Real Results

Performance By The Numbers

Total Depth Without Delay:

Weatherford Delivers Heavy-Lift Solution, Keeps Colombian Deepwater Project on Track

Objectives

  • Run a 14-in. production casing string to planned depth in the 16-in. hole section of a Colombian deepwater appraisal well.
  • Overcome tight spots and heavy string challenges. The revised well plan indicated the 14-in. casing string would exceed 750 tons (680,388 kg), but there was no equipment rated for that weight in Colombia. Without a suitable elevator, the operator would have to shorten the casing string by 3,280 ft (1,000 m), compromising well integrity and target objectives.
  • Eliminate nonproductive time (NPT) and ensure zero safety or QHSE incidents throughout the operation.

Our Approach

  • The Weatherford team selected the MSS 1500 elevator as the most suitable technology for handling multi-sized slips and accommodating heavy loads when running various drillstring, casing, and tubing sizes up to 1,500 tons. This marked the inaugural deployment of the MSS 1500 system in Latin America.
  • Weatherford provided full safety interlock between the MSS elevator and the RMS spider.
  • The casing string was run using a fully mechanized, remotely controlled setup that enabled hands-free operation and eliminated personnel exposure in the red zone. The system included:
    • MSS 1500 elevator
    • RMS 2400 flush spider
    • PowerScope tong-positioning system
    • Mechanized NG 22-150 hydraulic casing tong
  • The successful deployment incurred zero NPT in an incident-free operation, meeting all QHSE standards.

Value to Customer

  • Cost Avoidance/Estimated Quantified Time: The deployment of the MSS 1500 elevator represented a significant advancement in deepwater operations in Colombia. This system allowed the Weatherford team to run the region's heaviest casing string to total depth (TD) efficiently. The approach delivered a 7-hour time savings compared to the planned operation, resulting in $170,000 in cost savings for the customer. In addition, it eliminated the need to redesign the well, avoiding potential delays of 4 to 5 days and additional costs estimated at $1.8 million for services, logistics, and consumables.
  • Operational Success: The MSS 1500 elevator enabled the casing string to reach TD with an estimated air weight of 889 tons (806,487 kg) and buoyed weight of 603 tons (547,032 kg).
  • Innovation in Action: The Weatherford engineering and global logistics teams collaborated to deliver a tailored solution under tight timelines.
  • Customer Feedback:
    • The operation reinforced the capability of Weatherford experts to solve complex challenges and deliver high-performance solutions in deepwater environments.
    • The customer emphasized the product's load capacity, slip range feature, and integration capabilities compatible with any tubular running operation, while also noting the faster rig-up time compared to legacy handling equipment.

Learn More

Tubular Running Services
 
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Details

Location

Colombia

Well Type

Offshore, exploratory

Formation

Guajira Basin
(Uitpa, Jimol, Castilletes)

Hole Size and Angle

16 in., vertical

Casing Size and Type

14 in. production casing, 115 ppf TN-125 HS wedge 623 dopeless

Temperature

269°F (132°C) at TD

Pressure

6,850 psi (47.2 MPa) at TD

Depth

  • Total well depth: 20,938 ft (6,382 m)
  • Water depth: 2,654 ft (809 m)
  • Casing depth: 16,935 ft (5,162 m)
  • Total section casing string run: 14,196 ft (4,327 m) (336 joints)

Products/Services

Weatherford MSS 1500 multi-sized slips and elevator

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