Coiled Tubing: The Next Generation

Ali Chareuf Afghoul Building on a technological resurgence during the 1990s, this unique well-intervention
Zakum Development Company (ZADCO)
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates technique firmly established a place in mainstream operations. We review advances
in surface equipment and downhole tools that increase operational efficiency and
Sridhar Amaravadi
Stavanger, Norway safety, improve wellbore and reservoir remediation methods, and also facilitate

Abderrahmane Boumali drilling and completing wells with coiled tubing.

Sonatrach
Algiers, Algeria

João Carlos Neves Calmeto

Petrobras
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Joe Lima
John Lovell
Scott Tinkham
Kean Zemlak
Sugar Land, Texas, USA
Timo Staal
Inverurie, Scotland
For help in preparation of this article, thanks to Marc Allcorn,
Rex Burgos, Luis Cabanzo, Lambert Dilling, Frank Espinosa,
Richard Luht, Robin Mallalieu, Mark Oettli, Radovan
Rolovich, Stuart Wilson and Warren Zemlak, Sugar Land,
Texas, USA; Tommy Andreassen, BP, Stavanger, Norway;
Alastair Buchanan, Stavanger, Norway; Curtis Blount,
ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska, USA; Jeremy
Kinslow, Rock Springs, Wyoming, USA; Ronald Knoppe,
Shell Internation Exploration and Production B.V., Rijswijk,
The Netherlands; Jerry Murphy, Kellyville, Oklahoma, USA;
Randal Pruitt, BP-Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Iuri
Frederico de Oliveira Santos, Macae, Brazil; and Jodi Wood
and Jamal Zakaria, Hassi Messaoud, Algeria.
Blaster, Bridge Blaster, CoilCADE, CoilCAT, CoilFLATE,
CoilFRAC, CoilLIFE, CoilSAFE, CoilTOOLS, CT Sim,
CT EXPRESS, CT InSpec, CT SEAS (Coiled Tubing Safer,
Efficient Automated Solutions), DepthLOG, Discovery MLT,
FIV (Formation Isolation Valve), Friction Deployed, IIC (Intel-
ligent Injector Control), InterACT, Jet Blaster, MultiSensor,
OptiSTIM MP, OptiSTIM ST, Phoenix, PipeSAVER,
PowerCLEAN, REDA, REDACoil, Scale Blaster and
Sterling Beads are marks of Schlumberger.
Once considered high-risk and applicable only
for niche services, coiled tubing (CT) is now an
essential tool for many well-intervention opera-
tions. In the late 1980s and throughout the
1990s, this technology gained wider acceptance
among operators because of its ability to reduce
overall costs, greatly improved reliability and an
expanding range of applications, which resulted
in significantly increased CT activity (next page).1
Used generically, coiled tubing describes con-
tinuous lengths of small-diameter steel pipe,
related surface equipment and associated
workover, drilling and well-completion tech-
niques. Since its introduction to oilfield
operations in the early 1960s, CT utilization has
increased because of better manufacturing,
larger tube diameters and advances in equip-
ment that improved operational efficiency (see
“A History of Coiled Tubing,” page 42).
Coiled tubing is spooled onto a reel for stor-
age and transport. These strings can be 31,000 ft
[9,450 m] long or more, depending on reel size
and tube diameters, which range from 1 to 41⁄2 in.
A hydraulic power pack, or prime mover, con-
trolled from a console in a central control cabin
drives the injector head to deploy and retrieve
coiled tubing. The large storage reel also applies
back-tension on the tubing.
The continuous tubing passes over a goose-
neck and through an injector head before
insertion into a wellbore through well-control
equipment that typically consists of a stuffing
box, or packoff, riser and blowout preventer
(BOP) stack on top of the wellhead. This process
is reversed to retrieve and spool coiled tubing
back onto the reel. Modern CT equipment and
techniques have several advantages over conven-
tional drilling, workover and snubbing units.
These include quick mobilization and lower
cost, expedited operations with no need to stop
and connect tubing joints, and reasonably high
load capacities for deeper vertical and high-angle
reach compared with wireline and slickline. The
flexibility of working under pressure in “live”
wells without killing a well and the unique
capability to pump fluids at any time regardless
of position in a well or direction of travel are
also advantages.

38 Oilfield Review
 Improved manufacturing

Advanced offshore units

Advanced onshore units
HPHT inflatable packers
Wireless depth control
Selective stimulation
Better injector heads

Optimized cleanouts
Logging and drilling
1,500-ft steel stock

3,000-ft steel stock

Multilateral access
Well cleanouts

HPHT services

Scale removal
Jetting fluids

Bias welding
1 1⁄4-in. tube

1 1⁄2-in. tube
1 3⁄4-in. tube

2 3⁄8-in. tube
2 5⁄8-in. tube

2 7⁄8-in. tube
3 1⁄2-in. tube
4 1⁄2-in. tube
HSLA steels

2-in. tube
Acidizing
Fishing
1,200

1,000

Worldwide CT unit count

800

600

400

Gooseneck
200

Injector head
0
1965 1972 1978 1987 1988 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Blowout
preventer
stack
Control Tubing
cabin reel

> Coiled tubing activity—1965 to the present. Development of continuous tubulars began in World War II with project PLUTO (Pipe Lines Under The Ocean)
in 1944. In the 1960s, coiled tubing (CT) was used to wash out sand, retrieve subsurface safety valves and lift fluids out of wells with nitrogen. Later, CT
applications expanded to include acid and fracturing treatments, tool conveyance, tubing replacement, drilling, artificial lift and well completions. As a result,
the number of CT units operating worldwide increased from a few in 1965 to more than 1,000 in 2004.

These capabilities are especially useful in
wellbore cleanouts, jetting with inert gases or
light fluids, perforation acid washes, acid or
fracture stimulations and sand-consolidation
treatments, cementing, fishing and milling,
underreaming and underbalanced drilling.
Adding an electric line, data or power cables
inside coiled tubing strings facilitates well
logging, downhole monitoring or control,
directional drilling and electrical submersible
pump (ESP) installations.
Deeper high-angle wellbores are increasingly
common and many are beginning to require
remedial interventions. Going into deeper wells
increases coiled tubing weight, requiring
1. Ackert D, Beardsell M, Corrigan M and Newman K:
stronger pipe and injector heads plus improved “The Coiled Tubing Revolution,” Oilfield Review 1, no. 3
fluids.2 CT is a viable option for these demanding (October 1989): 4–16.
Bigio D, Rike A, Christensen A, Collins J, Hardman D,
remedial operations, but detailed planning is Doremus D, Tracy P, Glass G, Joergensen NB and
required to ensure job safety and efficiency. Stephens D: “Coiled Tubing Takes Center Stage,”
Oilfield Review 6, no. 4 (October 1994): 9–23.
Better tubular manufacturing and quality
2. Hodder M, Michel C, Kelligray D and Bailey L:
control had a significant positive impact, but “Investigation of Polymeric and Mixed Metal Oxide Fluids
equipment optimization and improved opera- for Use in Well Intervention Operations,” paper SPE 89637,
presented at the SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing Conference and
tional techniques and procedures have been Exhibition, Houston, Texas, USA, March 23–24, 2004.
equally important in improving CT performance
and reliability. This article reviews the latest
developments in CT wellsite efficiency, wellbore
and reservoir remediation applications, new
downhole tools, reentry and underbalanced
drilling operations and artificial lift.

Spring 2004 39

> A Valhall platform, North Sea Norwegian sector. The new CT SEAS unit
performs perforating and wellbore cleanout operations before and after
proppant fracturing treatments in the BP Valhall field offshore Norway.
Wellsite Efficiency
A feasibility study in 2001 and subsequent
engineering efforts resulted in a new offshore
CT unit, which was launched in 2003. The auto-
mated, modular CT SEAS Coiled Tubing Safer,
Efficient Automated Solutions system was first
installed on a BP Valhall field platform in the
North Sea Norwegian sector (above).3
A typical Valhall field horizontal well requires
5 to 12 separate fracture stimulations. To save
time, BP performs drilling and completion
operations simultaneously on the platform. After
well-completion equipment is installed, the
drilling rig skids to the next wellhead slot. A
large CT unit and a stimulation vessel complete
the wells.
The first CT run performs wellbore cleanout
and perforating. The stimulation vessel then
pumps a proppant fracturing treatment. The next
CT run cleans out excess proppant, but leaves a
sand plug to isolate the preceding fracture. The
next interval is perforated, and this cycle
continues until all zones are stimulated.
40
In the past, conventional CT units operated
with a 13-member crew. The equipment spread
consisted of a control unit, reel and power pack,
well-control equipment, two high-pressure posi-
tive displacement pumps, mud shakers, flow
valves and chokes, and an injector-head stand.
Recent extended-reach wells with 2,000-m
[6,562-ft] horizontal sections drilled to tap outer
areas of the field are more challenging than
previous wells. The ability to use larger, heavier
27⁄8-in. coiled tubing would increase operational
efficiency and allow completion of additional
intervals, but required a redesigned CT unit.
An evaluation of platform operations and
requirements, and local regulations helped engi-
neers develop the new CT SEAS unit. The new
design targeted decreases in rig-up and overall
operational cycle times to achieve a 15% effi-
ciency increase and a 30% reduction in CT
personnel. The resulting CT SEAS unit consists of
modular components that are easy to deliver and
assemble, produce zero discharge and optimize
space utilization offshore (next page, top).
Flexibility in equipment layout reduces
rig-up time and improves CT operations.
Conventional offshore CT units typically involve
54 crane lifts during rig-up; the new unit cuts
this number to 36. CT SEAS components travel
to the wellsite preassembled and pretested on
skids to reduce the number of crane lifts and the
amount of manual equipment handling.
The injector head is transported with the
connector installed. A self-folding gooseneck and
partially automated process for stabbing coiled
tubing into the injector head limits personnel
exposure to hazards.
To simplify hookups and pressure testing, the
improved skid designs have fewer valves and
some piping is connected and tested in advance
as modular components. Distributed electric
control of valves in place of centralized
hydraulic control reduces the number of
hydraulic connections. The CT SEAS system has
36 hydraulic connections instead of the usual 84
of older units.
Control cabin ergonomics allow operators to
react quickly and efficiently to any situation
(next page, bottom). Automated process and
equipment control reduces crew requirements
from 13 to 9 members and allows the unit opera-
tor to focus on well-intervention efficiency.
Process-control software incorporates automated
safety features that reduce risk exposure in set-
tings prone to human errors.
During CT operations, job parameters are
monitored, recorded and plotted by the CoilCAT
coiled tubing computer-aided treatment system
for real-time data acquisition. The InterACT real-
time monitoring and data delivery system
provides secure Web-based, two-way communica-
tion that makes field data available at all stages
of a CT operation.4
Authorized client and Schlumberger
personnel have access to data and can monitor
jobs remotely. Streaming data transfer facilitates
real-time evaluation of operations to help
fine-tune job procedures and speed up
decision-making.
The CT SEAS unit has improved wellbore
cleanout efficiency and allowed completion of
more difficult flank wells. The capability of run-
ning up to 6,000 m [1,829 ft] of 27⁄8-in. coiled
3. Andreassen T, Langeteig B, Amaravadi S, Mallalieu R
and Polsky Y: “Field Launch of a Safer, More-Efficient
Coiled-Tubing Unit in North Sea for Valhall Stimulations,”
paper SPE 89604, presented at the SPE/ICoTA Coiled
Tubing Conference and Exhibition, Houston, Texas, USA,
March 23–24, 2004.
4. Cabanzo LE and Zhou W: “Real-Time Data Delivery in
Coiled-Tubing Well Interventions,” paper SPE 89528,
presented at the SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing Conference
and Exhibition, Houston, Texas, USA, March 23–24, 2004.
Oilfield Review
 BOP skid < A safer, more efficient off-
shore unit. The CT SEAS unit
consists of modular skids
Injector head and jacking frame Control cabin and tool shop containing multiple systems for
optimal utilization of platform
space, efficient rig-up and
easy delivery. This design
reduces the number of crane
lifts required to rig up on a plat-
form or move from well to well.
The principal components are
an injector head and jacking
frame, blowout preventer
(BOP) skid, stackable control
cabin and tool shop, shaker
and tank system, BOP-control
and choke skid, hydraulic
power unit and drop-in-drum
tubing reel. A self-folding
gooseneck and partially auto-
mated process for stabbing
coiled tubing into the injector
head reduce the risk of
accidents and injuries. Unit
Drop-in-drum tubing reel automation further improves
safety and efficiency, and
reduces unit crews from 13 to
9 members.
Hydraulic power unit

Mud shaker and tank system

BOP-control and choke skid

> CT unit and system control. A cyber-based system in the CT SEAS cabin
operates the reel, injector head, well-control equipment, flow-control
chokes, mud shakers and pumps.

Spring 2004 41

A History of Coiled Tubing
Early coiled tubing (CT) technology can be
traced to project PLUTO (Pipe Lines Under
The Ocean)—a top-secret effort to install
pipelines across the English Channel during
World War II.1 In June 1944, Allied engineers
deployed several pipelines to provide fuel for
D-day invasion forces. Most of the lines were
fabricated from 40-ft [12-m] joints of 3-in.
inside diameter (ID), 0.212-in. wall thickness
steel pipe welded together to form 4,000-ft
[1,220-m] sections.
These larger pipe sections were welded
end-to-end, spooled onto 40-ft diameter float-
ing drums and towed behind cable-laying
vessels. Successful deployment of 23 pipelines
ranging in length from 30 to 70 miles [48 to
113 km] set the stage for future development
and use of coiled tubing in oil and gas wells.
Elements of modern CT injector heads can
be found in a device developed by Bowen
Tools during the early 1960s for deploying
radio antennae to the ocean surface from sub-
marines submerged as deep as 600 ft [183 m].
The antennae were stored on a spool beneath
the injector for easy extension and retrieval.
These basic concepts aided in the design of
CT units and injector systems.
The first such unit, built by Bowen Tools and
the California Oil Company in 1962, included an
injector rated for surface loads up to 30,000 lbm
[13,608 kg] that ran a continuous string of
1.315-in. outside diameter (OD) pipe. The unit’s
9-ft [2.7-m] diameter storage reel included a
hub with a rotating fluid swivel to allow contin-
uous pumping down the coiled tubing.
However, low yield-strength steels and the
numerous end-to-end, or butt, welds required
to fabricate continuous tubing could not with-
stand repeated bending cycles and high tensile
loads. Weld failures, equipment breakdowns
and fishing operations to retrieve lost coiled
tubing caused operators to lose confidence in
this technique.
From the 1960s through the 1970s, manu-
facturing companies, including Bowen Tools,
Brown Oil Tools, Uni-Flex, Inc., Hydra Rig Inc.
and Otis Engineering, continued making
42
improvements in CT equipment and injector
heads. These changes allowed larger coiled tub-
ing sizes to be used at greater working depths,
improved coiled tubing performance and
reliability, and reduced the number of surface
equipment failures. Unfortunately, an overall
poor success rate and a reputation for limited
reliability continued to plague CT operations.
The late 1970s and early 1980s represented a
turning point for coiled tubing, which up to that
time was milled, or formed, in 1,500-ft [457-m]
sections. In 1978, improved manufacturing
quality and continuous milling allowed fabrica-
tion of 11⁄4-in. OD pipe. In 1980, Southwestern
Pipe introduced 70,000-psi (70-ksi) [483-MPa]
high-strength, low-alloy (HSLA) steel for coiled
tubing. The early 1980s saw the introduction of
11⁄2-in. and 13⁄4-in. OD coiled tubing.
In 1983, Quality Tubing Inc. began using
3,000-ft [914-m] sheets of Japanese steel to
reduce the number of required welds by 50%.
Later in the 1980s, Quality Tubing introduced
bias welding to eliminate butt welds. This
process involved cutting flat steel strips diag-
onally to enhance coiled tubing strength and
life by spreading the heat-affected weld zone
spirally around the tube. In addition, a better
understanding of coiled tubing fatigue
enabled improvements in reliability and
pipe performance.
In 1990, the first string of 2-in. coiled tubing
was milled for a permanent well completion.
Soon after that suppliers began manufactur-
ing 23⁄8-, 25⁄8-, 27⁄8-, 31⁄2- and 41⁄2-in. OD sizes for
well-servicing applications. Today, coiled tub-
ing is manufactured from steel with high yield
strengths of 90, 100, 110 and 120 ksi [620,
689, 758 and 827 MPa], as well as corrosion-
resistant alloys. Higher strength steel, larger
diameters and the need to reduce costs were
key factors behind the CT revolution of the
1990s, and subsequently accounted for the
extraordinary increase in concentric, or
through-tubing, well-intervention work.
1. Wright TR Jr and Sas-Jaworsky II A (eds): World Oil’s
Coiled Tubing Handbook. Houston, Texas, USA: Gulf
Publishing Co. (1998): 7.
tubing at faster rates has improved well cleaning,
eliminated the need for friction-reducing chemi-
cal additives and reduced overall job times.
In the new CT unit design, the current and
future success of this technology can be
attributed to platform designs tailored to CT
requirements. To date, all of the targeted effi-
ciency gains have not been realized on the
Valhall platform, but with each campaign the
team moves closer to those goals.
The need for efficient CT technology is not lim-
ited to offshore operations. Schlumberger
developed the CT EXPRESS rapid-deployment
coiled tubing service for intermediate-depth
onshore wells (next page, top). This system com-
prises two trucks—a purpose-built CT unit and
combination nitrogen and liquid pump—operated
by three people. It provides the same capabilities
as conventional units with five-person crews.
The combination pumper includes a liquid-
nitrogen tank and liquid-additive systems, and
provides electrical and hydraulic power. This unit
is designed for applications involving relatively
low pump rates, moderate pressures and contin-
uous operations for long periods.
Tubing remains stabbed in the injector head
during transportation, and the bottomhole assem-
bly (BHA) can be assembled and pressure tested
prior to arrival on location. A drop-in-drum tubing
reel and innovative BOP pressure-test stand facil-
itate unit mobilization. For rig-up safety and
efficiency, no hydraulic or electric connections
have to be made on location.
The unit operator controls the reel, injector
head and BOP stack from a cyber-based control
cabin, which utilizes available personnel
more effectively and improves wellsite communi-
cation. There are also separate stand-alone
control panels for operation of individual
equipment components.
Statistics from CT operations show that inac-
tion or incorrect actions contribute to at least
one-third of all failures. About 83% of the failures
were triggered by a downhole event, resulting in
forces that exceeded safe CT working limits. To
address this problem, the Schlumberger IIC
Intelligent Injector Control, which is compatible
with both conventional and new CT SEAS units,
provides automated control of CT conveyance.
In conjunction with CoilCADE coiled tubing
design and evaluation software, IIC technology
ensures that CT operations remain within
specified job parameters. This system performs
automated injector load, or pull, tests and
controls speed, applied load, depth and other
parameters while running in or out of a well.
Oilfield Review
 < A fit-for-purpose land-
based CT unit. The CT
EXPRESS unit includes two
trailers that rig up in less
than 30 minutes. The main
trailer includes an injector
rated to pull 40,000-lbf
[178-kN] and 10,000-psi
[68.9-MPa] pressure-control
equipment on a 42-ft [13-m]
mast. This unit can be used
on wellheads up to 20 ft
[6.1 m] high, with a 6-ft
[1.8-m] or shorter bottom-
hole assembly (BHA). A
longer BHA can be accom-
modated on shorter
wellheads. The second
trailer carries nitrogen- and
liquid-pumping equipment
and liquid-additive systems.
45
40
35 1995 1996 1997 1998
30 1999 2000 2001 2002
Total failures, %
This is particularly important during critical
logging, cementing and high-pressure applica-
tions, or weight-sensitive milling or drilling
operations. Predetermined trip schedules and
slow-down points protect completion equipment,
such as profile nipples. Programmed safety limits
provide overpull protection and emergency
shutdown for downhole obstructions.
The automated IIC control system protects
wellbore and completion equipment and helps
prevent downhole failures caused by human
error. In addition to improvements in CT units
and surface equipment, a better understanding
of stresses and fatigue and more effective pipe
management have improved service quality and
job safety.
Tube Reliability
Results from an eight-year Schlumberger analy-
sis of tube flaws and failures indicated that
coiled tubing utilization efficiency is improving.5
A better understanding of tube failures and a
focused pipe-management program contributed
to increased CT reliability and improved service
quality. As part of an ongoing Coiled Tubing

25 Failure Analysis Program, Schlumberger investi-

20
gated and classified failure causes and
mechanisms (left).
15 These data provide valuable input for
research, development and engineering efforts,
10
training and competency programs, and quality-
5 assurance plans. Based on identified trends
and failure causes, Schlumberger implemented
0
Overloading Mechanical Fatigue Pitting General Manufacturing Unknown Other preventive field procedures to mitigate coiled
damage corrosion corrosion and processing tubing failures.
The result was a steady increase in the num-
70 ber of Schlumberger jobs per 1,000 ft [305 m] of
coiled tubing purchased from 2 in 1998 to 3.6 in
60 2003. The number of successful jobs between
1995 1996 1997 1998 failures also improved from 100 in 1999 to a high
50
1999 2000 2001 2002 of 235 in 2001.
Schlumberger developed the CT Pipe
Total failures, %

40 Management Program to track and address tube

flaws and failures. Failures while coiled tubing is
30 in a well or being bent at the surface can have a
catastrophic impact on safety, the environment
20 and intervention economics. Significant improve-
ments have been made to reduce the number of
10 CT failures.

0 5. Van Adrichem WP: “Coiled Tubing Failure Statistics Used

Tensile load Buckling Rupture Collapse Fatigue Material Distortion Mechanical Other to Develop CT Performance Indicators,” paper SPE 54478,
loss damage presented at the SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing Conference
> Coiled tubing failure analysis. Schlumberger has tracked failure causes (top) and mechanisms and Exhibition, Houston, Texas, USA, May, 25–26, 1999.
Larsen HA, Bravenec EV and Coburn GS: “Coiled-Tubing
(bottom) for eight years. A cause refers to the initial condition that eventually leads to tube failure. A Performance Indicators 3 Years Later: An Update,” paper
mechanism is the event that ultimately triggers the failure. For example, the mechanism of fatigue can SPE 81713, presented at the SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing
result in a failure caused by a corrosion pit or a dent. These data resulted in a focused pipe- Conference, Houston, Texas, USA, April 8–9, 2003.
management program and better quality control in the field that improved coiled tubing utilization,
efficiency and operating practices.

Spring 2004 43
 These measurements help users optimize
string life and reduce tube failures in the field.
Ultrasonic The CT InSpec device does not address all CT
probes
inspection issues, but is a significant step
forward. Combining this technology with
existing magnetic-flux leakage or ultrasonic
Elastomer shear measurements may allow detection of
element
localized flaws, such as pitting and corrosion. In
addition to improved CT string management,
new developments are optimizing wellbore
Drip pan cleanout operations.

> Coiled tubing inspection. Improved pipe inspection helps reduce tube
failures and optimize pipe life. The CT InSpec wellsite system uses 12
ultrasonic probes, arranged radially, to monitor wall thickness and pipe ovality
over variable CT interval lengths (top). This new device measures tubing wall
thickness as coiled tubing comes off the reel (bottom).
Tube materials, manufacturing processes and being used at higher pressures, with the defini-
quality control before coiled tubing goes to the tion of “high-pressure” constantly increasing.
field have improved through an alliance with These increased demands require a better means
CT supplier Precision Tube Technology Inc. The of monitoring CT integrity.
CoilLIFE coiled tubing life prediction model Several CT inspection systems have been
helps assess fatigue damage and remove coiled developed. The universal tubing integrity moni-
tubing from service before it reaches the end of tor (UTIM) measures tube diameter and ovality.
its useful life. Other systems that detect cracks and pits, and
The PipeSAVER coiled tubing storage inhibi- give an average wall thickness have niche appli-
tion system has improved coiled tubing handling cations, but none are completely satisfactory.
by mitigating mechanical damage and corrosion. These limitations drive ongoing research and
Training personnel in the proper use and mainte- development in CT inspection.
nance of the pipe, and planning tools, such as Technology is currently being developed to
CoilSAFE coiled tubing risk assessment system, address flaw identification and description, the
help address operational safety. The Schlumberger effects of flaws on coiled tubing life, and
global tubing inventory has aided in understanding assessment of related risks. The new ultrasonic
coiled tubing performance by requiring that fail- CT InSpec real-time device, for example, moni-
ures be recorded, analyzed and categorized. tors both ovality and wall thickness (above).6
Fracturing and acid stimulation through Wall thickness is directly related to tubular
coiled tubing erode or corrode the steel. Certain burst strength, remaining string life, string
well environments, such as chrome tubulars, abrasion and erosion effects and critical
cause external coiled tubing abrasion, and CT is load-conveyance effects.
Wellbore Remediation
About 50% of CT operations involve removing for-
mation sand, fracturing proppants or other solids
from wells (next page, top). These materials
limit or prevent production, block the passage of
wireline or other downhole tools, and interfere
with completion and well-intervention opera-
tions. Conventional CT techniques often leave
solids behind, requiring repeated cleanout
attempts over an extended period, which
increase costs and delay production.
To address this problem, Schlumberger
conducted extensive testing directed at under-
standing solids transport by cleanout fluids.7 The
resulting PowerCLEAN engineered fill removal
service is an integrated approach that consists
of specialized fluids, improved jetting nozzles,
design software and a real-time system that
monitors returning solids at the surface (next
page, bottom).
Mixed with fresh water or seawater,
PowerCLEAN fluids create a low-friction, high-
viscosity stable solution that extends cleanout
effectiveness to 325°F [163°C]. Water, guar,
hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), xanthan and
viscoelastic surfactants (VES) can also be used
with the PowerCLEAN system up to their
temperature limit—about 250°F [121°C].
Previous CT nozzle designs commonly have
forward-only or forward and backward jets that
do not effectively remove solids from high-angle
wells. New PowerCLEAN nozzles have no moving
parts, but create a swirling effect that provides
continuous jetting; this utilizes fluid energy more
efficiently and removes solids at greater than
twice the rate of conventional nozzles.
The PowerCLEAN software integrates
cleanout simulation with job optimization. Job
parameters include circulating rate, CT running
6. Newman KR and Lovell J: “A New Approach to
Ultrasonic CT Inspection,” paper SPE 87122, presented at
the SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing Conference and Exhibition,
Houston, Texas, USA, April 8–9, 2003.
7. Rolovic R, Weng X, Hill S, Robinson G, Zemlak K and
Najafov J: “An Intergrated System Approach to Wellbore
Cleanouts with Coiled Tubing,” paper SPE 89333, presented
at the SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing Conference and Exhibition,
Houston, Texas, USA, March 23–24, 2004.

44 Oilfield Review
 in the event of lost circulation because of pump
failure or excessive fluid leakoff. These safety
Friction pressure Particle transport constraints typically result in multiple sweeps to
in coiled tubing remove large fill volumes.
The real-time PowerCLEAN solids monitor
uses acoustic sensors to detect returning solids
at the surface and help determine whether a
Jetting and solids cleanout is progressing as planned. This non-
mobilization intrusive monitor mounts on an elbow of the
Solids bed height
and dune movement flowback line. The PowerCLEAN system recently
played a key role in wellbore-cleanout operations
in continental Europe and the Gulf of Mexico.
After hydraulically fracturing a gas well com-
pleted with a 7-in. liner, the operator needed to
clean out the wellbore at balanced pressure con-
ditions to avoid damaging the well. A 59-bbl
[9.4-m3] volume of bauxite proppant filled the
> Cleaning high-angle and horizontal wells. During CT wellbore cleanouts, wellbore from about 13,700 to 16,400 ft [4,176 to
fluid is pumped down coiled tubing through a downhole nozzle with jets, or 4,999 m], a length of 2,700 ft [823 m]. The
ports. The resulting turbulent flow agitates fill in the wellbore, causing the maximum well inclination at this depth was 31°
solids to be mixed and temporarily suspended in cleanout fluid as a result of and the bottomhole temperature (BHT) was
turbulent flow. Pumping rates depend on available horsepower and friction
pressure in the coiled tubing. Over time, solids traveling in the coiled tubing- 304°F [151°C].
by-wellbore annulus settle on the low side of a wellbore and form dunes A 13⁄4-in. coiled tubing string pumping the
behind the nozzle. How far solids can be transported depends on fluid new cleanout fluid penetrated fill at about 6 to
properties, particle sizes and density, flow rate and wellbore geometry, 10 ft/min [1.8 to 3 m/min]. The PowerCLEAN
including the coiled tubing.
software predicted that other fluids would not
provide an effective cleanout because of
the high BHT and large casing. It also deter-
mined that several sweeps would be required
to remove solids that settled in high-angle
wellbore sections.
Each CT penetration into the fill was limited
to 80 ft [24 m], which minimized the solids dune
height and prevented coiled tubing from
becoming stuck if fluid loss occurred or pumping
stopped. Sweep speed while pulling out of the
well was 10 to 20 ft/min [3 to 6 m/min] to ensure
complete fill removal.
An optimal flow rate through the 21,000 ft
[6,401 m] of coiled tubing was achieved at pres-
> Integrated wellbore cleanout services. In addition to enhanced design sures below 4,000 psi [27.6 MPa] because of the
software, new cleanout fluids and solids monitoring at the surface, the low-friction PowerCLEAN fluid. Solids returns
PowerCLEAN system includes a specialized nozzle that creates a fluid were monitored at the surface in real time. The
vortex, which removes solids at lower flow rates than conventional nozzles. well was cleaned without problems and 59 bbl of
Unlike other nozzles, PowerCLEAN nozzles use optimized jet angles to
bauxite proppant were recovered.
produce this swirling effect, and have no moving parts to maintain. The
new PowerCLEAN fluid and nozzle effectively remove fill at rates as low as In another well, the PowerCLEAN service was
1 bbl/min [0.15 m3/min] for 7-in. casing and 2 bbl/min [0.3 m3/min] for 95⁄8-in. used to remove excess bauxite from a Gulf of
casing at any inclination. Mexico well in order to replace the gravel-pack
screen assembly. This wellbore was completed
speed when penetrating fill, particle-bed depth, Additional constraints ensure safe, problem- with a 31⁄2-in. liner and had a complex trajectory
CT pulling speed for sweeping solids uphole, and free cleanouts. The solids bed is not allowed to with a maximum deviation of 70°. At a BHT of
number and length of sweep before running back exceed a specified height that avoids drag on the less than 200°F [93°C] and a 0.75-bbl/min
in. The software accounts for factors such as coiled tubing, higher friction pressures and stuck [0.12 m3/min] pump rate, the PowerCLEAN nozzle
maximum surface pressure and pump rate, pipe. In addition, the volume of solids that can with a xanthan-base fluid resulted in an
acceptable bottomhole pressure (BHP), be lifted above the nozzle is limited. This helps optimized cleanout.
entrained solids concentration, fluid leakoff or ensure that the coiled tubing can be pulled out
inflow and solids transport.

Spring 2004 45
 Scale

Tubing wall

> Scale buildup in wellbore tubulars. Variations
in produced water quality, especially when
injecting seawater for pressure maintenance,
contribute to the formation of hard inorganic
scales in perforations and wellbore tubulars.
Insoluble scale buildup reduces the flow area,
restricting or preventing production, and
contributes to gas-lift problems, and failure of
subsurface safety valves and other equipment.
0.75 mm
Drift ring
Tubing wall
Jet nozzle
Rotating head Scale
> Mechanical scale-removal. The Jet Blaster tool consists of a rotating head
with opposing tangentially offset nozzles and a drift ring. The jet nozzles
remove scale from tubular walls while the drift ring allows the tool to advance
only after the internal tubular diameter is clean. Blaster services include three
mechanical scale-removal techniques: the Jet Blaster method uses
nonabrasive fluids for removal of soft scales; the Scale Blaster method adds
the abrasive Sterling Beads system to remove hard scales; and the Bridge
Blaster method uses abrasive jetting and a powered milling head when
tubulars are completely plugged.

Sand particles Limestone particles
Glass beads Sterling Beads particles
> Microscopic views of Sterling Beads shape
and various particle abrasion effects. The
spherical Sterling Beads particles have a high
fracture toughness, low friability, and are acid
soluble (top). This nontoxic material matches the
erosive performance of sand on hard, brittle
scales, but does not cause excess damage to
steel during prolonged jetting in one spot.
Angular sand and calcite particles gouge steel
surfaces, which can cause ductile tubular
failures (middle left and right). Glass beads and
round particles tend to bounce off steel surfaces,
creating large, deep craters that eventually may
result in erosion through tubular walls (bottom
left). Sterling Beads particles shatter on impact,
creating only small pits (bottom right).
Based on real-time monitoring, cleanout
operations removed 16,500 lbm [7,484 kg] of
bauxite in 12 hours. A subsequent CT run tagged
the gravel-pack assembly rope socket, confirming
that the well was clean. After gravel-pack
screens were replaced, well production
increased from 0.5 to 2.5 MMcf/D [14,320 to
70,600 m3/d].
Downhole deposits of inorganic scales in
wellbore tubulars are a serious well-intervention
problem (above left).8 Scale buildup changes the
surface roughness of tubulars, increasing
frictional pressure and restricting production.
Additional scale growth decreases tubular flow
area, prevents access to deeper sections of a well
and ultimately may block the tubing completely.
Extremely hard, insoluble scales, such as stron-
tium or barium sulfate, may form when injected
seawater breaks into a well.
In Brazil, Petrobras used abrasive-jet CT
technology to clean heavy barium sulfate scale
from production tubing in an offshore well.9 The
well was located on a fixed offshore platform and
no workover rigs were available, so tubing
replacement was not an option. CT provided a
means of conveying mechanical scale-removal
tools and circulating cleanout fluids without a
conventional rig.
Methods such as chemical dissolvers,
slickline brushes and downhole motors had suc-
cessfully removed scale in other area fields. In
some of these cases, however, residual debris fell
to the bottom of wells and blocked the perfora-
tions, requiring additional cleanout operations.
Schlumberger Blaster services use high-pres-
sure jetting technology to remove downhole
deposits (above). This specialized system uses
solvents or special abrasive material to remove
scale without damaging tubulars or com-
pletion equipment, such as profile nipples,
subsurface safety valves or sliding sleeves. This
technology comprises three techniques—Jet
Blaster, Scale Blaster and Bridge Blaster scale-
removal services.
Jet Blaster techniques use conventional
fluids or scale-dissolving solvents with a radial
jetting tool. The Scale Blaster approach uses the
Sterling Beads safe hard scale-removal system
developed at Schlumberger Cambridge Research
in England to remove hard, inert scales (left).
By properly selecting particle hardness, shape,
size, density and fracture toughness, researchers
achieved unique properties that remove scale
without damaging steel surfaces.
The Bridge Blaster technique combines a
positive displacement motor (PDM) and a 15⁄8-in.
tapered mill with the radial jetting tool and the
Sterling Beads system modified to prevent PDM
clogging. This system drills scale deposits or
cement plugs through tubing without damaging
wellbore equipment. The small tapered mill
partially removes the scale deposit while jetting
removes the rest. Removal rates are higher than
with conventional milling.

46 Oilfield Review
 Blaster design software helps select jetting
tool geometry—drift ring, nozzle head, port size
and configuration—required fluid rates,
expected treating pressures, abrasive material
concentrations and scale-removal rates. The soft-
ware also estimates consumables, such as gelling
agents, mixing products and abrasive materials.
The coiled tubing BHA encountered scale at
2,546 m [8,353 ft] in the Petrobras well. Using a
xanthan-gelled brine and 3%-by-weight Sterling
Beads abrasive particles, the Jet Blaster tool
achieved a cleanout rate of 12 to 15 m/hr [39.4 to
49.2 ft/hr] from 2,546 to 3,087 m [10,128 ft].
Pumping at 0.23 to 0.27 m 3 /min [1.5 to
1.7 bbl/min] with circulating pump pressures of
24.1 to 27.6 MPa [3,500 to 4,000 psi], this part of
the job required 36 hours and three jetting tools.
At 3,087 m, 60 m [197 ft] below the tubing
and inside the 7-in. liner, the jetting tool was
replaced with a PDM and a 21⁄2-in. three-step mill.
This final stage took 12 hours to clean out 43 m
[141 ft] to 3,130 m [10,269 ft] and completely
consumed the mill.
The total operation generated about
66,000 lbm [29,937 kg] of debris—6,000 lbm
It is common for wells in mature fields to
experience scale deposition. Blaster services
have been applied in several other locations to
save time and money, including Duri field in
Indonesia and several North Sea fields. In addi-
tion to use in wellbore cleanouts, CT has become
an important tool in formation stimulation.
Reservoir Remediation
In Algeria, Sonatrach stimulates deep high-
pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) wells of the
Hassi Messaoud field using coiled tubing-con-
veyed fracturing and new packer technology.10
Reservoir conditions allow low-rate, high-
pressure hydraulic fracturing treatments, which
significantly increase productivity and prolong
the economic life of these wells. Unfortunately,
many wells require remedial cement squeezes or
tubing replacement to address tubular-integrity
problems before stimulation operations
can begin.
In the past, problems with conventional pack-
ers limited fracturing success because of
differential pressures in excess of 9,000 psi
[62.1 MPa] across the isolation packer. Some
treatment, including deferred production, paid
out in 39 days.
At that time, this was the deepest well frac-
tured through coiled tubing. Excessive hydraulic
forces caused the packer to release twice during
prejob injectivity and treatment-calibration tests.
Bottomhole pressure gauges verified the model-
ing of downhole forces and guided modifications
to the CT packer.
Based on CoilFRAC experience from three
Hassi Messaoud field wells, including Well
OMP843, stimulated between October 2001 and
January 2003, Schlumberger made several
packer improvements. Development of the
OptiSTIM MP mechanical packer for stimulation
Packer
Pay zone 1

[2,722 kg] of scale and 60,000 lbm [27,216 kg] of
abrasive particles—that were captured in the
platform production separator. After the job,
other platform wells had to be shut in for a short
time to clean the production separator. Most
scale-removal jobs now use a temporary separa-
tor to capture solids before they reach the
production separator.
Scale Blaster technology effectively removed
barium sulfate scale from completion tubing and
hardware in conditions under which conven-
tional methods had failed in the past. As a result,
oil production increased 1,025%, which resulted
in a 19-day payout.
8. Crabtree M, Eslinger D, Fletcher P, Miller M, Johnson A
and King G: “Fighting Scale—Removal and Prevention,”
Oilfield Review 11, no. 3 (Autumn 1999): 30–45.
9. Quiroga MHV, Calmeto JCN, Assis CAS, Pinto SL and
Santos F: “Hard Scale Mechanical Removal: A Solution
for Brazilian Offshore Operations,” paper SPE 89627,
presented at the SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing Conference
and Exhibition, Houston, Texas, USA, March 23–24, 2004.
10. Allouti A, Ben Amor B, Ferhat A, Oettli M, Ortiz A and
Wood J: “Coiled-Tubing-Conveyed Fracturing Technique
Provides Economic Alternative to Workover Rigs in
Stimulation Campaign,” paper SPE 89446, presented at
the SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing Conference and Exhibition,
Houston, Texas, USA, March 23–24, 2004.
11. Degenhardt KF, Stevenson J, Gale B, Gonzalez D, Hall S,
Marsh J and Zemlak W: “Isolate and Stimulate Individual
Pay Zones,” Oilfield Review 13, no. 3 (Autumn 2001):
60–77.
12. Gutor C, Al-Saleem A, Rieger B and Lemp SP : “New Life
for Old Wells: A Case Study of Re-Stimulating Gas Wells
Using Fracturing Through Coiled Tubing and Snubbing
Techniques,” paper SPE 81730, presented at the
SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing Conference and Exhibition,
Houston, Texas, USA, April 8–9, 2003.
treatments resulted in costly fishing operations. Fracture
CoilFRAC stimulation through coiled tubing
Sand plug 2 Pay zone 2
treatments provided an alternative to conven-
tional workover rigs (right).11 The availability of
CT units was an additional advantage.
Sand plug 1 Pay zone 3
Coupled with more reliable mechanical pack-
ers for downhole isolation, CT-conveyed
fracturing protects wellbore tubulars from high
treating pressures and abrasive proppants.
CoilFRAC techniques are applicable for initial
stimulation treatments in new wells, stimulation
of bypassed pay and restimulation of previously
treated intervals.12
In October 2001, Sonatrach performed the
first CoilFRAC treatment in Hassi Messaoud Well Straddle-isolation tool
OMP843. Completed with a 41⁄2-in. cemented and
Pay zone 1
perforated liner and 41⁄2-in. tubing, this well had
pressure between the 7-in. and 95⁄8-in. casing. The Fracture
CT packer was set at 10,660 ft [3,249 m] above a Pay zone 2
profile nipple in the production tubing. The
treatment placed a total of 21,464 lbm [9,736 kg]
of 20/40 proppant in the formation at a maximum Pay zone 3
concentration of 3.1 pounds of proppant added
(ppa) per gallon of treatment fluid.
The average surface treating pressure was > Selective isolation and stimulation.
8,600 psi [59.3 MPa]. A 13,100-ft [3,993-m] 23⁄8-in. Conventional hydraulic fracturing maximizes
fracture height, often at the expense of fracture
coiled tubing string isolated wellbore completion length and complete stimulation coverage.
tubulars. The packer withstood a maximum Coiled tubing-conveyed fracturing overcomes
8,800-psi [60.7-MPa] differential pressure at these limitations and allows engineers to design
optimal fractures for each pay zone. CoilFRAC
9 bbl/min [1.4 m3/min]. Prefracture production
stimulations can be performed with a single
was 860 B/D [137 m3/d] of oil; postfracture pro- mechanical packer and sand plugs (top) or
duction was 2,280 B/D [362 m3/d] of oil. The selective straddle tool assemblies (bottom).

Spring 2004 47
design led to consistently successful treatments
(below). Modifications included optimizing the
slip area, designing a more robust J-type latching
mechanism, and adding two equalizing ports and
a pressure-balance section to the emergency-
release mechanism.
Pressure-balance section
Equalizing port
J-type latch
Drag blocks
High-strength slips with
optimized contact area
Equalizing port
High-pressure elastomer
element and anti-extrusion
device
Adjustable shear-release
system
> Selective stimulation with single-seal packers.
The OptiSTIM MP mechanical packer is a
multiple-operation, tension-set tool for coiled
tubing or jointed pipe. This assembly is used for
multizone CoilFRAC treatments when existing
perforations or tubulars must be protected from
treating fluids and pressures.
Because coiled tubing-conveyed fracturing
often induces difficult-to-predict, variable loads
and stresses greater than those normally encoun-
tered by stimulation packers, Schlumberger
developed software to optimize treatment
designs and reduce excessive packer loads. This
software can also be used to monitor job progress
and make necessary corrections in real time.
The new software and redesigned
OptiSTIM MP packer were used on Well OML862,
an oil producer completed with 41⁄2-in. cemented
production tubing and a 5-in. slotted liner. This
well had communication between the 41⁄2-in. pro-
duction tubing and 7-in. casing, and between the
7-in. and 95⁄8-in. casing strings. The cemented pro-
duction tubing made a conventional workover
impossible. Performing a fracture treatment
through coiled tubing isolated the wellbore
tubulars from high treating pressures and
abrasive proppants.
With the packer set at 10,220 ft [3,115 m], a
10,000-gal [37.9-m 3 ] calibration treatment
pumped at 6.6 bbl/min [1 m3/min] and surface
treating pressure of 9,400 psi [64.8 MPa] indi-
cated a closure pressure of 10,300 psi [71 MPa],
which gives a fracture gradient of 0.92 psi/ft
[20.8 kPa/m]. The primary fracture treatment
was pumped successfully at an average rate of
6.4 bbl/min [1 m3/min] with the packer set at
10,186 ft [3,105 m].
Sonatrach pumped 23,975 lbm [10,875 kg] of
20/40-mesh high-strength proppant at a maxi-
mum bottomhole concentration of 4 ppa, placing
a total of 21,529 lbm [9,765 kg] in the formation.
When a screenout occurred 24 bbl [3.8 m 3 ]
before the end of the flush, the pump rate was
reduced to stay below the maximum allowable
treating pressure of 10,000 psi [68.9 MPa].
The packer was then released and any
remaining proppant was circulated out prior to
retrieving the packer. The packer was exposed to
an average differential pressure of 5,500 psi
[37.9 MPa] and a maximum differential pressure
of 9,600 psi [66.2 MPa] at screenout. The well is
producing 65 m3/d [409 B/D] while Sonatrach
optimizes the gas-lift system.
Fracturing through coiled tubing in Hassi
Messaoud field required modified packers and
improved computer software to model downhole
forces. These improvements increased the
reliability of CoilFRAC treatments, which can
now be performed in wells as deep as 12,000 ft
[3,658 m]. Pumping rates can range from 8 to
25 bbl/min [1.3 to 4 m3/min] with 5 to 12 ppa.
CoilFRAC technology can tap previously
bypassed gas reserves and optimize well produc-
tivity, especially in low-permeability gas
reservoirs. The latest OptiSTIM ST straddle
packer provides added flexibility for selective iso-
lation and stimulation of individual zones (next
page, left). Reservoir applications from perforat-
ing to selective zonal isolation and stimulation
have generated several new downhole CT tools.
Advanced Downhole Tools
Effective zonal isolation for CT applications
requires inflatable packers that can pass through
tubing, expand and then seal in larger casing. In
the past, these systems were rarely used in
hostile environments because of expansion limi-
tations and susceptibility to high temperatures
and pressures, and corrosive fluids or chemicals.
Schlumberger developed the 21⁄8-in. single-ele-
ment CoilFLATE HPHT high-pressure,
high-temperature through-tubing inflatable
anchoring packer to address the limitation of con-
ventional inflatable packers (next page, right).13
CoilFLATE HPHT packers extend critical con-
centric zonal isolation to previously inaccessible
downhole environments. These packers can be
run in vertical, high-angle or horizontal well-
bores on coiled tubing or on jointed pipe using a
snubbing unit. This eliminates the need for a
workover rig and allows remedial operations
without killing the well.
Tapered slats in the tool body, or carcass,
allow narrow sections near the end of a packer to
provide the required load-bearing cross section,
while the wider sections provide the necessary
extrusion barrier and coverage for the inflation
bladder. A CoilFLATE HPHT carcass restraint
system (CRS), or internal crush sleeve, imposes a
constant axial load on the slats during inflation
that creates tension on the packer to ensure pro-
gressive inflation from the center toward both
ends. This center-out inflation prevents end
sections of the packer element from inflating
first and trapping fluids, resulting in an ineffi-
cient seal, or soft set.
The proprietary elastomer and packer ele-
ments are resistant to hydrogen sulfide [H2S],
carbon dioxide [CO2] and other chemicals. Steel
parts in the 21⁄8-in. setting tool are replaced by
nickel-based high-strength alloy components to
make the entire BHA fully H2S compatible. The
composite elastomer bladder uses carbon fibers
to eliminate axial strain and allows the packer
circumference to expand freely.
This design provides a reliable seal at final-to-
initial expansion ratios of greater than 3 to 1.
CoilFLATE HPHT packers do not rely on a ball
13. Wilson S, Erkol Z, Faugere A, Eatwell B, Espinosa F and
Xu R: “Inflatable Packers in Extreme Environments,”
paper SPE 89529, presented at the SPE/ICoTA Coiled
Tubing Conference and Exhibition, Houston, Texas, USA,
March 23–24, 2004.

48 Oilfield Review
valve to initiate inflation. A large internal
diameter allows high-rate fluid treatments. A
21⁄8-in. CoilFLATE ST straddle tool version for
stimulation applications uses the same princi-
ples as the CoilFLATE HPHT packer.
CoilFLATE HPHT packers can isolate wellbore sand consolidation, acidizing and fracturing, as
sections for pressure testing, temporary zonal iso- permanent and retrievable bridge plugs for water
lation and permanent abandonment. These and gas shutoff, and as a cement retainer or
chemically resistant systems can also be used for packer for through-tubing gravel packing.

Straddle
bypass

Top pressure
element
Bottom
pressure
element
Treatment
sub

Flowback-
control
element

Straddle
bypass

Multicycle
dump
valve

Straddle
sections

Dump port
> Inflatable packer expansion. Heavy-duty
tapered slats, a high-strength carcass restraint
> Selective stimulation with dual-seal straddle isolation tools. The OptiSTIM ST system (CRS), a composite inflation bladder and a
straddle packer for coiled tubing or jointed pipe comprises a straddle bypass, chemically resistant elastomer anchor CoilFLATE
a straddle extension assembly with ported treatment sub and a multicycle HPHT packers in place and provide a high-
dump valve. This configuration facilitates effective sequential placement of pressure seal even at large expansion ratios—2
chemical, acid or proppant fracture treatments. to 1 at 5,000 psi [34.5 MPa] and 3 to 1 at 2,000 psi
[13.7 MPa]. These packers withstand extended
exposure at temperatures up to 375°F [191°C] in
almost any chemical environment.

Spring 2004 49
 CoilFLATE HPHT packers were used recently
for a deep, high-expansion, high-pressure cement
retainer application in the Gulf of Mexico, a Signaler
screenless sand-consolidation treatment in North
Africa, and a high-pressure, high-temperature
straddle packer for a stimulation treatment in
the Middle East. In each of these applications,
depth correlation was critically important.
The wireless DepthLOG CT depth correlation
log is used for well logging, perforating, setting
sand plugs, bridge plugs or mechanical packers,
and for positioning straddle-isolation tools dur-
ing selective stimulation treatments (right).
This new tool combines a traditional casing Processor
collar locator (CCL) to detect magnetic
variations at casing joints with pulse-telemetry
Signal booster
technology that sends pressure signals to
the surface.
Subsurface depth correlations are deter-
mined quickly and accurately by comparison
with baseline well logs. Wireless technology
decreases the number of trips into a well, saving
up to 12 hours per operation on typical coiled
tubing-conveyed perforating and stimulation
operations. Flow-through capability provides
unobstructed coiled tubing for pumping services
and stimulation treatments. The ability to drop
ball-type actuators through the DepthLOG tool
allows setting or inflation of CT packers, activa-
Battery power for
tion or release of downhole tools, and detonation signal processor
of perforating guns.
In Algeria, Sonatrach was first to use a
CoilFLATE inflatable packer in combination with
wireless DepthLOG technology. 14 Remedial
operations in Well MD 264 of the Hassi Messaoud
field with two perforated zones required isolation
and stimulation of an underperforming lower
interval. To maximize workover economics, this
acid treatment had to be conducted without a rig. Casing collar
locator (CCL)
A separation of only 10 ft [3 m] between
zones at a depth of about 10,000 ft [3,048 m] pre-
sented additional challenges. The packer had to
be accurately positioned to isolate a high-
permeability upper interval from the less
permeable lower zone. An initial attempt without > Depth control. The wireless DepthLOG CT tool uses a traditional casing
DepthLOG correlation resulted in packer collar locator (CCL) to detect magnetic variations at jointed casing collars
(left). Hydraulic pressure-pulse telemetry transmits data to the surface,
inflation across the lower perforations and eliminating the need for coiled tubing with an electric line installed. Flow-
ineffective treatment-fluid diversion. through capability provides an unobstructed coiled tubing string. A signal
The DepthLOG tool was added to the BHA, booster can be added for depth correlation inside casing sizes larger than
which was run in the well to a point below the 7 in. (right).
lower zone. Two upward passes while pumping
fluid and receiving pressure pulses from the Set-down weight on the coiled tubing verified Immediately after completing the treatment,
DepthLOG tool clearly indicated casing collar complete packer inflation before pumping an the packer was deflated, and nitrogen was
locations. The CoilFLATE packer was positioned acid treatment. This operation created a maxi- pumped to flow spent acid back while pulling the
at the target depth and inflated to an internal mum differential pressure across the packer of coiled tubing out of the well. The production tub-
pressure of 4,000 psi [27.6 MPa]. about 3,500 psi [24.1 MPa], significantly higher ing did not have to be pulled and only one trip
than other inflatable packers can handle. was required to achieve a sustained 326%

50 Oilfield Review
 commercially viable:
• new wells to about 3,000 ft [914 m]
• safety-sensitive operations
• through-tubing reentry
• underbalanced drilling.
CT drilling is ideally suited for underbalanced
drilling. In depleted zones, drilling under-
balanced minimizes formation damage and
differential BHA sticking.15
Schlumberger drills and completes more than
100 wells per year with coiled tubing. The majority
of vertical CT drilling activity occurs in Venezuela
where 30 to 60 surface-hole sections are drilled
and cased each year. A self-contained CT drilling
barge, designed specifically to minimize the
impact of encountering shallow gas zones in Lake
Maracaibo, was commissioned in 1995.
Typically, this barge drills a 121⁄4-in. hole 1,000
3
to 1,800 ft [300 to 550 m] deep. Specialized
equipment runs 95⁄8-in. casing, executes cement-
ing operations and conducts wireline logging.
Schlumberger has constructed more than
275 vertical wells in Lake Maracaibo, each
requiring an average of four days to complete.
Operations on the North Slope of Alaska,
including the Prudhoe Bay field, represent one of
6 the most successful CT drilling applications of
1
4 the past decade, clearly demonstrating CT effi-
ciencies and economics. Two fit-for-purpose
hybrid CT drilling units operate continuously on
2
the North Slope, each capable of drilling and
7
5 completing three wells per month. A typical
North Slope CT drilling well involves a direc-
tional through-tubing reentry to access bypassed
oil (left). To date, more than 400 North
Slope wells have been reentered using CT
> Coiled tubing drilling on the Alaskan North Slope. A typical CT drilling drilling technology.16
reentry at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, USA, consists of running an expandable
whipstock through existing 41⁄2-in. tubing and setting it at the kickoff depth in
14. Boumali A and Wilson S: “Treating the Tough Ones,”
7-in. casing (1), squeezing existing perforations by running CT to the top of the Hart’s E&P 76, no. 12 (December 2003): 57–59.
whipstock and pumping cement (2), milling out profile nipples at the end of the 15. Ackers M, Doremus D and Newman K: “An Early Look
tubing and cutting a 3.8-in. casing-exit window (3), drilling a 33⁄4-in. sidetrack at Coiled-Tubing Drilling,” Oilfield Review 4, no. 3
hole (4), deploying a 23⁄8-in. liner on CT without a hanger in the lower tailpipe (July 1992): 45–51.
(5), cementing the liner to 200 ft [60 m] above the casing-exit window (6), and Byrom TG: “Coiled-Tubing Drilling in Perspective,”
perforating the liner using hydraulically activated guns run on CT (7). Journal of Petroleum Technology 51, no. 6 (June 1999):
57–61.
16. Gantt LL, Oba EM, Leising L, Stagg T, Stanley M, Walker E
and Walker R: “Coiled Tubing Drilling on the Alaskan
North Slope,” Oilfield Review 10, no. 2 (Summer 1998):
20–35.
McCarty TM, Stanley MJ and Gantt LL: “Coiled Tubing
Drilling: Continued Performance Improvement in Alaska,”
increase in oil production from 238 B/D Reentry and Underbalanced Drilling paper SPE 67824, presented at the SPE/IADC Drilling
Conference, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, February 27–
[37.9 m3/d] to 776 B/D [123.4 m3/d]. Since 1991, coiled tubing has been used to con- March 1, 2001.
Inherent advantages—fast trip times and struct thousands of vertical and directional wells. Luht R and Tinkham S: “Selection Crucial to CT Drilling
Success,” The American Oil & Gas Reporter 46, no. 3
continuous circulation without pipe connections, CT drilling applications include deepening, side- (March 2003): 116–123.
live well intervention with improved pressure tracking and drilling new wells, especially for
control and a smaller footprint for reduced envi- shallow gas reservoirs and gas-storage projects
ronmental impact—that make CT attractive for and environmentally sensitive locations. After a
remedial wellbore and reservoir applications are decade of profitable operations, four CT drilling
also advantages for coiled tubing drilling. applications have proved technically and

Spring 2004 51
 Typical Sajaa main wellbore
30-in. casing at 70 ft
20-in. casing at 600 ft

Shuaiba

Lateral 1

13 3⁄8-in. casing at 6,100 ft

Kharaib
Lateral 2
Main wellbore

5-in. tubing
Lekhwair
Lateral 3

9 5⁄8-in. casing at 11,100 ft

> Coiled tubing drilling in the Middle East. BP-Sharjah initiated reentry CT drilling
operations from existing wells of the Sajaa gas field in the United Arab Emirates
(left). The drilling configuration consisted of 23⁄8-in. coiled tubing and a 3-in. BHA with
a 4.1-in. bit. An inflatable whipstock was set above the perforations to mill a window
in the 7-in. casing of the main wellbore. Plans called for at least three horizontal
sidetracks in each well (right).

7-in. liner at 14,400 ft

In April 2003, BP-Sharjah embarked on an
underbalanced CT drilling program to perform
through-tubing sidetracks from existing wells in
the Sajaa gas-condensate field, United Arab Emi-
rates (UAE). The objective was to improve well
productivity and unlock additional reserves with
multilateral wellbores connected to existing
primary vertical wellbores.
Since initial production in 1980, reservoir
pressure in the Thamama limestone reservoir at
12,000 ft [3,658 m] true vertical depth (TVD)
declined from 7,900 psi [54.5 MPa] to less than
2,000 psi [13.8 MPa]. Considerable gas and con-
densate reserves remain, despite a significant
20% annual production decline in early 2003.
The operator believed that overbalanced
drilling had caused formation damage, resulting
in extensive well cleanup. Recent horizontal
rotary drilling programs had suffered massive,
incurable lost circulation and severe differential
sticking, which prevented some wells from reach-
ing their geologic and drilling-length objectives.17
Underbalanced CT drilling operations were
designed for wells previously completed with
free-hanging 5-in. tubing inside vertical 7-in.
casing.18 Plans called for setting flow-through,
through-tubing whipstocks in 7-in. casing above
existing perforations.
After milling a 3.8-in. casing-exit window, the
CT drilling BHA—a specialized 3-in. wired CT
drilling BHA attached to 23⁄8-in. coiled tubing and
wireline heptacable, a PDM designed for com-
pressible fluids, and either a 3.75-in.
polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) or a 4.1-
in. bicentered bit—would be used to drill
underbalanced with nitrogen [N2] energized fluids.
Three or more openhole laterals were to be
drilled to access up to 10,000 ft [3,048 m] of addi-
tional reservoir per well (above). The initial
phase of this campaign involved drilling 10 wells
and 29 laterals with more than 66,000 ft
[20,117 m] of new open hole. Up to five laterals
have been drilled from a single exit window.
Threefold production increases are common.
In several wells, underbalanced CT drilling
has increased production from about 5 MMcf/D
[143,200 m 3 /d] to more than 25 MMcf/D
[716,000 m3/d], limited by the flow restriction of
5-in. production tubing.19 These successes moti-
vated BP-Sharjah to pursue additional CT drilling
well candidates and extend the campaign.
Schlumberger was recently awarded a two-year
contract extension.
Directional hole sizes of 23⁄4-in. and 41⁄8-in. are
considered optimal for CT load capacities, hole-
cleaning fluid velocities and surface equipment
specifications. However, 6-in. hole sizes and larger
can be drilled under some conditions,
particularly in vertical wells. Because of BHA limi-
tations, directional CT drilling plans should target
build rates less than 50° per 100 ft [30.5 m]. Exit-
window depths and CT drilling lateral lengths
should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Schlumberger is advancing CT drilling tech-
nology worldwide through ongoing operations in
Alaska, the Middle East, Venezuela and Indone-
sia.20 Over the past five years, average CT drilling
lateral lengths have ranged from 1,500 to 3,000 ft
[457 to 1,044 m]. With increasing activity, the CT
drilling operating envelope continues to expand
as evidenced by recent Schlumberger records:
• a 15,800 ft [4,816 m] whipstock casing exit in
Colombia during 2002
• more than 9,000 ft [2,743 m] of open hole
drilled underbalanced in a single reentry well
in the UAE Sajaa gas field during 2003
• the deepest whipstock casing exit at 16,240 ft
[4,950 m] and deepest total CT drilling reentry
depth of 17,515 ft [5,339 m] in Alaska during 2004.

52 Oilfield Review

In addition to incremental production and
improved reserve recovery, these worldwide
CT drilling campaigns are yielding con-
tinual improvements in wellsite safety and
operational efficiency.
Accessing Lateral Well Branches
In the past, reentry access to sidetracks from an
openhole main wellbore (TAML Level 1 junction)
or openhole drains and dropoff lateral liners in a
cased well (TAML Level 2 junction) was not
possible.21 This prevented remedial operations on
individual laterals and precluded effective reser-
voir management. Schlumberger developed the
Discovery MLT multilateral tool to selectively
access all types of multilateral junctions using
standard CT equipment.
The Discovery MLT tool provides CT-conveyed
cleanout, stimulation, cementing and well-
logging options for wells with previously inacces-
sible junctions and for multilateral completions
without specialized diverter equipment. This
acid-resistant tool operates solely on pressure
and flow. Reentry operations are performed in a
single trip into the wellbore.
A flow-activated bent-sub controls tool opera-
tion (above). Initially, the tool is indexed through
360° to establish the lateral orientation. After
repeating this process to confirm the
junction location, a pressure-telemetry signal to
the surface confirms lateral access. Zakum
Development Company (ZADCO) applied this
Spring 2004
1. 2. 3. 4.
> Multilateral well interventions. The corrosion-resistant Discovery MLT system includes
a controllable orienting device to rotate the tool and an adjustable bent sub. Wellbore
junctions are located by moving the tool, which is actuated by fluid flow, up and down
across a target interval (1). When fluid flow exceeds a threshold rate, the lower tool
section changes from straight to bent (2). Each actuation cycle rotates the tool 30°,
producing a surface-displayed pressure profile that confirms lateral orientation (3). This
system allows coiled tubing to selectively access any type of lateral for well cleanouts,
logging, perforating, stimulation and cementing (4).
17. Mathes RA and Jack LJ: “Successful Drilling of an 20. Wright HJ, Aristianto B, Gan RG, Jenie JR and Kyaw HA:
Underbalanced, Dual-Lateral Horizontal Well in the Sajaa “Coiled-Tubing Drilling Reentry: Case History from
Field, Sharjah UAE,” paper SPE 57569, presented at the East Kalimantan,” paper SPE 89632, presented at the
SPE/IADC Middle East Drilling Technology Conference, SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing Conference and Exhibition,
Abu Dhabi, UAE, November 8–10, 1999. Houston, Texas, USA, March 23–24, 2004.
18. Suryanarayana PV, Smith B, Hasan ABM, Leslie C, 21. Multilateral wells are classified according to definitions
Buchanan R and Pruitt R: “Basis of Design for Coiled established during the Technical Advancement of
Tubing Underbalanced Through-Tubing Drilling in the Multilaterals (TAML) Forum held in Aberdeen, Scotland,
Sajaa Field,” paper SPE 87146, presented at the July 26, 1999 and recently updated in a July 2002
IADC/SPE Drilling Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, proposal that was approved in 2003. These standards
Texas, USA, March 2–4, 2004. characterize wellbore junctions as Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6
based on degree of mechanical complexity, connectivity
19. Pruitt R, Leslie C, Smith B, Knight J and Buchanan R:
“Sajaa Underbalance Coiled Tubing Drilling ‘Putting It All and hydraulic isolation.
Together’,” paper SPE 89644, prepared for presentation
at the SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing Conference and
Exhibition, Houston, Texas, USA, March 23–24, 2004.
53
 30-in. casing at 288 ft MD

30-in. casing at 310 ft MD

13 3⁄8-in. casing at 5,185 ft MD

13 3⁄8-in. casing at 5,350 ft MD

7,688 ft MD
8,300 ft MD

H-IA
H-IA
7-in. liner at 7,867 ft MD
9 5⁄8-in. casing at 8,473 ft MD
H-IIA
H-IIA
H-IIB
H-IIB
9,098 ft MD
10,152 ft MD H-IIC
H-IIC 9,255 ft MD
H-IID
H-IID 9,255 ft MD
H-IIE
H-IIE
H-IIF

9 5⁄8-in. casing at 7,870 ft MD

> Selective lateral access. In the UAE Upper Zakum field, ZADCO needed to reenter two multilateral
wells. The first well, drilled and completed with dual tubing, produced from four openhole laterals (left).
The short string produced from a lateral in Reservoir H-IA, and the long string produced separate
laterals in Reservoirs H-IIB, H-IIC and H-IID. ZADCO selectively acidized the H-IIC lateral using a
Discovery MLT tool. The second well also had dual tubing (right). The short string produced a horizontal
lateral in Reservoir H-IA. The long string produced from horizontal laterals in the H-IIC, H-IID, H-IIE and
H-IIF reservoirs. ZADCO selectively acidized the H-IID and H-IIE laterals with a Discovery MLT tool.

tool in the UAE.22 Multilateral completions in the
Upper Zakum field tap several reservoir layers
with as many as 12 laterals drilled from a single
main wellbore (above).
Previously, remedial access to individual
branches was not possible, which prevented
effective stimulation and production logging of
individual laterals to evaluate treatment results
and monitor production. Acid had to be bull-
headed—pumped from surface—down wellbore
tubulars or coiled tubing with the end of pipe
near a lateral entrance.
The majority of the acid reaction occurred at
the entrance of the openhole section, leaving the
remainder of the lateral branch untreated. This
practice also created large voids that could col-
lapse and prevent future access to the lateral or
restrict production. ZADCO successfully acidized
openhole laterals in two offshore wells using
Discovery MLT technology.
In the first use of this tool, ZADCO performed
a selective treatment in one lateral of a well with
four branches. In a second well, two of the five
laterals were treated individually. These jobs
took seven days—four days of operations and
three days of mobilization, demobilization and
weather delays—and cost 65% less than using a
drilling rig. Production increased by 11% in the
first well and 30% in the second well, which paid
back the investment in two days.
The Discovery MLT tool has proved to be a
simple, cost-effective lateral reentry solution that
helps maximize the productivity and performance
of multilateral wells. In another UAE well for a
different operating company, the Discovery MLT
system helped selectively cement a lateral and
shut off water production utilizing coiled tubing.
In Oman, Petroleum Development Oman
(PDO) successfully performed production logging
in a Saih Rawl field multilateral well.23 PDO selec-
tively reentered and logged three lateral
branches to determine the water-injection profile
and identify possible fractures in the formation.

54 Oilfield Review
 The advantages and economics that make CT
attractive for drilling and remedial interventions
also apply for well completions. For example,
techniques for running an electrical submersible
pump (ESP) on coiled tubing expand artificial-
lift options for remote locations with limited rig
availability, for areas with high workover costs
and for offshore wells. Friction Deployed power
cable

Artificial Lift 2 3⁄8-in. coiled tubing

A CT-deployed ESP lifts fluid through the CoilTOOLS connector
coiled tubing or up the annulus around a coiled REDA lower connector
tubing string. Prior to being purchased by
Schlumberger, CAMCO company REDA installed
the first submergible pump on coiled tubing in Motors
1992 and the first coiled tubing ESP and power
cable system in the UK in 1994. Today, REDACoil
submergible pump technology installs and sup-
ports the ESP power cable inside 2-in. or 23⁄8-in. Universal motor base (UMB)
coiled tubing (right). Protector
The self-supporting Friction Deployed sub- 7-in. production tubing
mergible pump power cable minimizes CT unit 9 5⁄8-in. casing
and installation costs. The cable is no longer Friction Deployed Special discharge head
banded to the coiled tubing during deployment power cable
at a wellsite, but remains protected in an inhib- Pump
ited fluid. The coiled tubing can also be used as a
hydraulic conduit for pressure actuation of
packers, subsurface safety valves or other down- Shrouded intake
hole equipment.
Protector with UMB
Controlling wells with kill-weight fluids prior
to an ESP installation is expensive and time- 5.5-in. x 15-ft shrouded tube
2 3⁄8-in. coiled tubing
consuming, and often results in lower well pro-
ductivity because of formation damage. The
REDACoil system allows for quick, safe coiled
tubing deployment into a well under pressure. Fluted centralizer
Placing the power cable inside coiled tubing
7-in. retrievable packer
assures a secure seal within the BOP and
stripper head during installation.
Recent advances in REDACoil technology,
including internal power, data and fiber-optic
cables, have made it possible to produce high
flow-rate wells at up to 20,000 B/D [3,180 m3/d]
of fluid inside 7-in. casing. For well conditions
that do not allow flow up the casing, placing a > Artificial-lift deployment. REDACoil CT-deployed electrical submersible pump (ESP) systems with
REDACoil system inside 7-in. production pipe internal power cables reduce installation expenses and production downtime associated with remote
or high-cost wells and offshore platforms where space and rig availability are limited.
isolates produced fluids from both the 95⁄8-in. well
casing and the ESP power cable.

22. Dahroug A, Al-Marzooqi A, Al-Ansara F, Chareuf A and

Hassan M, “Selective Coiled-Tubing Access into
Multilateral Wells in Upper Zakum Field: A Two-Well
Case Study from Abu-Dhabi,” paper SPE 81716,
presented at the SPE/IcoTA Coiled Tubing Conference,
Houston, Texas, USA, April 8–9, 2003.
23. Al Farsi N, Ojulari B, Hook P and Staal TW: “A Combined
Diagnosis and Treatment Service for Multilateral Injector
Wells,” paper SPE 84403, presented at the SPE Annual
Technical Conference and Exhibition, Denver, Colorado,
USA, October 5–8, 2003.

Spring 2004 55
 > Aerial view of coiled tubing drilling and completion operations in the Sajaa gas field of the United
Arab Emirates.
REDACoil technology has a proven record
with more than 20 installations worldwide.
Anadarko Petroleum has installed 12 REDACoil
completions in Qatar. 24 These systems were
bottom-intake configurations with annular
production. These wells have 95⁄8-in. casing at
about 4,000 ft [1,219 m] TVD with 4,000 to
6,300 ft [1,920 m] MD. The maximum well incli-
nation at pump depth is 86°.
The current REDACoil configuration consists
of 23⁄8-in. coiled tubing with internal power cable,
a REDA lower connector, motors, universal motor
base, protector, discharge head, pumps, intake
and thrust protector. The 150-ft [46-m] BHA is
installed inside a 7-in. liner. Fluid production
ranges from 8,000 to 12,000 B/D [1,272 to
1,907 m 3 /d] with only about 100 Mcf/D
[2,864 m3/d] of gas. The BHT is 155°F [68°C].
The lower completion contains a deep-set down-
hole safety valve, sliding sleeve, permanent
pressure and temperature gauges and chemical-
injection mandrels.
On other REDACoil installations a mechani-
cally activated FIV Formation Isolation Valve
device may also be included. This ball-type valve
is actuated by a stinger at the bottom of the
REDACoil assembly to allow underbalanced
deployment of the ESP. It is also possible to add a
Phoenix MultiSensor system for continuous
downhole data-gathering. This sensor monitors
pump and well parameters and transmits data
through the power cable.
56
Offshore, CT expands ESP applications when
through-tubing installation is feasible, eliminat-
ing the need for conventional rig workovers and
minimizing downtime as well as deferred produc-
tion. This unique, flexible technique has
potential in small or marginal offshore fields
where no gas-lift infrastructure exists or where
conversion from gas lift to ESP is required.
In the South China Sea Magpie field of
Southeast Asia, Shell Brunei installed two off-
shore REDACoil completions similar to those in
Qatar except for using 2-in. instead of 2 3⁄8-in.
coiled tubing. 25 The well depth is 3,400 to
3,800 ft [1,036 to 1,158 m] with well inclinations
of 60 to 65°. REDACoil equipment is the same as
that used in Qatar, but the pumps have lower
fluid-volume output.
Shell selected the REDACoil system to meet
workover cost objectives when converting from
gas lift to ESP as the field matured. Combined
with technologies like an advanced gas handler
and additional mechanical barriers, the
REDACoil system reduced costs and increased
oil production in two wells. Production from the
first REDACoil installation, Magpie Well 14,
increased to 2,201 B/D [350 m3/d], 56% more
than the gas-lift design of 1,415 B/D [225 m3/d].
In the second well, ESP production increased
to 4,560 B/D [725 m 3/d], 32% more than the
3,459 B/D [550 m3/d] with a gas-lift design. Shell
estimates that converting from gas lift to ESP
will recover an incremental 3.4 million bbl
[540,000 m3] of oil from the first well and 2 mil-
lion bbl [318,000 m 3 ] from the second. The
REDACoil system in Magpie Well 14 continues to
operate after more than 41⁄2 years.
24. Penny RC, Patterson JC, Stamey RC and Dwiggins JL:
“Coiled Tubing and ESP Technology Improve Field
Evaluation Cost,” paper SPE 38332, presented at the
SPE Western Regional Meeting, Long Beach, California,
USA, June 25–27, 1997.
Patterson JC, Pursell JC and McHugh MD: “A Coiled
Tubing Deployed Electric Submersible Pumping System
Enhance Field Development Costs,” presented at the SPE
ESP Workshop, Houston, Texas, USA, April 26–28, 2000.
25. Pastor G, Knoppe R and Shepler R: “South China Sea Gas
Lifted Oil Well Conversion Utilizing Coil Tubing Electric
Submersible Pumping Systems,” presented at the SPE
ESP Workshop, Houston, Texas, USA, April 28–30, 1999.
26. Lode JE, Møller RE, Nesvik KT, Buchanan A and
Myklebust J: “Further Developments for Coiled Tubing
Floater Operations,” paper SPE 89623, presented at the
SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing Conference and Exhibition,
Houston, Texas, USA, March 23–24, 2004.
Leising LJ, Ali AM, Young JR and Arciniegas OE:
“Re-Enterable Through-Tubing Gravel-Pack System,”
paper SPE 89524, presented at the SPE/ICoTA Coiled
Tubing Conference and Exhibition, Houston, Texas, USA,
March 23–24, 2004.
27. Barclay C, Pellenbarg J, Tettero F, Pfeiffer J, Slater H,
Staal T, Stiles D, Tilling G and Whitney C: “The Beginning
of the End: A Review of Abandonment and Decommis-
sioning Practices,” Oilfield Review 13, no. 4 (Winter
2001/2002): 28–41.
28. Barclay IS, Johnson CR, Staal TW, Choudhary S and
Al-Hamandani A: “Utilizing Innovative Flexible Sealant
Technology in Rigless Plug and Abandonment,” paper
SPE 89622, presented at the SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing
Conference and Exhibition, Houston, Texas, USA,
March 23–24, 2004.
29. Tettero F, Barclay I and Staal T: “Optimizing Integrated
Rigless Plug and Abandonment — A 60 Well Case Study,”
paper SPE 89636, presented at the SPE/ICoTA Coiled
Tubing Conference and Exhibition, Houston, Texas, USA,
March 23–24, 2004.
Oilfield Review
Ongoing Developments and Operations
In almost every area of oil and gas activity, CT is
a firmly established technology for remedial well
interventions and the drilling and completion of
new wells (previous page and right). CT allows
selective placement and accurate controlled
delivery of chemical, acid and fracturing treat-
ments. It is also used to clean, protect or replace
existing tubulars. CT versatility is especially valu-
able in wellbores with questionable tubular
integrity, or wells requiring flow conformance for
water and gas control, and also for sand control.
CT services can be executed efficiently under
almost any condition, including live wells, while
ensuring optimal well control. In addition, CT
allows real-time communication with downhole
tools conveyed to control treatments, manipulate
hardware and analyze reservoir properties. This
technology has proved effective for developing
low-permeability, low-pressure and mature or
depleted reservoirs in which conventional tech-
niques fail to achieve commercial production.
Upgrading existing tools and techniques > Coiled tubing pilot drilling program in Colombia’s Cusiana field.
while developing new technology remains a key
to CT success as does improving our understand-
ing of coiled tubing behavior and risk
assessment. Combining multiple systems or pro- Schlumberger continues to develop and As CT reliability improves, operators are
cesses yields new and unique solutions to old refine equipment, procedures and techniques to reevaluating candidate wells and targeting more
well-intervention challenges. For example, extend the operating pressure ranges for CT jobs, completions for through-tubing or concentric
Schlumberger has made further advances in sys- including high-pressure applications up to remedial interventions, including some wells pre-
tems for operating CT units from anchored 13,500 psi [93.1 MPa]. Also in development are viously considered too risky for CT operations. To
floating vessels and platforms, and recently field spoolable CT connectors and completion equip- that end, CT equipment and string reliability con-
tested a new through-tubing gravel-pack system ment, including gas-lift valves, which will tinue to be the focus of efforts to reduce
with reentry capabilities.26 facilitate operations in logistically challenging downhole risks and decrease operational failures.
Deeper, higher pressure, higher temperature areas, such as mature offshore platforms and Schlumberger is committed to maintaining
and extended-reach wells increase the complex- remote or environmentally sensitive locations. technical leadership in CT services through cost-
ity of CT operations. In 1995, Schlumberger However, not all well-intervention applica- effective solutions that address operator needs
began using simulators in training centers at tions involve pushing the limits of CT tubular from the most basic to the most complicated
Kellyville, Oklahoma, USA, and Bottesford, capabilities, equipment and tools. CT continues applications, with skilled personnel to imple-
England, to familiarize employees with to be a workhorse for many conventional well ment them. The goal is to assure optimal well
CT equipment, operations and contingency pro- operations and services. Petroleum Development and reservoir performance through safe and effi-
cedures. Capitalizing on extensive simulator of Oman (PDO) used CT to optimize plug and cient operations. —MET
experience and continual improvement in abandonment (P&A) practices.27
portable computer capabilities, Schlumberger Rigless methods with new cement and
followed this with development of portable sealant technologies minimize costs while ensur-
simulation-based training. ing long-term environmental protection in these
The resulting CT Sim computer-based learn- once prolific oil wells.28 CT saved up to 30% com-
ing resource presents concepts, equipment pared with P&A campaigns using conventional
functionality and operating procedures. The drilling and workover rigs. This represented a
intent was to provide prerequisite knowledge and total savings of more than US$ 5 million in a
practice in order to optimize training at the recent 60-well program.29
learning centers or in field locations. Scheduled
for release in 2004, the CT Sim program will be a
key component for training and recertification of
CT supervisors and engineers.

Spring 2004 57