COMPLICATIONS

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Complications
• Broken u-tube
• Pressure on casing
• Hydrates
• Trapped pressure
• Mechanical complications while circulating

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Broken U-tube
• Examples:
– Cross-flow
– Hole in (or collapsed) tubing / casing
– Major fluid losses including formation fracture
• Typical indicators:
– Rapid fluctuations in TP / CP
– Numerous choke adjustments
– Loss of communication between tubing & annulus

Affects ability to hold BHP constant

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Pressure on Casing
Causes:
• Packer / seal failure
• Liner hanger packer failure
• Hole in tubing / casing
• Poor cement bonds
• Corrosion
• Thermal effects

Pressure could exceed the rated working pressure of the WH / tbg / csg

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Hydrates
Solid ice like structures that are formed with the
following:
– Hydrocarbons (gas)
– Water (including intrusion in OBM)
– Certain temperature and pressure combinations

Potential hydrate locations:

– Inside the wellbore / BOP
– Wellhead (internal)
– Lubricator, chokes and separators

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Hydrates
• Prevention:
– Use of inhibitors (salts, glycol, polymers, etc…)
– If possible avoid periods of no circulation
• Removal:
– Mechanical (drilling)
– Chemical (methanol – environmental concerns)
– Thermal
– Depressurization

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Hydrates

Hydrates
stable

Hydrates
unstable

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Trapped Pressure
Examples:
• Below mechanical barriers
• Gas below packer around the tailpipe
• Behind closed valves

Develop mitigation procedures during well

planning for potential trapped pressure

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Mechanical Complications:
Pump Failure
• What: TP and CP
• When: Anytime

Corrective Action
• Shut-In Well
• Swap Out Pumps
• BPUTS Holding CP
Constant

TVD = 10,000 ft.

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Mechanical Complications:
Choke Plugged
• What: CP and TP
• When: Bottoms up

Corrective Action
• Open Choke
• Shut-In Well
• Isolate & Swap Out
• BPUTS Holding CP
Constant

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Mechanical Complications:
Washed-out Choke
• What: CP and TP
• When: Anytime-gas at choke

Corrective Action
• Close Choke
• Shut-In Well
• Isolate & Swap Out
• BPUTS Holding CP Constant

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