An operator requiring an offshore coiled tubing (CT) intervention into 40,000-ft-deep wells from artificial islands of the United Arab Emirates encountered challenging crane and transportation limitations to lift a 2⅜-in. CT reel weighing approximately 200,000 lbm. This, combined with a desire to improve operational efficiency in moving from well to well and eliminating large mechanical lifts, led to the design of a custom-engineered transportation solution for the large-diameter, heavy CT spool.

CT and its associated setups are in high demand for wellbore intervention to perform operations such as valve or sleeve shifting, pinpoint stimulation with custom chemistry, milling, fishing, wellbore diagnostics using fiber optics, and drilling with different downhole tools. These tasks become even more challenging when difficulties associated with extended-reach maximum-reservoir-contact reservoirs are considered.

The Journal of Petroleum Technology, the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ flagship magazine, presents authoritative briefs and features on technology advancements in exploration and production, oil and gas industry issues, and news about SPE and its members.

ISSN: 1944-978X (Online) ISSN: 0149-2136 (Print)