SPE 89522

Zonal Isolation in a U-shaped Well using Coiled Tubing and Well Tractor
T Saelensminde, SPE/Hydro O&E, H. F. Schjott/Hydro O&E, H.M. Koldal/Schlumberger, T.Skeie/Welltec, T.O. Meberg,
SPE/PI Intervention

Copyright 2004, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing Conference and
Exhibition held in Houston, Texas, U.S.A., 2324 March 2004.
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Abstract
An 80m long retrievable one-run straddle assembly was
successfully installed in order to shut off a gas breakthrough in
the 130 degrees deviated reservoir section of a U shape/Fish
hook sub sea oil producer in the Njord field. Coiled tubing
with an internal electric line in combination with a tandem
fluid driven tractor was used to convey the straddle assembly.
Introduction
Njord is a sub sea completed oil field operated by Hydro,
located offshore northwest Norway. Njord A is a floating
drilling and production unit. The well is an oil-producer in the
Tilje formation, completed with a 7-in production tubing and
a 7-in perforated liner (Fig 1&2).
The objective was to isolate selected intervals in the
reservoir section at 130 degrees inclination in the toe of the
well in order to reduce the gas to oil ratio (GOR). The chosen
method was to install a purpose designed straddle packer
assembly utilizing coiled tubing and tractor.

Job design
Based on computer simulations, it soon became clear that
it would not be possible to reach the desired depth using coiled
tubing and conventional extended reach techniques alone.
Computer simulations using reduced friction coefficients
and/or altered fluid densities only improved results marginally
and indicated that the 2-in (optimized taper) coiled tubing at
best would go into a lockup 174 meters away from target
depth. Computer simulations using 2-3/8-in coiled tubing
also showed similar results with a little added penetration.

CoilCAT* software was used for modeling of tubing forces in

the well.
Based on these simulations a coiled tubing tractor (Fig 3)
was recommended to extend the conveyance reach to the
target depth. The tractor supplier stated that 3000 lbs pull
force would be available from the fluid driven coiled tubing
tractor. Computer simulations performed using 3000 lbs
(13kN) pull force on the straddle assembly in combination
with the available coiled tubing push, indicated that bottom of
well could be reached. (Fig 4 presents plot of simulation result
with and without tractor). This would be the first time
electrical tools were used in combination with the fluid driven
tractor.
A new adapter sub was required to use tractor with e-line
integrated for surface data readout. The adapter design was
based on an existing coiled tubing cable head design with
added functionality to allow higher flow rates directed down
through the emergency disconnect section instead of the
normal circulation path into the coiled tubing annulus.
A test of the new cable head adapter with tractor was
performed onshore to verify the flow-through characteristics,
disconnect functionality, tractor performance and electrical
integrity. The measured parameters from the test were later
used when setting up the tools and tractor for the operation.
To be able to run the required tool string (Fig 5) for the
straddle packer assembly the tractor top connector and
compensator were re -designed.
Special attention was given to the connection between the
setting tool and the casing collar locator. On standard tools,
this is a relatively weak connection, mainly meant for tools to
be run on wireline. In order to ensure that tools were not
accidentally lost in hole, the top adapter thread on the setting
tool was changed to a CAL-B connection, which is larger and
will give more resistance to bending forces that would occur
during the run in and setting operations.
A tandem tractor configuration was required to achieve
required pull force based on the available flow rate.
The packers at each end of the straddle packer assembly
(Fig 6) were custom-made to special outer diameter of 5.5-in
in order to pass a 5.75-in AOF nipple and several doglegs in
the well. The internal diameter of the packer setting area was
6.094-in. It was identified that the bottom hole assembly could
become heavy and therefore difficult to get to the target depth.
Based on simulations, a 3-1/2-in 9.2pounds per foot spacer
pipe was selected.
The straddle packer assembly was selected to be fully
retrievable. Retrieval of the straddle is achieved in two runs,

SPE

where the first run releases the lower packing unit. The second
run releases the upper packing unit and the slips section. The
straddle can then be retrieved.
References
Job execution
A gauge run with a dummy straddle was performed. A
real time surface readout production log was then run to
determine the exact interval of the gas breakthrough.
Evaluation of the log concluded that 66% of the gas was
produced from the perforations in the toe section of the well
from 4196 m to 4276 m.
When running the straddle packer assembly into the toe
section of the well, lock-up was experienced at 4160 meters
MD at 113 degrees inclination. This was fully in accordance
with simulated lock-up depth. The tractor was activated by
pumping 140 liters per minute, successfully conveying the
straddle assembly down (or rather up) to 4312m MD at 130
degrees inclination. The straddle packer assembly was then
pulled back to the setting interval (Fig 7). Predicted coiled
tubing forces versus experienced parameters are explained in
attached plot (Fig 8).
An electrically operated hydrostatic setting tool was used
to set the straddle packer assembly, being the first time this
particular combination of tools has been successfully placed in
a well under live conditions, ending up with a 80 m straddle in
the well set across the planned interval (Table 1&2).

1. Haci M, and Hallundbaek J.: New Coiled Tubing Well

Tractor Extends Lateral Reach, paper SPE 68887 presented
at the SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing Roundtable held in Houston,
Texas, 7 8 March 2001.

Tables
Table 1- Depths of the installed straddle;
Top of Straddle @ 130 deg. Dev.
Element Upper Straddle packer:
Element Lower Straddle packer:
Bottom of Straddle:

4193.96
4195.26
4275.00
4277.28

mRKB
mRKB
mRKB
mRKB

Total isolated zone: 79.74 m

Table 2 - Main dimensions of the straddle;

Description
Upper Straddle Packer
3-1/2-in Spacer Pipe
Lower Straddle Packer

Max OD
5.50 in
4.25 in
5.50 in

Min ID
3.64 in
2.992 in
2.75 in

Presentation of Data and Results

Total weight of Coiled Tubing BHA: 2000 kg in air
Prior to this intervention, the oil production varied between
0 and 800 Sm3 /D with the well periodically shut in due to gas
processing limitations.
The result of the intervention was encouraging: The GOR
was reduced from 3000 to 1600 Sm3 /Sm3 and the oil
production was boosted to 1500 Sm3 /D. Investment was
returned within in 35 days by the increased oil production.

Conclusions
It is proven that we can plan and prepare for a one run
placement of an 80m straddle in a 130 degrees inclinated well
section.
The combination of coiled tubing, well tractor and medium
expansion packer technologies was the key element to this
success where oil production was restored.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Hydro Oil & Energy and
the license partners: Mobil Development Norway AS,
OER Oil AS, Petoro AS, Paladin Resources Norge AS,
Ruhrgas Norge AS and Gaz de France Norge AS for
permission to publish this paper.
We would also like to thank all personnel and suppliers
involved in making this project a success.

"An asterisk (*) in this publication denotes a mark of

Schlumberger."

SPE

Figures
Fig 1 Well sketch:

Fig 2 Section of reservoir:

Ile
Ror
Tilje 3
Tilje 2
Tilje 1

Viking/Not

Fig 3 Well Tractor:

Fig 4 Simulation results (overlay tractor/no tractor):

Coiled Tubing Weight Indicator Load

35000,00
30000,00

Weight Indicator Load - lbf

25000,00
20000,00
15000,00
10000,00
5000,00
Weight Indicator Load POOH lbf
0,00

Weight Indicator Load RIH (tractor) lbf

Weight Indicator Load RIH (no tractor) lbf

-5000,00
-10000,00
-15000,00
0,00

500,00 1000,00 1500,00 2000,00 2500,00 3000,00 3500,00 4000,00 4500,00 5000,00
Measured Depth of Tool String - m

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Fig 5 Tool string:

Fig 6 Straddle packer assembly:

2" CT w/ E-line
CT End connector
Cable Head
Flow Release Tool

Hydrostatic Setting Tool

Straight Bar

Adapter kit
Tractor # 1

Tractor # 2

Casing Collar Locator

Upper Straddle Packer

Setting Tool

Adapter kit

3-1/2" Spacer Pipe

Upper Packer w/Slips

1-3/8" Inner String

3-1/2" Spacer Pipe

Lower Straddle Packer

Lower Packer wo/Slips

Perforated bottom sub

Shear-Release kit
Perforated Bottom Sub

Wire Brush

Brush
Magnet

Magnet Sub

Fig 7 Actual job parameters:

Norsk Hydro
Run 10
09.09.2003

Acq Panel Plot - Post Job

300
Stop CT due to lock- up

Continue run CT in hole

Stop tractor and CT

Set straddle

4450

Pull CT out of hole

Pull up to setting depth

Activate tractor

4350
250

Circ Pres

20050

CT Weight

150

CT depth - m

4150
4050
3950
3850

10050

3750

100
3650
3550
50
09:30:09

10:07:39

10:45:09

11:22:39

50
12:00:09

Time - hh:mm:ss

Fig 8 Actual coiled tubing weight parameters compared to simulated:

40000

Run 10
09.09.2003

Tubing Forces

Averaged Weight - lbf

30000

20000

10000

Averaged weight during run

-10000

Simulated pickup
Simulated slackoff

-20000
-1000

1000

2000

Corrected Depth - m

3000

4000

5000

Corr Depth - m

200

4250

CT Weight - lbf

Pressure - bars

30050