Abstract
Abstract
Many threshold metrics in the well intervention industry's standard operating procedures (SOP) require monitoring and tracking of difficult-to-sensor operational components. Gathering this important job data is challenging due to the cost and/or availability of technology. This paper will outline how manually tracked parameters can be applied to complex equations inside derived channels and used to make real- time decisions.
Traditionally important variables such as return rate, density, and viscosity are tracked and documented manually. These metrics are needed to calculate thresholds such as annular velocity, Reynolds number, and bottoms-up time to surface, all of which are required to ensure debris is effectively transported to the surface during coiled tubing operations. Using the previously mentioned derived metrics in a live platform, users can set up warnings and alarms to make real-time decisions. This methodology enables the user to easily capture manually tracked variables in a singular job data set for post-job evaluation.
Because the industry has traditionally relied on handwritten and manually tracked data, the acceptance of digitally calculated results based on manual inputs has become commonplace. What was once minutes of calculation time to obtain a snapshot view of job-specific variables is now instantly available and tracked throughout the job so that time-sensitive decisions can be made using snapshots and tracked deviations from the SOP thresholds. Readily available information enhances overall job performance. Real-time availability of job metrics to the equipment operator and remote engineering support makes completions
cleaner, reduces stuck instances and non-productive time (NPT), optimizes chemical usage, and maintains rate of penetration (ROP).
True identification of annular velocity in singular and multi-sized casings, measurement of turbulent flow, and fluid balance status determine the ability to remove cuttings from a wellbore, which reduces the overall job time and the production testing costs post-intervention. Job performance metrics can be set and analyzed during operations. Any changes to the project scope can be assessed onsite or remotely to ensure acceptable deviations will not negatively impact the project outcome.
In previous years, technical papers have outlined how to optimize coiled tubing drillout efficiencies using SOPs, complex equations, and thresholds regarding fluid metrics, circulation times, differential pressures, and annular velocities. Still, these papers included manually tracked channels to document metrics for specific projects. Using the previously mentioned methods, manually tracked channels will display trends in complex equations, resulting in an improvement of the quality of data in a real-time platform and overall operational enhancement.