SPE 109039
Well Construction on Wireline
Ole Eddie Karlsen, Welltec®, and Guthorm Lothe and Stig Aasland, Statoil
Copyright 2007, Society of Petroleum Engineers
This paper was prepared for presentation at Offshore Europe 2007 held in Aberdeen,
Scotland, U.K., 4–7 September 2007.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of
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Abstract
A further evolution of wireline intervention technique has
emerged allowing mechanical manipulation in horizontal wells
using a combination of Wireline Stroker and field proven
Wireline Tractor technology - best described as Well
Construction on wireline in a highly deviated well.
This technology represents a cost-efficient method for setting
and retrieving of specific downhole hardware (i.e. plugs and
straddles) as a resource-efficient alternative to existing
technologies.
This paper will present the following case history and the
benefits of the operation, particularly in deviated wells, where
tractor technology in combination with the Wireline Stroker
exemplify the advantages of this technology.
In a well offshore Norway, producing since 1995, completed
with 2 Sliding Side Doors (SSD) to control zone production,
attempts had been made to close both SSD’s in October 2003,
but only the upper SSD was possible to close. A two-piece
straddle was sat above the lower SSD, which however showed
no change in production. PLT results showed an internal
leakage in straddle and tubing; straddle was therefore retrieved
in February 2006 and the well temporarily plugged.
Later in 2006, it was decided to perform a new intervention in
order to remedy the situation and a Tractor/Stroker
combination was considered optimal for performing the
operation, as an alternative to a Coiled Tubing operation.
Introduction
Well P-24 is an oil producer at Snorre A. It is a 5 ½”
monobore deviated well completed in 1995 with perforations
in the Upper and Lower Statfjord sands in both the Western
Fault Block (WFB) and in the South Western Fault Block
(SWFB). The well has produced 4.6 mill Sm3 oil since it came
on production in 1995.
In 2003 the water cut level was increased to more than 80%,
the GOR was 2100 and the oil rate had dropped to 100
Sm3/day. It was anticipated that the high water cut and GOR
mainly came from S1 and S2 in the WFB.
The P-24 completion design allows these sands to be isolated
by two mechanical sleeves and in 2003 an intervention was
planned to close the sleeves in order to shut off the production
from these zones.
However, this intervention was not successful as only the
upper sleeve was closed. A 2-section straddle was installed
across the lower sleeve using tractor on wireline, but the well
production profile remained unchanged. A PLT log indicated a
leakage in the straddle.
In February 2006 this straddle was pulled and the well was
logged with USIT, PLT and MFC. The logs confirmed the
2003 log result regarding the lower sleeve at 3777m MD but
also indicated several leakages in the tubing above the sleeve
up to 3749m MD, giving a total leaking interval of 28 meter.
The operator, Statoil, decided to isolate the lower SSD with a
20m long multi-section straddle and then isolate a tubing hole
10m above the lower set straddle assembly installing a single
straddle.
Job planning
An evaluation of the previous straddle installation questioned
the straddle sections engagement. Due to a 68 degree well
inclination at sleeve depth the tractor and the string weight
could not create enough force to engage the two elements. It
was then decided to include a Wireline Stroker tool in the
toolstring to ensure proper engagement of the straddle
sections.
The major limitation to perform the intervention according to
rig plan was the available number of straddle anchors, seal
receptacles and tubing sections. This gave limitations to the
maximum length of the straddle. Finally a 20 meter 4-section
straddle covering the lower sleeve at 3781m up to 3761 m MD
was prepared. The tubing connection leakage at 3749m MD
would be covered by a shorter single straddle.
A risk assessment was also executed for the different detailed
operational sequences. The Wireline Tractor 318XR and the
Wireline Stroker 318 from Welltec was selected to install
the straddle elements. This together with CPST setting tool to
set the lower packer and a DPU setting tool to set the upper
packer element of the 22 meter long straddle.
The wireline tractor
When first introduced to the market, the wireline tractor was
used primarily for conveyance of diagnostic logging tools and
traditional “cure” technologies as perforation and plug setting.
However, as it achieved a reliable track record, it began to
form part of many oil companies’ standard solutions.
The wireline tractor functions with an electric/hydraulic power
relationship. The control panels, communications and internal
2 SPE 109039

power source are electric, while the remaining parts and o 1st stroke took 7 seconds before saturation
functions are hydraulic. When activated, the wheels are on Well-Stroker® tool
hydraulically deployed out of the tool body and automatically o 2nd stroke went direct in saturation. Normal
start to rotate. Each wheel contains its own independent time for a full stroke is 25 sec.
hydraulic motor, which facilitates the forward motion in the o Pulled up and verified that GS shear-pin was
well. The tool centralizes itself in the well bore once contact sheared and lost 250 lbs in tool string
with casing has been established and then deploys intervention weight.
tools into the well bore, taking the string beyond its original Run # 4:
hang up point. When target depth has been reached, the tool is • RIH with top packer section with DPU (Down hole
powered down. Standard mode for acquiring data is to perform Power Unit) and connected anchor using Wireline
the logging while pulling out of the hole. Logging while Tractor & Wireline Stroker.
tractoring is also feasible when required. The passive and o 1st stroke took 8 seconds before saturation
immediate fail-safe feature ensures that the wheels on Wireline Stroker
are retracted automatically when it is powered down or o 2nd stroke went direct in saturation.
disconnected. o Verified upper packer latch with 1000 lbs
over pull.
A number of highly modular tools have been designed to give o Waited for DPU to release. Lost 500 lbs
the wireline tractor maximum versatility in intervention weight after DPU released setting tool.
operations. Run #5:
• RIH and sat single straddle with Wireline Tractor
and CPST setting tool from 3745.5 – 3752m MD.
The wireline stroker
The wireline stroker is typically used in conjunction with a
wireline tractor and allows operators to carry out mechanical Result and Conclusion
operations on electric wireline in deviated wells and horizontal
wells. When combined with a shifting tool, the wireline
Before After
stroker applies the required force to shift down hole valves.
Q oil 100 Sm3/d 900 Sm3/d
Up to 33,000 lbs of axially-focused force is applied. The
direction of the movement is controlled from the surface each GOR ≈ 2000 ≈ 200
time the wireline stroker is activated. The wireline stroker is WC = 85% < 5%
designed according to the same fail-safe design as the wireline
tractor. The passive and immediate fail-safe feature prevents The well performance was highly improved. The oil rate
the tool from getting stuck in the well bore as the anchors will increased to 900Sm3/day, the GOR was reduced to 200 and the
collapse to provide a flush outside diameter surface. water cut down to less than 5%.
Using a combination of tractor and stroker tool to run a multi-
section straddle in a deviated well was proven 100%
Applying this technology provides multiple benefits:
successful. The repay for the operation was achieved within 2
enhanced precision compared to conventional methods such
days due to increased production, and estimating an oil price
as coiled tubing or slick line when it comes to depth control
of 60USD/barrel
and forces applied. Additionally, the force provided can
replace the use of explosives in packer setting applications,
Acknowledgements
which increases operational safety while providing
The authors would like to thank Statoil ASA and the license
environmental benefits and easier logistics.
partners for permission to publish this paper.
We would also like to thank all personnel and suppliers
Job execution involved in making this operation a success.
The straddle operation started by bull heading the well to Symbols
diesel (asphaltenes expected) followed by the straddle section SSD = Sliding Sleeve Door
installation. The operation was performed on a 5/16” mono DPU = Downhole Power Unit
conductor cable CPST = Casing Packer Setting Tool
Q oil = Quantity Oil
GOR = Gas Oil Rate
Run # 1: WC = Water Cut
• RIH, correlate and sat lower packer with CPST PLT = Production Logging Tool
setting tool @ 3781.5 meter. RIH = Run In Hole
MD = Measure Depth
Run # 2-3:
• Run straddle sections (2 off.) on GS pulling tool with
brass shear-pin and connected anchors using Well
Traktor® & Well Stroker®.
o Stroked 2 times per element:
SPE 109039 3

References
1. Hallundbæk, J.: “Welltractors for Highly
Deviated and Horizontal Wells, ” paper SPE
28871 presented at the 1994 SPE European
Petroleum Conference held in London, UK 25 –
27 October
2. Saelensminde, T., Shjott, H.F., Koldal, H.M.,
Skeie, T., Moberg, T.O.: “Zonal isolation in a U-
shaped Well Using Coiled Tubing and Well
Tractor.” Paper SPE 89522 presented at the 2004
SPR/ICoTA Coiled Tubing Conference and
Exhibition held in Houston, TX 23-24 March
4 SPE 109039

Figures

Fig. 1 Wireline Tractor – 318 XR

2 Wireline Stroker - 318 Basic

 Fig.3 Well sketch

Well Schematic 34/7-P-24

Snorre A RKB: 59.4 m
Water depth: 309 m

Note: 1. No scale
2. All depths relative to SnA RKB
3. RKB datum is drill floor elevation

Production riser
Perforations:
Top: 3740 m MD
Bottom: 4916 m MD

30” cond. at 528 m MD

• 4 section Lego-straddle from 3781m – 3761m
across lower SSD and leaking tubing
18 5/8” csg at 974 m MD/ 965 m TVD • Single straddle from 3752m – 3745m across
LOT: 1.65 SG tubing leakage at 3749m.

WRSCSSV TOC at 1820 m MD (estimated)

13 3/8” csg at 2272 m MD/ 1787 m TVD

FIT: 1.72 SG
TOC at 3200 m MD/ 2188 m TVD (CBL/ VDL)

Top reservoir at 3739 m MD/ 2402 m TVD

See “details”
Top of liner at 3786 m MD/ 2420 m TVD

S1/ S2 WFB
SSD at 3720 (closed) SWFB
SSD at 3776 (isolated by S3

Prod. packer at 3702 m MD/ 2388 m TVD S4

S3 S2
S5 S4 S1
Dunlin
S5 shale
9 5/8" csg at 3807 m MD/ 2428 m TVD
Angle 68.3°
FIT: 1.75 SG
TOC = 9 5/8” csg shoe

05121601 P-24 Compl ETj

Top of fish at 3989 m MD (14.2 m) 5 1/2" liner at 4979 m MD/ 2595 m TVD
Top of fish at 4917 m MD (33 m) Angle 83.8°
Fig.4 Details