Lecture on Well Intervention by Engineer Ahmed

Jul 7, 2024

Lecture on Well Intervention by Engineer Ahmed

Introduction

  • Speaker: Engineer Ahmed
  • Moderator: Mayor Tor
  • Organizations: Biopet and Military Research Hub
  • Speaker Background:
    • B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Kaider University, 1983
    • 37+ years in the oil industry across the Middle East
    • Expertise in Coil Tubing, Nitrogen Services, Wireline Operations
    • Experience in marketing, sales, planning, project coordination, and site management
    • Began career in field operations, ascending to director roles
  • Session Format: 6 lectures, 1 hour each
  • Today's Topic: Well Intervention

Key Concepts of Well Intervention

  • Definition: Science of dealing with an oil well to avoid disasters
  • Importance: To provide knowledge and avoid field-related accidents
  • Terminology:
    • Well Control
    • Risk Assessment
    • Hydrates
    • Well Kill Techniques
    • Maximum Allowable Annular Pressure (MAAP)
    • Basic Pressure and Volume Calculations

Course Outline

  1. Completion Operations (Current session and next session)
    • Introduction to well intervention
    • Basic calculations and concepts
  2. Completion Philosophy and Design (Following session)
    • Detailed overview of completion and operation
  3. Well Intervention Services
    • Focus on Wireline and Coiled Tubing
    • Snubbing will not be covered

Risks and Safety Procedures

  • Importance of Drills:
    • Simulated drills are crucial for preparation
    • Drills help understand procedures in real emergencies
    • Regular drills at least once a week
  • Well Integrity:
    • Mixture of technical, operational, and organizational solutions
    • Aim to reduce uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons
  • Safety Drills:
    • Secure job, report to muster points, repeat until satisfactory
    • Conduct before starting new jobs or upon crew changes

Gas Behavior

  • Factors Influencing Gas Behavior:
    • Flowing vs. shut-in well
    • Volume increases if well is flowing
    • Pressure increases if well is shut-in
  • **Stages of Pressure Build-up: **
    • Sharp Increase: Formation pressure builds up quickly
    • Slow Increase: Due to gas bubbles migrating up the well

Common Well Problems and Solutions

  • Surge Pressure and Swab Pressure:
    • Surge: Running in the hole too fast; creates pressure spike
    • Swab: Pulling out of the hole too fast; creates vacuum
  • Solution: Operate slowly to avoid pressure spikes and equipment fatigue

Best Practices in Pressure Handling

  • Equipment Testing: Test to at least 1.2 times the maximum expected pressure
  • Operational Limits: Do not exceed tested pressures
  • Emergency Protocols: Have a plan in place for unexpected pressure increases

Barrier Systems

  • Definition of Barrier: Device/fluid preventing hydrocarbon flow
  • Types of Barriers:
    • Primary Barrier: E.g., stuffing box (functions while in motion)
    • Secondary Barrier: E.g., Blowout Preventer (functions when static)
    • Tertiary Barrier: E.g., Christmas tree (emergency situations)
  • Classification:
    • Mechanical (closed or closable types)
    • Hydrostatic (fluid creating sufficient hydrostatic head)
  • Testing Barriers:
    • Test from the direction of flow
    • Avoid using gas or flammable liquids for testing

Well Intervention Responses

  • Importance of Barrier Testing: Must be done prior to use
  • Shut-in Procedures: Understand how to stabilize well pressure
  • Vacuum and Surge Effects: Recognize impact of improper operations
  • Hydrostatic Fluid as a Barrier: Importance of continuous monitoring
  • Mechanical Barriers: Use according to operational requirements

Practical Insights and Case Studies

  • Field Experiences: Various examples were shared on handling pressure and barrier failures
  • Emergency Responses: Emphasis on quick and effective decision making in crisis

FAQs and Discussions

  • Q&A Session: Provided deeper insights into practical well intervention challenges and solutions
  • Engineer Ahmed's Philosophy: Emphasized the importance of safety and adhering to best practices over cost considerations

Next Lecture

  • Date and Time: Tuesday at 6:00 PM
  • Focus: Continuation of completion operations and new topics in well intervention

Summary

  • Comprehensive coverage of well intervention techniques, safety protocols, gas behavior, and barrier systems
  • Emphasis on operational safety and strategic planning to mitigate risks
  • Practical insights shared from extensive field experience

Note: Feel free to refer to the provided slides for detailed explanations.