SPE

Society of Petroleum Engineers

SPE 17581

Coiled Tubing in Horizontal Wells

by R.E. Cooper, PT. Dowell Schlumberger Indonesia
SPE Member

Copyright 1988 Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE International Meeting on Petroleum Engineering, held in Tianjin, China, November 1-4, 1988.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the
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ABSTRACT

Coiled tubing is an effective tool in data acquisition and transmission equipment.

logging and workover applications of horizontal Many of these applications are still in the
wells. Several operators have taken advantage of development stage, while others have been proved
using coiled tubing to log or perforate wells in field use.
which caul d not have been performed with
conventional wireline methods. Specialized These recent applications have led to a
surface and subsurface equipment has been wider use of coiled tubing as a means of
developed to facilitate the use of wireline tools reservoir data acquisition as well as a means of
with coiled tubing. reservoir management. Through coiled tubing, one
is able to obtain most of the same logging
Production logging data, particularly (reservoir) data and bottomhole production data
multiphase flow testing, in horizontal wells have in horizontal wells that are possible in less
proved difficult to interpret. The use of coiled deviated wells using conventional wireline
tubing packers and flow diverters to help isolate methods. Coiled tubing provides the means of
flow rates has improved production profile data. transversing highly deviated wells with downhole
instrumentation packages in a controlled manner.
Coiled tubing has been used to selectively Data acquisition can be in realtime by the use of
place stimulation fluids over long sections of through-tubing wireline or in postsequence time
horizontal hole, i.e., 1,200 ft (366 m) and with memory packages. Much of the data obtained
greater. It has also been used in zone using coiled tubing does not have to be obtained
isolation, cement squeezing, and setting of in the real-time mode. An exception to this
bridge plugs. Several cases are presented where could be downhole depth control when perforating
the use of coiled tubing eliminated or reduced or setting plugs.
conventional rig expense.
Four broad applications of coiled tubing in
INTRODUCTION highly deviated wells (wells over 80°and
horizontal wells) have been considered in a
Until recently, coiled tubing has primarily management plan for research and engineering.
been used to convey fluids downhole in such
services as well kickoff, cleanout, and spotting 1. Conventional Uses
fluids. Now, with the increase in the number of
high-angle and horizontal wells, in addition to Well Cleanout and Kickoff
the high cost of conventional workovers, coiled Drillstem Testing
tubing is being used to convey and operate Fluid Spotting, Stimulation
downhole mechanical tools as well as to convey Zone Isolation, Squeezing

References and 1llustrat1ons at end of paper.

323
2 COILED TUBING IN HORIZONTAL WELLS
2. Unconventional Nonwireline Uses
Running and Setting Bridge Plugs
and Packers, (permanent and
retrievable)
Tubing-Conveyed Perforating
Pressure, Temperature Survey and
Profiling with Memory Tools
Gr,a ve 1 Packing
Repeat Selective Zone Treatments
Tubing-Conveyed Backoff and Pipe
Cutting
Fishing
3. Wireline Uses
Logging (openhole and cased)
Perforating
Production Profiling
In-Situ Stress Testing
Downhole Televiewer
4. Future Uses and Requirements
Multizone Completion Systems
(sliding sleeves, liner isolation,
and port collars)
Corrosion Logging
Radioactive Tracer Surveys
Through-Tubing Isolation Tools
Downhole Treatment Application and
Monitoring in Real time.
This paper only addresses a few of the above
applications which are of particular interest in
horizontal wells.
COILED TUBING LIMITS
Before coiled tubing can be app 1i ed to any
use in horizontal wells, the question of tubing
buckling (compression), loading (tension), and
safe, useful life must be addressed. In
horizontal wells, buckling and loading can be
limiting factors because of drag or friction
along the highly deviated and horizontal
sections.
A computer program 1 has been deve 1oped to
predict pickup and slackoff tensions (Figs. 1 and
2) and buckling when given specific well
parameters. These parameters (Table 1) include
wellbore survey data, coiled tubing and well
completion data, and fluid information. The
present program only predicts loading in
nonpumping situations but future versions will
take this into consideration.
It is interesting to note that in the
example of Fig. 2 slackoff tension becomes a
negative value (the tubing is self-supported)
beyond 3,400 ft (1,036 m). It is just below this
point where critical buckling can become a
problem and must be monitored.
324
SPE17581
The potential buckling of coiled tubing when
the tubing is being injected (pushed) into the
wellbore is of particular concern in horizontal
wells. A critical buckling envelope can be
plotted (Fig. 3) which will indicate safe
operating limits under specific well and
operational parameters.
These critical buckling limits have been
derived from drillpipe buc~ling calculations
presented by Dawson and Paslay in predicting the
critical force required to buckle pipe in an
inclined hole (Appendix A). Figure 3 is a plot
of critical buckling limits and predicted actual
1oadi ng for three commonly used coiled tubing
sizes under specific horizontal well conditions.
In this plot, it can be seen that the predicted
loads are safely within the critical buckling
limits. However, small changes in friction
factors or fluid density could cause the
predicted buckling 1oads to approach or exceed
the critical buckling limits.
Buckling is directly related to friction
factors; these factors involving coiled tubing
and downhole tools have been estimated under
various conditions (Fig. 4). High and low ranges
of friction factors can be used to predict
sensitivity of coiled tubing loading. Under
average horizontal well conditions, i.e., a liner
filled with oil, friction factors may vary
between 0.2 to 0.3 but in other cases may be as
high as 0.5 to 0.6.
The factors dictating the useful life of a
coiled tubing string have recently been
reviewed. Prior to this, coiled tubing life was
primarily monitored by and limited to a specific
number of running feet, i.e., 300,000 ft
(91,440 m) per string, with some consideration
given to fluid service. It is now recognized that
stresses resulting from such factors as fluid
pumping pressures, and tubing bending and
compression (ovality) all contribute to
appreciably reduce coiled tubing life. These
factors can be recorded in real time through data
acquisition devices, and an accurate estimate of
the remaining life of a particular coiled tubing
string can be predicted. This will do much to
increase the operators• confidence in the use and
safety of coiled tubing.
SURFACE MONITORING
Standard practice is to measure the coiled
tubing as it leaves the reel using a
spring-loaded friction measuring wheel, but
slippage can occur when the tubing passes through
the rotating friction measuring wheels.
Furthermore, the injector head controls the
tubing motion (travel), and some lc1ck of
synchronisation has been observed between the
reel and the injector which could lead to
stretching or compression of a log if depth
control was monitored from the reel.
SPE17581 R.E. COOPER.
To overcome these problems, an electronic
depth measurement system was mounted on the shaft
of one of the hydraulic motors in the injector
head. There is no slippage in this system except
in cases of inadequate injector chain tension or
extreme overpulling, both of which are much less
frequent than friction wheel slippage.
This depth measurement system was recently
field tested in two European horizontal wells
during coiled tubing logging and perforating
operations. Surface depth measurements were
within 1.6 ft (0.5 m) of the downhole casing
collar locator measurements at depths of 4,600 ft
(1,400 m) and were consistently more accurate
than uncorrected surface wire 1i ne depth
measurements.
It is now pass i b1e to record and process
coiled tubing data at the job site. Several
parameters can be monitored and printed out in
real time. These include time, depth, tension,
pressure (tubing and annul us), tubing direction
(in or out), and pump rate. Simultaneously, the
coiled tubing running speed can be computed and
displayed. This is particularly advantageous
when trying to maintain a constant speed while
using coiled tubing for logging purposes.
During a recent hori zonta 1 we 11 coi 1ed
tubing logging operation in Indonesia, the
logging (tubing) speed was monitored and plotted
(Fig. 8) using a computer interfaced with the
surface tubing depth sensor. Plots made over
several logging runs indicated that acceptable
constant logging speeds could be maintained with
the coiled tubing.
CONVENTIONAL USES
Coiled tubing has primarily been used as a
means of conveying fluids into a wellbore.
Severa 1 of these app 1i cations have been used in
horizontal wells; two of these are of particular
interest: fluid placement and zone isolation.
Fluid Placement
Coiled tubing can be used to uniformly place
fluids along a single selected interval by slowly
moving the coi 1ed tubing up or down across the
zone while continuously injecting the desired
fluid. Alternatively, the coiled tubing can be
stopped at various intervals and fluid injected.
These methods are of particular interest in
stimulation of long pay zones typically
associated with horizontal wells.
Another technique to pro vi de uniform zone
coverage involves the use of foam as a
nondamaging diverter. In this technique, slugs
of foam are either injected at the surface or
generated downhole to act as a diversion means
while the coiled tubing is moved across a zone.
325
3
One version of this idea has involved the
generation of foam downhole by simultaneously
injecting the liqu{d phase and foaming agent down
the coiled tubing annulus, and the nitrogen down
the coiled tubing. Injection rates are adjusted
to provide a specified foam quality downhole.
A more common method of optimizing zone
coverage with coiled tubing is to include a
particulate type fluid-loss additive in t~e
treating fluid or to use emulsified fluids~.
Typically, these materials do not appreciably
increase pumping friction pressure in the coiled
tubing.
Zone Isolation
Coiled tubing is being considered as an
important tool in the control of fluid flow .in
horizontal wells. In this application, coiled
tubing can be used to squeeze off undesired
i nterva 1s, and a1so to convey and operate
downhole isolation tools.
Using coiled tubing to place cement plugs
downhole is common practice but because of high
pumping friction pressures and slow pump rates,
conventional cement slurries are not ideally
suited for coiled tubing. Cement slurries
designed for coiled tubing use are often
high-water-ratio slurries providing low friction
values. In horizontal wells, a high-water-ratio
cement is not desirable because of water breakout
along the high side of the hole. This can result
in communication across the set cement plug and
failure to provide zone isolation. Several
critical items to consider when cementing through
coiled tubing are discussed in Appendix B.
The recent improvements in silicate gels to
provide predictable setting times and quick
right-angle gelation have led to these fluids
being studied as alternatives to cement in coiled
tubing applications. The silicate gels typically
exhibit low free water, low viscosity, and low
friction factors, which is ideal for use with
coi 1ed tubing to squeeze off unwanted zones in
horizontal wells.
NONCONVENTIONAL USES
·With the recent availability of larger
diameter coiled tubing, i.e., 1-1/4- and
1-1/2-in. (32- and 38-mm), and improvements in
coiled tubing quality and surface equipment, the
demand for coiled tubing to provide more than
just a fluid conveying service is increasing.
While maintaining the ability to convey fluids,
coiled tubing service is being considered as a
means to apply new technology in the conveying of
electrical and mechanical tools into a well to
perform completion, testing or light workover
operations. These tools (in the nonwireline
cases) may be actuated hydraulically and/or by
4 COILED-TUBING IN HORIZONTAL WELLS
tubing movement. Many of these uses wi 11 have
application in extended reach wells where coiled
tubing is being used as a means of conveying
wireline tools or even as a replacement for
wireline.
Zone Selection
One of the most desirable uses of coiled
tubing in hori zonta 1 wells is to run and set
bridge plugs and packers which can either be
permanently left in the well or retrieved. The
present technology of these tools limits them to
an expansion ratio (expanded set diameter to
collapsed diameter) of approximately two. A zone.
typical inflatable coiled tubing packer (ICTP)
has a collapsed diameter of 2.8 in. (71 mm) which
can be set in a 6.5-in. (175-mm) internal
diameter pipe (any 7-in. (178- mm) casing).
However, this limits its use to 3-1/2-in. (90-mm)
tubing. The present goal is to develop ICTPs
with expansion ratios of three or greater. This
would allow ICTPs to be run through 2-7/8-in.
(73-mm) tubing and set in 7-in. (178-mm) casing
or through 2-3/8-in. (60-mm) tubing and set in
5-1/2-in. (140-mm) casing. Since a large
majority of horizontal wells will be completed
with one of the above combinations of tubing and
casing, the need for such tools is apparent.
Another problem with the present generation
of retrievable ICTPs is that, after setting, they
rarely collapse to their original running-in
diameter. This has caused retrieving problems
when re-entering close tolerance (clearance)
tubing.
Because of the elastomeric material used,
inflatable bridge plugs run on coiled tubing may
not have a very long life in a high-temperature,
hydrocarbon environment. This makes it necessary
to set a cement p1ug on top of the i nfl a tab 1e
plug to ensure permanent isolation. Low
viscosity silica gels and thermosetting epoxies
are being studied as alternatives for cement
plugs.
In several future horizontal well completion
programs coiled tubing is being considered as a
means to selectively perforate, test, and isolate
sections of horizontal wells.
In one specific instance, low-angle wells
(<50°deviation) are normally perforated over
several thin intervals which, in turn, are
individually isolated and selectively produced by
a series of permanent packers, tubing plugs, and
sliding sleeves. All plugs and sleeves are
presently set and operated by a wireline.
However, consideration is now being given to
increase the wellbore contact area with the thin
zones by using high-angle· (85°) wells, which
prohibit the use of a wireline.
326
SPE17581
Therefore, two completion plans are being
considered. In the first plan, the well would be
conventionally completed with multiple sets of
perforations (performed with coiled tubing),
packers, and sliding sleeves. Operation of the
sleeves and setting of tubing plugs would simply
use coiled tubing instead of wireline. The
technique of using coiled tubing in place of
wireline to operate sliding sleeves and tubing
plugs is being field tested on low-angle wells in
Indonesia.
An alternative plan would eliminate the use
of selective packers and sliding sleeves, and use
coiled tubing to initially perforate a single
The zone would be produced until it
watered out. Coiled tubing would then be used to
squeeze off the zone, set a permanent casing plug
above the zone, and perforate the next interval.
This process would be repeated throughout the
life of the well.
Perforating
A perforating service using coi 1ed tubing
has been developed to operate either with an
internal wireline (most common) or by applying
internal tubing pressure.
Prior to offering commercial coiled tubing
perforating services, several field tests were
performed to evaluate the effects of explosive
shock on the perforating gun connector head and
on the coiled tubing itself. Tests were
conducted in a horizontal, water filled, trench
and in a vertical test well. After detonation,
all 11 downhole 11 equipment, including several
bottom sections of tubing, were subjected to
visual examination, optical micrography, pressure
and tension tests and the Vickers Hardness tests.
The conclusion was that perforation detonation,
using up to 36 charges, produced no detectab 1e
effect on the integrity of the tubing or
connectors.
The ability to use i nterna 1 coi 1ed tubing
pressure to activate perforating guns a1so was
tested. This technique was developed as a backup
or alternative method to cable-fired guns. The
system uses a scaled down version, 1-11/16 in.
(43 mm) OD, of a convention a 1 TCP firing head
adopted for activation by tubing internal
pressure rather than annulus pressure. This
system has the advantage that it can be run on
any reel of coiled tubing because wireline is not
required and it can be activated over a wide
range of preselected pressures as well as
providing underbalanced wellbore conditions. In
addition to standard perforating applications,
this system could equally well be used for
pipe-cutting or backoff charges.
SPE17581 R.E. COOPER
An example of coiled tubing perforating is a
recent operation performed on a horizontal
well in the North Sea. The objective of the job
was to perforate 295 ft (90 m) of a prepacked
gravel-pack screen that was plugged from the
outside and had not responded to conventional
cleanup treatments. The operation involved two
passes of a TDT log over the horizontal section,
984 ft (300 m), followed by seven runs with
perforating guns.
Several aspects of this operation are
noteworthy. The well was equipped with an
electrical submergible pump using a 11 Y11 tool
above the liner lap. Previous attempts to enter
the 1i ner with open-ended coiled tubing failed;
however with 50ft (15m) of rigid tools the
coiled tubing repeatably entered the liner
without problem.
Coiled tubing tension, compression, and
buckling (particularly with the additional weight
of the tool string in the horizontal section) was
a concern and, therefore, was closely monitored.
However, the compression and buckling were not a
problem, and tension was maintained safely within
operating limits. Fig. 5 is a plot of tensions
experienced during the final two perforating
runs. As can be seen, these two runs were
remarkably similar and, therefore, possibly
predictable by simulation in the future. The
progress through the high-angle section of the
well also is evident in the plots where the
tension levels off from about 800 m to 1400 m as
a result of the lower tubing being supported and
friction evidently being low.
This job clearly demonstrated that with
adequate precautions and careful planning, jobs
involving up to 56 ft(17 m) of riser can be
handled safely. Crucial to this were the lifting
frame (capable of handling 20 tons), adequate guy
lines, and a crane with excess capacity and
stability for the job. The rig-up proved to be
very stable during the operations, despite
reasonably strong North Sea winds and operating
on an open platform. The addition of guy lines
in the middle of the riser reduced the bending
that was evident in the prejob tests. A constant
overpull of 1-1/2 tons was maintained by the
crane to also help prevent buckling of the riser.
Logging Techniques
The use of coiled tubing to convey logging
tools in horizontal wells has several advantages
over other currently used methods. Two of the
main advantages are that coiled tubing can be run
without a rig and that coiled tubing can be run
at constant, uninterrupted logging speeds from
6,000 ft/hr (1,800 m/hr) to as slow as 250 ft/hr.
(75 m/hr). This latter advantage allows
continuous and extended operation of intensive
data acquisition toola and sensitive image making
of specific intervals • _ 11
327
5
Other logging advantages include the ability
to circulate fluids while logging or running in
the hole, and since coiled tubing stretches less
than a wireline, accurate depth control from
surface measurements is feasible.
For practical reasons, coiled tubing loggin9
with surface readout capability (rea 1 time}
requires a dedicated reel of coiled tubing with
the wireline permanently installed in the tubing.
However, in some instances, real-time data
acquisition is not necessary and logging tools
incorporating a downhole memory may be used. In
these cases, an internal wireline is not required
and any coiled tubing string can be used.
With the recent availability of 1-1/2-in.
(38 mm) coiled tubing and the introduction of
2-in. (51 mm) coiled tubing, it has become
feasible to log openhole sections and with the
development of an appropriate downhole locomotive
system and ~roper tool centralization, it should
be possible to log extremely long horizontal
sections. This would simplify openhole logging
which is now done by time-consuming drillpipe
conveying methods.
Production Logging
The production profile of a horizontal well
is often required for effective production
management. The respective quantities, pressures
and entry points of water, oi 1, and gas are
necessary data to optimize horizontal well
production. However, production logging and
subsequent interpretation have proved to be more
difficult in horizontal wells than in less
deviated wells. One of the biggest prob 1ems is
the measuring and interpretation of multiphase
flow.
The problem of multiphase flow measurement
is compounded by two situations which are typical
of horizontal wells. First, most horizontal
wells are producing from uncemented slotted
liners which may make it difficult to identify
the exact location in the formation from which
production is coming.
Secondly, during multiphase flow in
horizontal wells, a variety of flow patterns can
exist. Each pattern results from the
distribution of gas and liquids in the wellbore.
Most researchers have agreed on six possible.flow
patterns in horizontal wells (Fig. 6). These
flow patterns can vary from place to place in a
horizontal well even under constant flow-rate
conditions.
An example of varying flow patterns can be
predicted in a horizontal well with some vertical
deviation, which is draining an under-saturated
gas and water drive reservoir. At constant flow
rates, stationary gas bubbles may exist along the
high points of the well, while intermittent
plug 11 gas flow may exist in the center of the
6 COILED TUBING IN HORIZONTAL WELLS
lower horizontal sections because of the release
of gas that periodically is produced from the
high points. Under these conditions, it is
difficult to obtain a reliable estimate of the
location of actual fluid influx.
Two techniques have recently been developed
to improve the measurement of two-phase flow in
horizontal wells and to determine the location of
fluid influx. These techniques, using coiled
tubing, involve a small, petal-basket, fluid
analyzer tool and the use, of temperature surveys
to measure temperature anomalies during
production or injection. Well flow can also be
induced by injecting nitrogen down the coiled
tubing to allow the establishment of stable flow
rates.
To capture or measure the flow across the
entire cross-sectional area of a horizontal
wellbore, a variable-diameter metal petal basket
has been developed (Fig. 7). This tool has
advantages over earlier models in that the
opening, closi.ng, and setting forces are
controlled from the surface.
The flowmeter spinner is located downstream
from the diverter basket and a special crossover
tool is used to divert flow back into the coiled
tubing annulus after passing through the spinner
section. For safety reasons, well flow is never
permitted inside the coil tubing. Measurements
are made under stationary conditions with the
basket fully opened, and a flow profi 1e can be
constructed by the cumu 1at ion of flow from the
various stations. The device was originally
developed for the measureme~t of diaphasic flow
from multilayered reservoirs .
It may be possible to make continuous
logging measurements by using a minimal setting
force on the metal petal basket and slowly moving
the tool with the coiled tubing. In this case,
it would be necessary to run a downhole
tensiometer or acceleromete~ to monitor the
pushing force from the produced fluid to avoid
buckling of the coiled tubing.
Extreme care must be taken when running the
complete production logging tool assembly into
high-angle or horizontal wellbores. The assembly
must be well centralized and protected from
abrasion and debris a1ong the 1ow side of the
hole. Proper centralization also will improve
the sea 1i ng effectiveness of the flow di verter
basket.
Temperature surveys during stabilized
production furnish semiquantitative flow data
when conditions are such that the temperature
curve is approaching an asymptote parallel to the
geothermal gradient. In the case of hori zonta 1
wells, the logging plane can be an isotherm.
Production 1oggi ng experi~ents performed in
Italian horizontal wells confirmed these
observations where the temperature log showed an
almost constant value over the logged interval.
328
SPE17581
Similar tempe~ature surveys were also
successfully run 1n a horizontal well in
Indonesia. A base temperature profile, made with
the well shutin, was compared with the profile
(Fig. 8) made while the well was being produced.
Slight temperature anomalies seen during
production could be an indication of fluid influx
points but they do not seem to be conclusive on
their own. However, the temperature profile was
sensitive enough to correlate with the minor
depth variations along the horizontal section.
One method of making flow or temperature
anomalies more distinct is to use a short-period
fluid injection. This technique was developed
for the survey of injection wells and it was
proposed for the 1oggi gg of hori zonta 1 we 11 s,
including wells in Italy and India. A series of
estimated temperature profiles, resulting from
cold fluid injection, were simulated to show
layered injection effects for a horizontal well
in India (Fig. 9).
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
Coiled tubing is being developed as a means
of conveying and operating downhole tools in
horizontal wells. Future work will center are
improving the coiled tubing system itself and on
developing the downhole tools necessary to meet
reservoir management and workover requirements.
One of the primary requirements is that the
coiled tubing and the downhole tools must be able
to pass thorough minimum internal tubing
restrictions and operate effectively in
relatively much larger casing diameters. Once
this becomes feasible the need to use more
expensive workover rigs will be reduced.
Other proposed coiled tubing uses in
horizontal wells include the ability to isolate,
perforate, test, and stimulate prior to final
well completion (Fig. 10). This would allow the
horizontal section to be selectively completed
based on actual fluid influx information.
CONCLUSIONS
Convention a1 uses of coi 1ed tubing in
horizontal wells have included stimulation, well
kickoff, and zone isolation while newer,
non-fluid applications have included the
conveying and operation of downhole tools and
data acquisition systems. When a conventional
wireline cannot be run in high-angle wells,
coiled tubing is being run as an alternative.
Cased, hori zonta 1 sections exceeding 2000-ft
( 610 m) have been successfully trans versed with
coiled tubing.
Computer models have been developed to
predict tubing stresses and buckling when
operating in horizontal or highly deviated
conditions.
SPE17581 R.E. COOPER 7

Fie 1d usage has proven the abi 1i ty of coiled APPENDIX A

tubing surface depth measurements to corre 1ate
closely with actual downhole depth measurements. Buckling Theory
This has led to the use of coiled tubing to set
plugs, perforate, and log without downhole depth Dawson and Paslay 2 showed that the critical
correlation. force, FCRIT required to helically buckle pipe in
It appears feasible to use coiled tubing as an inclined hole is
a means of running openhole logs in horizontal 0 5
wells. In some cases, a method of downhole FCRIT = 2A(EIW' Sin 8/R) · ( 1b) (A-1)
locomotion may have to be developed.
where
Two important areas currently under
development include a technique to determine E = Young's modulus (psi), 4
multiphase production profiles and a means to I =moment of inertia (in. ),
selectively test, stimulate, and squeeze off w• =buoyed pipe weight (lb/in.},
horizontal intervals. a= hole inclination from vertical ( 0 ) , and
R = radial clearance between pipe and hole
(in.)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The moment of inertia is :
John Martin of Quality Tubing provided
valuable assistance in developing the tension and I = 0.04909 (D 2 - d2) (A-2)
buckling models and Mark Corrigan of Dowell
Schlumberger provided much of the surface where
monitoring technique. Appreciation is given to D =Pipe O.D. (in.)
the management of Dowe 11 Schl umberger for d =Pipe I.D. (in.)
approval to present this paper.
The constant, A, is :
REFERENCES A = (1 - u) 2/(1 + u)(1 - 2u) (A-3)
1. Martin, J.: 11 Coiled-Tubing Loading and where
Buckling Model , 11 in-house program of Quality
Tubing, Houston, TX. u = Poisson's Ratio
2. Dawson, R. and Paslay, P.R.: 11 Drillpipe For· steel (u = 0.29)
Buckling in Inclined Holes, 11 _JPT (Oct. 1984)
1734-38. A = 0.93
3. Cooper, R.E. and Troncoso, J.C.: 11 An Dawson and Paslay 2 assumed that A= 1 in all
Overview of Horizontal Well Completion cases, therefore Eq.A-1 reduces to
Technology, 11 paper SPE 17582 presented at 0 5
the 1988 SPE International Meeting On FCRIT = 2 (EIW' Sin8/3R) · (lb) (A-4)
Petroleum Engineering, Peoples Republic of
China, Nov.1-5.
If Wis buoyed pipe weight (lb/ft), then
4. Howell, E.P., Smith, L.J., and Blount, C.G.:
11
Coiled Tubing Logging System, 11 paper SPE w• = W/12 (lb/in.), (A-5)
15489 presented at the 1986 SPE Annual
Technical Conference and Exhibition, New
Orleans, Oct. 5-8. therefore, Eq. A-4 reduces to
05 ( 1b) ( A-6)
5. Ehlig-Economides, C.A. and Joseph, J.: 11 A FCRIT = (EIW Sin8/3R) •
New Test for Determination of Individual
Layer Properties in a Multilayered Eq. A-6 is not correct for verti ca 1 ho 1es
Reservoir, 11 SPEFE (Sept. 1987) 261-83. (9 = 0), since it predicts that the vertical
buckling load equals
6. Joly, E.L., Dormigny, A.M., and Catala,
G.N.: 11 New Production Logging Technique for FCRIT = 0 ·
a Hori zonta 1 We 11 , 11 paper SPE 14463,
presented at the 1985 SPE Annua 1 Techni ca 1
Conference and Exhibition, Las Vegas, Sept.
22-25.

329
8 COILED TUBING IN HORIZONTAL WELLS SPE17581

In near vertical wells, the following

equation should be used (Eq.A-2) 2

where the new variables are

n =order of buckling (1, 2, .• ),
u = Poisson•s ratio and
L = length of column (in.).

APPENDIX B

Critical Considerations When Cementing Through

Co1led Tub1ng

Optimized Rheology
To ensure that placement pressures
are within acceptable limits, the
slurry yield point (YP) 2should be
between 1 to 5 lb/100 ft .
Minimal Fluid Loss
Free water and fluid loss should
be reduced to minimum values to
prevent water channels in the
cement plug along the high side of
the hole. High slurry fluid loss
could also lead to problems in
case of pin hole development in
the coiled tubing.
Thickening Time Based on BHST
Because of very low placement
rates, the s 1urry heats up more
quickly than during conventional
cementing operations; therefore,
slurry thickening times should be
based on bottomhole static
temperatures.
Slurry Should be Batch Mixed
Slurry homogeneity is critical and
batch mixing should be employed.
Placement Must be Precised
Volumes involved are typically
very small and the area to be
covered critically located; both
of these considerations demand a
well coordinated operation and a
precise monitoring system.

330
 TABLE 1 1.0", 1.25" & 1.50" COILED TUBING COMPARISONS
0----~~---------+----~----~----~
Coiled-Tubing Loading Input Data
(For Figures 1,2 and 3)
1000 I I I ,.., .-' I , ' I 1

Coi 1ed Tubing Data

+-' 2000 I
,---..... I , IC 7 .- ~ ~·- I I I
'+--
Tubing Tubing TubinJ Cable Total Hole Drilling ~
OD ID Wt. (Air Wt. (Air) Wt.(Air) ID MD
1i!!.J. (in.) (lb/ft) (lb/ft) (lb/ft) (in.) 1!U ....c
+-'
1.00 0.782 1.037 0.000 1.037 4.15 5500
o_ 30001 I
1.25 1.032 1.328 0.000 1.328 4.15 5500 <1)
1.50 1.282 1.619 0.000 1.619 4.15 5500 0

Well Design Information

4QQQ I !/tr I I I I I I I I
Diameter of Logging Tool = 1.625 in.
Length of Logging Too 1 = 30 ft
Weight of Logging Tool = 150 lb
sooo I ' I I I I I I
Too 1 Drag at Bottom = 35 1b
Mud Weight = 7.00 lb/gal
Calculation Interval = 100 ft 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
Friction Factor = 0.20
Survey Data of Depth, Azimuth, and Inclination Pick-up Tension in Coiled Tubing (fbs)
Fig. 1-Horizontal well coiled tubing pickup tension.
(A)

1.0", 1.25" & 1.50" COILED TUBING COMPARISONS COILED TUBING SLACK-OFF & CRITICAL BUCKLING LOAD
0 . 1200

1ooo I I I '< A > ,- -·1- I 1000

1.50 X 0.109

,---..... 800
-::;:? 2000 I I \ y., ..._. ~ I I I (f)
'+-- _o
~
~
....c 600
+-'
o_ 30001 -o
<1)
0
0
0 _J
1.50 X 0.109 400
40001 fQI I I I I I I
200
'CJ)
sooor---------------~------~-------+------~ ro
rTJ
-1 000 0 1 000 2000 3000 4000
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 . 80 . 90 .,_
Slack-off Tension in Coiled Tubing (lbs) Hole Inclination Angle (Degree)
Fig. 2-Horizontal well coiled tubing slackoff tension. Fig. 3-Horizontal well coiled tubing critical buckling.
"""
\J1
Oo
,_
 *103

13

J
cased hole open hole

Plain: II TRUE lEIGHT

Water
Mud
Treated ; ::::::::::·.·.::::::::::r:=::r . . . . . . . . . . . .. -::!2en 11
Additives ························~·····,

Plain· c
Oil ···········~ '·························•·······················I .2 10
f/)

Invert Treated cQ)

~ 1-
Mud Additives i 9

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8

8
Coefficient of friction

goo 85° 80° 75° 70° 65° 60° 55° 50°

Inclination at which sliding stops 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400
Depth (m)
w Fig. 5-Coiled tubing tensions during horizontal perforation.
c.:l Fig. 4-Deviated well friction factors.
N

0 -_-) STRATIFIED
SMOOTH FLOW

~ STRATIFIED
WAVY FLOW
() L--/o::LJ:oLJ) PLUG FLOW

~o
~~o
00
00 ____ SLUG FLOW
\: )

ANNULAR FLOW
l/J
~
(Tl
(}:~:;..;.!:~-=::.:::;;;~~..:~:!'_.;,.::.3 DISPERSED ,_.
BUBBLE FLOW ~
Vl
Fig. &-Horizontal well multiphase flow patterns. co
...;.·
 J'

-~:
DEPTH (feet) 5000. _
_______________________________________________________________

SPEED TEMP (DegF)

(ft/h) 0. 200.
______________________
0. 10000. ,

21-APR-88

1··::::.-~-~; I09: oo ...................................

~ 1'....
----- ___________ j
-----~~~~::- ··-:-.... I '
•,
'•,
I 10:00
pinner
ater Hold-
Up Section
1

1 - ' - - - - - - 1 11 :00
·--
·.t ' •,

Col)
Col)
I j' 1
12:00
_/.r+
Col)
Water
t--.---------1 13:00
·-........
·. _
Resistivity Cell
DC Motor ·····r-----!
...,...,
section 1__:.,_ 114:00
\-·.-
..
__,J
·..

Full Bore
Spinner
'•

:: ,.,.. .........'
..........
..........

(Optional) __:;
.1/
.-·r··· I i
1s:oo

~v
I _(
1 ------- ------------~ I .I
_..----··· l

en
Fig. 7-Small petal basket fluid analyser tool. Fig. 8-Horizontal well low-inertia thermometer survey. -"'0
rn
,_.
""
V1
(X)
..-
 Temperature [deg F]
~ m ~ M ~ ~ m -m M ~ m ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ m m m o
4450 ~

Production

4550 1-1 1-1-1-1-1 I~V:

,......, 4650 l-1-1-----1-l-+-1+--+l-l-l IVA-·VAH

~

c.:l
...c.
.c
c.:l
-'="' ~ 4700

i--Soacer Sub

4850

Fig. 10-Perforate, isolate, test, and treat with coiled tubing.

4950~~~--~~~~--~~~--~~~~

Fig. 9-Simulated temperature profile, cold fluid injection.

tJ')
:"'U
rn
,...
~
Vl
(X)
tya