Innovative Coiled Tubing Hybrid Fiber Optics Technology Increases Operational Efficiency

Abstract

AbstractProduction logging is very essential to understand the flow profile of the formation that is being produced from. It helps to identify the contribution of the oil, water, and gas to the total fluid. To add, it is done on a usual basis to monitor the reservoir performance. Organic deposit adherence to production logging tool (PLT) spinners can hinder logging operations and result in inconclusive data acquisition. To avoid this problem, standard practices have been developed to clean out organic deposits using a standard coiled tubing (CT) reel followed by production logging using a CT reel equipped with wireline cable. Further optimization of those practices can help minimize operational cost, footprint on location, and overall job time.New CT hybrid fiber optic technology (HFOT) was deployed to meet the optimization objectives and eliminate the need for a second CT reel. The technology combines optical fibers and conductor cable with insulation to withstand corrosive fluid environments and deliver power to downhole tools, thereby overcoming prior CT system dependency on downhole batteries to run tools. The system was used in a two-run cleanout-and-logging process: first, organic deposit dissolver was pumped for wellbore conditioning purposes, before production logging was conducted with a multi-spinner production logging tool and pulse neutron tool in the second CT run.The new CT HFOT was deployed for the first time in a Middle East reservoir. Organic deposit−dissolving treatments and production logging operations were completed in four oil wells equipped with electrical submersible pumps (ESPs). After stabilizing the pressures and rates, the logging runs were conducted by recording multiple up-down passes and stationary measurements.Introduction of the new CT HFOT helped to reduce operational time by an average of 40 hours per job resulting from rig-up time optimization between CT runs, which also helped in delivering a substantial cost saving to the operator. Using one CT reel also helped in minimizing safety risks associated with personnel exposure to heavy lifting equipment during rig-up and risks associated with battery handling and management.This study illustrates job design, pretreatment preparation, operational details, and post-job result analysis. It particularly focuses on the HFOT along with a comparison with operations using a conventional CT and CT equipped with wireline cable. Readers will broaden their knowledge by learning about CT cleanout operations, logging operations, and ways in which new technology can optimize overall intervention costs while minimizing location footprint.