Well Barriers
Well barriers are fundamental to well integrity and well control. An
uncontrolled blowout can only occur if more than one barrier fails.
Understanding the physical properties of a barrier, where the barriers are
located, how they are tested, and the actions to take if a barrier fails, are
critical skills for anyone working in completions or interventions. During
interventions and workovers, barrier elements and the barrier envelope
often change as the job progresses. Those working in completions and
interventions must be able to clearly identify each change of barrier ele-
ment, and how the barrier envelope changes throughout the operation.
Many operating companies now incorporate barrier diagrams in work
programmes. These diagrams clearly identify the primary and secondary
barrier envelopes, all the individual barrier elements, and how they
should be tested. Any change to the barrier configuration requires a new
barrier diagram. This is an excellent system, and if properly implemented
will mean those tasked with carrying out the work are always clear about
where barriers are, how they change as work progresses, and crucially,
how to respond to a barrier failure.
a
A pedantic point. This should probably read liquids or gases. Gas is a fluid.
the fluid barrier becomes the priority, and must be carried out before
operations resume. Failure of the secondary barriers is contained by acti-
vating shear and blind rams (tertiary barrier).
before infinite time (Horner time 5 1) the leak is diminishing and the
inflow test is good. If the plot makes an intersect of the y axis, it means
there is flow at infinite time and the inflow test has failed (Fig. 6.1).
6.7.1 Wireline
Primary (first) barrier.
• Stuffing box or grease head and lubricator system.
• When the wireline toolstring is at the surface, the tree valves are
closed to allow the lubricator to be vented and opened. The
Christmas tree valves form the primary barrier.
Secondary barrier.
• Wireline BOP that can close around and seal on the wire in the hole.
For braided cable and e-line a dual ram BOP is required.
• Christmas tree valves if the wire parts and are ejected from the stuffing
box (grease head). If the wire is ejected from the stuffing box, pressure
should be contained in the lubricator by the BOP gland or ball check
in the stuffing box/grease head.
During fishing operations, there may be occasions where wire is
stripped through a closed BOP. In these circumstances, the BOP becomes
the primary barrier.
Tertiary barrier.
• Wire cutting shear seal BOP.
• Wire cutting tree valve.
224 Well Control for Completions and Interventions
In the event of primary and secondary failure, and where no wire cut-
ting BOP is fitted, it may become necessary to cut the wire with the tree
valves. If the tree valves are not designed to cut wire, the gate may be
damaged and it may not be possible to obtain a seal with the valve closed.
If a tree valve must be used to secure the well, always use the upper mas-
ter valve.
• If the lower master valve is damaged, two mechanical set barriers must
be installed in the wellbore before repairs can be made.
• If the swab valve is damaged, it would not be possible to flow the
well whilst maintaining double barrier isolation (swab valve and
swab cap).
Note: Some coil tubing operations use reverse circulation to clean out the well-
bore. This means no check valves are included in the BHA. In these circumstances,
the primary internal barrier is provided by maintaining overbalance on the forma-
tion to prevent hydrocarbons from entering the reel.
REFERENCES
1. NORSOK Standard D-010. Well Integrity in Drilling and Well Operations. Revision
3. August 2004.
2. Design, Installation, Repair and Operation of Subsurface Safety Valve Systems ANSI/
API Recommended Practice 14b Fifth Edition, October 2005.
3. Stein A. Meeting the Demand for Barrier Plug Integrity Assurance. SPE paper
175489-MS. 2015.
4. Fjagesund T. Technology Update: Using Schematics for Managing Well Barriers. SPE
paper-0915-0034-JPT.
5. https://www.wellbarrier.com.