Novel Techniques to Optimize the Fishing Process of WL Cable and Bha for Plug & Perf

Abstract

Abstract One of the most challenging Coiled Tubing (CT) operations is the fishing of Wireline (WL) components. In Vaca Muerta (Neuquen, Argentina), the shale activity has been increasing over the recent years with more than 1,000 hydraulic fracs per month, pushing the operational limits to achieve new records, bringing new unplanned operational issues. After eight plug and perf stages completed in well A, a wireline BHA got stuck at 16,433 ft. After several attempts to retrieve the cable by activating the electrical and mechanical disconnect devices, it was decided to use a cable cutter which did not reach the target depth. Due to this event, four elements were left in the well: the cable cutter, 5,938 ft of cable with cable head, and lower part of BHA. The recovery plan was to fish the cutter, pull out the wireline cable by breaking the mechanic release device, and then fish the BHA. The highest risk of this job was losing the horizontal section of the well if the cable broke during the fishing process, due to the well pressure and complex conditions. For this reason, a new operation plan was designed and executed, that included the combination of wireline and Coiled Tubing services with an innovative rig up and fishing technique. These changes allowed to optimize the job to 5 operating days with only one wireline run and three CT runs. No damage was caused on the well and completion operations were resumed as planned.