Plug-Back Operations

Weatherford offers systems for the installation of inflatable retrievable plugs in thru-tubing applications.

Weatherford’s inflatable retrievable bridge plug (IRBP) system, run on coiled tubing (CT) or tubing, consists of an IRBP and the XFLO running tool. The XFLO running tool is connected to the IRBP plug and run to the setting depth on tubing or CT. A predetermined flow rate through the nozzles in the XFLO running tool creates backpressure, which inflates the inflatable plug. Once the required inflation pressure is reached, a shear-out plug is expelled into a catcher. When the flow is directed below the plug, the XFLO running tool is able to release from the fishneck of the IRBP and can be pulled from the well. If the IRBP inflatable plug is set in water injection wells for potential future stimulation applications, thermal compensators are available to compensate for excursions of temperature that would otherwise affect inflation pressures.

Weatherford’s electric line set inflatable retrievable bridge plug (E-IRBP) system, run on electric line, consists of an E-IRBP and the electric pump setting tool (EPST). The system is run in the well, correlated on depth with CCL, and set using the EPST pump. The EPST is able to pump fluid from the annulus into the element or can carry its own water in a bailer system above the EPST. If the E-IRBP inflatable plug is set in water injection wells for potential future stimulation applications, thermal compensators are available to compensate for excursions of temperature that would otherwise affect inflation pressures.

This system is recommended for applications in which the packer system runs through production tubing and sets in a larger-diameter casing, liner, or screen.