Real Time Slickline: Unlocking Additional Production With Reduced Uncertainties in Limited Space Platforms

Abstract

Abstract Platforms with limited crane capacities and restricted space in which to set up the necessary well intervention equipment are challenges that the industry is facing increasingly in offshore environments. Operators are having to either compromise on operational efficiency and certainty through the use of memory based slickline conveyance applications (e.g. slickline perforating without real time correlation) or are having to rely on more costly solutions utilizing a multitude of equipment and leveraging workover rigs in order to accomplish their intervention campaigns. Real time slickline’s light, minimal foot print and modular make up coupled with its digital telemetry enablement allows operators to access wells and perform conventional slickline operations, plus perforating, plug setting and production logging, all with downhole in-situ information available on surface in real time, bringing huge operational efficiencies as well as reducing considerably the risks and uncertainties of the intervention programs being undertaken. Interventions executed using real time slickline have proven to be a safer, more efficient and more cost effective way to conduct operations by having full realtime control of its downhole tools and periphery sensors. It reduces the associated risks of having to mobilize and switch between electric line and slickline units, equipment and personnel in the cases where the scope of the intervention programs can be fully covered by real time slickline’s capabilities. Furthermore, its minimal weight and footprint enables intervention operations where space and crane capacities make slickline the only choice of conveyance.