SPE 100744

An Offline Approach Utilising New Slickline Technology

Giang Ha The, SPE, and Ngoc Tran Dinh, Japan Vietnam Petroleum Co. Ltd., and D. Flores, SPE, and F. Wendlinger,
SPE, TAM Intl. Inc.

Copyright 2006, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2006 SPE Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference
and Exhibition held in Adelaide, Australia, 1113 September 2006.
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Abstract
The oil and gas industry continuously strives to develop tools
and techniques to meet and exceed operational objectives with
less cost. These efforts have brought about advancements in
downhole tools that enhanced slickline technology, making it
a more versatile means of providing accurate depth
measurement so that more complicated services can be
performed1. Likewise, development of slickline deployed
inflatable packers also exemplifies the on-going industry
endeavors to conform to a business model that simplifies
costs, operations, and logistics2.
This case study involves work done on the Rang Dong
Oilfield located 160 kilometers offshore S.R. Vietnam. In
operation since 1998, this field has produced oil and gas from
sandstone and granite basement reservoirs since 1998. In all
four existing wells in this field that were studied, a workover
campaign was performed to install gas lift valves because of
declining reservoir pressure. To prevent formation damage
while pulling the existing completions and running the new
completions, with gas lift mandrels, isolation plugs were
chosen to isolate the producing intervals. This technique was
used because of its ability to minimize rig time by working
offline and because the plugs could pass through a small
restriction and set in the tubing joint of the tail pipe without
requiring a landing nipple profile.
The innovative techniques for well workovers used in this
project utilized slickline deployed inflatable technology to
provide economic alternatives traditionally reserved for more
costly options. Borrowing from computer age terminology,
this approach is know as the offline approach which
conveys the meaning that well preparation work takes place
before the rig is placed on location. As implemented, the plug
isolated the formation from kill weight fluid before the rig was
needed so that production tubing could be removed and
reinstalled with gas lift mandrels. The use of this method
reduced rig cost by an average of eighty-four hours per well

and realized a savings of $2MM for the entire project. Not

addressed in this report is the incremental revenue generated
by eight additional days of early production achieved by
completing the project ahead of schedule.
Introduction
In the early 1990s, the practice of setting inflatable packers on
electric line began. Pump and motor combinations driven by
surface power were developed and inflatable packers run on
electric line improved logistics and reduced workover costs.
The next logical step was to set an inflatable packer on
slickline, offering numerous advantages over the use of
electric wireline. For one, lower frictional values at the
stuffing box can be achieved due to its smooth surface. And
second, surface grease injection pressure control equipment
will not be needed. Reducing the friction and utilizing the
more readily available roller tools for slickline makes it more
versatile in highly deviated wellbores. These improvements,
no doubt, result in enhanced transportability and increases cost
savings.
The introduction of battery operated slickline tools during
this time period has had far reaching effects in increasing
productivity and decreasing costs, making slickline a prudent
choice when performing complex mechanical workovers. The
use of battery-powered slickline tools enabled the employment
of perforating and logging tools that are isolated from the
surface equipment. This advancement was the driving force
behind the development of the slickline deployed and battery
operated inflatable packer system.
Today, slickline is
recognized worldwide not only for its versatility but as a cost
effective alternative for many downhole services.
Slickline Conveyed Inflatable Packer Equipment
Overview
The wireline conveyed inflatable packer system, Figure 1, is
composed of a battery pack that provides power to a downhole
computer that drives a motor and pumps for inflation of the
packer. The downhole computer will not allow the packer to
be set when the tool assembly senses motion or before a
predetermined run-in time. Once the computer has determined
that the packer can be set, it drives a motor that controls both a
low-pressure and a hydraulic intensifier pump. Another
feature of the tool assembly is its ability to conduct a self-test
of the computer and tool hardware, thus allowing for the
motor and the pump to function for eight seconds when the
batteries are connected to the tool. This feature permits the
operator to verify whether the tools are operating properly

SPE 100744

before being placed in the well. The computer memory

records the electric current used by the tool as well as the
wellbore temperature and tool motion. This data can then be
downloaded, analyzed, and used as a record of successful use
or as a valuable diagnostic tool.
Figure 1
Wireline Conveyed Inflatable Packer System

Finally, retrieval of the packer is achieved when a plug in

the packer is sheared with a prong, attached to a retrieval tool,
thus allowing pressure equalization across the packer. When
this is achieved, a standard slickline type fishing neck latching
tool is used for retrieval by jarring upward and shearing an
internal sleeve to deflate the packer element. This tool, known
as a J Type fishing tool, or JDC tool, is commonly used to
retrieve subsurface tools such as plugs, safety valves and flow
control devices. The J Type pulling tool is preferred since it
provides a safety release feature that can be utilized in the
event the packer is latched but cannot be retrieved or the
packer is carried and left at the bottom of the well. Jarring
down with the tool will release it from the packer. At times,
the risk associated while pulling an inflatable packer back into
the tubing, and potentially getting stuck, makes it more
desirable to release it at the bottom of the wellbore.
Project Overview
The four wells in this case study possessed reservoir pressure
that did not allow for the efficient production of the completed
Miocene sandstone reservoir. Gas lift was chosen as an
efficient and cost effective means to artificially lift these
wells. Using the new wireline conveyed inflatable packer
system to isolate the reservoir below the sealbore extension,
this operation in the South China Sea, effectively utilized an
offline technique to ready the wells for workovers. Then a
rig was utilized to remove the tubing, install gas lift valves,
and rerun the production tubing.

The low-pressure pump inflates the packer element quickly

until the packer has expanded and contacted the borehole
walls. This partially energized packer element is pressure
intensified to the predetermined requirement using the
hydraulic intensifier. A backup is provided by the manualpull-intensifier. Once the element is properly inflated, it is
released from the wireline conveyed inflatable packer system
by the running tool that locks and sets the packer. In wells
where liquids are nonexistent, or are of an unacceptable
nature, reservoirs that carry inflation fluid can be utilized.
The wireline conveyed inflatable packer system is
equipped with equalization from below to above the element,
internal to the tool. This equalization allows for the packer to
be set when a pressure imbalance in the well exists, such as
cross-flow between perforated zones of up to barrel per
minute. Without this equalization, the packer would be forced
to move once the packer element contacts the borehole walls
and proper placement would not be achieved. When locked
and set, the equalization is plugged.

Project Planning
Figure 2 shows that the typical completion technique used in
the four 1998 1999 wells consisted of production tubing
with a seal assembly landed into a permanent packer with a
sealbore extension. These four wells ranged in deviation from
40 to 69 degrees. Three of the four wells did not have a
landing seal nipple in the tail pipe that would have facilitated
setting a plug and isolating the reservoir below. Isolating the
reservoir below by setting the plug in the tail pipe of the
completion string was deemed important in order to avoid
both a post-workover acid job to restore the original
permeability and to keep from damaging the reservoir during
the workover. An added benefit of the plug was that it
functioned as a physical barrier between the reservoir and the
surface while nippling down the production tree and nippling
up the drilling blow-out preventors (BOPs). Removing a
completion without the aid of a physical barrier can pose an
unacceptable risk because kill fluid can be depleted and the
well can revert to an underbalanced condition with no means
to control it. Still another advantage of the plug was that it
allowed the new completion to be pressure tested once it was
landed and spaced out in the sealbore extension. Because of an
uphole restriction in the production tubing with a 2.635-in. ID
XN landing nipple, an inflatable packer was chosen for its
ability to be set in the tail pipe, to isolate the completed
reservoir below.

SPE 100744

Figure 2: Typical completion string before workover

before the rig was required.

following steps.
1.

X Landing nipple
XN Landing nipple
9 5/8 Packer

3.1/2 tail pipe

A cost and risk assessment of the different techniques that

could be used to complete this project indicated that a slickline
plug system would eliminate higher risk equipment and solve
well control issues associated with well kill procedures while
pulling and replacing the completion tubing with gas lift
mandrels. Furthermore, the wellbore configuration required
that an inflatable bridge plug be used, due to the restriction in
the production string.
Three different deployment techniques were originally
considered to set the inflatable bridge plug. These deployment
techniques included utilizing the electric wireline unit located
on the rig, the use of coil tubing, and slickline. The first two
options required rig time to perform running and setting
operations of the inflatable bridge plug, while the third could
be performed offline beneath the rig floor.
The third technique was chosen because it did not require
rig time to set or retrieve the inflatable bridge plug. It also
allowed for many operations to be performed offline such as
perforating the tubing above the packer to allow for the
circulation of kill weight fluids, making the removal of the
production tree easier, and facilitating the installation of the
BOPs. Finally, the slickline deployment option was chosen
because it possesses a higher success rate in reaching its target
depth in highly deviated wellbores while performing
simultaneous rig operations.
To insure that the designated tool string could be deployed
in the wells under study, a slickline dummy run was made to
simulate the actual tool string to be run in the wells. When
accomplished, this work confirmed that the inflatable bridge
plug deployed by slickline could reach its intended setting
depth.
Project Implementation
During the planning phase of this project, an offshore platform
survey indicated that a workover campaign could be
performed that would allow slickline to work under the rig
floor while rig work was carried out on other wells. It was at
this point, that an offline approach was conceived that
would ready the wells and reduce the cost of the project even

This procedure included the

Offline Sequence
A. Run in the hole with a through tubing bridge plug
and set it in the sealbore extension below the packer,
then pressure test the bridge plug to its working
pressure.
B. Perforate the tubing with slickline above the packer
and circulate to kill the well.
C. Remove the production tree.
2. Online Sequence
A. Move rig onto well location and install BOPs.
B. Unsting the seal assembly from the sealbore
extension of the production packer and remove the
tubing string.
C. Install the new completion consisting of a sealbore
extension, gas lift mandrels and tubing into the well,
and sting into the permanent packer.
D. Pressure test the tubing.
E. Remove the BOPs, and remove the rig from the
well.
3. Offline Sequence
A. Install the production tree.
B. Retrieve the inflatable thru-tubing bridge plug, and
kick off the well utilizing the platform gas lift
system.
This project called for preparing the first well by setting an
inflatable bridge plug in the sealbore extension and killing the
well before the rig was moved on location. During the rig
operations on the first well, slickline was to be utilized to set
an inflatable bridge plug in the sealbore extension of the
second well. After this, the rig was to be moved to the second
well to repeat the same work as on the first well. Meanwhile,
slickline would return to the first well and remove the bridge
plug. Slickline then was to proceed to the third well,
following the established procedures. As a contingency, coil
tubing was to be deployed for utilization if slickline had
difficulties setting and/or retrieving a bridge plug. Table 1
displays a time verses operational matrix on each of the wells
in this project.

SPE 100744

Table 1
Time vs. Operational Matrix per Well
Day
-2
-1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

Well RD-1
Offline
Offline
Rig move
Rig move
Rig move
Rig
Rig
Rig
Rig
Offline
Offline

Well RD-2

Offline
Offline
Offline
Offline
Rig
Rig
Rig
Rig
Offline
Offline

Rig
Rig

Well RD-3

Offline
Offline
Offline
Rig
Rig
Rig
Offline

Well RD-4

Offline
Offline
Rig
Rig
Rig
Offline

Well No. 1, RD-1

On April 21, 2004, work began on the first well in the series to
be worked over. Before the rig moved in, a GR/CCL log was
run to provide an accurate depth correlation. The pressure
data reflected that the fluid level in this wellbore was lower
than reported on the Inflatable Packer Application Data Sheet
(IPAD). Therefore, the slickline deployed and battery
operated inflatable packer system could not be used for two
reasons, namely, the wellbore at the setting depth was void of
fluid to inflate the packer and because the equipment
necessary to carry inflation fluid had not been shipped to
Vietnam because the lack of fluid at the setting depth was not
a known issue. Fortunately, this completion included an XN
landing nipple in the permanent packer sealbore extension and
tailpipe tubing. Slickline was deployed and it successfully set
a PXX plug, thereby isolating the reservoir below. The tubing
was removed and successfully rerun with gas lift mandrels.
The PXX plug was subsequently retrieved offline using
slickline.
Well No. 2, RD-2
Simultaneously, on May 1, 2004, while the rig was performing
work on well RD-1, slickline began working offline on the
RD-2 by running a memory GR/CCL log for depth correlation
purposes. Using water, inflatable packer system tools were
rigged up and the packer element was purged of air. Once the
tools were made up, the battery was connected to the timer
module and the operational surface test was performed. The
tools were picked up and placed in the lubricator, equalizing
its pressure with that of the wellbore. The bridge plug was run
to 5,100 ft. MD. At this depth, the tools could not be lowered
further.
The tools were pulled out of the hole and
subsequently removed. The bridge plug was partially inflated
to a 4-in. diameter. To diagnose this miss-run, the memory
from the tool was downloaded and analyzed. The memory
recorded the surface timer test, the tool movement, and the
increasing and decreasing temperature as the tools were
lowered and raised from the wellbore. The tool memory

indicated there was no battery current used by the tool other

than that used for the surface function test.
Through the analysis of the timer memory, the miss-run
was attributed to the fact that the tools were not being purged
sufficiently of air. This oversight, in addition to the failure to
equalize slowly from the well to the lubricator, forced gas into
the bridge plug element. The bridge plug, running tool, and
battery were replaced and readied for run number two. The
procedure was then modified to slowly equalize the lubricator
with the wellbore through a -in. control line. The second run
commenced, and the bridge plug was set at the desired depth
of 11,423 ft MD or 6,366 ft TVD. The plug was then tested to
the required working pressure, 1,500 psig. Work continued
offline by perforating the tubing which allowed the well to
be reverse circulated, thus killing the well, then removing the
production tree.
This preparatory work completed the
offline pre-rig work on this well.
The rig was subsequently used to remove the tubing from
the RD-2 and rerun it with gas lift mandrels. A sand pump
bailer conveyed by slickline was then run to check for fill on
top of the bridge plug. Scale and rust were removed from the
top of the inflatable bridge plug. Next, the JDC tool and
equalizing prong were run in the hole to retrieve the bridge
plug. Using slickline, the removal of the inflatable bridge
plug was unsuccessful due to the continued existence of debris
on top of the packer. Coil tubing was then used to retrieve the
bridge plug after high viscosity pills were pumped to remove
debris. After latching the fish, the gas lift was turned on to
equalize the pressure across the plug. The bridge plug was
unset and was in the process of being pulled from the well
when it was lost in the hole due to a kick. Slickline was
rigged up and run in the hole. The fish was found at 2,300 ft.
and retrieved.
Well No. 3, RD-3
Concurrently, while the rig was performing work on well RD2, slickline began working offline on the RD-3 well. On
May 5, a memory GR/CCL log was recorded for use as a
correlation / depth determination log. The inflatable packer
system tools were rigged up and the packer element was
purged of air using distilled water. Once the tools were made
up, the battery was connected to the timer module and a
surface function test was performed. The tools were picked up
and placed in the lubricator and its pressure equalized with
that of the wellbore. The bridge plug was run and set at 7,864
ft MD or 6,881 ft TVD. After 1 motionless hours at the
appropriate depth, the slickline was slacked off and the weight
dropped, indicating the bridge plug was set. Next, the setting
tools were pulled from the well. Similar to well RD-2, a series
of offline work was performed to prepare the well prior to
skidding the rig and rigging up on the RD-3. Four days later,
after the rig installed new tubing with gas lift mandrels, a 2 in. JDC pulling tool was run to recover the bridge plug. Once
the tool was located and latched, the well went on a vacuum as
a result of the jarring down with the JDC tool and the
expulsion of the equalizing plug by the equalizing prong. Gas
injected in the annulus to operate the gas lift system helped to
equalize the pressure from below to above the bridge plug.
The gas available to operate the gas lift system was not
sufficient to lift the fluids from the well; therefore, a

SPE 100744

temporary gas line from a high GOR well was connected to

the annulus to lift the fluid in the tubing. Twenty minutes were
allowed for equalization across the bridge plug before it was
subsequently removed.

2.

3.
Well No. 4, RD-4
On May 8, 2004, work began similarly on the RD-4. The
packer was run to a setting depth of 6,847 ft MD or 6,294 ft
TVD. After 2 motionless hours at the appropriate depth, the
slickline was slacked off and the weight dropped, indicating
the bridge plug was set. Next, the inflatable packer setting
tools were removed from the well. Three days later after the
rig installed new tubing with gas lift mandrels, a 2 -in. JDC
pulling tool was utilized to recover the inflatable bridge plug.
Once the tool was located and latched, the jarring down
motion of the JDC tool and the expulsion of the equalizing
plug by the equalizing prong balanced the well from below to
above the bridge plug. Gas was subsequently injected into the
annulus to help lift the fluid in the tubing, thus, further
equalizing the well from below to above the bridge plug
before the bridge plug was removed.
Picture 1 illustrates the simultaneous operations work
performed during this project from the platform view. This
visual shows the offline work being done, the retrieval of
the plug from the RD-1, and the simultaneous setting of the
plug in the RD-3 with the removal of the tubing from the RD2.
Picture 1: View of multi-offline work on platform beneath rig floor

RD-3, Offline Plug Setting

RD-2, Online
RD-1, Offline
Plug Retrieval

4.

Offline operations accounted for 14 days or 43% of the

duration of the workover campaign. Conversely, online
operations accounted for 19 days or 57% of the time in
the workover project.
Offline work included setting and retrieving bridge
plugs, nippling up and down the production tree, and well
killing procedures.
The rig work concluded two days ahead of schedule,
based on the offline/online technique.

Table 2: Time Summary Workover Campaign

Description

RD-1
Offline

Well Prep*

RD-2
Online

24.5

Offline

RD-3
Online

97

Offline

RD-4
Online

Offline

60

Online

28

Rig Move**

54

0.5

Simultaneous
Operations***

20.5

N/D Xmas
Tree

4.5

5.5

N/U & Test

BOP

16

5.5

7.5

POOH
Completion

28

29.5

15

13

RIH
Completion

40

30

30

48

N/D BOP

2.5

2.5

3.5

N/U & Test

Xmas Tree

5.5

3.5

34

54

19

Retrieve Plug

40.5

16

Unload Well

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Totals

69

171

131

139.5

90

55.5

44

84

Total Offline

334 Hrs

14 days

43%

Total Online

450 Hrs

19 days

57%

Total Time

784 Hrs

33 days

100%

*Operations included: gauge run/cutter, GR/CCL, set plug, pressure

test and punch tubing
**Rig move for RD-1 included time for moving from another platform
RD-4

Observations
Examination of the data and procedures reveals the following
impressions concerning the work done on the wells in this
study:
1.

The estimated time to perform this workover campaign

using a conventional, rig-only scenario was 41 days. The
actual rig operational time for the four well workovers
was 19 days, 22 days less than estimated. A summary
depicting time allocations is shown in Table 2.

***Typical offline operations became online due to conflicting

simultaneous operations scheduling

Conclusions
Presently, because of the availability of innovative tools that
can provide more accurate depth measurements, perforating,
and real time log presentations, the industry can avail itself of
modern technology to increase profits. Two such tools that
have proved their worth in many applications around the
world are slickline and the slickline deployed and battery
operated inflatable packer systems.
Slickline has the
capability of delivering services equal to that of real time
electric line at a fraction of the cost and with high reliability.

SPE 100744

Equally, slickline deployed inflatable applications can be used

as a retrievable plug for workovers and recompletions, as a
packer to hang off screens for thru-tubing sand control, and as
modular scab liners for isolating mid-perforation water flows
and leaks in screens or tubing.
Additionally, these
applications are useful in shutting off water and for wellhead
repair change-outs. The slickline inflatable packer system has
also been deployed in horizontal wells with the aid of a
downhole tractor.
However, because of its downhole
electronics and battery, it is limited to a maximum operating
temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Evidence of slicklines enhanced ability is reflected in the
data from the wells in this study which resulted in increased
productivity and efficiency. For one, the production from the
four wells increased from 2,600 bfpd to 5,600 bfpd as a result
of the workovers. Additionally, the rig time allotted for the
project was reduced from 41 days to 19 days. This timesaving
resulted in a project savings of approximately $2MM, not
including future discounted production resulting from the
reservoir which was completed eight days sooner than
expected. Clearly, the financial results realized in this
operation can be attributed to the use of the latest techniques
and the use of state of the art tools.
As in the South China Sea wells, similar successful results
can be replicated if substantial foresight and planning for
upcoming workovers is emphasized. However, even when in
depth planning has occurred, not all operations are trouble
free. It is therefore imperative, especially in remote areas, that
the latest tools and technology have adequate backup tools and
troubleshooting equipment on hand to mitigate any down-time
or problems that might be encountered to maximize results
and increase profits.
References
1.

2.

Foster, J., Clemens, J., Moore, D.W,: Slickline-Deployed

Electro-Mechanical Intervention System: A Cost-Effective
Alternative to Traditional Cased-Hole Services, SPE
paper 70031 prepared for presentation at the SPE Permian
Basin Oil and Gas Recovery Conference held in Midland,
Texas, 15-16 May 2001.
Case Study: Efficient, rigless, plugging and abandonment
operations, www.connect.slb.com, May 2001.