To isolate the casing and BOP in an effort to repair the leak, the operator required that two mechanical barriers be quickly installed: one set deeper in the well close to the exposed zone (open hole section) and one set near the mud-line and BOPs. These requirements were based on both the operator’s standard operating procedure (SOP) and the regulatory agency’s barrier compliance, as the liner was not yet installed or cemented in place within the 13-5/8” casing section.
Our multi-service operator and the applications engineering team were able to perform multiple pre-job planning exercises, surge and swab analysis (due to tight mud weight margins and weak formations), slip-load calculations (ensuring casing could sustain the required pressure and tensile), and complete running procedures per application.
The requirements including installing the two mechanical barriers without needing to trip the full BHAs out of the wellbore. The technically advanced BRUTE® Storm Valve required only a single overshot to run and retrieve in a single operation, where most other storm systems require multiple overshot assemblies.
With the two 13-5/8” BRUTE® High Pressure/High Tensile Storm Systems (consisting of the million-pound BRUTE® Packer, BRUTE® 2 Storm Valve, and BRUTE® Bumper Sub) on location operations were ready to commence. The first 13-5/8” BRUTE® Storm System was run and set at ~12,800ft, while supporting 6-5/8” tailpipe below the packer. A positive pressure test was completed successfully up to 1,000psi. With the storm valve disconnected, a negative test up to 2,250psi was successfully completed and a short trip was performed to install the second 13-5/8” BRUTE® Storm System.
While supporting the landing string and overshot for the first BRUTE® Storm System, the second 13-5/8” BRUTE® Storm System was able to be successfully installed, providing a substantial time savings and preventing the need for tripping additional BHA in and out of the wellbore. Once installed, the second BRUTE® Storm System was successfully tested to 4,300psi.
With both 13-5/8” BRUTE® Storm Systems installed, displacing operations commenced through the BRUTE® 2 Storm Valve overshot assembly at over 22 barrels per min (BPM). The unique sealing mechanism within the overshot assembly could readily accommodate the high circulating rates, in comparison to other similar products on the market which use only O-rings that can be removed or become damaged requiring the BHA to be fully removed from the wellbore, increasing rig time and exposure.
After multiple weeks of rig repair and with maintenance operations completed, the BRUTE® Storm Systems were ready to be retrieved from the wellbore to allow normal drilling operations to commence. The second installed 13-5/8” BRUTE® Storm System overshot was run in the well and reattached to the BRUTE® 2 Storm Valve assembly. The ball valve was opened to check and monitor any pressure trapped below the assembly. Overpull was then achieved to unset the BRUTE® Packer assembly and short-tripped to remove from the wellbore.
With the second 13-5/8” BRUTE® Storm System removed, the remaining BHA (including the first installed overshot assembly) was then run to the first 13-5/8” BRUTE® Storm System. Once reattached, the ball valve was opened to check and monitor any pressure trapped below the assembly. Overpull was then achieved to unset the BRUTE® Packer assembly and the assembly was removed from the wellbore.
With our Well Construction equipment and service personnel already on location performing the cementation operations, our BRUTE® Storm Systems were selected to install the required barriers utilizing their multi-service operator (MSO). This eliminated the need to provide additional personnel or logistics, decreasing the operator’s spread costs and personnel-on-board (POB).
With the successful performance of the BRUTE® barrier systems and personnel, we were able to exceed the customer’s requirements and expectations, demonstrating our understanding and ability to meet the challenges of the most complex well operations.
