Completions and Workover

COMPLETIONS AND WORKOVERS
WILD WELL CONTROL

Completions & Workovers
Learning Objectives
 You will learn - • The types of well completion equipment.

• The reasons why a well needs to be worked  You will also learn -
over.
• The surface completion equipment needed.
• The benefits derived from working a well
over. • The downhole completion equipment
needed.
• To prepare a well completion.
 You will also review how to control and kill live
• To design a completion for the type of wells.
reservoir.
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Overview
 We will design the well from start to  We will review different workover
finish. methods.
 We will review ways to work the well  We will review methods to keep
over. operators on track for proper workover
 We will utilize kill methods. procedures.
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Completion Design
 The completion designed can be broken into five phases –

• Establishing design criteria.
• Preparation of the production zone.
• Mechanical completion of the well.
• Initiate production and apply treatment procedures.
• Monitoring & assessment of the wells and the performance of the completion.
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 Integrating the five phases -

• Efficient completion is a complex process.
• Must use a rigorous approach to establish design criteria.
• Comprehensive formation evaluation program is essential
 Well completion design is a dynamic process, it must include -

• Feedback from completion performance data.
• Changes in design criteria.
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 Design process to allow flexibility for operational requirements and uncertainties in available
design data.
 Completion has limited number of specific tubular components.
 Overall number of components affects complexity of completion and its reliability.
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Well Completion Tips
 When arriving on location -

• Count the joints of tubing.
• Number all joints of tubing.
• Rabbit the joints of tubing.
• Check the threads and pin ends.
• Lubricate the tubing joints.
• Check the completion equipment.
• Check the I.D. to ensure it is the proper diameter for the completion string.
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 If running a combination of nipples, (selective and NO-GO), be sure that you know how to
install them correctly.
 If installing hydraulic, or hydrostatic set packers, check I.D’s, check that all shear pins are in
place and none are missing.
 Bi-Directional slips -
• Check that slips are functioning correctly.
- May not be aligned properly.
- Will only move part way.
- Will keep the packer set from below.
• Ensure bi-directional slips are aligned properly.
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 Check that the packer has a setting port drilled into the inner mandrel of the packer.
 Know the setting area of the packer.
 Calculate the setting force needed -
Setting forcelbs = Setting areasq. in. x Hyd. setting pressurepsi
• The actual depth that the packer will be set should be measured from the sealing elements.
• Now the completion string is run and installed.
• Note: the completion string is not only a mechanical hookup that you are putting inside of the
wellbore; It is also pressure vessel.
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 Several small things done incorrectly will lead to failures.

 Normal completion string running speed is a stand per minute.
• If more than 10% of dead hanging weight is lost, then it is being run too fast. This can cause the well to
be surged.
 If running a hydraulic or hydrostatic set packer, do not run setting ball or standing valve in place.
The water hammer effect will prematurely set the packers, because it will shear the setting pins.
 When landing the completion string, be sure that the seal on the tubing hanger is in good working
shape.
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 Always have a back pressure valve installed in the tubing hanger.

 When removing the back-pressure valves, NEVER dry rod the back pressure valve from the
tubing hanger.
 Always install a lubricator for pressure control.
 Drilling fluid in well can be circulated out with the completion fluid after the X-mas tree is
installed.
 Packers with metal fold back rings on each end of the sealing elements will protect them from
pump pressure wear.
 A circulating rate of about one bpm is a good rate when displacing fluids.
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 Drilling fluid displacement can be done either with forward or reverse circulation when using a
hydraulic set packer.
 If the packer is a hydrostatic set packer, you can only displace it by reverse circulation.
• Forward circulation will set packer prematurely.
 A surging rig pump should never be used to displace drilling fluid as it is possible to prematurely
set a hydraulic or hydrostatic packer.
 Ensure hydraulic and hydrostatic set packers are at proper setting depth before you starting
displacement. You must have a circulating device (sliding sleeve, SPM) installed in tubing string.
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 If you don’t know why a certain type of packer is used, then check with your supervisor.
 Know the setting mechanism of the packers, how it sits, and learn the problems you can
encounter.
 Set hydraulic or hydrostatic packers with a ball if the formation will take fluid.
 Don’t use a ball to set packers if the formation won’t take fluid. Use a standing valve or hydrotrip
sub to set packers.
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 When installing a single well with multiple production zones, ensure there is no tubing movement
between packers. If tubing movement is present install expansion joints between packers.
 If the well has been installed for gas lift, do not inject gas too fast and cut out the gas lift valves.
 Do not restrict the flow by installing too many 90o angles in the flow line; streamline the flow line.
 Always install a positive choke in the flow line.
 All wells under MMS regulations must be installed with surface controlled sub surface safety
valve.
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 SCSSVs must be installed at a depth below the mud line to give protection in case of an impact
or explosion at surface. (MMS dictates SCSSVs must be installed 100 feet below the mudline)
 Place circulation devices one joint above packer, never directly on top.
 Do not circulate too fast through sliding sleeves or side pocket gas lift mandrels.
• Fast circulation cuts sleeves and mandrels out.
 If setting hydraulic set packers, do not use the bottom layers of barite weighted mud as weight
may not be consistent.
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 Run tubing conveyed perforator below packers. Use tubing string weight and hold back pressure
on top of packers. This keeps from blowing the completion string up the hole.
 If using an equalizing standing valve to set hydraulic set packers, the standing valve has to be
equalized before it is pulled.
 Always install two way check valve in the tubing hanger to pressure test the X-mas tree and
valves.
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Packers
 Types of Packers –
• Permanent
• Permanent Retrievable
• Mechanical Set
• Hydraulic Set
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Permanent Packers
High Temp Sump Tubing Hydraulic Wireline

Packer Set Set Set
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Permanent Packers
Scoop Head Design
Overshot
Seal Guide Internal Locking
Slips
J Latch Receiving
Head Triple Slips Multi-
Durometer Package
Internal Locking
Slips
Sealing Bore
Case Carburized
Upper Slips
Triple-Seal Multi- Setting Sleeve

Durometer Element Cylinder
Package
Metal Back-up Setting Piston
Shoes
Setting
Case Carburized Rotation
Lower Slips Feature
Wireline Set Hydraulic Tubing Set
Packer Set Packer Packer
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Permanent Packers
Mandrel
Case Carburized
Upper Slips
Case Carburized
Lower Slips
Severe Environment
Packer Hi-Temp Element
Package
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Typical Permanent Packer
Hydraulic Set
Wireline Set
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Packers
 Designed for single-string completions.

 For emergency pulling, straight pull will unseat the packer.
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Isolation Packer
• What are the advantages of using an

isolation tool squeeze packer?
 Face seal unloaded (valve) located
at the top of the tool seals off the
inside tubing.
 Has a built-in balance sleeve system
that holds the valve closed when
tubing psi is greater than the annular
psi.
 By-pass system, located at top of the
packer allows circulation above
packer.
 Three piece sealing element.
 Jay slot and slips located below
sealing elements holds the packer Section of
and prevents downward movement. Water sand to be
Level squeezed
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Isolation Packer
Q&A #1
 This well has 3 productive zones. The company wants to acid/frac each
zone, clean them out, set a packer and tubing string as a production string.
• What type of packer must you use?
Answer - The type of packer must be a hook wall packer with hydraulic hold
down buttons.
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Isolation Packer
Q&A #1
 Can all these things be accomplished in one trip or must you
make several trips?
• Yes they can if you do not have a thief zone (in this case all 3
zones have the same pressure with shale stringers between the
productive sands).
• After fracing the zone, the packer is released. Then, wait until the
sealing element returns to its original shape or as close as
possible. (approx.15-20 mins or a cup of coffee and two cigarettes)
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Isolation Packer
 Next, lower the unseated packer

down hole slowly and reverse out the
excessive debris.
 Then, pick up the packer above the
zones after cleaning them up and re-
set the packer.
 Depending upon what type of packer
is selected, release and re-set. (the
packing elements will try to return to
their original position)
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Isolation Packer
Wire line Set

Wire line Set Cement Retainer
Cement With Flapper
Retainer Valve Model K-1
Model K-1
Mechanical Set
Mechanical Mechanical Cement Retainer
Set Set w/Flapper Valve
Cement Bridge Model K-1
Retainer Plug
Model N-1
Model K-1
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Packers
• Hydraulically Set Retrievable Packer

 The packer is set hydraulically by
pressuring up on tubing against a
check valve located below packer.
 The packer can also be set with a
standing valve, positive wireline-set
plug or a hydrotrip sub.
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Packers
 Hydraulically Set Retrievable Packer

• Packer is retrieved by a straight pull on the tubing string.
• Catcher subs accept a brass ball as a check valve.
• Expendable catcher sub is normally used.
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Packers
Expendable
Catcher Sub
Hydraulically Set
Retrievable Packer
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Setting Hydraulic Packer w/Pump Out Sub
Hydraulic Set
2-3/8” OD Packer
Tubing
Tubing Fluid Annular Fluid
Diesel 7.0 ppg Brine 10.0 ppg
Casing 7” OD
6.25” ID
Perforations
Ball open but not
taking fluid.
Tight Gas Sand Tight Gas Sand
Bridge Plug
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Hydraulic Set
2-3/8” OD Packer
Tubing
• How much Force (lbs) is exerted Tubing Fluid Annular Fluid
under the packer? Diesel 7.0 ppg Brine 10.0 ppg
• To release the ball
we need 4,000 psi of pressure. Casing 7” OD
6.25” ID
Force lbs.
Perforations
= Area x Well Pressure Ball open but not
= ID2csg in x 0.7854 x Well Pres. taking fluid.
= 6.252 in x 0.7854 x 4,000 psi
= 122,719 lbs force
Tight Gas Sand Tight Gas Sand
Bridge Plug
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• Ball goes down and hits bridge plug.

• This allows communication with the
production zone and the tubing.
Bridge Plug
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 Force travels up.

 Full impact of the pressure is exerted on the packer.
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 Impact blows and unseats the packer and moves with the
completion string up hole.
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Typical
Retrievable Packers
Single Hydraulic Dual Hydraulic

Packer Packer
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Packers
• Baker Model FH packer is

hydrostatically set with a field
adjustable shear release mechanism.
• To set packer a ball, standing valve,
hydrotrip sub, or a positive plug must
be installed below the packer.
Model FH
Packer
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Packers
• Model DAB packer can serve as

Baker Model FH packer is
hydrostatically set with a field
adjustable shear release mechanism.
 Production packer
 Zone isolation packer
 Reliable squeeze packer Model DAB
Packer
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Packers
Hydrostatic-Set Packer
 This packer type is designed to be run and set in -
• Highly deviated wellbores.
• Horizontal wellbores
• When conventional running and setting techniques are difficult to achieve.
• It uses existing hydrostatic pressure of the wellbore to set the packer.
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Packers
 The Type BB packer is a retrievable packer that can be run on -

• Conventional electric line
• Slickline
• Coiled tubing
• Conventional workstring
BB
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Tubing Conveyed Perforating
 The tubing conveyed perforating tool is run below the packer with
the tubing.
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 Gun is fired by dropping firing bar after setting packer.
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 Displace drilling fluid with completion fluid.
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 Well bore is charged from the perforations by 7,000 psi of

formation pressure after perforating.
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 Pressure from the formation returns and travels downwards and

upwards.
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 Forces then rebound.
 Now calculate the force underneath the packer.
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 Force = (ID, in.)2 x 0.7854 x Pressure, psi
= (6.25)2 x 0.7854 x 7,000
= 214,758 pounds
 Plus 50,000 pounds shock force (from firing perforating tool)
 Total Force = 214,758 + 50,000 = 264,758 lbs
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 Force travels up -
• Corkscrews tailpipe (tubing below packer)
• Bursts casing at packer seal
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 Tubing is -
• Corkscrewed
 Packer is -
• Unseated
• Blown up hole
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Permanent Packer Accessories
Extension
Anchor
Latch
“G” Locator Anchor
Latch
“K22” Anchor
Seal
Nipple
Locator Seal Seal “EBH22”
Assembly Extension Anchor
Seal Assembly
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Single String Multi-Zone Completion
• These types of completions have

been run.
• Experience has taught us to make Zone 1
sure that the packers were always at Selective
Set
the proper setting depths. Packers
Sliding
Sleeves
Zone 2
Zone 3
Hydraulic Set
Packer
Zone 4 NoGo Nipple

w/ Standing
Valve
The shifting tools were run.

The top to shift down to open the sleeve.
The lower shifting tools shift upward to close.
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Dual Completion
• Too much weight was set on the

packer which caused the short string
to corkscrew.
• What’s a possible solution?
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Dual Completion
• The sliding sleeve in the long string

was opened below the dual packer.
• The plug had to be pumped down by
a pump truck, because the tubing
was corkscrewed.
• The plug was set.
• The pump was swapped to the long
string and pressured up below the
plug in the short string.
• The upward force removed some of
the weight from the short string and
the packer set.
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Dual Completion
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Landing Nipples and Key Profiles
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Key Profile
Seal Bore
NO-GO
Type X Type XN
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Key
Profile
Seal Bore
Type X Type XN Type RN

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Down hole Safety Valve Nipple
 The nipple, left, has a sliding sleeve which prevents solids blocking
the control line port when valve is out of the hole.
 Standard nipple, right, lacks the inner protective sleeve.
• The sleeve shifts each time the valve is set or pulled.
• When the valve is set, a shifting mandrel attached to the locking mandrel
shifts the sleeve open.
• Sleeve closed when safety valve is pulled from nipple.
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Down hole Safety Valve Nipple
 Sleeve closed when safety valve is pulled from nipple.

 A shifting tool can open sleeve prior to setting the wireline safety valve in the nipple.
 The control line then attaches to the tubing hanger and is accessible via a needle valve mounted
to the tubing spool.
 The control line of ¼” SS tubing attaches to the nipple and is strapped to the tubing as it is made
up and run in the hole.
 In deep set safety valves an additional hydraulic line is attached to this valve to enable increased
hydraulic fluid and pressure to be supplied. This becomes a necessity in deep set safety valves.
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Tubing Nipples and Lock Mandrels
• Production tubing nipples are special

tubulars made up as part of the production
string incorporating a machined profile into
which specific locking devices can be set.
• Pictured at left is a Position 1 S Lock

Mandrel and its companion nipple. The
nipple and mandrel are said to be selective
as per the nipple profile and matching locator
key profile. There are numerous “positions”
for this type of nipple and locking device
which allows freedom as to the specific
nipple and depth a flow control device will be
set. Shown below is an example of varying
positions available for this equipment. The
locator portion of the nipple is machined to a
specific profile and matching locator keys are
installed on the locking device. The locking
device will only set and lock in its matching
nipple.
Lock Mandrel and S Nipple
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Tubing Nipples and Lock Mandrels
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Tubing Plug
Upward Prong
• Another form of a positive plug is one Movement
that is run on an S or T locking
device. The prong, once again,
serves as an equalizing device, but in
this case, it is run with the plug body Adapter Sub
as the prong is pinned to the valve.
Valve
Shear Pin
Valve Stem
PS Plug
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Tubing Plug
Upward Prong
• Pulling of the plug entails two trips in Movement
the hole. The first trip to pull the
prong achieving pressure
equalization and the second trip
retrieves the locking mandrel and the Adapter Sub
plug.
Valve
Shear Pin
Valve Stem
PS Plug
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“X” & “XN” Wireline Landing Nipples
Orientation
Groove
Orientation
Key Profile Groove
Key Profile
Seal Bore
Seal Bore
Trash Groove
No-Go Shoulder
“X” Selective Landing “XN” NO-Go Landing

Nipple Nipple
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Flow Coupling and Blast Joint
Flow Couplings and Blast joints are

Specialty tubulars w/ thicker walls to
protect the completion string.
Flow Coupling Blast Joint
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Flow Couplings
 Flow couplings eliminate turbulence existing above and Flow Coupling Placement
below a nipple due to its restriction.
 Installed above and below tubing nipples.
 Thicker walls resist erosion better.
Landing
Nipple
& Flow
Control
Device
Flow
Coupling
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Blast Joints
 Placed in tubing string opposite, open and at flowing Flow

perforation or tubing hanger depth. At both of these depths Coupling
there is extreme flow which can cause tubular erosion.
 Protect tubing from – Blast Joint
• Excessive wear
• Premature failure
Flow
from
well
Landing,
or
Polished
Nipple
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Tubing Nipples and Mandrels
Fishing
 Tubing Nipples are selective as per
Neck
the running tool. (this allows
bypassing of shallower nipples to set Expander
Mandrel
nipples at the desired depth)
Double
 All nipples run in the tubing of this Acting
type (“CAMX”) have the same profile Spring
with the exception of the NO-GO Locking
Keys
nipple containing the NO-GO
restriction.
Packing
Nipple &
Lock Mandrel
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Tubing Nipples and Mandrels
• The running tool used to run and set

the equipment allows the operator to
select a specific depth to install flow
control devices based on various
depth of the nipples.
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Tubing Plug
Prong
Weldment
 The AX is a plug installed on an Upward Prong

CAMX locking mandrel. Movement
Lock
 The plug body, made up of the lock Mandrel Equalizing
Prong
mandrel, equalizing sub, and valve Element
cap are run and set in the desired Equalizing
CAMX nipple. Prong
Housing
Element
Equalizing
Prong
Housing
Valve Cap
PX Plug
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Tubing Plug
Prong
Weldment
 A standard pulling tool is run to
retrieve the prong for equalization. Upward Prong
Movement
 Another trip is made to pull the plug Lock
body. Mandrel Equalizing
Prong
Element
Equalizing
Prong
Housing
Element
Equalizing
Prong
Housing
Valve Cap
AX Plug
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Nipples and Mandrels
Running
Neck
 The CAMXN (locking) nipple has a NO-GO ring
machined into the bottom. This allows only a Running
Neck
mandrel with a No-Go ring to be installed.
 This nipple is the lowest run in the tubing string
because of the presence of the NO-GO restriction.
Locking
Dogs
Locking V-Type
Profile Packing
NO-GO NO-GO
Restriction Ring
Nipple and Lock Mandrel
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Locking Device: Landing Nipple/Safety Valve
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Locking Dogs
 Two types of locking dogs for the selective and the NO-GO nipples.
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Circulating Devices
 Sliding Sleeve
• Circulating devices
• Production devices
 Side pocket mandrel
• MM series
• KB series
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Sliding Sleeve
 A SS is a window placed as a part of

the completion string which allows
communication with annulus.
 Opening or closing the sleeve is with
a shifting tool which locates in a
machined profile in the inner sleeve.
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Sliding Sleeve
 A nipple profile can be

installed above the SS. This
profile is used to blank (close)
off the ports by installing an
isolation tool. The same is
true when, you want to
produce through the SS then,
a separation tool is installed
in the nipple profile.
 NOTE:
 Sliding sleeves are installed to
open up or down, depending on
the application.
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Sliding Sleeves
Ball
Ball Seat
Seat Recess
Sliding Sleeve
Hydraulic
Opening Port
Inner Mandrel
Lock Ring
Running Circulating Closing
Drilling Fluid Bottom Hole Pressure

Activating
Spring
Universal
Circulating Sleeve
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SS and Shift Tools
• The pin x pin “B” shift tool may be run Landing Nipple
so the sleeve can open either
direction this dictates how the shifting
tool is run.
Inner Sleeve
Equalizing Port
Seals
Body Threads “B” Shifting

Tool
Durasleeve Type XA Sleeve
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SS and Shift Tools
• The right angle shoulders of the

Landing Nipple
locator keys match a machined
profile in the sleeve.
• After the sleeve has shifted, the tool
releases from the shifting profile. Inner Sleeve
Equalizing Port
Seals
Body Threads “B” Shifting

Tool
Durasleeve Type XA Sleeve
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Side Pocket Valves
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Latches
Latch Latch
Dome Seals
Dome Seals
Dome
Packing
Bellows
Dome
Packing Bellows
Seal Stop
Seal Stop
Tapered Stem
Stem Ball Stem
Lift Pin Seat
Pilo Port Stem Packing
Pilo Port Control Port
Seat Reverse Check Valve
Reverse Check Valve
RA Latch Packing BK Latch
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Question & Answer
Q&A #1
 A side pocket mandrel has been run in  Study this drawing and give the design
the horizontal part of the well in the next engineer the proper methodology to
slide and has rotated to the top side of establish communication between the
the well bore. tubing and annulus.
 When the well was completed, the
design engineer was told to be sure the
well could be worked over and killed by
circulating through the side pocket gas
lift mandrel.
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Question & Answer
Q&A #1
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Question & Answer
Q&A #1
What are your recommendations?
Wireline and coil tubing are poor

choices. The correct way would be to
install a dump kill valve (this is a burst
disc one way valve) in the side pocket
mandrel and open it by applying
pressure on the annulus.
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Gas Lift Equipment and Systems
Upper
Fish Neck
Slip-Type
Stop
 One type of gas lift which can be installed in

Centralizers
wells that were not initially completed with gas lift
Upper
equipment is a gas lift packoff. Packoff
Lift
Gas
 Rather than pulling the tubing, packoff type gas
lift assemblies can be installed.
Well
Perforation
Fluid
Gas Lift
Valve
Centralizers Lower
Packoff
Slip-Type
Know
Collar
Stop
Concentric Packoff Gas Lift Assembly
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Gas Lift Equipment and Systems
Upper
Fish Neck
Slip-Type
 The tubing is perforated at the desired depths and the Stop
assemblies as seen at left are installed opposite the

Centralizers
perforations. Installation and servicing of the equipment
Upper
can be performed by wireline or coiled tubing. Packoff
Lift
 In the illustration slip type stop devices are used to hold Gas
the assembly in place but, as seen in the inset at lower

left, collar locks can be used as well – usually as the
lower stop with a slip stop at the top of the packoff.
Well
Perforation
Fluid
Gas Lift
Valve
Centralizers Lower
Packoff
Slip-Type
Stop
Collar
Collar
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Old Type Kick-Over Tools
• The appropriate pulling or running

tool for the gas lift valve would be
installed below the kick-over tool.
Camco
Kick-over
Tools
AK L L-2D
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Down-hole Safety Valves
• The Series 10 Flapper Valve is

hydraulic valve, NC (normally closed)
operated from the surface.
• Full bore to tubing on which it is
installed.
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Down-hole Safety Valves
• Allows servicing of well thru safety

valve.
• Valve has a lock-out feature
• In the event the valve becomes
inoperative, the internal safety valve
nipple may be used after the tubing
retrievable safety valve has been
locked out.
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Kickover Tool
Kickover Tool
• Running and Retrieving Tools for

Side Pocket, Mandrels, Kick over
Tool.
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Safety Valve
• The safety valve is a NC valve which

Lock Open
must have hydraulic pressure Communication
supplied in order to operate. System Eliminates
Construction Seals
 Lock-out feature capability for the
installation of a wireline valve
 The flow tube protects the flapper Hydraulic/Spring
during well production Chamber Not
Exposed
to Well Fluids
Full MTM Flapper

and Seat System
Tubing Retrievable
Safety Valve
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Storm Choke (Velocity Valve)
Equalizing Sub
• The Storm Choke (velocity valve) is a

direct-controlled, normally open valve - Lock
Mandrel Top Sub
 Spring and spacers determine the Back-Up Ring
spring force used to hold valve open. Landing
Nipple O-Ring
 When pressure differential across

Spring
valve reaches a pre-determined point Equalizing
and is less then spring tension, valve Sub
Valve Cage
closes. Piston
Top Sub
Back-Up Ring
O-Ring
Spacer(s)
Spring
Cage Adapter
Valve Cage
Spring
Piston
Ball Retainer
Spacer(s) Ball
Cage Adapter Body Weldment
Spring
Ball Retainer Bean
Ball
Body Weldment
Bean
Ball and Seat
Ball and Seat
WILD WELL CONTROL

Storm Choke (Velocity Valve)
Equalizing Sub
• To reopen the valve, pressure is Lock

Top Sub
applied to the tubing or an equalizing Mandrel
Back-Up Ring
prong can be run into the valve and Landing O-Ring
equalizing sub. Nipple
• The valve, right, is attached to an X Spring
locking mandrel but can be attached Equalizing

Sub Valve Cage
to many different types of locking
Piston
devices. Top Sub
Back-Up Ring
O-Ring
Spacer(s)
Spring
Cage Adapter
Valve Cage
Spring
Piston
Ball Retainer
Spacer(s) Ball
Cage Adapter Body Weldment
Spring
Ball Retainer Bean
Ball
Body Weldment
Bean
Ball and Seat
Ball and Seat
WILD WELL CONTROL

Ambient Storm Choke
Equalizing Sub
• The Storm Choke is an ambient,

normally open valve, pre-charged Lock Mandrel
with a set dome pressure. Usually, Top Sub
used in deep setting operations.

• When flowing pressure of well drops
Back-Up Ring
below the dome pressure, dome O-Ring
pressure and valve spring close Piston
Equalizing Sub
valve. Spring
Chamber
Top Sub
Screw
Gasket
Back-Up Ring
O- Ring Back-Up Ring
Piston O-Ring
Spring
Chamber
Screw Body Weldment
Gasket
Back-Up Ring
O-Ring
Body Weldment
Ball and Seat
Ball and Seat
WILD WELL CONTROL
Ambient Storm Choke
Equalizing Sub
 Valve reopens when tubing pressure

returns above dome pressure. This is Lock Mandrel
done by applying surface pressure Top Sub
above valve, or by running an
equalizing prong and equalizing
pressure across the valve. Back-Up Ring
O-Ring
 It can be attached to many types of
Equalizing Sub Piston
locking devices. Spring
Chamber
Top Sub
Screw
Gasket
Back-Up Ring
O- Ring Back-Up Ring
Piston O-Ring
Spring
Chamber
Screw Body Weldment
Gasket
Back-Up Ring
O-Ring
Body Weldment
Ball and Seat
Ball and Seat
WILD WELL CONTROL
Ambient Storm Choke
Internal
Internal Chamber
Chamber Pressure
Pressure
Well
Pressure
Well
Pressure
Open Closed
WILD WELL CONTROL
Wireline Retrievable Surface Controlled
Hydraulic
Control Line
Safety Valve
Landing Nipple
• The Series 10-W Valve is a NC valve, Lock Mandrel
hydraulically controlled from the Lock Mandrel

surface through a control line.
• Should the loss of hydraulic pressure
occur, the spring takes over and
closes the valve.
Piston
• When setting or retrieving this type of

valve, an equalizing prong must hold
the flapper open. Spring
Equalizing
Ports
Secondary Valve
Seat Insert
Flapper Spring
Flapper
Series 10-W
Flapper Valve
WILD WELL CONTROL

Hydraulic
Control Line
Safety Valve
Landing Nipple
 Equalizing feature - secondary valve. Lock Mandrel
• When hydraulic pressure applied (slightly greater Lock Mandrel
than wellbore pressure) the piston begins to move

down and opens the secondary valve. This allows
pressure to enter the equalizing ports. Piston
 The valve shown is attached to an X lock. It can be

fitted to other locking devices. Spring
Equalizing
Ports
- Next slide shows this opening sequence.
Secondary Valve
Seat Insert
Flapper Spring
Flapper
Series 10-W
Flapper Valve
WILD WELL CONTROL
Hydraulic Hydraulic Hydraulic

Fluid Pressure Pressure
Secondary Secondary
Valve on Seat Valve Off Seat
Closed Equalizing Open
Opening Sequence of the Series 10-W Safety Valve

WILD WELL CONTROL
Annulus Safety Valve
Production Casing
Multi-Purpose
Expansion Joint
Annulus Ports
Tubing
Poppet Valves
Tubing Retrievable Safety
Valve Control Line
Tubing Retrievable Safety

Valve
Power Spring Annulus Safety
Valve Control Line
Flow Coupling
Spacer
Annulus Safety Valve
Pack-Off Tubing Anchor

Rod Piston
Safety Valve
Annular Safety
Valve System
Installation
WILD WELL CONTROL
Back Pressure Valve
• Cameron Type H back pressure

Seal Ring
valve.
• The valve seals off the tubing Body
 Repairs can be made.

 Tree can be installed or removed.
 BOPs can be installed or removed. Valve
 BPV can be pumped through if
needed.
Spring
Valve Stem
Cameron Type H BPV
WILD WELL CONTROL

Back Pressure Valve
• Valve installed in a threaded profile in

Seal Ring
the tubing hanger.
• Pressures can be equalized, if Body
present, before pulling BPV.
• Use lubricator if installing or removing
the valve. Valve
• Valve can handle 15,000 psi
differential.
Spring
Valve Stem
Cameron Type H BPV
WILD WELL CONTROL

Two Way BP Valve
Body
• Holds pressure from either direction.

Seal Ring
• Installed in a threaded profile in the
tubing hanger.
• Used when the tree is pressure Valve
Plunger
tested.
• Can withstand differential pressures
to 15,000 psi.
Insert
O-Ring
Retainer
Cameron Type H 2-
Way BPV
WILD WELL CONTROL
Single Christmas Tree
Tree Cap
Crown or Swab Valve
Wing Valves
Choke Body
Upper Master Valve

Hanger Spool and Bushing
Lower Master Valve
Tubing Hanger
Tubing Head Spool
Crossover Seal
Casing Hanger & Pack-Off
Casing Head Spool
Crossover Seal
Casing Hgr & Pack-Off
Casing Head Body
WILD WELL CONTROL

Dual Christmas Tree
Wrap Around
Tubing Hanger
Tubing Head Attachment
Dual Tubing Hanger
Tubing Head
Spool
Crossover
Seal
Casing Head
Body
Casing Hanger
& Pack-Off
WILD WELL CONTROL

Tubing Hanger
• The tubing hanger is an anchor point

for the production tubing in the
Christmas tree.
 The tubing hanger is held in place in
the tubing head adapter by tubing
weight and by hold down pins which
are part of the tubing head adapter.
 Once the hanger is landed the hold
down pins are “run in” and tightened.
Compliments of Schlumberger
Cameron Dual
Tubing Hanger
WILD WELL CONTROL

Tubing Hanger
 The seals seal off the top of the

annulus.
 Tubing hangers contain internal
threads or a machined profile for
installing a BPV (back pressure Cameron Dual
valve). Tubing Hanger
 The tubing hanger can be a point

of anchor for the control line(s)
in the case of a multiple string
completion, for the surface controlled
subsurface safety valves.
Cameron Dual
Tubing Hanger
WILD WELL CONTROL

Pressure Testing the Tree
Tree Cap
• Rig up lubricator and purge tree.
• Install a 2-way BPV in tubing hanger.
• Install pump discharge line to top of Crown
/Swab Wing
Production
Choke
tree or wing. In either case ensure Valve Valve
that the correct flanges are installed

Cross
and any caps removed.
Surface
Safety Valve
Master Valve
2-Way
Back
Pressure
Valve
WILD WELL CONTROL

Tree Cap
• Prior to pumping into the top of the

tree, open the crown swab, surface
Crown Production
safety, and master valve. /Swab Wing Choke
Valve
• Close the wing valve. Valve
Then pressure up to the rated

Cross
working pressure of the tree.
• Check all flanged connections for
leaks.
• Break, repair, and re-check any Surface
Safety Valve
leaking connection again until
successful.
Master Valve
2-Way
Back
Pressure
Valve
WILD WELL CONTROL

Tree Cap
• Systematically close and test each
valve by itself checking for leaks
around stems. Crown Production
/Swab Wing Choke
• A good test fluid is clean, solids-free Valve Valve
water.
Cross
• Do not dry rod the back pressure
valve.
Surface
Safety Valve
Master Valve
2-Way
Back
Pressure
Valve
WILD WELL CONTROL

Production Choke
 This Cameron HLB hand adjustable choke Upper Bonnet Lower Bonnet
Needle Retaining Guard
Stem Bonnet Nut
uses a “needle and seat” type of restricting Body
Sea
t Seat
device. This is a manual choke and should be Ring
installed on the inside. Hydraulic choke is also
used and installed on the outside.
Bearing Race
Bearing Roller
WILD WELL CONTROL

Production Choke
 This Cameron hydraulic production choke has a gate and seat

design which allows the gate to be reversed as it wears, thus
doubling the effective life of the choke.
Gate
Seat
Cameron Hydraulic Production Choke
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Well Completion Operations is the work conducted to establish the production of a well after the
production casing string has been set, cemented and pressure tested.
 Workover Operations is the work conducted on wells after the initial completion for the purpose
of maintaining or restoring the productivity of a well.
WILD WELL CONTROL

• Brushes and magnets used during

wellbore cleanout prior to completion.
WILD WELL CONTROL

How Comp. & WO’S Differ from Drilling
 Solids-free fluids and fluid loss.

 Job may start with well kill.
 Few underbalanced kicks.
 Gas frequently in both tubing and annulus.
 Different kill procedures likely.
 More trips.
 Wellbore tubulars may not be intact.
 Well control equipment varies with job type.
 Little or no open hole.
 May have no slow pump pressures.
 Assured source of hydrocarbons.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Operational Characteristics
• Solids-Free Fluids and Fluid Loss Completion Fluids.
• Clear, solids-free, completion fluids universally used.
• Highly permeable and often unconsolidated reservoirs.
• Ever present fluid loss during completion/workover work.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Brines are used when formations are sensitive to damage by invading wellbore fluids.
 Brines are also more likely to invade formation.
 Completion fluids weighted to overcome formation pressures.
 Higher completion fluid weights encourage further fluid losses.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Workovers Start with a Well Kill

• Initial completion “brings” on a well.
• Most workovers begin by killing a live well.
• There is no well circulating history on the well.
• There is no annular fluid distribution knowledge.
• Kill operation involving circulation and constant BHP method are complicated.
• Kills begin by “bullheading” the tubing with a known fluid sufficient to Kill the well.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Few Underbalanced Kicks

• Any kick is likely the result of a misjudgment, when mud becomes under balance or a casing leak.
• Kicks on workovers and completions are likely to occur on trips
• Kicks might occur as the result of gas/liquid swap-outs or unseen falling fluid levels during shutdown
periods.
• The well had a “kill” fluid weight prior to kick. Use Driller’s Method to regain control.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Gas in Tubing and Annulus

 On workovers, gas in tubing and annulus is common on rig-up and when releasing packer.
 Condition can come from a tubing or casing leak, squeeze job breakdown, packer failure, or the
normal fluid distribution of a packer-less completion.
 These are frequent problems in a workover.
 These are reasons for the workover itself.
 Oil and/or gas on either or both sides requires that kill and cleanup techniques be modified for
killing the well.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 More Trips
• In completions and workover, trips are made for a wide variety of operations. Kicks on workovers and
completions are likely to occur on trips
• Each operation may call for several trips when trouble-free and more when not.
• The well had a “kill” fluid weight prior to kick. Use Driller’s Method to regain control.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Tubular May Not Be Intact

• Many factors create tubular failures in productive bores including –
- Age of tubulars
- Internal and external corrosion
- Temperature and pressure of the environment
- Differential cyclic stresses from pumping
- Plus wear and tear from tripping and operating downhole tools.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 More frequent failures

• These failures show up more in workover than in the drilling –
- Buckling
- Burst
- Collapse
- Coupling seal
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Assured Source of Flow

• A completed wellbore is always open to a source of hydrocarbon flow.
• Exceptions are when the wellbore is temporarily sealed or plugged off from the pay zone.
• Even “impregnable” deterrents (packer failure, plug failure or sand bridge giving away) to flow can fail at
inconvenient and vulnerable moments.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Porosity
 Porosity is the spaces between the sand grains, 25% -

35%.
Yellow represents space between sand grains

which dictates porosity.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Permeability
 Permeability is the ability for fluids to flow between connected pores of a rock.
• It is an essential property to allow oil or gas to flow into the well instead of being locked into the rock
body.
• Without permeability, no oil or gas will flow to the well, no matter what the size of the pores in the
formation.
• Permeability to oil flow is easily damaged in immediate vicinity of the borehole.
• This damage may result in a well workover.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Causes Of Formation Damage
 While drilling.
 Pipe dope, mud solids, mud filtrate, water blocking, clay swelling from freshwater loss.
 While completing/stimulating.
 Pipe dope, pipe scale, perforation debris, dirty completion fluid, failed injection stimulation.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Causes Of Formation Damage
Casing
Cement
Perforation
Skin
Damage
Cement Particles
Junk from Paraffin, Asphaltines, etc

Perforating Formation Particles
WILD WELL CONTROL

Skin Factors or Skin Damage
 A measure of formation damage commonly is between

zero and ten.
Production
Rate
“Ideal”
Rate
Skin
-5 0 +5 +10 +15 +20
Positive Skin Factor – Formation damage exists, can exceed 100.

Negative Skin Factor – Implies the well is stimulated, rarely below –3.
Zero Skin Factor – The well is neither stimulated nor damaged.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Sand Strength
• Natural consolidation comes with

age. Many GOM sands are very
young. Surface tension due to water
saturation can help but . . . rock
failure leads to sand production.
• Gravel packing allows sand-free
production of rocks with low sand
strength.
Gravel Packed
Annulus
WILD WELL CONTROL
Fracture Stimulation
 Benefits – Fractures bypass damage zone, increases wellbore diameter.

 Fracture is generated hydraulically and gravel packed with high-perm synthetic gravel, steel or ceramic balls.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Formation Damage
 Reduction of permeability in the rock surrounding the wellbore which occurred during drilling, completion,
stimulation and production.
 Depth of formation damage is usually less than two feet from the well-bore, this is an extremely critical region.
Damaged Area
WILD WELL CONTROL
Formation Damage
Casing
Cement
Perforation
Skin
Damage
Cement Particles
Junk from Paraffin, Asphaltines, etc

Perforating Formation Particles
WILD WELL CONTROL

Formation Damage
Formation damage is usually less than

2 feet from the well-bore.
WILD WELL CONTROL
Reservoir Fluid Drive Mechanisms
Oil Oil
Salt
Water Water
Water Drive – Associated w/large unbounded reservoirs where drive

energy comes from lower water movement, pressure stays high.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Gas
Oil Oil
Salt
Gas Drive – Associated with large unbounded reservoirs where

drive energy comes from gas movement from above, pressure stays high.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Gas
Oil Oil
Salt
Water Water
Combination Drive – Partial water drive, partial gas drive.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Pressure Depletion – Limited and bounded, drive energy comes from the
expanding gas, no water. Drive pressure declines as gas is produced
WILD WELL CONTROL

Types of Completions
 Interface between Wellbore and -

• Reservoir
• Open hole
• Cased hole
 Production Method
• Pumping
• Flowing
 Number of Zones Completed
• Single
• Multiple zones
WILD WELL CONTROL

Open Hole Completion
 Mostly Used for Thick Competent Rock Reservoirs

• Advantages
- Entire pay zone is open
- No perforating expense
- Reduced casing costs
- Casing may need to be
set before the pay is
drilled or logged.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Open Hole Completion
• Disadvantages
- Well control while completing may be more difficult.
- Not acceptable for layered formations consisting of separate reservoirs and incompatible fluid
properties.
- Casing may be run with an ACP (annular casing packer)
- ACP at 3 joints, minimum below packer
- Allows opening of cementing collar above the packer.
- Run in low BHP areas.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Single Gravel Pack Completion
Tubing
 Typical Stages of Completion

Packer Fluid
• Production casing is run and the tubing head installed.
SCSSV
• Wellbore fluid is displaced with a non-formation damaging completion
fluid.
• Several cased hole log runs are usually carried out. String X Nipple
• The perforating and well testing assembly is run in the hole, the well
Gas Lift
perforated, and the formation tested. Mandrels
Gravel Pack
Packer
Conventional
Screens
Perforations
Sump Packer
WILD WELL CONTROL

Single Gravel Pack Completion
Tubing
 After evaluation,debris from the perforating guns and/or formation Packer Fluid
flow back, may need to be cleaned from the well.
 The downhole completion equipment is then run (gravel pack or SCSSV
slotted liners, etc).

 The production string is then run and the BOP removed. The String X Nipple
production tree is installed.

Gas Lift
Mandrels
Gravel Pack
Packer
Conventional
Screens
Perforations
Sump Packer
WILD WELL CONTROL

Single Gravel Pack
Drill Pipe
Casing
• A sump packer is usually used in Packer
gravel packing. It is usually
set below the perforated interval. Crossover
Gravel is then pumped down the drill or
pipe, usually, you have some method
that is used as a tattle-tail , to inform Ported
you when the gravel has reached its Nipple
mark.
Gravel
Pack
Scree
n
WILD WELL CONTROL

Question & Answer
Drill Pipe
Q&A #2 Casing
Packer
Besides gravel packing-what are other uses of the
Crossover
sump packer?
 To set accurate measurements. or
 To tie in the tubing strings. Ported
 To do perforating (this helps to decrease Nipple
perforating shock forces, offers reservoir
protection from fluid loss, etc.).
Gravel
Pack
Screen
WILD WELL CONTROL

Flowing Well Completions
 Single or Multi-Zone
Tubing
• Designed to optimize production from a variety of reservoir
environments.
• Consider the following completions by a major operator in the GOM - Packer Fluid
- Single, gravel packed completion SCSSV

- Single, selective gravel packed
- Dual gravel packed String X
Nipple
- Single gas completion Gas Lift
Mandrels
Gravel Pack
Packer
Conventional
Screens
Perforations
Sump Packer
WILD WELL CONTROL

Flowing Well Completions
 Subsea single gravel packed completion.

 Single completion using a low density proppant water pack.
Tubing
 Co-mingled completion using low density circulation packs.
 Dual selected gravel packed. Packer Fluid
 Many useful completion options and features are possible when SCSSV
using a packer and tubing string.

String X Nipple
Gas Lift
Mandrels
Gravel Pack
Packer
Conventional
Screens Perforations
Sump Packer
WILD WELL CONTROL

Completion – Cementing Liner
 The liner hanger and packer were run. When the liner hanger was
near bottom, the liner hanger could not be set.
 From experience, we must always run enough liner to set on the
bottom of the well.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Question & Answer
Q&A #3
The liner was set on bottom. The running tool was released from the
liner hanger. Cement was then pumped down, followed by the drill
pipe wiper plug. When the drill pipe wiper plug landed into the liner
wiper plug, the liner wiper plug would not shear out at the pinned
5,000 psi shear out force. Now you have cement from the top of the
liner to the bottom, plus 90% of the liner cemented up.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Question & Answer
Q&A 3
 The liner wiper did not shear out as expected. You can not
circulate since the liner wiper has been plugged off.
 What are you going to do before the cement sets up?
• You can pressure up and bleed off. Continue to repeat this pressure
up and bleed off for several times until the shear pins weaken and
shear out
WILD WELL CONTROL

Coiled Tubing Tubing-Hanger
WG-CTH
WILD WELL CONTROL
Coiled Tubing Pack off Installed
WILD WELL CONTROL

Spoolable Completion
7-5/8” Casing
2-7/8” Tubing
CT Gas Lift
Installation
1” OD Gas
Lift Valves
Coiled Tubing
Landing
Nipple
WILD WELL CONTROL

Spoolable Completion -
Extension
7-5/8” Casing
2-7/8” Tubing
Safety Valve
Hanger
Packer
1” OD Gas
Lift Valves
Coiled Tubing
Landing
Nipple
Lower Sand
WILD WELL CONTROL

Spoolable Completion - Extension
CT Gas Lift
Mandrel
With
Connectors
WILD WELL CONTROL

Pumping Well Completion
 Pumping Wells include –

• Rod pumping
• Submersible pumps
• Plunger lift
• Pumping wells completed with an open annulus
 Gas produced at the surface can be bled off.
 Packers are not normally run with submersible pumps.
 All pumping systems become less efficient with the presence of
gas.
• Exception - plunger lift pumping systems.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Drilling and Completion Tools
 Alternative Borehole Liner by Petroline Wireline Systems.

 Repair hole or sand/shale problems.
 Well control or drilling problems.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Drilling and Completion Tools
• Expandable Sand Screen.

• Repair hole or formation damage.
• Sand and well Control.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Common Reasons for a Workover
 More common reasons for a workover include -

• Repair mechanical damage.
• Stimulate an existing completion.
• Complete into a new reservoir.
• Complete multiple reservoirs.
• Reduce/eliminate water/gas production.
• Reduce/eliminate water coning.
• Repair faulty cement jobs.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Failed
Wellhead
 Repair Mechanical Damage -
• Repair performed without killing well.
• Or well killed to perform the
Failed
work safely.
Tubing
 Reasons for Repair -
• Failed tubing or downhole tools. Failed
• Packers. SCSSV
• Sliding sleeves.
• Gas lift equipment.
• Wireline retrievable safety
valves.
• Failed or failing wellheads.
Failed
Packers
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Reservoir Stimulation –
• Introduce a mild acid through perfs. into a reservoir to
dissolve acid soluble solids and restore production.
 Performed by –
• Coiled tubing unit.
• Snubbing unit.
• Small tubing unit.
Producing
Zone
WILD WELL CONTROL

Completing a New Reservoir
 It is done when a well is drilled through multiple productive plays

 Lower zone is finally depleted.
 The new completion might be shifting a sleeve open to allow flow.
 Or, it might require the lower zone be plugged and abandoned before the upper zone is allowed
access into the wellbore.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Completing a New Reservoir
Non-
Produced
Reservoir
Depleted
Reservoir
Depleted Zone Packer Re-perforated

is Plugged Set
WILD WELL CONTROL

Completing an Existing Zone
• Lower depleted zone is isolated with

a cement plug prior to opening the
sleeve adjacent to the next zone to
be produced.
Sliding Sleeve
Closed
Cement Plug
in Place
WILD WELL CONTROL

Completing an Existing Zone
• After the cement plug is in place and

tested, the sleeve can be opened and
the next zone produced.
Sliding Sleeve
Opened
Cement Plug
in Place
WILD WELL CONTROL

Re-Completion of Existing Zone
• Production tubing above the depleted

zone cut and removed.
• Lower zone isolated with cement
plug.
• New completion run in hole next to
the reservoir to be produced.
• Upper zone is perforated.
• Production begins.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Re-Completion of Existing Zone
• Lower depleted zone has been

isolated with a plug conveyed by
either coiled tubing or wireline.
• Plug has been set.
• Plug has been tested.
• Sliding sleeve opened.
• Production then from upper zone.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Completing Multiple Reservoirs
• A dual completion allows for

production from two zones
simultaneously.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Unwanted Water Production
 Water appears as the lighter fluids are depleted.

 Initial production may contain some water, but O/W ratio goes down as production goes on.
 A temporary solution is to squeeze off affected perforations.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Unwanted Gas Production
• Expanding gas cap forces more gas into oil producing perforations than can be handled.
• This is temporarily remedied by squeezing those perforations.
• Eventually mostly gas will be produced as producible oil is depleted from the reservoir.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Water Coning
• Excess production rates cause water coning and water is pulled up into the perforations.
• Water coning can be slowed by reducing production rate.
• Perfs are then squeezed.
• New perfs above water zone to restore production.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Repair Cement Jobs
 Failing cement job evidence -

• Pressure on the int. casing string.
• Presence of cement in choke body.
 Decrease in daily production as surface lines can become
clogged with cement.
 Repairing requires
• Killing the well.
• Squeezing cement into perforations.
• Re-perforating the well.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Workover Benefits
 Increase oil and gas production.
 Reduce excessive gas or water production.
 Fracture to improve permeability by opening formation to better connect with well bore.
 Enable highly viscous oil to flow easily.
 Relieve excessive back pressure resulting from plugging formations or obstructions in wellbore
surface equipment.
 Replace inadequate artificial lift equipment.
 Repair damaged wellbore equipment.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Well Preparation for Workover
 Prior to Well Kill, consider all items below –

• Install and test all temporary pipe-work to and from the tree and production or drilling facilities.
• Prepare workover program detailing kill method and well control devices to be used.
• All wells in the same well-bay may have to be shut-in downhole and the master valve closed at the
surface.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Well Preparation for Workover
 The surface control system for SCSSVs should be locked out of operation.
 Test tree against tubing hanger check valve if high pressure well kill is anticipated.
 Set a wireline plug in tubing if the hanger threads or profile is corroded.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Type of Units to do Workovers
 Conventional
 Concentric -
• Same as the above, but used small OD tubing.
 Wireline -
• Braided and electrical.
• Slick solid wireline.
 Pump Units
 Snubbing -
• Concerned about OD of tubing being used.
 Coiled Tubing Unit for Workover -
• Concerned with high friction loss w/ small tubing
• Snubbing unit for workover job applications
WILD WELL CONTROL

Coiled Tubing & Snubbing WO Applications
 Kill a well by forward circulation.

 Pump nitrogen to bring well in.
 Clean out sand.
 Stiff wireline sets bridge plugs or perforates.
 Run DST’s or production tests.
 Set straddle packers.
 Multiple trips in and out of well.
 Perform work without killing the well.
 Run spoolable completions.
 Run wireline operations: logs, surveys, etc.
 Dump or squeeze cement slurry
 Carry out drilling/milling operations.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Snubbing Packer Into Live Well
WILD WELL CONTROL

Q&A #4
 Calculate the estimated snubbing force required.
 Data -
• Casing 5 ½” OD; 4.995” ID
• Tubing 2 3/8” OD; 4.7 Lbs/ft
• Well Pressure 5,000 psi
• Estimate Friction Force 3,000 lbs
WILD WELL CONTROL

Q&A #4
 Estimated Force =
 OD2 x 0.7854 x Pressure + Friction =
 4.9952 x 0.7854 x 5,000 + 3,000 lb. =
 100,979 lb. of force against the bottom of the packer.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Q&A 4
 Conclusions of this case:
• Threads would snap at the top of the packer.
• A blowout caused this well to catch on fire.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Different Methods of Killing a Well
 Driller’s Method.
 Weight and Wait Method
 Concurrent Method
 Volumetric Method.
 Lubrication and Bleed Method.
 Pressure Rise Method of Lubrication and Bleed.
 Bullheading Method.
 Reverse Circulation.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Bullheading
 The sliding sleeve could not be opened by the wireline crew, so

the decision was made to bullhead the well.
 Care was taken not to fracture the formation, because other test
and simulation for this gas formation were planned.
 After Bullheading, the crew check the well and found only a small
amount of fluid flow back. And they assumed
that the kill fluid, initial cool, was warming up.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Bullheading
Q&A 5
 After pulling 6,000’ of tubing,
this well blew out with gas.
 What should they have done to
prevent taking this gas kick?
Trap
gas
120 ft tail pipe
WILD WELL CONTROL

Bullheading
Q&A 5
 After releasing the packer, they should have done a
complete circulation of the wellbore to remove the
gas trapped below the packer and tail pipe.
Trap
gas
120 ft tail
pipe
WILD WELL CONTROL

Hot Tips for Killing Wells
 Kicks occur more often during a workover and completion job then they do in drilling.
 When a kick occurs, it can be circulated out faster by reverse circulation.
 When a kick occurs while retrieving the completion string, or excessive swabbing, the completion
string should be run to bottom and circulate bottoms up.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Reasons for Leaving a Rathole
 Collect produced formation materials.
 Provides a separation chamber when rod pumping a well with excessive gas.
 Permits running logging tools below production zone.
 Allows tubing conveyed perforating guns to fall below the producing interval.
 Allows packers that can not be retrieved to be pushed to the bottom of the well.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Workover Fluids
 Temperature increases cause the fluid density of brines or mud in wellbore to decrease.
 Workover fluids affect -
• Killing the well or well control
• Control excessive loss to formations
• Clean out trash in tubing and annulus
• Sand control
• Packer/Fluids
- Brine is the most widely accepted method of completion fluids being used today. Settling out barite
around tubing above the packer may result in excessive fishing jobs.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Workover Fluids
 Completion fluids are used to exert hydrostatic pressure on the oil/gas production formation.
• Hydrostatic pressure when greater then formation pressure will prevent the well from flowing.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Completion and Workover Fluids
 Functions of C & WO Fluids.
 A way to kill a producing well.
 A way of cleaning out undesirable solids -

• Scale.
• Sand.
• Paraffin.
• Junk.
 The ability to perforate the well safely.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 The ability to unload it after the completion/workover job.
 Use fluids that prevent or minimize formation damage so that the well can be returned to
maximum production.
 A fluid that when combined with the correct bridging agents will minimize fluid loss to the
formation.
 A way to complete the well with gravel packing or sand consolidations.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 A way to increase production by treating with acid stimulation or a fracturing job.
 A way to repair a well by squeezing off an unproductive zone.
 A packer fluid when used with correct additives.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Completion / Workover Procedures
 BOP Removal and Xmas Tree Installation

• After circulating to condition the packer fluid, the following considerations should be made when
removing the BOP stack and installing the production tree:
- Install the surface controlled sub-surface safety valve (SCSSV). Attach the control line and test to
working pressure. Run in hole with tubing, attaching control line to tubing with banding material or
plastic tie wraps and line protectors. Maintain pressure on control line and monitor while running in
hole and spacing out.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Install tubing hanger and landing joint. Connect the SCSSV control line to top and bottom of the
tubing hanger. Test the control line integrity and maintain pressure.
 Drain the BOP stack at the tubing spool. While lowering tubing hanger into BOP stack, keep
tubing hanger centered to avoid damage to seals. Pick up additional landing joints with full
opening safety valve on top. Insure that all tubing hanger lock down bolts are fully backed out.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 String seal assembly into packer and land tubing hanger. Keep tubing hanger centered while
lowering to avoid damage to seals. Monitor tubing pressure while landing seal assembly. Fluid
may need to be bled from tubing if the tubing pressure increases while landing seal assembly.
 Run in all tubing hanger lock down bolts and sealing glands and torque properly. Test casing,
seal assembly and tubing hanger to required pressure through tubing spool. Remove landing
joints and set a back pressure valve in tubing hanger. Test BPV.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Nipple down BOP.

 Clean and inspect the seal surfaces on the tubing hanger neck. Install top seal ring. Clean and
inspect bottom seal of tubing hanger bonnet. Install X-tree. Tighten all studs evenly to energize
seals and ring gasket. Re-torque to correct value of all tubing hanger lock down bolts. Pressure
test tubing bonnet.
 Nipple up remaining tree valves. Install a blanking plug in back pressure valve. Hydrostatic test
tree to rated pressure.
 Pull blanking plug. Pressure up on tree to equalize and open SCSSV. Activate emergency shut
down system on tree with remote.
WILD WELL CONTROL

• If required, rig up and test flowlines to test heater, separator and tank.
• If perforating through tubing, displace tubing with completion fluid and perforate. Test lubricator and
wireline BOPs as required.
• Test well.
• Close SCSSV and test by bleeding off pressure. Bleed ½ of tubing pressure off SCSSV, observe for
leaks. Set BPV and test by bleeding off remaining tubing pressure. Secure tree.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Simultaneous Platform Operations
 Production operations simultaneous to drilling, completion, workover, pumpdown (acidizing or

cementing) and major construction activities increase the potential for undesirable events. In
various situations, certain drilling operations require production shutdown.
 Simultaneous activities should be coordinated through joint planning efforts of drilling, production
and construction supervisors.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Simultaneous Platform Operations
 Critical areas of simultaneous operations are defined as areas in which explosives or ignitable
mixtures are present or potentially present due to the release of flammable gases or vapors.
 During simultaneous operations, care should be taken to avoid potential sources of ignition and
damage to equipment in such areas.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Critical Workover Areas
 Wellhead
 Mud tanks, mud pumps, and mud processing areas
 Degasser
 Production areas
 Producing oil or gas wells
 Equipment for field processing and handling of oil and gas storage tanks
 Gas/oil/water separation vessels
WILD WELL CONTROL

Critical Workover Areas
 Gas vents and relief valves.

 Automatic custody transfer installations.
 Gas compressors and pumps handling gases or volatile liquids.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Simultaneous Drilling/Workover & Prod. Operations
 All personnel should be familiar with the use of the Emergency Shutdown System (ESD).
 ESDs should be installed at the rig floor, at the main quarter’s exit, at stairway exits from the
main deck, at each ramp exit, each helicopter deck and at each boat landing.
 Subsurface safety valves should be closed on all wells in which heavy lifts or derrick skidding
operations are taking place above.
 The casing annulus pressure should be checked daily on completed wells.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Surface Safety System
 Surface Safety Systems include –

• Subsurface Safety Valves
• Hydraulic Control Panel
• Control Lines
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Subsurface Safety Valves

• There are two types of subsurface safety valves. The old type is controlled by the flow rate through the
tubing and is not connected to the surface. All wells completed since January 1, 1980 have the newer
type which is controlled by pressure supplied from the surface (SCSSV).
• The valve must be located at least 100 ft. below the mud line. The function of the valve is to block
upward flow through the tubing when an emergency condition exists.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Hydraulic Control Panel

• The opening and closing of the SCSSV is controlled through the hydraulic panel. On the front of the
panel there are hand-operated valves which can be used to open and close the SCSSVs. The SCSSV
can be closed by turning the control valve to the TEST or OUT-OF–SERVICE position.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Control Lines
• Hydraulic pressure is carried from the devices in the hydraulic panel to the SCSSVs through stainless
steel tubing called a control line (1/4” or 3/8” OD). There will be either one or two control lines for each
SCSSV, depending on the type of valve. The control line enters the well through a small needle valve at
the tree. This line connects the hydraulic control unit on the surface to the SCSSV in the tubing string.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Flag and Tag/Lock-Out

• For the purpose of protecting personnel and equipment from the dangers of electricity, pressure and
hazardous liquids during normal offshore operations, the following procedures are recommended
whenever a safety device is taken out of service:
- By-pass the safety device indicator and install red OUT-OF-SERVICE tags on the indicator. Isolate
safety device from pressure sources. Bleed the source down to atmospheric pressure.
WILD WELL CONTROL

• Flag safety device with red flagging tape.

• Disassemble and perform maintenance or preventive maintenance.
• Only the original installer of the red OUT-OF-SERVICE tag and red flagging tape should be authorized
to remove them. Once work is complete, take care to remove the tag and flag.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 The surface safety system includes the -

• Surface devices
• Tubing
• Pneumatic pressure
• Panels
 The working relationship of these devices help prevent injury, pollution of the environment, and
damage to the equipment on the platform.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Hydraulic Blow-down
Valve
Pneumatic Surface
Safety Valve
Sales Line
Low Pressure
Monitoring Line
Fusible Plug
Emergency
Hydraulic Shut-in Valve
Surface
Safety Valves
Instrument Gas
or
Air Control Line
Manual 3 - Way
Valves
Remote Controlled
Subsurface Safety Valves
WILD WELL CONTROL

Surface Safety System Devices
 Surface Safety System Devices Include –

• Pressure, Flow, Temperature, or Fluid Level Sensors
• Relays
• Flow Valves
 Sensors
• Sensing devices detect abnormal pressure, flow, temperature, or fluid levels and activate relay devices
which in turn close a safety valve and activate an alarm.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Surface Safety System Devices
 Relays
• The CRBBM (control relay, block and bleed manual) is the most common type of relay device used.
They are located at various points within the system and are used to shut-in a vessel or well when an
abnormal condition occurs.
• The CRBBM is normally closed and controls the automatic closing and manual opening of the
equipment to which it is attached.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Shutdown Valves
 Normally closed valves are held open by pressure. The primary shutdown valves are located at
the tree, but others may be located on pipelines, headers, wellheads, fuel supply lines, suction
lines, and other places which require shut down in the event of an emergency.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Blowdown Valves
 Blowdown valves are located on compressors and fired vessels and are used to vent the
pressure from a process station at the shut-down.
 Fire Loop System
• The fire loop system is an emergency support system which operates automatically when a fusible plug
melts.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Emergency Shutdown System (ESD)
 The ESD provides for the automatic shut-in of all wells on the platform. The ESD has manual
control stations at various locations throughout the platform.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Emergency Shutdown Valves

• A pneumatic actuator valve is installed on a secondary master valve on the tree and serves as a surface
safety valve.
• The SSSV is a way to shut in the well below the surface.
• The control panel supplies hydraulic pressure to operate SSSV and a ESD thus a separator on location
supplies the pneumatic pressure.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Fusible plugs are situated where fires may occur – the wellhead and separator. These melt at a
low temperature, releasing supply pressure, and shut the system down.
 Pressure monitors, both high and low sensing, are situated on the flow-line downstream of the
tree and on the sales line.
 ESD valves are located in strategic locations such as boat landings (offshore installation),
location entrance/exit, helicopter pad, and upper decks.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Lockout Cap
Fusible Cap
Stem
 Wells completed where wireline work will take place are equipped
Thread Protector
with a SSV capable of cutting slickline and braided line.
 The SSV uses hydraulic pressure to hold the valve open.
Cylinder
 The spring and gate in the valve is capable of cutting wireline as
Piston
large as 7/32”.
Packing
Section
Spring
Bonnet
Valve
Body
Surface Safety Valve
WILD WELL CONTROL

Hydraulic Surface Safety Valve
Upper Stem Packing
Wireline Hydraulic Inlet

Upper Stem
Piston
Bleed-Off Valve
Coiled Compression
To Wireline Unit Spring Assembly
Relief Port
Swab Valve
To Flowline Bonnet Bolts
Actuator
Wireline Cutter Gate Valve
Master Valve
Dual Purpose Port
Wireline Tool String
Gate Valve Body

Emergency Situation Cutting Wireline
WILD WELL CONTROL

Causes of Kicks
 Workovers and Completions

• During a workover, a kick can occur for many reasons.
• A kick is any unwanted intrusion of formation fluids into the wellbore.
 If not detected early and handled properly, it could result in a surface blowout.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Causes of Kicks
 Main causes of kicks during workovers –

• Failure to keep hole full during trips
• Swabbing
• Insufficient fluid weight
• Loss of circulation
• Surging
• Abnormal Pressure
• Annular gas flow after cementing (Channel Job)
WILD WELL CONTROL

Causes of Kicks
Decrease in wellbore fluid level
results in a decrease in wellbore
hydrostatic pressure
 Failure to Keep Hole Full During Trips

• As a workstring is pulled from the hole, the fluid level in the well drops
due to the displacement of the workstring.
• As the fluid level drops hydrostatic pressure decreases.
Pipe Direction
• FILL-up every 5 stands or when the hydrostatic pressure drops 75
psi.
BHP Decreases
WILD WELL CONTROL

Causes of Kicks
Formation Fluid Intrusion Due to
Loss of Hydrostatic Pressure
 If the hydrostatic pressure of the workover fluid decreases below

formation pressure, formation fluids will flow into the well.
Pipe Direction
Kick Occurs
WILD WELL CONTROL

Causes of Kicks
 Using a Trip Tank

• Most reliable means of measuring/monitoring hole fill-up.
• Calibrated in half or quarter barrel increments.
• A crew member assigned to monitor/record volume changes in the trip tank during trips in and out of the
hole.
• The volumes reported on regular basis to driller are compared to actual/calculated pipe displacement
values.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Causes of Kicks
 Calculated displacement volume, either pumped in or otherwise enter hole via gravity, should be
seen coming out of hole when the work string is tripped back in.
 If the volume exiting the hole during a trip is greater than calculated, the well may be flowing.
 If the volume is less than calculated, the well is loosing fluid, or possibly the cement has failed, or
tripping too fast.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Causes of Kicks
 Monitoring Displacement
• The trip tank must be calibrated to measure the change in trip tank level. Then measure the tank for
HEIGHT, WIDTH, and DEPTH (inches). Convert these measurements of the tank volume to inches per
bbl
and bbl per inch as shown below:
Tank Volume in BBL

Height Feet x Width Feet x Depth Feet x .1781 = Volume bbls
BBL per Inch

Tank Volume bbl ÷ Tank Height inches = Bbls/Inch
Height
Inches per BBL
Length
Tank Height inches ÷ Tank Volume inches = Inches/bbl
Width
WILD WELL CONTROL

Causes of Kicks
 A vertical cylindrical tank can be used as a trip tank. The dimensions required are DIAMETER in
inches, and the HEIGHT in feet.
Diameter
Tank Volume in BBL

(Tank ID2 ÷ 1029.4) x Height ft
BBL per Inch
Height
Tank Volume bbl ÷ Tank Height inches = Bbls/Inch
Inches per BBL

Tank Height inches ÷ Tank Volume inches = Inches/bbl
WILD WELL CONTROL

Causes of Kicks
 Trip Tank and Continuous Circulating
• As pipe is pulled from the well, the level in the Tree/BOP
trip tank decreases as the pumps pull fluid from

the tank and fill the hole at the same time.
• The volume of fluid pumped into the well should

be monitored on a continuous basis using the
calculated rate of fluid entering the well vs.
actual returns. Any discrepancies throughout
Trip Tank
operations should be documented for reference.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Causes of Kicks
Tree/BOP
• Anytime pipe movement stops, the level in the trip tank would remain
constant if the well was not flowing.
• A gain in pit volume with pipe not moving indicates the well is flowing.
• This arrangement is adaptable to a coiled tubing unit, a snubbing unit,
or a small tubing unit.
Trip Tank
WILD WELL CONTROL

Causes of Kicks During Workovers
Pipe Movement
 Swabbing is affected by –
• Pipe Pulling Speed and Acceleration
• Annular Clearances
• Workover Fluid Properties
• Swabbing is common in completions and workovers because –
- Tools like packers have sealing elements which may be
partially expanded while being pulled. This reduces the
fluid bypass area around the tool.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Warning signs of swabbing

• A warning sign of possible swabbing is that the hole is not taking the calculated fill-up volume.
• When swabbing is detected, the trip should be immediately stopped and the well monitored for flow.
• If flow is detected the well should be shut-in and tubing and casing pressures should be measured at
frequent intervals, then recorded.
• If no flow exists and the inadequate fill-up volume trend indicates swabbing, then RIH (run in hole) with
the work string to TVD and circulate bottoms up.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Insufficient Fluid Weight

• Should the fluid weight decrease due to dilution from produced fluids or accidental dilution on the
surface, a kick is liable to occur.
• Check fluid weights continuously for proper value during work overs and recorded data collected.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Higher Brine Densities

• Have more affinity for fresh water.
• Are more prone to cutting by the contamination from humidity making it necessary to cover pits on
occasion.
• Increase in density equals increase in cost
 Reconditioning fluids beyond normal fluid maintenance is an added avoidable
completion/workover cost.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Loss of Circulation
 Loss of circulation can cause a well kick.
 When fluid is lost it can be to -
• The producing formation
• Formation fractures
• An upper zone that has been depleted, and the well has a UGB.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Underground Blowouts (UGB)

• This well control situation is difficult to contain.
• UGBs can lead to severe damage to the producing formation.
• UGBs may lead to big production losses.
• UGBs require specialized techniques to handle.
 UGBs need specialized companies and personnel i.e. Wild Well Control.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Kick Conducive Operations
 Unseating Packers
 Packers for gravel-packed completion are left in the hole.
 A workover involves unseating or pulling the seal assembly from several packers, most have
formation fluids trapped below them.
 Fluids accumulate in the dead space between the bottom of the packer rubber and the topmost
opening in the tubing extension below the seal nipples.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 If the well has not previously been completely killed on the tubing side, then the entire rat-hole
below the packer may contain formation fluids.
 If the well makes gas, the surface volume will be trapped gas because of migration.
 When the packer is unseated or the seal nipples pulled above the packer bore, the trapped gas
escapes into the annulus and starts migrating up the wellbore.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 The release of the gas below the packer does not threaten to make the well flow at the time of
release because the bottom hole pressure does not change significantly.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Other Kick Conducive Operations
Surge Valve
 Perforating opens the cased wellbore to Open
formation pressure and exposes the

formation to a low-viscosity solids-free fluid.
 This does not produce a well control
problem, per se, but if you are under
BHP Gauges
balanced, the well will tend to flow.
Packer
Ported Sub
Firing Head
Guns Fire and the

Well Surges
into Work Sting via
Ported Sub
Typical Perforating Assembly

WILD WELL CONTROL
 The wellbore is more conducive toward well flow after perforating. It may or may not flow
depending on the control fluid weight when the well was perforated.
 If the well is induced to flow on perforating it will be produced for cleanup and then possibly put
on long-term production.
 An unplanned well flow might occur when perforating or when the first trip is made out of the hole
after perforating.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Tripping with Fluid Losses

• Fluid losses are common in workover and completion operations. The rate of such whole fluid loss
varies with –
- Formation permeability.
- Fluid viscosity.
- Degree of overbalance.
- Pipe-induced pressure surges
- Pressures caused by circulation of the wellbore.
 These losses can be very costly and damaging if not carefully monitored.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Control fluid loss to 10 to 20 bph when pulling out of hole (POOH), based on:
• Stage of the completion.
• Formation sensitivity.
• The difficulty of achieving the desired fluid density without undesired formation damage.
 If the loss rate is acceptable and consistent while tripping, monitoring the proper fill on the way
out is straight forward.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Despite the numerous differences between drilling and completion work, the warning signs that
indicate an actual or potential well control problem while tripping are unchanged.
 We still watch for a flow, a pit gain, or the hole not taking the right volume. All of these conditions
are much easier to assess if the fluid loss rate is known and stable.
 Unfortunately the loss rate can vary with pipe movement itself and with just time.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Fishing
• Efforts to recover tools or pipe lost in the hole can add to the likelihood of a kick or the difficulty of
controlling one in several ways -
- More trips
- Fish swabbing
- Limited circulation is possible with a fish in the hole and sometimes not possible at all.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Fishing is more risky in workover and completion operations.

 The fish, if it includes a packer or a multi-way circulating port, can add greatly to surge and swab
pressures.
 If circulation is not possible or the fishing tool cannot seal on its top, the fish becomes a barrier
to full-hole circulation.
 The length of the fish and clearance around the fish, dictate the extent of the barrier effect.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 If the fish is long, or fishing by wireline, the hole may be uncirculated for extended periods, during
which formation fluids and solids may be settling around the fish. This decreases clearance
between the fish and casing making it more difficult to retrieve.
 Gas in the hole can migrate during trips and cause well flow.
 A kick may thus occur at that worst possible time - when the work string is off bottom ( the further
up the hole the more severe impact it will have) or out of the hole.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Repetitive tasks tend to develop complacent crew members.

 One cannot afford to ignore well control issues at any time.
 Always think down hole.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Cleaning Out Fill

• Circulating to remove fill from the active wellbore occurs frequently in completions and workovers.
• It is routine to remove loosely packed sand or debris, following perforating, testing, or gravel packing
operations.
• This fill hinders the running of seal nipples into a packer.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 The fill is cleaned out by reverse circulation under a closed annulus while lowering the workstring
fitted with appropriate cleanout tools.
 The fill may result from:
- Sanding up of the well while on production.
- From a kick that brought formation solids into the wellbore.
 When fill is cleaned out, usually reverse circulationis the choice method (short way). If the well is
circulated by forward circulation (long way) then you may encounter unexpected oil or gas
pockets which may require a choke.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 When the bit or muleshoe breaks completely through the fill it may turn out to be a bridge a long
way off bottom -
• Under these conditions a long column of formation fluids can exist below the bridge.
• The hydrostatic pressure available above the bottom of the workstring may be inadequate to hold the
formation pressure.
• The effect is a kick, off bottom with the rat-hole full of gas and oil.
WILD WELL CONTROL

• If a breakthrough occurs near enough to the perforations that the well is considerably overbalanced, the
fluid level in the annulus can drop suddenly and allow the well to kick.
• Either way, there is an off-bottom kick with complicated losses.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Warning Signs of Kicks
• While Circulating –
- Flow increase without an increase in pump rate.
- Well flows with the pump off.
- Pit level increase.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Unintentional kicks –
• Indicators deal with flow from formation into the wellbore.
• One type of workover is to plug and abandon one zone
and start production from another.
- Set bridge plug above the zone to be abandoned Zone to be
- Place cement on the bridge plug. produced
 A cement plug may be placed across perforations.
Cement
plug
across
zone to be
abandoned
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Cement Plug Considerations

• Always check well for flow after waiting on cement to cure.
• Formation fluids may contaminate the slurry and stop it from setting. Gas can then channel its way
through the cement.
 Another cement plug must then be run over the failed one.
 Additionally, additives should be mixed with the cement to minimize or inhibit contamination.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Warning Signs Prior to or With A Kick
 Gas/Oil Well Workover

• Gas cutting back the fluid weight warns that gas has
come into the well.
• Gas will reduce the density of the workover fluid as it
expands reducing hydrostatic pressure as gas migrates.
• Never ignore fluid surface gas break out.
WILD WELL CONTROL

 Oil Well Workover

 Oil presence in the workover fluid will reduce
hydrostatic pressure of the fluid column.
 Always ‘check out’ any show of oil at the surface.
Oil shows in
workover fluid
WILD WELL CONTROL

 While Tripping
 Bottoms up circulation
• Always have one bottoms up circulation prior to beginning the trip.
• Record returning fluid density every 5-10 minutes or as required.
• Note any show of formation fluids.
• After completion of bottoms up circulation, keep well static until well is dead before trip out begins.
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 Well Flowing While The Pipe Is Stationary (Tripping In)

• Crews can get so involved with the business of tripping in the hole that the hole goes unmonitored.
Always ensure that fluid displacement while pipe is stationary or running pipe matches calculated
displacement volume.
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 Inadequate Hole Fill During Trips
• Best indicator of problem while tripping is fill-up volumes that don’t correspond, within reason, to
calculated values.
• Stop trip whenever this occurs and monitor for flow.
• Shut-in the well if necessary.
• If fill-up trend discrepancy continues, stop, return to bottom. Then prepare to shut-in, and circulate the
well on a choke.
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 When tripping in, monitor fluid volume being returned due to displacement. If the volume returned
is greater than calculated displacement, be prepared to shut-in.
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Kick Containment
 Shut - In Procedures
 On Bottom Circulating, Surface Stack –
• Contain the kick and keep the influx volume to a minimum.
• The shut-in procedure may vary because of -
- Type of well servicing unit (Coiled tubing, snubbing, or conventional workover rig) in use.
- Operation in progress at the time of the kick.
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Kick Containment
 Due to the limited wellbore volumes it is imperative to shut the well in quickly.
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Kick Containment
 Example Shut - In Procedure while circulating or tripping –

• With the pump(s) running, pick up off bottom to pre-determined space-out height to ensure a tool joint is
not across the stack.
• Stop the pump(s) and check for flow.
• If flow exists, shut-in the top set of pipe rams.
• Gain casing access by opening the appropriate valve on the choke line side of the stack.
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Kick Containment
 Open the valve downstream of the choke.

 If tripping ensure a IBOP and a FOSV is available.
 Record SITP and SICP and estimate pit gain.
 At this point, the annular preventer, if one is installed, could be closed and the top pipe rams
opened.
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Kick Containment
 Tripping Tips –
• Industry requires that crossovers be on the floor with proper connections so the FOSV and IBOP can be
installed onto any component of the workstring.
• Know the closing volumes of the preventers used.
• Visually inspect the BOP stack and choke manifold for leaks shortly after shut-in.
• Have shut-in pressures monitored frequently until pressures stabilize. Recording pressures in regular
intervals.
• Have shut-in pressures recorded as necessary.
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Kick Containment
 Gas Migration and Stable SICP

• If gas is present, then gas migration is certain.
• Unless a pressure history has been recorded it might not be possible to determine a realistic “stable”
SICP.
• Monitor and record SICP immediately after shutting in a well on a regular basis until well stabilizes.
• An “accurate stable” SICP must be used for workovers.
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Kick Containment
 Too high a chosen SICP and the well may be lost by formation fracture or underground blowout.
 Too low a chosen SICP and the well may never be killed to be able to work it over properly.
 The true stable SICP can be found from the curve on the following chart.
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Kick Containment
 The stable point is at the end of the initial flow based on the formation characteristics.
 Pressure stabilization is the point when gas migration begins.
psi
Gas Migration
Pressure
Stabilized
Time
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Shut-In Pressure
SITP SICP
 Total pressures on either side of the well equals
formation pressure.
 Any difference shown on gauges at surface is
hydrostatic pressure to be replaced to balance + +
formation pressure. Workover Workover
Fluid Fluid
Hydrostatic Hydrostatic
+
Influx
Influx Hydrostatic
Total Formation Total

Pressure = Pressure = Pressure
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Shut-In Pressure
SITP SICP
 In a pre-completion or work over, there is no
SITP, as the kill effort was successful.
 The lack of pressure on the tubing indicates the
fluid density in the tubing at least balances + +
formation pressure. Workover Workover
Fluid Fluid
 A SITP with a kill fluid could indicate a trapped Hydrostatic Hydrostatic
pressure. +
Influx
Influx Hydrostatic
Total Formation Total

Pressure = Pressure = Pressure
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Shut-In Pressure
 Sources of trapped pressure include –

• Pumping into a shut-in well.
• Surface pressure increase caused by migrating gas.
 When shut in pressures are initially recorded following stabilization, confirm that these pressures
are accurate.
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Trapped Pressure - Bleeding
 Procedure to detect presence of trapped pressure –

• STEP 1 Bleed a small amount of fluid through choke (1/4 to 1/2 bbl) - surface pressures will initially
decrease, build, and then stabilize.
• STEP 2 Observe SITP - if the SITP stabilized at a value less than the previously observed stable
pressure, no trapped pressure was detected.
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Trapped Pressure - Bleeding
• STEP 3 Bleed another small amount of fluid through the choke and once again observe the stabilized
SITP.
• STEP 4 True, or accurate, SITP is when consecutive and identical values appear on the tubing gauge -
in most cases in completions and work overs, the SITP should bleed to 0 psi.
 Use this procedure to detect the presence of trapped pressure and to remedy the situation if any
is found. Perform this only after surface pressures have stabilized.
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Live Well Kill Techniques
 Bullheading
• Bullheading (pumping only) is common for killing live wells in workover situations.
• Use a surface choke to regulate pumping pressures if formation fracture is a concern.
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 When an abnormally low pressurized formation will not support a column of fluid to the surface.
Then kill the well by pumping a sufficient fluid density to slightly overbalance the formation
pressure.
 Pump more kill fluid in well periodically, monitor losses via trip tank.
 Maintain controlling fluid level if tubing is pulled from well.
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Bullhead Kill Sheet
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 Lubricate and Bleed

• Consider lubricate and bleed method when bull heading technique is not feasible:
• When perforations are plugged.
• Excess fluid loss to the formation may damage productivity.
 Lubrication will only remove gas.
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 Circulation Methods
• Reverse circulation is used for killing live wells.
• A circulation path must exist between tubing and annulus to reverse.
• A wireline is used to perforate the tubing above the packer if this method of well kill is used.
• Alternatives to perforating are to pump through -
- Gas lift mandrels.
- Sliding sleeve (if available).
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 Coiled Tubing/Snubbing Units

• Coiled tubing or snubbing units are used to kill wells.
• Snubbing units are used as a pulling unit to unseat the packer and to establish a path of communication
between the tubing and the annulus.
• Coiled tubing can be run through the tree and tubing string and used to circulate hydrocarbons from the
tubing and kill through the tubing string.
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 Problems with Multiple Completions

• Selecting a project specific method suitable for retrieving the seals from the packers which will allow
tubing and annular communication.
• If a workover cannot be done with a wireline unit, then all the producing zones must be killed before the
tubing can be pulled.
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Killing a Producing Well
 Pre-Recorded Information
• Prior to any work performed an accumulation of pertinent data must take place. Information vital to
many operations are as follows –
- Wellbore Configuration
 ID/OD, burst, collapse, tensile strength, and length of the tubing string to be worked with.
 Extent of the perforations (top and bottom of perfs) and noting both measured and true
vertical depth.
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 Condition of the perfs: Is the well capable of flow or is there perforation damage?
 Depth of tubing nipples, side pocket gas lift mandrels, sliding sleeve(s), and any previously
encountered tight spot.
 Depth and type of the packer.
 Casing ID and burst limit.
 Type and anticipated density of the packer fluid if any is present.
 Wellhead pressure rating.
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 Information vital to many operations are as follows –

• Formation Pressure: based on last known bottom hole pressure survey.
• Fracture Pressure: estimate of fracture (information best gathered from reservoir engineering).
• Maximum Allowable Casing Pressure: estimation based on either fracture pressure or estimated casing
burst pressure (previously discussed).
• Produced Fluids: Formation water and hydrocarbons.
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Well Control Problems
 Choke Washout
• A choke washing or cutting out is difficult to detect initially.
• The first indication is its failure to seal when fully closed.
• The need to make frequent choke adjustments during a kill operation when this should not be required.
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 The solution is to go to another choke. If another choke is not available close in and call
supervisor.
 The faulty choke should be isolated by upstream and downstream valves on the choke manifold.
 After the well is dead, the faulty choke should be -
• Repaired
• Tested
• Put back into service
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 Plugged Choke
• A plugged choke will show an increase in casing pressure followed by an increase in pump pressure -
both of which can rise sharply.
• This sharp increase can cause formation breakdown.
• When choke plugging is noticed, shut the pump down immediately.
• A plugged choke may show a loss of returns and pressure increases.
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 Change over to another choke. Isolate the plugged choke by upstream and downstream valves.
 Once the well is dead, clean out the plugged choke, usually performed by a choke specialist.
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 Workstring Washout
• A washed out workstring can be hard to detect.
• As the string washes out, pump pressure gradually declines but only a little at a time and it often goes
unnoticed.
• The most common occurrence is a crack in the box at a connection or a crack in slip area of the
workstring.
• Floor hands must be aware of the telltale signs of washing out.
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 When noticed, the joint in question must be removed from service. Follow procedures for
removing a faulty joint.
 Another indication of a washout is the premature return of kill weight fluid whenever a lighter fluid
is being replaced by a heavier one.
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 Plugged Workstring
• When a workstring plugs the pump pressure will noticeably increase without an increase in the casing
pressure.
• Casing pressure may decline with a decrease in return flow.
• If this takes place, stop the pump and shut the well in.
• Try to free up the obstruction in the workstring by pressuring up on the annulus but do not damage the
wellbore or formation.
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 If the obstruction cannot be removed by pumping, then volumetric well control should be started.
This method to be used is when dealing with gas.
 So that conventional well control can once again take place.
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 Hydrates
• Hydrates, or frozen gas or ice plugs, can form when the right mixture of gas, water, and low temperature
is present.
• The mixture can literally freeze, or become solid, even at temperatures above the freezing point of
water.
• This phenomena is common to gas fields that produce a fair amount of water, especially in the winter
time.
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 Hydrates have formed in the cavities of valves and blowout preventers making them inoperable.
 Preventing hydrates is easier than curing the problem.
 Salt-saturated or oil-based fluids can be used as well as a mixture of glycol and anti-freeze.
 Thawing hydrates requires heating the hydrate where it forms. This can be difficult, especially in
deepwater subsea installations.
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Problems While Circulating
 Always check BOTH the pressures on the tubing and the casing gauges before making a
change.
 After making a change at the choke be sure to wait 2 seconds/1000ft. To ensure that all changes
are visible on the casing and tubing gauges.
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 If casing pressure is not increasing, then the problem is on the workstring side and opening the
choke increases the influx.
 If both gauges are reading identical pressures, it is likely on the casing side.
 If just the pump pressure is reacting, it is on the workstring side.
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 Hole in Tubing String Pin
• Communication between the tubing and casing can be present

because of - Fishing
Neck
- Holes in the tubing.
- Leaking gas lift equipment.
- Leaking sliding sleeves.
- A leaking tubing hanger.
- A leaking previously installed wireline pack-off.
Shear Pin Holes
Collar Stop Running Tool
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Pin
• Communication between the tubing and casing makes bull heading
more difficult because you are pressuring up on both the tubing and
Fishing
casing. Neck
Shear Pin Holes
Collar Stop Running Tool
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 Solutions for Communication Issues

• One way is to install a pack-off, which can be installed either via
wireline or coiled tubing.
- First step: locate the area or areas of communication and then
determine the feasibility of installing a pack-off.
- Using a ponytail tool attached to a small tool is used to locate
the depth of the hole.
- A tubing stop can be installed below the hole in tubing and an
upper and a lower packoff can become a straddle pack to isolate
the hole.
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Completion and Fishing
 You are in the middle of the jungle in South America – and you 7” Casing
have no fishing tools to fish out the wash shoe. Drillpipe
 A 5” hydraulic set right hand release packer with bi-directional
slips was run inside the washover shoe and set inside the fish. Drilling
The packer was plugged at the bottom. Mud
Fresh
Water
Oil Jars
Fish
5” Packer
Cement
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Completion and Fishing
 Fresh water was used to set the packer after going inside the fish. 7” Casing
The fish came free after several impacts with the oil jars. Drillpipe
 The washover shoe was laid down on the rig floor. The wrenches
were used to hold the fish and the packer was released by right Drilling
hand rotation. Mud
Fresh
Water
Oil Jars
Fish
5” Packer
Cement
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Single String Multi-Zone Injection Well
 This is a single string multi-zone (3 zones)

water injection well.
 It is not hard to get the Waterman water
regulator set to inject the correct amount of
desired water into each zone.
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Single String Multi-Zone Injection Well
 The bottom three packer are push-in cup type

packers-with opposite pressure setting sealing cups.
 The problem is when you start trying to retrieve
them from the wellbore.
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Dual String Gas Lift
 This type of completion is run to allow both

strings to be placed on gas lift with a single
space (the annular is for gas lift injection).
 Usually the long string is run first, then
landed and hung off.
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 Next, the short string is run with an automatic jay

latch in sub to anchor the short string.
 The short string is spaced out and put in tension by
pulling up against the latch in the top of packer.
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 Next the drilling fluid is replaced by completion fluid

by pumping down the casing and out the short string.
 A ball is dropped and the dual packer is set.
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 Next, we pump down the long string and

circulate completion fluid down the long string
and out the short string.
 Drop ball and set single packer. Now the short
string is anchored by the automatic jay latch.
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 To release, weight is set down on the short

string and straight pick up releases the short
string from the packer.
 Sometimes the well will flow naturally, but
when the well is placed on gas lift,
communication occurs between the short
string and the annulus.
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Learning Objectives
 You learned -  You also learned -

• The reasons why a well needs to be worked over. • The surface completion equipment needed.
• The benefits derived from working a well over. • The downhole completion equipment needed.
• To prepare a well completion.  You reviewed how to control and kill live wells.
• To design a completion for the type of reservoir.
• The types of well completion equipment.
WILD WELL CONTROL

Completions and Workover

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COMPLETIONS AND WORKOVERS

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 You will learn - • The types of well completion equipment.

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 The completion designed can be broken into five phases –

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 Integrating the five phases -

 Well completion design is a dynamic process, it must include -

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 Overall number of components affects complexity of completion and its reliability.

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 When arriving on location -

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 Several small things done incorrectly will lead to failures.

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 Always have a back pressure valve installed in the tubing hanger.

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High Temp Sump Tubing Hydraulic Wireline

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Scoop Head Design

Triple-Seal Multi- Setting Sleeve

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 Designed for single-string completions.

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• What are the advantages of using an

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 Next, lower the unseated packer

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Wire line Set

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• Hydraulically Set Retrievable Packer

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 Hydraulically Set Retrievable Packer

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Tight Gas Sand Tight Gas Sand

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• Ball goes down and hits bridge plug.

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 Force travels up.

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Single Hydraulic Dual Hydraulic

• Baker Model FH packer is

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• Model DAB packer can serve as

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