Chapter 1

THE SCOPE AND PHILOSOPHY OF
WELL COMPLETION DESIGN
PREFACE
Ever since the first seed bag was tied on to a string of tubing to act as a primitive packer, the
problems of well completion have occupied the minds of petroleum engineers. Over the years more
sophisticated tools, equipment and techniques have been developed and the evolution continues.
Today with the value of oil constantly fluctuating, the oil industry has a necessity to increase its
efforts to improve technical efficiency. One of the most crucial areas in this respect is that of
completing wells.
First, it is necessary to define well completion and in this context, it is preferable to keep the
definition as comprehensive as possible. The impression that the completion of the well is merely a
process of mechanical installation must be dispelled.
Accordingly, it is proposed that the well completion be defined as “the design, selection and
installation of equipment and the specification of treatment and procedures necessary to bring the
well into production and thereafter to produce in a manner which satisfies the company objectives
for the field development”.
INTRODUCTION
The definition of well completion was postulated in the preface and as such the design process can
be as sophisticated as time, finance and available data allow.
As in any design process, the initial stage is to collect relevant data regarding the reservoir and by
combining this with other primarily non-technical constraints such as those influenced by company
policy, to formulate the criteria which the subsequent design should meet. In some cases,
particularly early in the development of the fields, decisions such as casing schemes and the drilling
fluids to be used must be made before the completion design is finalized and these, by necessity,
add further constraints to the design process. In come cases, subsequent well completions may be
significantly changed in the light of information from the initial well.
The design process can be considered to consist of five stages as follows:
a) Establishing design criteria.

b) Preparation of the production zone.
c) The mechanical completion of the well.
d) The initiation of production and the application of treatment operations.
e) The monitoring and assessment of the wells and the performance of the completion.
Each of these parameters is reviewed separately and finally the integration of these phases as a
design process will be discussed.
Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 1 of 54

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DESIGN CRITERIA
To provide an optimised well completion design, due consideration must be given to the data and
constraints available from a number of sources. Figure 1 (page 7) presents in general terms the
categories of data available. Most of this data will be available to some extent and obviously is
extended as ore wells are completed. The data ranges from microscopic to macroscopic properties
of the system to be produced and further extends into its relationship with the environment.
Accordingly, the degree of accuracy of the data will vary from accurate but discrete and thus difficult
to extrapolate rock and fluid properties to the more generalized reservoir properties normally
measured or calculated.
The range of reservoir parameters that could be of use is shown in Figure 2 under the general
classification of geological structure, reservoir continuity, drive mechanism and physical
characteristics. This data is obtained initially by well formation evaluation programs and is
eventually integrated to form a reservoir model. Both continuity and drive mechanism are
fundamentally important as they constitute the basis for the effective design of the production
process. Physical characteristics influence the well completion in a variety of ways such as shape
and size affecting well deviation and pressure affecting the production rates achievable.
In considering rock characteristics, Figure 3, the concern is widely based on how the rock system
will react to the completion and production process, e.g. will a specific drilling or completion fluid
cause formation damage or will production cause sand problems due to the lack of adequate
consolidation. As far as fluid characteristics, Figure 4, the main concern is how will the oil flow to
and on the surface, e.g. will wax be produced or will the fluid be too viscous necessitating pumping,
and what inherent problems will it bring into the wellbore and to the surface facilities, e.g. corrosion
or H2S.
To the petroleum engineer, the above data is the tangible tools of his trade, but by necessity, this
technical data has to be supplemented by data from other sources and their interactions
considered. Such other data is shown in Figure 5 and provides the outer framework within which
the engineer must design the well completion.
Having collected and analyzed all of the above data, the first state of the completion can then be
designed.

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PRODUCTION ZONE PREPARATION
The objective of this phase of the operation is basically threefold:

1) To drill the formation as efficiently as possible causing minimal alteration of the formation
around the borehole.
2) To survey and test the pay zone by coring, wireline logging, or by running test tools all of
which will provide additional data for the formulation of the design constraints discussed
above.
3) To complete operations on the pay zone such that it is ready for the mechanical completion
phase, e.g. running of a liner or casing or the execution of a sand consolidation program.
It is not difficult to realize that the drilling program has to be designed bearing in mind the criteria
established for the well completions such as the anticipated production tubing sizes required will
influence the casing scheme. This interaction is specifically important during the drilling of the pay
zone and this phase is as much a part of the completion program as it is of the drilling program.
Figure 6 illustrates some specific operations of the drilling program which are crucial to the success
of the well completion. It is of interest to note that while the drilling fluid selection may not be
thought of as crucial since much formation damage can be treated chemically, this is not always so
and in some cases the chemicals and formations are incompatible. Hence, prevention is safer than
cure.
MECHANICAL COMPLETION
Having collected the available data pertinent to the design exercise, the next phase is the detailed
design of the tubular completion and the procedure for its installation. Figure 7 outlines some
features of this phase. This phase is critical since the efficiency of the completion depends on the
correct equipment and the correct installation procedure. Moreover, the installation procedure will
be highly dependent on the equipment to be installed; if spacing of a packer is of paramount
importance, then this dictates that the packer may have to be installed separately before the rest of
the string. One other major aspect of the completion program which affects the installation is how
the reservoir will be perforated if it is cased off. If casing guns are to be used, then this must be
done before installing the completion string. Alternatively, if through tubing guns are to be used,
then the well can be displaced to the completion fluid prior to the completion string being installed
and the well perforated.
Regarding the design and selection of equipment, one can subdivide this into the essential items.
For example, those necessary to allow the safe production of hydrocarbons from well bore to
surface such as packers and production tubing, and other ancillary items which provide improved
production control or greater operational flexibility. This latter category includes a wide variety of
items of varying degrees of importance such as Dura-Sleeve which provides a means of circulating
between the tubing and casing annulus. The conclusion of components which provide operational
flexibility must, at all times, take into consideration the degree of complexity that is being introduced
into the system and the subsequent increased liability for a mal-function to occur in the string. In
general, it is suggested that a complex string providing a range of facilities gives increased flexibility
to adapt to changing conditions at the expense of a greater risk of system failure due to leaks, etc.
An example of a changed condition might be the depletion or reservoir pressure necessitating the
need for gas injection into the tubing via a side pocket mandrel to bring the well into production or to
optimize production. A simple completion should require minimal workover or maintenance, but
may not be capable of matching changing well conditions. The optimum completion must provide a
balance between flexibility and simplicity.

© Halliburton 2007
The aspect of mechanical completion with particular reference to the components used in a
completion string will be discussed in more detail later.
PRODUCTION INITIATION
This phase can be subdivided into three aspects as depicted in Figure 8, namely:
1) Getting the well to flow.

2) Deciding on the clean up program – the production rates and time that should elapse before
the well reaches its ultimate production rate.
3) Initial stimulation of the well.
The first aspect of getting the well to flow depends on whether adequate reservoir pressure is
available to displace all existing fluid from the completion string. If this requirement is met, the well
will flow. However, should reservoir pressure be insufficient, then the string has to be displaced to a
lighter fluid either by circulating between tubing and annulus or squeezing the tubing contents or coil
tubing assistance. Alternatively, the well can be kicked off using gas injection into the annulus
which is allowed to enter the string at selected points through gas lift valves. The technique
employed will depend on:
a) Fluid gradient requirement in the string to under balance the formation pressure.
b) The equipment available – coiled tubing units or gas compression system or a facility within
the completion string such as a circulating sleeve or side pocket mandrel.
The way in which the well is allowed to flow during the initial period is designed to maximise the
amount of foreign fluids and particles which can be back flushed from the mud filtrate invasion zone
around the wellbore and perforations and also to allow for stabilized production of fluids from the
well and treating facilities to be achieved gradually.
Finally, at this stage, it may be decided to stimulate the reservoir to restore or increase the
productivity of the formation. In some cases, the stimulation may be an integral part of the well
clean up program whereby the acid is used as a ‘wash’ or ‘soak’ across the perforations. In these
situations, the acid is to restore the original permeability. In other cases where the intention is to
stimulate the matrix of the formation and increase its permeability above its undamaged value, the
stimulation can be conducted after clean up of well. The flexibility of conducting some types of
stimulation work depends upon the completion design since either acid materials or high pressures
(fracturing) are used. During the design phase of the completion, this should be borne in mind.
Should stimulation be undesirable during the drilling and completion phase, careful selection of
drilling/completion fluids and operational procedures could make chemical injection unnecessary.

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PERFORMANCE MONITORING
Having designed and installed the completion and initiated production, the degree to which the
completion fulfils the requirements of the system to produce hydrocarbons must be assessed.
Initially, this is necessary to provide a feedback of data into the well completion design process.
However, the monitoring of the design performance should be continued as it can provide the
following:
1) Statistics regarding the mechanical reliability of the completion string components.
2) Long term operating data to feedback into the design – were the calculations made
regarding tubing expansion/contraction based upon the correct assumptions?
3) Early identification of the possibility of a workover being required.
4) Regular monitoring of the reservoir and fluid will provide accurate data for subsequent
completion design.
INTEGRATION
Figure 9 illustrates the logical sequence of the well completion phases from design to evaluation.
Since the procedure is dynamic and interactive in that it must respond to subsequent development
and changes in the design process, the completion of a well should be the integration of the five
phases shown. Further, the function of a well completion engineer can only be carried out
effectively with the close co-operation of the reservoir, drilling, formation evaluation and production
engineer.
CONCLUSIONS
1) The efficient completion of a well is a complex process.
2) A rigorous approach to establishing the design criteria is essential for the efficient
completion of the well. Accordingly, a comprehensive formation evaluation program is
essential.
3) The design or well completion is a dynamic process since it must take into account the
feedback of well and completion performance data along with other changes in the design
criteria.
4) The design process should build in a degree of flexibility to allow for operational
requirements and possible also uncertainties in the available design data.
5) Not withstanding the above points, a completion consists of limited number of specific
tubular components and the overall number chosen will affect the complexity of the
completion and its inherent reliability.

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FIGURE 1
DATA INPUTS TO FORMULATING DESIGN CRITERIA
Reservoir Rock
Parameters Characteristics
Design Well and

Criteria Completion Appraisal
Fluid Production
Characteristics Constraints

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FIGURE 2
RESERVOIR PARAMETERS
Reservoir
Parameters
Geological Continuity Drive Physical

Structure Mechanism Characteristics
Structural trap Permeability Barriers Water Drive Size

Stratigraphic trap Isotropy Solution Gas Shape
Unconformities Permeability Contrasts Gas Cap Thickness
Combinations Combination Water Depth
Salt Domes Pressure
Permeability Temperature
Contrasts
Injection
Requirements

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FIGURE 3
ROCK CHARACTERISTICS
ROCK
CHARACTERISTICS
Lithological Physical Chemical

Description Properties Composition
Clastic* Porosity Composition

Chemical Permeability Contaminations
Precipitate Consolidation Clay Content
Biochemical Pore Size Cementaceous
Precipitate Distribution Materials
Miscellaneous Fluid Saturations Scale Forming Materials
Grain Size & Shape
Wetability
Moveable Fines
*Classification based on Leverson, A.I.

(Geology of petroleum) Freeman Press 1967

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FIGURE 4
FLUID CHARACTERISTICS
FLUID
CHARACTERISTICS
Physical Chemical
Properties Properties
Oil Density Composition

Gas Gravity Wax Content
Viscosity Corrosive Agents
G.O.R. Asphaltenes
W.O.R. Toxic Components
Surface Tension Scale

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FIGURE 5
PRODUCTION CONSTRAINTS
PRODUCTION
CONSTRAINTS
Technical Factors Legislative Political Economic Environmental

Considerations System
Productivity, Safety Standards, Taxation, Ease of Access to Well,

Separator Capacity & Disposal of Gas Investment Field Weather
Pressure Rating, & Water Incentives Conditions,
Export Capacity, Market Proximity to Built up
Workover Requirements Areas,
Considerations, Impact on Local
Required Operational Industries
Flexibility
Company Objectives
Preferred Payback Period,
Cash Flow,
Ultimate Recovery,
Production Profile

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FIGURE 6
Drilling Activities Evaluation Completion

Activities Activities
Hole Size, Coring Casing Schemes,

Deviation Programs Testing Primary
Formation Damage (Due Logging Cementation
to drilling fluids) Fluid Sampling
Design
Criteria

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FIGURE 7
THE DESIGN OF THE MECHANICAL COMPLETION
MECHANICAL
COMPLETION
INSTALLATION Completion Equipment Design

PROCEDURE Program & Selection
Completion Fluid,
Perforating Program,
“Space Out” if a Moving
Tubing Seal Assembly
is used ESSENTIAL
PRODUCTION
EQUIPMENT
Tubing,
Wellhead/Xmas Tree,
Subsurface Safety
Systems,
(Circulating Device*)
Packer
Ancillary String
Components
IMPROVING PORVISION OF
PERFORMANCE OPERATIONAL
FLEXIBILITY
Flow Couplings,
Tubing Seal, Wireline Nipples,
Blast Joints Circulating Devices,
Injecting Mandrels

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FIGURE 8
PRODUCTION INITIATION PHASE
Matrix Wellbore
Extent
Restore
Surfactant Permeability
Acidization
Type of
Stimulation Function
Treatment
Fracturing
Increase
Permeability
Nitrogen/Acid
Stimulation
PRODUCTION
INITIATION
Inducing Flow Clean Up

Program
Displace To Nitrogen Initial/Rate & Well Test

Lighter Gas Lift Injection Subsequent rate Evaluation
Liquid With Coil of Program
Cushion Tubing Increase

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FIGURE 9
INTEGRATION OF THE WELL COMPLETION PHASE
Establish Design Criteria
Preparation of Production Zone
The Mechanical Completion Design

Update and Installation of Completion String
Design
Criteria
Production Initiation and Remedial
Measures
Monitoring Well and

Workover
Completion Performance

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COMPOSITION, FUNCTIONS AND GENERAL NATURE OF ROTARY
DRILL MUD
The earliest mud used was water mixed with certain types of clays forming a mud with superior
qualities to water. As the mud gradually became loaded with cuttings, it was necessary to
overcome problems of viscosity – density filtrate contamination.
VISCOSITY
Viscosity is the ability of the fluid to flow, and is usually measured with a Marsh funnel and
corresponds to a flow time in seconds. The normal viscosity is 40, that is 40 seconds for 1/4 U.S.
gallon of mud. The units of viscosity are the poise or centipoise. The viscosity of the mud can be
increased by means of mineral colloid or addition of clays (Bentonite, Clansol) or decreased by the
addition of water.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY
Specific Gravity (SG) can be an important factor. SG is a number which relates the density
(weight/unit volume) of a substance to the density of water. Water at standard temperature and
pressure has a SG of 1.00. A substance with a higher SG than 1.00 is more dense than water and
conversely, a substance with an SG less than 1.00 is less dense than water. The SG of a mud or
completion fluid is determined by the formation pressure. The density of mud is usually expressed
in lbs/gal and is measured in the field by means of a mud balance. The density can be increased by
adding solids (Barite) or decreased by adding liquids (water or oil). The maximum SG of barite mud
is approximately 3.0.
THE GEL
The gel is the apparent increase in viscosity when the mud is stationary. Initially gel is considered
to be ‘0’ and the gel after 10 minutes is ‘10’ gel. The difference being known is the thixotraphic
phenomena. Gel in drilling fluids is inconvenient since it causes loss of flow in the pipes and pumps
and causes unwanted back pressure in the circulation system.
THE FILTRATE
The filtrate is the volume of fluid (water or oil) which is lost when filtered through a permeable
medium under pressure. The deposit of solid clays that remains is called the cake and will provide
a temporary protection for the well walls. The filtrate is measured by means of a Baroid Filter Press
which consists of a mud filter under pressure of 100 psi over an area of 7 square centimetres during
a 30 second period. With the measurement this system gives, it is possible to find out the qualities
and faults of the cake. The cake has to have a minimum thickness, be as permeable as possible,
pliable and resistant to erosion and chemical agents to prevent fluid loss to the formations.
Physical and chemical measurements can be carried out on the mud to discover it’s pH value
(acidity, alkalinity and salinity).

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THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF MUD ARE AS FOLLOWS:
a) Cools and lubricate the tool bit

b) Exerts an hydraulic pressure on the formation
c) Maintains, when necessary, the well walls
d) Cleans out the bottom of the hole and brings cutting to the surface
e) Assist with drilling, disintegration of the formation an the drill bit
f) Drives the drill when using a turbine to drill
To carry out these functions the mud must have physical characteristics permitting:
a) Recirculation by the pumps
b) The carrying up of cuttings
c) Separation of cuttings at the surface
d) Hold particles in suspension and thickening agents when circulation is stopped
The mud filtrate must have a density compatible for the permeability of the formation being drilled
and also compatible in respect to the hydrostatic pressure of the formation.
The mud must not:

a) Be corrosive or abrasive
b) Retard drilling operations by formation of a thick cake
c) Damage hydrocarbon bearing formations
d) Be a non-conductor of electricity
COMMON COMPONENTS OF DRILLING MUD
1) Liquid – salt or soft water

2) Clays
3) Barite – which is used to increase density
4) Tamin phosphates –used to reduce viscosity
5) Starch and other colloids which are used to reduce filtrate volume
6) Miscellaneous products: carbonates, bicarbonates which are used for mud contaminated
with cement and caustic soda which is used to increase pH
EFFECTS OF MUD ON FORMATION PERMEABILITY
An unsuitable drilling mud can reduce or annul formation permeability in the following ways:
1) THE CAKE – mud will sometimes form an impermeable cake on the walls, particularly on the
more porous and permeable zones. Where possible, it is necessary to eliminate this cake
when drilling hydrocarbon bearing formations.
2) Water liberated by the drilling mud can cause the following problems:
a) Diminution of the relative permeability. This can lead to water blockage preventing
the passage of oil.
b) Clay swelling which decreases the formation permeability.

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CASING
Casing is run in the Wellbore to fulfill a number of functions:

1) Support the bore hole and prevent caving
2) Isolate shallow unconsolidated zones
3) Provide support for wellhead and BOP equipment and subsequent casing strings
4) Provide sufficient fracture gradient to allow drilling of next hole section
As drilling proceeds, the upper sections of a hole have to be cased off to prevent collapse of the
well bore and to provide sufficient formation strength for drilling ahead into higher pressured zones.
This results in the use of multiple casing strings as outlined below.
a) Conductor pipe
b) Surface casing
c) Intermediate casing
d) Production casing
e) Production liner if required
CASING DESIGN
Casing needs to be designed to take account of the following factors:

a) Sufficient tensile strength to support the weight of the entire string, plus additional loading
when working (moving and landing the string
b) Sufficient burst strength to withstand internal forces to which it may be subjected by
pressure from the formation, and any other pressure applied during completion, production
and injections
c) Sufficient resistance to collapse to withstand the pressure of outside fluids on empty or
partially filled pipe
IN GENERAL:
a) Maximum tensile strength is required in the top joint and its thread
b) Maximum collapse resistance is required in the lower part of the string
c) Maximum strength against burst is required in the upper section of the string when the well
is closed in

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Casing design is based on API published values for burst, collapse and tensile strength. These
values can be found in various publications such as the Halliburton Cementing Tables (Red Book).
Different loading conditions will occur at various times in the life of the well – during drilling,
production and/or injection operations. The example shown below illustrates typical burst and
collapse design considerations in the production mode. Note that in many cases, including this
example, tubing or casing burst and collapse may not be the limiting factor. Other factors such as
RP valve (pressure relief) setting and wellhead pressure limitations must also be considered.
EXAMPLE: MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SURFACE PRESSURE IN 9 5/8” CASING WITH 5 1/2”
TUBING.
NOTE: This example is purely for illustration. It considers only one of the many different loading
conditions applied to the tubing and casing, and makes no allowance for factors such as reduction
in collapse resistance due to tension.
ASSUME:
1) Normal fluid gradient behind 9 5/8” casing (.450 psi/ft)
2) 10.5 ppg fluid in casing above packer
3) Packer set at 9,500 feet (TVD)
4) Oil Column in the tubing – gradient = 0.315 psi/ft
9 5/8” Casing Burst

At surface, tubing and annulus pressures are zero (0).
At packer, Casing pressure = 9,500 x 10.5 x .052 = 5187 psi

Annulus pressure = 9,500 x 0.45 = 4275 psi
Net burst loading = 912 psi
9 5/8 casing burst resistance = 6870 psi
5 1/2" Tubing Collapse

At surface, tubing and annular pressures are zero.
At packer, Casing pressure = 9,500 x 10.5 x .052 = 5187 psi

Tubing pressure = 9,500 x 0.315 = 2992 psi
Net burst loading = 2195 psi
5 1/2” tubing collapse resistance = 6070 psi
It can be seen from the reference tables that tubing collapse is the limiting condition in most cases.
The maximum allowable surface pressure in this example would be 3875 psi (6070 – 2195 psi).
However, if a pressure safety pressure valve is in the completion string, its value has to be
considered. For example, if the safety pressure valve is set to shear at 2750 psi, the maximum
allowable surface pressure to prevent shear-out of the valve would be 2750 psi – 2195 pi = 555 psi.
Other factors have to be taken into account during casing design. However these are beyond the
scope of this course.

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EXAMPLES OF CASINGPROGRAMS
PROPOSED SLIMHOLE
7 5/8” – 8 5/8”
LONG STRING TVD ft 7” LINER APPROACH
30” \ [ 802 \ [ 30”
16” \ [ 1,600 \ [ 20”
4,300 \ [ 13 3/8”
\ [
^ ]
9,650 \ [ 9 5/8”
\ [ 14,345 \ [ 7”
Figure 1

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CEMENTING
Having run casing in the well, the casing-bore hole annulus is cemented. The cement provides a
seal around the casing shoe to allow control of formation pressures while drilling ahead and also
provides isolation between porous formations.
The design of the casing cementing program is illustrated in Figure 2. The 20” and 13 3/8” casings
are cemented to surface, the 9 5/8” casing to 6,000 feet inside the 13 3/8” casing shoe, and the 7”
liner across its entire length.
Figure 3 illustrates the cementing process for a typical casing string. Spacer fluids are pumped
between the mud and the cement to avoid mixing and contamination of these fluids. The cement
slurry generally consists of two stages. A light weight lead slurry followed by a higher strength neat
cement slurry to cover the bottom 1,000 feet to 2,000 feet around the casing shoe. Both cement
slurries will contain chemical additives are required to provide the required density, flow propertied,
setting time, etc.
The basic calculations involved in planning a cement job simply involve calculating the volume of
slurry to be pumped and the mud displacement volumes. This is most easily illustrated with an
example of the actual calculations. Example 1 illustrates these calculations. Other details such as
calculations for density, flow properties, etc. have to be considered. However, these are beyond the
scope of this course.
EVALUATION OF CEMENT JOBS
The primary method used for evaluation of cement jobs is the cement bond log tool (CBL). This tool
operates on an acoustic principal, transmitting a signal out towards the casing and recording the
arrival time and amplitude of the returning signal. If the casing is free and not held firmly by the
cement, it will vibrate creating a string signal. If the cement is firmly bonded to the pipe and to the
formation, the signal shows no pipe vibration and the signal is characteristic of the formation behind
the pipe.

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EXAMPLE ONE
The sketch below shows a typical 9 5/8” casing cementing program. Cementing calculations are
illustrated on the next page.
Capacities
Top of Cement
at 4,000’ MD
13 3/8”/9 5/8” csg.
0.3354 cu.ft/ft
13 3/8”Casing
5,000’ MD
12 ¼” Hole/9 5/8”csg.
12 ¼’ Hole 0.3132 cu.ft/ft
9 5/8” Casing
Float Collar@ 9 5/8” csg

11,920’ MD 0.4110cu.ft/ft
0.0732bbls/ft
12,000’ MD

© Halliburton 2007
EAMPLE ONE CALCULATIONS
1. Allow an additional 25% cement in open hole section to allow for out of gauge hole.
2. Tail slurry to be 500 sacks (sx) of class ‘G’ cement mixed at 15.8 lbs/gall (ppg).
3. Lead slurry to be mixed at 14.0 ppg. (Yield = 1.45 cu ft/sack)
4. Top of cement to be 1,000 feet above 13 3/8” casing shoe.
5. Casing capacity: 9 5/8” = 0.4110 cu ft/ft or 0.0732 bbls/ft
SLURRY VOLUME
Casing – 9 5/8” : 80’ X 0.4110 cu ft/ft = 32.9 cu ft
Casing-Open hole annulus : 7,000’ X 0.3132 X 1,25 = 2740.5 cu ft
Casing-Casing annulus : 1,000’ X 0.3354 = 335.4 cu ft
TOTAL = 3018.8 cu ft
Volume of tail slurry = 500 X 1.15 = 575 cu ft
Volume of lead slurry = 3108 – 575 = 253 cu ft
No. of sx for lead slurry = 2533 cu ft/1.45 cu ft/sk = 1747 sx
Total cement required = 500 + 1747 = 2247 sx
DISPLACEMENT
Volume of mud required behind top plug:
= Length of casing X casing capacity
= 11,920 ft X 0.0732 bbls/ft
= 872.5 bbls.

© Halliburton 2007
Mud Line
20” Csg.
9 5/8” Csg.
Top of Cement
1,000ft inside
13 3/8” Csg. 13 5/8” Csg.
9 5/8” Csg.
7” Liner
Figure 2

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SCHEMATIC OF CEMENTING DISPLACEMENT PROCESS
Figure 3
Well
Fluid
Spacer
Fluid
Spacer
Fluid
Top
Plug
Bottom
Plug
Cement
Float Collar Float shoe

© Halliburton 2007
LINER APPLICATIONS
DEFINITION OF A LINER:
A LINER is defined as any string of pipe with its top below the surface of the well. A Liner, in most
cases, is suspended from an upper string of pipe by means of a liner hanger. A Liner may also be
set on bottom without the use of a liner hanger.
INTRODUCTION
The technology for drilling and cementing deep walls has advanced greatly since 1965. Operational
conditions once considered impossible or difficult are now dealt with as a matter of course. There
are a great many wells deeper than 15,000 feet, and those with bottom hole temperatures above
230oF should always be considered critical. Few of these costly holes are completed in a routine
manner. A virtually important part of the deep well operation concerns the running and cementing
of appropriate drilling, production, and stub liners, since success of the entire job depends on the
competence of these “short” casing strings.
A liner is defined as any string of casing with its top below the surface of the well. A liner, in most
cases, is suspended from an upper string of casing by means of a liner hanger. A liner may also be
set on bottom without a liner hanger.
REASONS FOR RUNNING LINERS
• Case off open hole below casing.
• Use as a protective string in deep wells.
• Isolate lost circulation or high pressure intervals.
• Control sloughing or plastic shales.
• Improve drilling hydraulics, as larger size drill pipe may run in the upper part of the hole still
covered by the intermediate string.
• Reduce weight suspended from casing head. Even when tied back to the surface, the
wellhead must support only the tie-back string since the liner hanger supports the liner.
• Make primary cement job easier. Liner tops can be squeezed and a tie-back string can be
installed. Conventional casing must be perforated and squeezed to prevent future leaks.
• Allow for a reduction in mud weight.
• Repair damaged intermediate casing. A tie-back string can be used to completely case off
the damaged section.
• Allow cementing of casing to surface in close tolerance holes in which conventional stage
tools cannot be used. The liner and tie-back string are installed and cemented individually,
essentially providing a stage job.
• Have the option and flexibility of using a larger tubing string for production.
• Reduce cost by conserving casing, equipment and service.

© Halliburton 2007
TYPE OF LINERS
1. Drilling Liners permit deeper drilling operations.
Isolate lost circulation zones.

Isolate high pressure intervals.
Control sloughing or plastic formations.
Reduce cost by conserving casing.
Improve drilling hydraulics, because the cross-sectional area is greater above the liner top
which enables use of larger drill pipe and/or reduces annular pressure drop.
2. Production Liners are set through production zones when producing intervals should not
be exposed to mud weight and/or properties that are required to drill through shallow
formations.
Reduce cost by conserving casing.

Reduce weight of casing suspended from wellhead.
Decrease the casing grade and/or thread requirements.
Enable the use of larger tubing string for production.
3. Tie-back Stub Liners extend from the top of a liner to a point up hole or inside another
string of casing or liner.
Repair damaged or worn casing above an existing liner.

Provide an added protection against corrosion and/or pressure.
4. Tie-back Liners extend a liner to the wellhead.
Repair damaged or worn casing above an existing liner.

Provide an added measure of protection against corrosion, worn casing, and/or pressure.
5. Scab Liners are used to isolate certain sections of casing or liner that are damaged.
Please refer to the Liner/Tieback Application Drawing on page 28 and the Scab Liner Application
Drawing on page 30. Table 1 on page 31 lists various types and uses of liners.

© Halliburton 2007
Liner/Tie-Back Application
Production Tie-Back Casing
Intermediate Casing
Cement
Tie-Back Seal Assembly
Drilling Liner
Production Liner

© Halliburton 2007
TIW STUB LINER ASSEMBLY
Line Setting Tool
Retrievable Pack Off

Bushing (RPOB)
L Packer
LG Seal Nipple
LG Setting Collar
w/Tie Back
Receptacle

© Halliburton 2007
TIW SCAB LINER ASSEMBLY
TIW SCAB LINER ASSEMBLY
Line Setting Tool
Retrievable Pack Off

Bushing (RPOB)
L Packer
Damaged Area
Liner Hanger Packer
LH Liner Hanger
Packer

© Halliburton 2007
TABLE 1
Production Drilling Liner Scab Liner Tie-back Liner

Liner (Stub Liner)
To serve as To extend To repair To extend the
Purpose completion string. intermediate damaged or lower liner into
casing. parted casing. intermediate
casing.
Requires less Cases hole to Needs only a Covers damaged
casing. Permits provide for short section. casing.
Advantages larger tubing for change in mud
greater flow density. Permits
capacity. running tie-back
string later.
Requires less
casing.
May cover long Covers long areas Usually covers a Usually a short
area. Has small of hole. Set to short section. liner. Cannot be
annular control gas. Hung before set before
clearance. Does Usually requires being cemented. cementing unless
not move during heavy mud and Not set in using port collar
Characteristics cementing. cement (12 to 14 receptacle. or two stage tool.
Restricts pumping lbs/gal).
rates. Requires
careful control of
cementing
thickening time to
allow placement.
Cement circulated Same as for Same as for Cannot be set
above liner. Liner production liner. production liner. before cementing.
tool removed from Otherwise, same
hole. Excess as for production
Cementing
cement either liner.
Procedures reversed out
through drill pipe
or allowed to set
and drilled out
later.
Depends upon High-density, low High-density, low High-density, low
hole conditions water ratio, water ratio, water ratio,
and mud depending on depending on depending on
densities. May be mud. API Class mud. API Class mud. API Class
a combination G or H plus G or H. G or H plus
Type of slurry. Light- dispersant. (See dispersant.
Cement Used weight cement for production liner.)
density control
and high fillup.
Tailed out with
API Class G or H
densified for high
strength.
Filtration control
desirable in gas
completions.

© Halliburton 2007
LINER EQUIPMENT SELECTION
The effective use of a liner requires a complete study of its application. Facts to be considered in
the design of a liner program and the selection of accessories are as follows:
1. Setting Collars
2. Liner Packers
3. Liner Hangers
a. Mechanical Hangers
b. Hydro-Hangers
4. Liner Swivel
5. Landing Collars
6. Float Collars
7. Setshoes
8. Plugs
9. Packoffs
10. Rental tools
a. Setting Tools
b. Manifolds
11. Tie-Back Liners
12. Liner Top Isolation Packers
13. Liner Hanger Packers
14. Packer Bore Receptacles

© Halliburton 2007
PERFORATING
Introduction
The whole point of drilling a Production Well is to get reservoir fluids out of the reservoir and to the
surface for sale.
We have discussed the flow of fluids through the reservoir and up the tubing. In order for this to
occur, there must be a flow path between the reservoir and the well bore.
This method of providing the flow path is often referred to as:
Completion at the sand face
As you have seen, it is necessary to isolate sections of the drilled hole by installing and cementing
casing. In most wells this also applies to the section of hole drilled through the producing formation.
So, having established communication with the reservoir by drilling through it, we have now isolated
the formation from the well bore by cementing casing across it. We need to re-establish
communication. Let’s look at this problem.
When the casing has been cemented in place, a cross section through the well bore would look like
the figure 1.
Reservoir Rock Production Casing Cement
Fig. 1: Cement Casing Section

© Halliburton 2007
So that the reservoir fluids can flow into the well bore we need to provide a flow path from the
reservoir rock to the inside of the casing. This communication channel will need to penetrate, at a
minimum production casing/cement through ½ inch steel casing, ½ inch, 1½ inch cement sheath
and some distance into the reservoir.
A single hole or channel which does this is known as a perforation. You will probably realise that
one perforation would be inadequate. In fact a number or perforations would be made, possibly
several hundred. The process by which the perforations are made is perforating.
Perforating is by far the most common method of completing the well at the sand face. It can be
described as a method of establishing a flow path between reservoir and well bore in a manner
which will achieve optimum productivity of the well.
The Perforating Mechanism
Think again about the problem I posed in the introduction. Somehow we have to make a hole
through a steel pipe, a cement sheath and into a rock. In this section we will look at the way in
which this can be done.
There are three principle perforating mechanisms available:
- Bullet perforating
- Hydraulic perforating
- Jet perforating
Bullet Perforating
This was one of the earliest perforating techniques developed. It involved lowering a special gun
loaded with bullets into the well on an electrical conductor cable. At the appropriate depth the gun
was fired using an electrical signal from the surface.
Hydraulic Perforating
In hydraulic perforating, a jet of high velocity abrasive fluid is directed at the casing. This erodes
a hole through the casing, cement sheath and into the formation to provide the communication
channel. Hydraulic perforating tends to be a much slower process than the others and is also less
widely applied.

© Halliburton 2007
Jet Perforating
This method is also called shaped charge perforating. The technique was originally developed for
use in armor piercing shells during the second world war.
The process involves the detonation of an explosive charge. The force of the explosion produces a
confined jet of metal which hits the casing at extremely high velocity and pressure. The jet
penetrates the casing and cement sheath and creates a tunnel in the reservoir.
This type of perforating process is by far the most common technique used by the oil industry. We
will therefore concentrate on perforating with shaped charges for the rest of this unit.
Let us turn our attention now to the shaped charge itself. First which shape?
This refers to the way in which the end of a cylinder of explosive is shaped, to produce maximum
penetration of a target. A typical shaped charge is shown in figure 2.
It consists of the following components.
- Charge case
- Detonating cord groove
- Primer charge
- Main explosive charge
- Conical liner
The process by which a shaped charge penetrates the target (in a well the target is the casing and
cement sheath) can be divided into three stages.
Charge Case
Detonating Cord Groove
Liner
Booster Charge Main Explosive Charge
(Fig. 2: Typical Shaped Charge)

© Halliburton 2007
1) Detonation
2) Formation of Jet
3) Jet impact and penetration
Let’s look at each of these stages
i) Detonation
The main explosive charge is set off or detonated by an initial detonation of the primer
charge. This in turn has been detonated by an electrical impulse transmitted down a
detonating cord.
The main explosive charge normally consists of a few grams of high energy, fast reacting
explosive. When it goes off, a detonation wave sweeps through the charge towards the
liner. It is estimated that the wave moves forward at a velocity of 20,000 – 30,000 feet per
second and generates pressures on the liner of between 2 to 4 million pounds per square
inch (p.s.i.).
ii) Formation of the Jet
The design of the liner is crucial to the charge performance. It’s shape is what is referred to
as a shaped charge.
The tremendous pressure which is applied to the liner causes it to collapse and flow as if it
were a soft plastic. As the liner collapses, the flow of liner material divides into two parts.
Metal in Liner becomes fluid at

high Pressure
High speed Jet with extremely
fine metal particles
Inner and outer part of Cone

separate
High speed jet from

inner part of liner
Slug velocity can be1500-3000ft/sec

Jet+/- 20000ft/sec

© Halliburton 2007
(Fig.3 Charge Sequence)
The inner part of the liner is squirted forwards as a jet of material. This is the penetrating jet.
The outer part of the liner, which was in contact with the explosive, flows more slowly. It
forms a slug at the back of the jet. This process continues until all the liner material has
been consumed.
When this happens, we have a stream of material forming the penetrating jet and slug
moving towards the target at very high velocities.
If you look at figure .21 it should help you to visualize the process.
iii) Jet Impact and Penetration
The jet is moving forward at a velocity of approximately 20,000 ft/sec. As it hits the casing,
tremendous pressures are generated. This pressure is estimated to be of the order of 5
million p.s.i. Under such extreme forces, the casing simply flows away from the point of
impact. It is rather like pushing your finger into a tub of soft butter.
I used to think that the explosion of a perforating device actually burned a hole through the
casing.
In fact temperature and explosion gases plays a negligible role in the perforating process.
This has been demonstrated by perforating a stack of telephone directories without singeing
a page.
The penetration of cement and formation is rather different. They crush and compact away
from the jet forming a tunnel in the reservoir.
This then is how the communication channel between reservoir and borehole is formed.
Factors Affecting Perforations & Well Productivity
You will no doubt appreciate that perforations are a very important section of the oil or gas flow path
from reservoir to surface. But how effective will be this part of the flow path? Will there be
In this section we are going to look at some of the factors which affect the quality of the individual
perforations. We will see how this perforating program may affect the well productivity.
These factors can be broadly classified in two main categories:
- Physical characteristics of the perforation

- Geometrical characteristics
These can be specified as:
- Perforation length (depth of penetration)

- Perforation Diameter
- Cleanliness of perforation (freedom from plugging)

© Halliburton 2007
Physical Characteristics
i) Perforation Length
The length of the perforation beyond the casing will strongly effect the well productivity. In
general, the deeper the penetration, the better the productivity. This factor itself is
dependent on other factors:
- The compressive strength of the reservoir rock.

- The type and size of perforating.
- How far away from the casing is the charge when detonated. (Known as clearance).
ii) Cleanliness of Perforation
The most serious restriction to flow through a perforation occurs if it becomes plugged. The
hole may be filled with:
- Debris from the perforating operation itself

- Mud particles from the fluid in the borehole
It is essential that plugging is kept to a minimum. We will see how this can be done later.
Let us now turn our attention to the geometry of perforation.
Geometrical Characteristics
Up to now we have just considered the factors relating to a single perforation. However the total
perforating program may require many shots (perforations). Where and how, within the casing
these shots are fired, can be called the perforation geometry.
There are three basic factors under this heading.
- Length of perforated interval(s)

- Shot phasing
- Shot density

© Halliburton 2007
i) Length of Perforated Interval
The actual thickness of the reservoir rock layer may vary from a few feet only, to over one
thousand feet. In most cases the entire thickness of the layer is not perforated. Several
considerations will affect the length of casing which is perforated. This length is referred to
as the perforated interval.
Rock permeability. In general as the permeability increases, the length of interval which
needs to be perforated to provide adequate production decreases.
Permeability variations. Perforating opposite thin non permeable layers within the main
reservoir layer may be non productive.
Location of fluid contacts. Perforating too near to the water oil contact (W.O.C.) or gas oil
contact (G.O.C.) may need to be avoided. This is to prevent excessive water or gas
production from an oil well.
Rock strength. It may be necessary to avoid perforating zones of lower rock strength.
ii) Shot Phasing
If you imagine looking down at the casing with a bird’s eye view, the shots can be orientated
North, East, South or West, or any direction between.
The actual pattern which the perforations or shots make is called the shot phasing.
Common shot phasings are illustrated in figure 4. This perforation patter can have an
influence on the well productivity.
If you imagine looking down at the casing with a birds eye view, the shots can be orientated
North, East, South or West, or any direction in between.
Reservoir fluids are converging on the bore hole from all round (radial flow). Having
perforated casing restricts the entry into the borehole.
Having the shots in line (0o phasing) means that the flow has to converge to one direction.
Shooting in several directions however, (90o phasing) allows the inflow to be more like radial
flow.
As we will see later, shot phasing may affect clearance and therefore length of perforation.
Having the shots in line (0o phasing) means that the flow has to converge to one direction.
Shooting in several directions however, (90o phasing) allows the inflow to be more like
radical flow.

© Halliburton 2007
iii) Shot Density
Quite simply, shot density defines the

number of perforations to be made in 0º Phasing
each foot length of casing. Shot
densities vary from one shot per foot.
Perforation lengths can vary from less

than 2” to as many as fifteen or sixteen
shots per foot. It should be clear that
the higher the shot density, the greater
90º Phasing
the productivity.
However, the shot density may be

limited by the strength of the casing.
Too high density may weaken the
casing or cause the casing to split. 180º Phasing
Fig.4: Common Shot Phasings
Perforating Techniques
In a perforating operation, a number of shaped charges are assembled in a carrying device. The
carrier is then lowered into the well to the appropriate depth and the charges are detonated. The
carrier is more commonly called a perforating gun.
Several options exist as to the choice of equipment used and the actual method of carrying out the
perforating job. These options can be broadly described under three headings:
- Type of gun used

- Method of gun conveyance
- Status of well during perforating
i) Method of Conveyance
Perforating guns are normally lowered into the well as either
Wireline conveyed or Tubing conveyed

© Halliburton 2007
Wireline conveyed guns are attached to an electric conductor cable which is lowered into
the well from a winch. When the gun is at the required depth the gun is fired electrically by a
signal from the surface. An electrical impulse is transmitted down the wire. It initiates
detonation of the primer in the shaped charge, this in turn initiates detonation of the main
charge.
Tubing conveyed perforating (T.C.P.). As the name suggests, these guns are lowered
into the well on tubing. The guns themselves are screwed to the end of tubing string which
is then lowered are attached to the tail pipe below the packer as the completion string is
being run.
The gun can be fired in three ways:
Electrically – using an electric conductor cable lowered down the inside of the tubing.
Mechanically – by dropping a bar from the surface down the inside of the tubing. The drop
bar hits a firing pin which in turn strikes a percussion detonator. This is rather like the way a
firing pin works in a revolver when the trigger is pulled.
Hydraulically – the guns are fired using differential pressure controlled from the surface.
Differential pressure is generated by raising the pressure in the annulus or lowering the
pressure in the tubing. This forces a piston downwards which drives a firing pin into a
percussion cap, initiating detonation.
Compared to wireline conveyed perforating, the tubing conveyed technique is relatively new.
Let’s look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of the system.
ii) Advantages of T.C.P.
Tubing has greater strength than wireline so longer (heavier) guns can be run. This allows
the entire interval to be perforated in one operation.
Large diameter guns can be used. This allows:
- Larger charges giving deeper penetration.

- More charges giving increased shot density.
In highly deviated wells it is easier to lower during perforating operation.
Greater control of differential pressures during perforating operation.
iii) Considerations of T.C.P
If the gun fails to go off, it takes much more time and therefore costs more to pull it out and
rerun.
If the gun remains attached to the tubing after detonation, it provides an obstruction to flow.
It also eliminates the possibility of lowering other tools through the tubing.
If necessary the gun can be detached from the tubing after firing and dropped to the bottom
of the well. This then requires extra well to be drilled initially, with cost implications.
© Halliburton 2007
Status of Well During Perforating
This refers to the status of the well regarding the mechanical completion. From previous units, you
will remember the various alternatives regarding the installation of tubing and tubing accessories.
When the well is to be perforated, a decision has to be made whether this is done before or after the
tubing etc. has been installed.
Does it really make any difference?
We can compare these alternatives and see what the implications of each are. If the casing of the
well is perforated before the tubing is installed there are a number of advantages.
- Large diameter guns can be used having larger charges. This can produce
potentially deeper perforations.
- There is no restriction to gun entry at the surface.
There is one major limitation to this method however. As soon as the perforations are made,
reservoir fluids enter the well bore. To prevent this and to ensure well safety, the casing must be
kept full of fluid. This fluid must be of a sufficient density so that it exerts a pressure at the
perforations greater than the reservoir pressure. This is known as perforating overbalance. This
overbalance has to be maintained until the well is completed and ready to produce. Throughout this
time the fluid in the well will enter the perforations.
What, you may ask, is the problem?
The situation applies all the time whilst the well is being drilled. The problem is that any solids in the
fluid will also enter the perforations causing dirty perforations called plugging. This may affect well
productivity. Remember in the last section we looked at factors affecting productivity. We saw that
clean perforations were required.
To minimise this problem it is possible to:
- Use a fluid which contains solids which are soluble in the reservoir fluids.
- Use a fluid which has a high viscosity. This reduces the rate at which the fluid enters
the perforations.
The alternative to perforating before the tubing is run is the so called through tubing perforating.
With this technique the well is mechanically completed before the perforating takes place.
This means that the tubing, tubing accessories and packer are installed. The Christmas tree is
installed and the well is connected to the surface facilities before perforating takes place.
This has one very important advantage. By inserting the gun through pressure control equipment
on the Christmas tree, the well is in a safe condition at all times. It is not necessary to maintain the
overbalance. This means that a clean fluid can be used with a lower density. Now, as the
perforations are made, reservoir fluids rush into the wellbore and clean the perforations.
We can call this method perforating underbalance or perforating under drawdown conditions.

© Halliburton 2007
It would appear from what we have just seen that we have a compromise situation. Let’s review it.
We would like to have deep penetration of perforations. For this a large diameter gun is best. If a
large diameter gun is used we must perforate with overbalance which may cause plugging.
We would like to have clean perforations. These are best obtained by having a flow of formation
fluids into the wellbore immediately after shooting. To do this the well must be complete, which then
requires a smaller through tubing gun. This may limit depth of penetration.
So the perforation program must compromise to get the most effective perforations dependent on
circumstances.

© Halliburton 2007
Perforating Guns
There are a wide variety of types of perforating guns available. Each type has its advantages and
disadvantages. In this section we will look at a selection of these different types.
Perforating Guns
Wireline Conveyed Tubing Conveyed
Hollow Carrier
Casing Guns Through Tubing Guns
Retrievable
Hollow Carrier Electrically Mechanically
Gun Detonated Detonated
Hydraulically
Non Retrievable Detonated
Gun
Fully Semi
Expendable Expendable
Fig 5: Classification of Guns
As we go through the section I will point out the construction of each type, their application and
some of the advantages and disadvantages of each. A classification of guns is shown in figure 5.
We have already discussed the difference between wireline conveyed and tubing conveyed guns.
We have seen that the difference between casing guns and through tubing guns is simply one of
diameter.
The next classification as regards wireline conveyed guns is whether the gun is retrievable or non-
retrievable. Let’s look at these in more detail.

© Halliburton 2007
Retrievable Hollow Carrier Gun
This gun along with a selection of others is illustrated in figure 6 on the next page.
It consists of a hollow steel tube which contains the shaped charges, detonating cord, electric
detonator and necessary wiring. These components are secured within the tube and the tube is
sealed. The fact that the tube is sealed means that the components are surrounded by an air
cushion as they are lowered into the electric wireline. No debris is left in the well as the remains of
the charge cases, wiring, etc., are all contained within the carrier.
With hollow carrier guns, the perforating jet created on detonation must first pass through the carrier
itself. To reduce the amount of energy consumed, the guns can be designed with replaceable part
plugs. These are positioned at the points where the perforating jets leave the gun. These part
plugs offer less resistance to the jet than the steel wall of the carrier tube.
Some of the hollow carrier through tubing guns are machined to reduce the thickness of the tube at
the point where the jet leaves. Let’s look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of hollow
carrier guns.
i) Advantages
The charges are protected from well fluids, well pressure and temperature.
The gun is more robust.
No debris is left in the well which may cause problems later.
ii) Considerations
Higher cost than non-retrievable type.
Limitation on gun length because of weight.
Rigidity, they are not easily manipulated and require more height above point of entry into
the well.

© Halliburton 2007
Non Retrievable Guns
This type of gun can be described as fully expendable or semi-expendable. Let’s look at the fully
expendable gun first.
This gun consists of a series of shaped charges which are strung together. The cases of the
shaped charges are made from a material which is easily broken such as ceramic and is known as
a frangible material. When the gun is fired the cases are blasted into small pieces which remain in
the well as debris. Fully expendable guns have the following advantages and disadvantages.
Retrievable Hollow
Semi
Carrier
Expendable
Figure 6 Guns for General Casing Perforating

© Halliburton 2007
i) Advantages
Flexible. In casing operations the length of the gun is not limited by the surface facilities.
Some what less expensive than hollow carrier guns.
ii) Considerations
Not very robust.
Charges exposed to well fluids, well fluid pressure and temperature.
Debris left in well.
Semi Expendable Guns
This type of gun has exposed charges which disintegrate on firing, but are connected to a carrier
strip or carrier wire. They are an attempt to provide an economic and technical compromise
between a hollow carrier gun and a fully expendable gun.
Fully Expendable
Fig. 7: Through Tubing Perforators

© Halliburton 2007
© Halliburton 2007
Hydraulic
Control Line
Single String
Flow Coupling
Permanent
Packer
Tubing-Retrievable Installation
Safety Valve
Flow Coupling
Flow Coupling
Sliding Side-Door®
Circulating Device
Flow Coupling
Straight Slot Locator
Seal Units and Accessories
BWB Perma-Series Packer ®
Sealbore Extension
Millout Extension
Adapter
Tubing Joint or Pup
Selective Landing Nipple
Perforated Pup Joint
No-Go Landing Nipple
Wireline Re-Entry Guide

© Halliburton 2007
Single String
TCP
Flow Coupling Installation
Selective Landing Nipple
Flow Coupling
Flow Coupling
Sliding Side-Door®
Flow Coupling
Seal Assembly
Permanent (Perma-Series®)
or Retrievable (Versa-Trieve®)
Sealbore Type Packers
Sealbore Extension
Tubing Conveyed
Perforating Gun
Pressure-Activated
Tubing Release
Ported Pressure Equalizing Sub
Optional Mechanical
Tubing Release
Mechanical Firing Head
Gun
Time Delay Firing Head

© Halliburton 2007
© Halliburton 2007
HYDRAULIC
Hydraulic
CONTROL Control
LINELine
Dual String
Flow Coupling Retrievable
FLOW COUPLING Packer
Safety Valve Installation
Landing Nipple
Lock Mandrel
Wireline Retrievable
Safety Valve
Flow
FLOWCoupling
COUPLING
Circulating Device
Flow Coupling
FLOW COUPLING
Permanent or Retrievable
Dual Packer
Selective Landing
Nipple
Collet Catcher Sub
COLLET CATCHER SUB
No-Go Landing Nipple
Sliding Side-Door®
Circulating Device
Blast
BLAST Joints
JOINTS
Polished Nipple
BWB ELECTRIC-LINE
Seal Bore Permanent SET
or
®
PERMA-SERIES PACKER
Retrievable packer
Selective Landing
Nipple
Perforated Pup Joint
No- Go Landing Nipple
Wireline Re- Entry Guide

© Halliburton 2007
SCHEMATICS
Equipment description
HIDRAULIC CONTROL LINE

Normally ¼” steel tubing, connects the down hole safety valve and the surface controls, is held
against the tubing by control line protectors. Halliburton offers a variety of sizes, variety of steels
like monel, S.S., Inconel, etc., as well as lengths.
FLOW COUPLINGS
Are designed to inhibit erosion caused by flow turbulence, turbulent flow is caused by high velocity
fluids moving through restrictions in the tubing string. Flow couplings normally are minimum 3 ft
long, greater wall thickness than the tubing, and a polished internal diameter. Halliburton
recommends flow couplings be installed above and below landing nipples or any other restriction
that may cause turbulent flow.
TUBING RETRIEVABLE SAFETY VALVE

Down hole safety valves are designed to stay open under normal flowing conditions of a well, and
shut in the well under a wide variety of abnormal conditions (fire, rupture of flowlines, damage of the
wellhead, damage of the surface controls etc.), the valves are held open by hydraulic pressure
transmitted from surface through the control line. Halliburton offers safety valves for most of the
well conditions worldwide.
CIRCULATION-PRODUCTION SLEEVES
This is a full opening device with an inner sleeve that can be opened or closed using standard
slickline methods, or by pressure. This sleeve enables communication between the tubing and
tubing casing annulus, and features a selective landing nipple profile above the inner sliding sleeve.
LOCATOR
This is a device that connects the tubing and the permanent packer, with the proper seal units is
used as a seal between the tubing string and the packer, protecting the annulus against corrosive
fluids.
Halliburton offers three types of locators, straight slot, J-slot and ratch latch.
SEAL UNITS
Used with the proper guides are designed to move inside the sealbore and obtain a seal between
the tubing string and the packer, Halliburton offers molded and premium seals for most of the
applications required today.

© Halliburton 2007
PACKER
A packer is a tool, which when set, seals the annular space between two strings of pipe or a string
of pipe and the open hole. Halliburton offers a packer for every well and for every condition.
SEALBORE EXTENSION
Sealbore extensions extend the polished surface below the packer to enable the use of longer seal
units to compensate for tubing contraction or elongation, the length depends on the well conditions.
MILLOUT EXTENSION
Millout extensions provide a large ID below the packer sealbore, or sealbore extension, which
allows a single-trip packer milling/retrieving tool to be used when tubing is run below the packer
assembly.
ADAPTER
Connects two different sizes of pipe, and or different threads.
TUBING OR PUP JOINT

Used for spacing out tubing or as handling joint when completion equipment is made up in to
assemblies prior to running.
SELECTIVE LANDING NIPPLE

Landing nipples are short pieces of pipe with an internal profile, are designed to provide a place in
the tubing where a lock mandrel and the attached control device may be anchored (locked) and
sealed off. Several selective nipples may be placed at various depths in the tubing string and
selected by slickline.
PERFORATED PUP JOINT

Allows communication from the annulus to the tubing above a no-go landing nipple.
NO-GO LANDING NIPPLE

This nipple has a reduced ID, serve the same purpose as the selective nipples but only one No-Go
nipple with the same ID can be placed in the tubing string, must be below the selective nipple, and
normally placed at the bottom of the tubing string.

© Halliburton 2007
WIRELINE RE-ENTRY GUIDE
Short piece of bevelled pipe, placed at the end of the string to allow easy re-entry into the tubing of
wireline tool strings.
SIDE POCKET MANDREL WITH GAS LIFT VALVE AND LATCH

Equipment designed to allow gas passage from the annulus to the tubing, used in gas lift
installations, the valve and latch are installed and retrieved by wire line methods.
BLAST JOINT
Is a piece of pipe with similar ID as the tubing but will have a larger external diameter, this gives the
blast joint a wall thickness about twice the wall thickness of the tubing. Blast joints are positioned in
front of the perforations where the blasting or jetting forces of the formation fluids may perforate the
regular tubing.
DUAL PACKER
Similar principle as the single packer but seals of two tubing strings.
CATCHER SUB
Catcher subs for hydraulic set packers are installed on the tubing to catch the seal ball that sets the
packer. They have a full open ID with the ball expended.
TCP COMPONENTS
Tubing release
Mechanical firing head
Guns
Time delay firing head

© Halliburton 2007

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THE SCOPE AND PHILOSOPHY OF

WELL COMPLETION DESIGN

The design process can be considered to consist of five stages as follows:

a) Establishing design criteria.

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 1 of 54

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 2 of 54

The objective of this phase of the operation is basically threefold:

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 3 of 54

1) Getting the well to flow.

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 4 of 54

1) Statistics regarding the mechanical reliability of the completion string components.

3) Early identification of the possibility of a workover being required.

1) The efficient completion of a well is a complex process.

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 5 of 54

DATA INPUTS TO FORMULATING DESIGN CRITERIA

Design Well and

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 6 of 54

Geological Continuity Drive Physical

Structural trap Permeability Barriers Water Drive Size

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 7 of 54

Lithological Physical Chemical

Clastic* Porosity Composition

*Classification based on Leverson, A.I.

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 8 of 54

Oil Density Composition

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 9 of 54

Technical Factors Legislative Political Economic Environmental

Productivity, Safety Standards, Taxation, Ease of Access to Well,

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 10 of 54

PRODUCTION ZONE PREPARATION

Drilling Activities Evaluation Completion

Hole Size, Coring Casing Schemes,

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 11 of 54

THE DESIGN OF THE MECHANICAL COMPLETION

INSTALLATION Completion Equipment Design

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 12 of 54

Inducing Flow Clean Up

Displace To Nitrogen Initial/Rate & Well Test

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 13 of 54

Establish Design Criteria

Preparation of Production Zone

The Mechanical Completion Design

Monitoring Well and

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 14 of 54

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 15 of 54

a) Cools and lubricate the tool bit

The mud must not:

COMMON COMPONENTS OF DRILLING MUD

1) Liquid – salt or soft water

EFFECTS OF MUD ON FORMATION PERMEABILITY

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 16 of 54

Casing is run in the Wellbore to fulfill a number of functions:

Casing needs to be designed to take account of the following factors:

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 17 of 54

9 5/8” Casing Burst

At packer, Casing pressure = 9,500 x 10.5 x .052 = 5187 psi

5 1/2" Tubing Collapse

At packer, Casing pressure = 9,500 x 10.5 x .052 = 5187 psi

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 18 of 54

30” \ [ 802 \ [ 30”

16” \ [ 1,600 \ [ 20”

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 19 of 54

EVALUATION OF CEMENT JOBS

Completions 1 Section 1 General Well Information Page 20 of 54

Isolate lost circulation zones.

Reduce cost by conserving casing.

Repair damaged or worn casing above an existing liner.

Repair damaged or worn casing above an existing liner.