Offshore staff
SANDNES, Norway – Archer has introduced Point, a new well integrity system for deployment both at the surface and downhole.
This is designed to decipher and describe what is happening in the well and to locate integrity failures. Much of the technology is field-proven with different elements of having served in more than 2,000 deployments worldwide but until now not as one complete system.
Point allows the operator to evaluate barrier performance and identify the precise location of leaks and flow paths without pulling the completion string. Benefits, according to Archer, are:
- Proactive and systematic integrity management that mitigates the risk of costly surprises with minimal interruptions to production. The Point system starts with a client consultation to develop a common understanding of the integrity challenge followed by an initial surface investigation and then—if required—a downhole deployment.
- The integration of surface and downhole measurements generates information on the well and allows operators to undertake the simplest or most complex integrity challenges routinely and cost-effectively.
- Evaluation of barrier sealing performance rather than barrier condition and the ability to locate leaks and flow paths beyond the tubing.
Ken Feather, vice president, Marketing and Sales Wireline at Archer, said: “When it comes to maximizing well performance, we need to look beyond a focus on reservoir and production dynamics and embrace a third equally crucial pillar—integrity dynamics. Understanding this is key to managing wells safely and profitably.”
Point, he added, provides “better decisions on remediation more quickly, improved well profitability, and most important of all—reduced integrity risk.”
The system comprises seven diagnostic programs supported by proprietary ultrasound technology. These can be used to investigate or locate a range of failure types from the surface or downhole.
The programs are based on:
- CheckPoint - Deployed at surface routinely to validate integrity or to investigate a known integrity issue. Performed at surface, so the operator is not exposed to the disruptions, costs, and risks associated with logging interventions. Options are CheckPoint/A10 for primary barrier leaks; CheckPoint/A50 for all barrier leaks and a single annular flow path; and CheckPoint/A70 for all barrier leaks and multiple annular flow paths.
- LeakPoint is applied downhole to locate barrier leaks rapidly. It is said to be able to expose leaks in the primary tubular and surrounding casings or completion equipment. Unlike conventional methods, the technology is sensitive to a wide range of leak rates and locations, leading to clear and unambiguous results and accurate determination of leak locations. More complex leaks beyond the A-annulus can also be diagnosed, even while a well is flowing.
- FlowPoint diagnoses complex failure scenarios. Diagnosing flow behind casing has long been a challenge, Archer says. The most widely employed annular diagnostic methods downhole only evaluate barrier condition, not barrier sealing performance, the company adds. FlowPoint, however, captures the ultrasound energy and temperature anomalies created by turbulent fluid flow through barrier leaks and annular flow paths. From within the tubing, it can detect flow behind pipe accurately, even through multiple casing strings.
06/24/2016
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