Innovative through-tubing workover process utilizing a cement packer

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:166629

Hathcock, L; Gardner, C; Herbert, P ^[1]

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1. and others

Over the years, cement packers have been used to provide zonal isolation above the production packer without pulling the completion. Experience has shown that the risks associated with placement of the packers is fairly high and leaks are difficult to repair. A number of ways to place cement packers have been developed over the years and a new method has been recently field trial tested in the Gulf of Mexico in the SMI 288 field. This paper introduces a novel approach developed to install a completion, in a through-tubing process, to recover otherwise uneconomical, behind pipe reserves that are above existing production packer installations. The entire process takes advantage of significantly improved mature technologies. The application of this process can increase recoverable reserves and avoid expensive workover costs when the reserve estimates are questionable. This paper will discuss the methodology used and the results of a case history included to illustrate the implementation of the process. It involved creating a window in the tubing across the new zone and placement of a cement packer above the window. The window was created so as to lower the completion drawdown and lower the risk of completing in wells requiring sand control.

• OSTI ID: 166629
• Report Number(s): CONF-951002--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
ENHANCED RECOVERY
EVALUATION
OIL WELLS
PACKINGS
PETROLEUM
REENTRY
RESERVES
SEALING MATERIALS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT