Society of Petroleum Engineers

SPE 26742

The Development and Application of a Slickline Retrievable Bridge Plug

Nicholas Gee, * Petroline Wireline Services Ltd.; Sam Brown, * Mobil North Sea Ltd.; and
Colin McHardy, Petroline Wireline Services Ltd.
'SPE Members

Copyright 1993, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Inc.

This paper was prepared for presentation at the Offshore European Conference held in Aberdeen, 7-10 September 1993.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of information contained in an abstract sUb~itted by the author(s). Contents of the paper,
as presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The .matenal, as presented: does not necessenly refiect
any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers. or members. Papers presented at SPE meetings are subject to publication review by Edl~onal Co~mlttees of the Society
of Petroleum Engineers. Permission to copy is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words. lIiustrations may not be copied. The abstract should contain conspicuous acknowledgment
of where and by whom the paper is presented. Write Librarian, SPE, P.O. Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836, U.S.A. Telex 163245 SPEUT.

ABSTRACT The plugs initially developed for this type of

application were deployed on electric line and set
The development of through-tubing retrievable using explosive devices. Monobore completions, and
bridge plugs suitable for the monobore type more especially nippleless completions require the
completions favoured in the North Sea provides a relatively frequent use of this type of Bridge plug.
clear example of completion manufacturers fulfilling The requirement for electric line equipment and
a need created by Operating Company requirements. personnel naturally increases the operating cost of
running these plugs.
The development and initial field application of a
slickline rettievable bridge plug is described, Since the oil price problems of 1986 Operators have
illustrating the innovations inspired both by the been stri,·;ng to reduce operating costs, and
Operating Companies technical leadership and the innovations to reduce the time and money spent on
drive to\vard cost efticiency in well operations. well operations are encouraged by the Operating
Companies. The challenge therefore existed to
develop a plug suitable for monobore type
completions that \-vas simple to use and cheap to
The move by many North Sea Operators both in the operate.
United Kingdom and Nonvay towards monobore
type completions has led to the development of a
number of through tubing retrievable bridge plugs to
complement the operations associated with these 1'vfonobore completions can generally be desclibed as
types of completions. This type of bridge plug those where any restriction in the completion string is
quickly found applications in ce11ain non-monobore no smaller than the i.d. of the production liner. A
type completions where the use of nipple protiles more specific type of monobore completion is the
\-vas not practical. nippleless completion where no profiles are included
in the completion stting other than in the tubing
retrievable safety valve. An example of a monobore
type completion is shown in Figure 1, and a
nippleless completion string is illustrated in Figure 2.

33
2 DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF A SLICKLINE RETRIEVABLE BRIDGE PLUG
The main reason behind the move to monobore is
that through tubing workovers are made possible
where full bore access to the liner exists. For example
in the past water zone shut off relied upon inflatable
devices which were limited in performance, or
required a full workover. The monobore allows this
type of operation to be reliably performed through
tubing.
BRIDGE PLUG DEVELOPlvIENT
As the industry started to complete wells in the
monobore fashion the service industry produced
tools to suit this new type of completion. Through
tubing retrievable bridge plugs and straddles were
designed. These tools were initially deployed on
electric line and set using explosive methods. Whilst
these plugs fulftl the requirements for plugging the
wells they are expensive to deploy since they require
electric line methods and crews. In addition the
requirement for radio silence to arm the setting tool is
a major inconvenience for the fully integrated
production platforms of the North Sea.
Development of a slickline set and retrievable bridge
plug began in 1991 with the intention of providing a
method of running and setting a through tubing plug
by mechanical methods only. The use of slickline
technology provides operational flexibility as the plug
can be set when conditions dictate and requires only
a slickline crew, who are generally present during any
well servicing operations.
Priorities for the design of the plug were:
• To minimise the diameter of the tool in order to
maximise access through the completion.
• To make the tool suitable for as wide a range of
tubing weights within each size range. e.g. for a
5-1/2" plug to cover weights from 17 Ib/ft to 23
Ib/ft.
• That all sizes of the plug up to and including 7"
should be deployable by slickline manipulation
only i.e. to avoid the requirement for hydraulic
setting if possible.
34
SPE 26742
• That the tool should also be capable of being run
on electric line for depth correlation
requirements, and on coiled tubing for horizontal
applications.
• That the tool would be compatible with standard
wireline plug tools such as pump open devices in
order that the bridge plug would provide a
straightforward alternative to nipple and lock type
plugs.
The design of a bridge plug that is set and retrieved
only by mechanical manipulation of slickline presents
a number of engineering challenges.
• Achieving the forces required to pack off the
plug was the major challenge of the project. In
electric line set tools a known and direct force is
gradually applied to the tool systems. In a
slickline set plug the force has to be input by
impacting means through jarring. Since upward
jarring imparts more force than downward
jarring, a system was developed to transmit
upward force into the lower end of the packing
element. Progressive build up of pack off force is
achieved by using a ratchet mechanism.
• In most slip/cone/element type systems the
majority of force is not transferred to the element
itself, but lost via the slips to the tubing wall. In
the slickline bridge plug a mechanism was
developed which allows the majority of force to
be transferred to the element.
• The set/unset mechanism works like a retractable
ball point pen. In one position the lower slips are
held away trom the cone, and in the other
position the slips ride up the cone to contact the
tubing. This feature was required so that correct
depth setting of the tool could be achieved. The
challenge here lay in designing a mechanism that
did not tum the entire tool. This would not be
feasible downhole in high deviations; the tool
\vould simply not tum. The set/unset mechanism
itself therefore had to tum independently of the
rest of the tool.
SPE 26742 N.GEE, S.BROWN, C McHARDY
• On retrieval of the tool the upper slips must be
desupported by the retrieval mechanism.
However, during setting the upper slips must be
forced upwards and outwards by the cone and
desupporting the slips is in direct contrast to the
setting needs. Retrieval is achieved by running a
prong to the plug and jarring down to move the
upper cone support before latching the plug with
a standard wireline pulling tool.
• The element itself was designed to be self
energising i.e. once the element contacts the
tubing wall pressure differential tends to further
pack off the element.
The fIrst plug to be developed was the 3-112" size
and this provided the prototype for the development
of all other sizes. This size was seen as a manageable
and low cost tool given the likelihood of numerous
development modifications during early stages of
prototype testing. Once consistent ambient testing
results were achieved with the tool set by mechanical
methods, heated tests and gas tests were pertormed.
Once this testing had been successfully completed
and 3rd party witnessed, a 3-112" production model
was produced. The development of the plug from
design to production took 1 year. Immediately
following the production of the 3-1/2" model, the 4-
1/2" plug suitable for 12.6 Iblft to 13.5 Ib/ft tubing
was developed.
In parallel with the development of the plug and the
mechanical running tool, a hydraulic setting tool was
developed and tested. Despite the aim of setting all
sizes of the plug by mechanical means, some doubt
existed about the feasibility of achie"ing this on the
larger size plugs. This tool was successfully tested on
the 3-1/2" size blidge plug. The principle of the
hydraulic nmning tool is that a force in excess of
20,000 Ibs can be generated using a line pull of 700
Ibs.
Refeni.ng to Figure 3, the plug itself con<;ists of 5
basic components:
• The Upper slips (a)
35
3
• The Element (b)
• The Lower Slips and set/unset mechanism (c)
• The Drag Mechanism (d)
• The Load Transfer Sleeve (e)
The tool is nm on a conventional slickline tool string.
In the nmning position both sets of slips are
retracted. Once lowered close to setting depth the
plug is picked up. Lowering the plug again will set
the lower slips. They can be retracted again by
picking up the plug. This allows repeated pick-up
and set-down of the plug to determine depth
correlation.
Once the lower slips are set and the plug lowered on
to them, downward jarring sets the upper slips and
partially expands the element as shown in Figure 4.
Once the upper slips are set upward jarring will shear
the load transfer sleeve. This allows the majority of
jarring force to be transferred to the element itself
and avoids loss of torce through the slips into the
tubing wall. Continued upward jarring will fully
energise the element. Finally the running tool is
sheared off the plug. The plug is now set and can be
tested.
Retrieval of the tool "'lith a standard wireline type
latching pulling tool and a pulling probe requires only
light downward jamng to achieve collapse of the
element and retrieval of the upper slips. Some time is
allowed for the element to fully relax before pulling
out of hole. Before finally pulling out the set/unset
mechanism is cycled to ensure that the bottom slips
will open should the plug be dropped for any reason
(e.g. wire break) on the way out of the hole.
The tirst tield application of the 4-1/2" size slickline
retrievable bridge plug occurred 1 \-veek after the
completion of prototype testing of this size, and was
used in a xmas tree changeout operation on the
rvlobil North Sea Ltd operated Beryl field.
4 DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF A SLICKLlNE RETRIEV1l..BLE RRIDGE PLUG
The Beryl Field is situated in the UK sector of the
North Sea, 346 kilometres North East of Aberdeen.
The field was discovered in May 1972, and oil
production started from Beryl Alpha in June 1976.
Beryl Bravo is situated to the N0l1h of Beryl Alpha.
Production began from Beryl Bravo in July 1984.
The Beryl field is surrounded by a number of smaller
fields which are developed as subsea facilities and
tied back to either the Belyl Alpha or the Beryl
Bravo platforms (see Figure 5).
Beryl Bravo well B18 vvas completed as a Linnhe
formation oil producer in August 1988. Initial
production rates were over 9000 bpd \'lith a GOR of
673 scf/bbl and negligible water. By August 1991
production rates had declined to about 3000 bpd with
a GOR of 5370 scf'bbl. No dedicated pressure
support could be provided for the Linnhe iormation
at that time and the well was plugged and
recompleted in the Beryl III unit. Initial production
rates were in the order of 2500 bpd \vith a 13.5~o
BS&W. Water cut remained constant at about 10~o
until October 1992 when an increase to over 70%
was observed.
The increase in water production was identitied as
being caused by sea water injection breakthrough
from a nearby water injector. Sea water mi'cing with
formation water lead to scale deposition in the
completion. The water production zone was
successfully isolated and oil production, with gas lift
assistance, continues.
During programmed preventative maintenance on the
B18 xmas tree during November 1992, it was
decided to change out the xmas tree due to its
condition. The original changeout programme called
for the setting of a pump open plug in the 3.75"
nipple at 14820' MD RKB (refer to Figure 6 for the
completion diagram). This would be followed by
ftlling tubing and annulus with inhibited sea water,
testing and closing the DHSV and setting a back
pressure valve in the tubing hanger.
Wireline was rigged up on 12 November 1992.
Attempts to pass the 3.75" nipple with a 3.7" gauge
cutter were unsuccessfu~ and a 3.49" drift was run
to PBTD. The 3.75" plug was made up and run to
the nipple but the plug could not be set due to the
36
SPE ]0742
scale deposition. At this point the preplanned
alternative of running a \virelinc set bridge plug \vas
instigated. A 4-1/2" slickline set and retrievable
bridge plug W,IS selected for the job. This plug has a
maximum o.d. in the unset position of 3.600", and is
designed to set in 12.6 Ibitt and 13.5 IbiH 4-1/2"
tubing.
Having set a valve catcher in the 3.75" nipple the
slickline retrievable bridge plug vvith pump open plug
attached was run in hole, and set at 14,681' \VL
RKB where well deviation is about 47 degrees. Note
that this is above the lowelmost gas lift mandrel.
Some difliculty \vas experienced in shearing off the
plug '<'lith the running tool. Lack of tield experience
with the tool had led to the selection of too high a
rating for the shearing device. However, after
prolonged janing the running tool released and was
retrieved to sUlf'lce. The tubing was vented down
and thc plug was inflow tested successfully.
Aftcr having iilled both tubing and annulus with
inhibited sea water, the plug was tested to 3000 psi
fi-om above. lvfonitOling the well for pressure build
up as prescribed in the workover programme
highlighted continued problems with residual gas
build up in the tubing and thc annulus. Thc cause of
this build up was identitied as gas leaking hom the
10welIDost gas lift mandrel into the tubing. The pump
open plug on the bridge plug was pumped open to
equalise across the plug. The bridge plug was
retrieved on slickline, having waited 30 minutes after
latching the plug to ensure full collapse of the
clement.
Ha"ing redressed the bridge plug, it was again run in
hole and set at 14,793' WL RKB, i.e. below the
lowermost gas lift mandrel. The annulus was topped
up with sea water and 60 bbl's circulated irom
annulus to tubing. The plug tested to 3000 psi ii-om
above successfully. No problems with residual gas
were experienced and the programme to change out
the tree proceeded as per the planned programme.
Once the tree was in place and tested, the back
pressure valve was retrieved and slickline rigged up.
The pump open plug was pumped open before
running in and retrieving the plug. Following some
SPE 26742 N.GEE, S.BRO\VN, C l\IcHARDY
minor problems in retrieving the valve catcher the
well \-vas gas lifted on stream.
The case history described above highlights a typical
use of a slickline retrievable bridge plug; as a simple
replacement of a lock mandrel/nipple type plug. In
the case described above the nipple was not available
lor use due to scaling problems, but other deposition
problems caused by, for example asphaltenes, or
cotTosion problems can also compromise the use of
nipples. In a recent field application the tubing
hanger proftles in a number of wellheads had been
eroded due to sand production. Several xmas trees
needed to be changed out and a tubing hanger plug
was required as a secondary bamer. A slickline set
bridge plug was set in the tubing just below the
tubing hanger profile and work continued. A whole
campaign of tree changeouts was performed in this
way.
In other cases the required nipple may simply not be
present. This may be by design (nippleless
completions) or because through bore limitations on
the completion design have forced the omission of a
nipple profile. For example the deviated \-vells of the
North Sea often contain a nipple proftle used for
plugging the well when drilling adjacent wells in case
of collision. Operational use of these profiles is
infrequent. The inclusion of a large number of
profiles in the completion string can in some cases
lead to access problems through the completion for
particular tools. In these cases nipple profiles such as
the infrequently used isolation nipple described above
can be omitted and a slickline set bridge plug
employed to plug the well when required.
The most ob\lious application for the plug in
monobore type completions is to set a number of
bamers in the liner during workover operations. The
plugs can be run and set through the completion
before circulating out well contents to kill fluid and
performing the workover. No drilling fluids come
into contact with the formation, and formation
damage is avoided. Once the new completion is run
the plugs can be retrieved through the completion.
37
5
Because the plug can be quickly and easily run and
redressed it has found use in tubing leak
investigation. The plug is set in the tubing which is
then pressure tested. If a leak is detected the plug is
retrieved and redressed. It is then set higher in the
tubing and retested. Thus the leak is "chased" up the
well. Equally if no leak is detected on the first test the
leak is chased downhole. This method of leak
detection has been employed by a number of
operators.
Another operator has proposed the use of slickline
set bridge plugs to run 2 velocity strings within an
existing completion. One plug with several thousand
feet of 1. 75" coiled tubing hung off below would be
set just below the existing downhole safety valve
(DHSV). A second plug would be set below the
tubing hanger, with 1. 75" coiled tubing hanging from
the plug to just above the DHSV. Whilst this may
not be ideal in terms of lift characteristics, it provides
a simple and cost effective solution to the cutTent lift
problems.
OTHER DEVELOPtvlENTS
As the use of a slickline set and retrievable bridge
plug becomes more common, a number of further
applications for the technology of such plugs has
become apparent. For example the leak detection
methods described above would be even more
expeditious if the plug could be unset and reset
downhole without having to retrieve it to surface and
redress it between each test. Work is in progress to
modifY the bridge plug to achieve this, and produce a
tool specifically for downhole leak detection.
A through tubing straddle type de"ice using the same
technology as the bridge plug is also under
investigation. This has particular application in the
monobore type completions where zonal isolation
can be achieved through tubing. Given the depth
accuracy required for this type of application it is
likely that the straddle device would be run by
electric line methods.
An alternative type of completion that has been
proposed since the introduction of slickline set bridge
plugs is the non-proftle nipple completion. The idea
proposes the combined use of wireline nipple profiles
6 DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF A SLICKLINE RETRIEVABLE BRIDGE PLUG SPE 26742

for standard wireline plugs and tlow couplings of
decreasing diameter in which various sizes of bridge
plug can be set. The advantage of this is that
completion throughbore can be optimised in cases
where the well design dictates extremely limited
access, yet the completion requires a number of
barrier points.
CONCLUSIONS
demand from Operating Companies who are
striving to manage the changes in the industry.
• The field uses for which the bridge plug has been
employed show how developments for one
application find use in other related areas. This
fuels further development of products for other
applications which in tum become more cost
efticient.

• A slickline set and retrievable through tubing

bridge plug for monobore and other well
intervention applications has been developed and !vID RKB - Measured Depth below Rotary Kelly
proven in the field. Bushing

• The development of through tubing bridge plugs \VI... RKB - Wireline Depth below Rotary Kelly
over the last 3 to 4 years provides a clear example Bushing
of the responsiveness of the supply side of the oil
industry to Operating Company demands. Where PBTD - Plugged Back Total Depth
the Operating Companies have lead the way in
new completion designs, the equipment ACKNO~VI...EDGE~NTS
manufacturers have followed with innovative and
increasingly sophisticated products to fulfIl the The authors would like to thank Mobil North Sea Ltd
needs of these completions. and Petroline Wireline Services Ltd for their
permission to publish this paper.
• The changes arising out of the oil price
tluctuations of the eighties have lead to a demand
for reliable equipment that is cost efficient to
operate. The development of a slickline set and
retrievable through tubing bridge plug is a good
example of how well operation costs can be
reduced. The product is developed due to

38
 FIGURE 1 : MONOBORE COMPLET ION EXAMPLE. FIGURE 2 NIPPLELESS COMPLETION EXAMPLE.
LQ.,. 0.0. DRIFT DESCRIPTION lJL. 0.0. DRIFT DESCRIPTION

6 . 200 1 TUBING HANGER WI TUBING HANGER PROFILE

1 6.200" NIPPLE PROFILE. 1 5 . 875 "1

6.276 7.6B\ 6.15\ 7" 26# TUBING.

13 3/8"
CASING
TUBING RETRIEVABLE 1 5 .750" I SCSSSV PROFILE
15 .950 I -- --- SAFETY VALVE WI
5.950" NIPPLE PROFILE.
9 5/8" 7" TUBING
CASING
6.276 7.6B\ 6.151 7" 26# TUBING.

eN
<0 PBR
15 .7851 - - - - - 5.B75" NIPPLE
(BOTTOM NO-GOL PERMANENT PACKER
6 ANCHOR.

6.000 7.125 SEAL ASSEMBLY 6

ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
TIE BACK PBR.

LINER HANGER

7" 6.184 7.6Bl 6.059 7" 29# TUBING.

LI NER

6 SIS" ~ ----- 6 SIS" 29# LINER. '3 5/8" CSG SHOE.

LINER
7" LJ NER
6 SIS" LINER SHOE.
 a
(0) :THE UPPER SLIPS.
( b) : THE ELEMENT.
( c) : THE LOWER SL I PS (; SET
IUNSET MECHANISM.
(d) : THE DRAG MECHANISM.
( e) : THE LOAD TRANSFER SLEEVE.

_----.:{ 6
~

c (; d

FIGURE 3. FIGURE 4.
BRIDGE PLUG BRIDGE PLUG IN
ASSEMBLY.

J' SET POSITION.