Avoiding Erosion: Best Practices for Coiled Tubing Annular Frac Operations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaveh Yekta ◽  
Jamie Fenwick ◽  
Kevin Elliott ◽  
John Albaugh
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Wall Thickness ◽  
Coiled Tubing ◽  
Electromagnetic Methods ◽  
Practical Guidelines ◽  
Pumping Rates ◽  
Thickness Variations ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Flux Leakage ◽  
Rule Out

Abstract Annular Frac operations performed with Coiled Tubing (CT) offer many advantages for unconventional completions, particularly wells with long laterals and many pay zones (frequently in excess of 100 stages). The primary disadvantage to annular frac is erosion of the coiled tubing due to impinged, high pressure fluids containing abrasive frac sand. This paper will describe a methodology to detect erosion of the CT to provide consistent, reliable operations. When designing equipment and writing operational procedures to detect erosion in annular frac through coiled tubing, the following considerations may be considered: CT string design and pumped fluid flow rate when fracturing. From a CT service company perspective, the fluid dynamics of the pumped fluid may contain uncontrolled variables such as fluid density, viscosity, and slurry from job-to-job. As a result of the limitations noted above, the onset of erosion may be difficult to predict. However non-destructive electromagnetic inspection can be utilized to highlight possible locations of erosion within CT strings to develop "field-tested" guidelines for pumping against tubing size. Electromagnetic inspection using Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) and/or Hall Effect Sensors can highlight localized variations in wall thickness. However, this information alone does not give a clear indication if the tubing has been damaged by erosion without a baseline inspection to compare to, since there can be variations in wall due to the CT manufacturing process and the prevalence of tapered CT string designs. If the CT string is inspected either when new or very early on in its life, a comparison of wall variation by electromagnetic methods can "rule out" wall thickness variations that were present at the time of manufacturing. Evaluation of CT strings with electromagnetic inspections performed when new and after retirement will be presented in this paper. The inspection results will then be supplemented by pumping parameters from annular frac jobs performed with these strings. This paper describes a methodology of verifying that CT strings have not been subject to erosion due to annular frac operations. An exploration of pumping rates used on these strings in operations also provides some "field-tested" practical guidelines for avoiding erosion when performing annular frac jobs.

Best Practices for Avoiding Erosion in Annular Fracturing

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (06) ◽  
pp. 46-47
Author(s):  
Judy Feder
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Critical Parameters ◽  
Coiled Tubing ◽  
Measurable Parameter ◽  
Distribution Point ◽  
Post Operation ◽  
Practical Guidelines ◽  
Pumping Rates ◽  
Quenching And Tempering

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Judy Feder, contains highlights of paper SPE 204417, “Avoiding Erosion: Best Practices for Coiled Tubing Annular Fracturing Operations,” by Kaveh Yekta, SPE, and Jamie Fenwick, SPE, Essential Energy Services, and Kevin Elliott, SPE, NOV, et al., prepared for the 2021 SPE/ICoTA Virtual Well Intervention Conference, 22–25 March. The paper has not been peer reviewed. The onset of erosion of coiled tubing (CT) strings may be difficult to predict in annular fracturing operations. The complete paper describes a methodology of verifying that CT strings have not been subject to erosion caused by annular fracturing operations. An exploration of pumping rates used on these strings in operations also provides field-tested practical guidelines for avoiding erosion when performing annular fracturing jobs. Inspection A CT string may be exposed to erosion in the outer surface during CT annular fracturing operations. The critical parameters that may influence the magnitude of erosion include fracturing pump rate, sand concentration, fluid rheology, wellbore geometry, and the grade of CT string. One measurable parameter to examine the string’s suitability is the wall thickness for each section. The CT strings discussed in the complete paper were sent for inspection to learn about the effect of the fracturing treatment. A series of nondestructive tests was conducted pre- and post-operation to evaluate the readiness of strings for subsequent operations. The complete paper includes two graphs related to the results of these tests. Materials The API 5ST specification requires using eddy current (EC) inspection for CT. With respect to API 5ST, quenched and tempered tubing had not been addressed at the time of this paper’s submission, so it is not clear whether the CT manufacturers employ EC techniques after quenching and tempering. However, it is expected that all tubing will be subject to EC inspection at least before any quenching and tempering operations. Inspection methodology and equipment consistency is important to establish a baseline inspection necessary for subsequent comparisons. In the case of the CT strings used in this study, all were subject to EC inspection at tubing manufacturing and then subsequently inspected by an outside, third-party vendor using magnetic flux leakage (MFL) technology when spooling the strings on the unit. No known third-party EC vendors can inspect string lengths of CT, so MFL inspection is the only available solution. Photographs of CT inspections taken at the manufacturing facility and the service and distribution point are included in the paper. Several commercial third-party inspection companies operate in North America, where this work was performed. Provided that the inspection can begin by identifying features in the calibration standard (often a through-drilled hole), the selection of inspection methodology is primarily a matter of preference for the service company and operator.

The Effects of Fluid Hammer Tools on the Efficiencies of Coiled Tubing Plug Milling - A Comparative Best Practices Study

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher E. Schneider ◽  
Steven Henry Craig ◽  
Juan Carlos Castaneda ◽  
Luis Castro
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Coiled Tubing

Corrosion Metal Loss Interaction From In-Line Inspection and How it Can Affect the Calculated Failure Pressure

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucinda Smart ◽  
Richard McNealy ◽  
Harvey Haines
Keyword(s):  
Field Measurements ◽  
Metal Loss ◽  
Data Correlation ◽  
Failure Pressure ◽  
Industry Standards ◽  
Direct Measurements ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Flux Leakage

In-Line Inspection (ILI) is used to prioritize metal loss conditions based on predicted failure pressure in accordance with methods prescribed in industry standards such as ASME B31G-2009. Corrosion may occur in multiple areas of metal loss that interact and may result in a lower failure pressure than if flaws were analyzed separately. The B31G standard recommends a flaw interaction criterion for ILI metal loss predictions within a longitudinal and circumferential spacing of 3 times wall thickness, but cautions that methods employed for clustering of ILI anomalies should be validated with results from direct measurements in the ditch. Recent advances in non-destructive examination (NDE) and data correlation software have enabled reliable comparisons of ILI burst pressure predictions with the results from in-ditch examination. Data correlation using pattern matching algorithms allows the consideration of detection and reporting thresholds for both ILI and field measurements, and determination of error in the calculated failure pressure prediction attributable to the flaw interaction criterion. This paper presents a case study of magnetic flux leakage ILI failure pressure predictions compared with field results obtained during excavations. The effect of interaction criterion on calculated failure pressure and the probability of an ILI measurement underestimating failure pressure have been studied. We concluded a reason failure pressure specifications do not exist for ILI measurements is because of the variety of possible interaction criteria and data thresholds that can be employed, and demonstrate herein a method for their validation.

Business Continuity of Critical Infrastructures for Safety and Security Incidents

2020 ◽  
pp. 413-449
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Apostolou ◽  
Danai Kazantzidou-Firtinidou ◽  
Ilias Gkotsis ◽  
George Eftychidis
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Business Continuity ◽  
Critical Infrastructures ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Practical Guidelines ◽  
Security Incidents

The chapter is an overview of important timely concepts with a focus on the safety and security of critical infrastructures (CIs). The content is a result of triangulation of sources from the fields of academia, best practices, legislation, and scientific research. The protection of CIs has been a popular topic of discussion through recent years but also a topic for initiative towards the undisrupted function, prosperity and well-being of nations in a world of interconnections and dependencies. In respect to that, the following content offers input which will assist in the understanding of the concepts surrounding the safety and security of CIs while combining theoretical approaches with practical guidelines for the composition of a business continuity plan. The chapter also discusses the factors contributing to the criticality of technical infrastructures as part of a nation or a cross-border network, the threats to which a CI can be exposed to whether these are natural or man-made.

Practical Guidelines for Creating Online Courses in K-12 Education

2016 ◽  
pp. 507-529
Author(s):  
Wayne Journell
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Adult Learners ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
University Students ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Online Pedagogy ◽  
Practical Guidelines ◽  
Formally Trained ◽  
K 12

Online learning is the future of K-12 education. However, few online K-12 instructors have been formally trained in online pedagogy. This chapter describes best practices in creating online courses for K-12 students. Many aspects of online learning are the same regardless of the age of the students taking the courses, but adolescents often experience online instruction differently than university students or adult learners. Although far from comprehensive, this chapter describes basic guidelines and offers recommendations for K-12 educators wishing to create engaging online learning opportunities for their students.

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