high-permeability aquifers