Stuck Coiled Tubing: Addressing the Risks in a Complex Operating Environment

Abstract

Abstract Stuck coiled tubing (CT) remains among the major operational risks when performing a CT well intervention. Stuck pipe incidents normally result in considerable production delays or—even worse—possible loss of the well. The mechanisms for stuck pipe are varied, and over the years, the industry has relied on tried and tested "rules of thumb" to address the risk under different operating scenarios. Today, CT well intervention is more popular than ever. With service demand on the rise, the application envelope for this versatile technology continues to expand. Over the last decade, however, the profile of the wells where CT intervention is featured has also evolved. If anything, the operating environment for today’s intervention is more challenging, involving difficulties in wellbore trajectory and complexities in the completion, as well as an array of sophisticated tool assemblies requiring conveyance. During this period, the approach to stuck pipe avoidance or prevention has more or less remained steadfast. A study performed on a decade’s worth of data (2001 to 2010) from sticking incidents for a leading CT service provider identified the changes and trends in the mechanisms for sticking as the operating environment has evolved. More importantly, recommendations for addressing the associated risks with the expanded application envelope are proposed.