Hydro-Mechanical and Electro-Hydraulic Single Trip Completions, An Affordable Reality

Abstract

Recent papers describe successful Single-Trip Completions (STC) operations carried out offshore Nigeria and other locations and has successfully shed light on implementation of this advanced technology, which represents a step change in operational efficiency. However, the cost of these STC equipment may be prohibitive for wells drilled in shelf or swamp environments. The delivery of STC relies on different communication methods to communicate with and function the down-hole tools that make up part of the STC assemblies such as the "hydraulically actuated sand screens", the "radio frequency identification (RFID) actuated sleeves", and "valves". These different communication methods permit the running of a closed-loop system to ensure well integrity through-out the deployment and commissioning of the completion system. This paper will discuss pre-job planning, field execution and lessons learned from technologies developed to fit this environment while simultaneously challenging conventional thinking around open hole and cased hole completions systems, while addressing the operator's key drive towards capital efficiency through reduction of rig-days by as much as 50%. While several of the components incorporated in the STC system had been run previously in isolation, this paper will discuss the steps taken to facilitate the first full system approach to the application of sand screens fitted with hydro-mechanical inflow control device sleeves designed to actuate on pressure bleed-off, RFID enabled tools in the first hybrid single trip interventionless sand control completion system, and the time savings realized while ensuring well integrity through-out the deployment. Several components within the completion system have been equipped with novel enabling technology, RFID operated reservoir isolation valve at toe of the completion, wire wrapped sand screens fitted with hydro-mechanical sleeves designed to actuate on pressure bleed down complete with inflow control devices, and fuse actuated remote operated circulating sleeves for annular fluid displacement, which will all be discussed within.