The SIM System from Peak Well Systems provides an extensive range of slickline-conveyed and recoverable devices for a broad array of well intervention and production enhancement purposes anywhere within the tubing.
The SIM System enables operators to deploy flow control devices, such as the highly successful SIM Retrievable Bridge Plug, that will deliver ultimate flexibility for well intervention, remediationand well integrity operations as well as helping to improve hydrocarbon production from multiple zone monobore completions. Its unique and patented design offers reduced operating costs and removes potential safety hazards inherent with other systems available today.
The product range includes a number of interchangeable modular components, all built around theSIM Running Tool as the primary means of deployment:
1.Plug Systems – both permanent and retrievable options;
2.Mechanical Leak Detection Tool;
3.Gas Lift Straddle;
4.Straddle;
5.Interchangeable Choke;
6.Gauge Hangers;
7.FloWell? – for the removal of formation damage.
SIM System Range Highlights:
1.SIM Plug Systems are designed to be set anywhere in the tubing string without the need for a nipple profile;
2.Advanced mechanical setting mechanism eliminates the need for complex setting tools, pyrotechnics, or explosives;
3.Standard slickline package deployment means easier logistics in remote locations;
4.Available for slim 2 3/8″ wells to large 7″ wells.
The implementation of the SIM System has meant nipple-less completions can be easily plugged by slickline operations. This offers operators a safe and cost-effective means of managing their producing zones.
The SIM Plug System comprises of a plug and expandable seal requiring no landing profile which can be set by mechanical toolstring manipulation. The system is facilitated by a slickline-conveyed SIM Running Tool that enables the user to land-off the toolstring at any desired depth within the tubing.
A radial indexing mechanism activates a set of slips to anchor the SIM Running Tool to the tubing wall. The device is then simply set by downward jarring which consequently activates and expands the sealing element. An overpull is applied to confirm that the deployed component has been fully set. Once set in place, the SIM Running Tool is released from the device by upwards jarring.
The user-friendly running and setting method makes the SIM System consistent with core skill sets of slickline personnel around the world, making it an ultra-reliable specialist tool for everyday operations.
Using a similar process, the SIM Running Tool is used to deploy Peak’s Gauge Hangers which can carry data acquisition devices or which can be set as anchors to provide a platform for instruments that require suspension in the wellbore.
For applications where setting depth is critical, products within the SIM System can be deployed and set on Electric-Line using standard pyrotechnic setting tools.
Applications
The SIM System has many different applications in the management and monitoring of producing zones through slickline intervention, and even as a permanent barrier in well abandonments. These are all based on and built up from the basic SIM Plug body:
1.The simplest and most basic application is as a Gauge Hanger where no sealing mechanism is required;
2.When the SIM Plug body is fitted with an elastomeric element, it can be deployed as a barrier able to hold pressure differential from both directions. To ensure safe and reliable recovery, there is a selection of equalising devices to choose from including Melon, Prong or Pump- Open type options;
3.As a plug or flow through device, it can be used as a suspension mechanism for carrying other flow control tools. These may include sand screens, shut-in tools etc;
4.The SIM Plug can also be run as a flow through device and, when fitted with an interchangeable choke, may be used to choke back unwanted or excess gas production downhole;
5.The SIM System can then be run with an upper and lower plug body connected by a stackable Straddle System to provide isolation over the a desired section to be straddled;
6.The straddle assembly can be fitted with an Integral Gas Lift device to provide downhole gas lift from an isolated gas producing sand or tubing punch;
7.FloWell uses SIM Plugs to form a sealed zone which is then subjected to a rapid pressure drop, thereby inducing a surge flow through perforation tunnels. This surge within the perforation tunnel is designed to reduce any flow restriction created by crush zone damage and/or reduce ‘skin factor’ created by fluids during drilling and completion.
SIM Plug Bomb Hanger
In its simplest form, the SIM Plug body is used as a carrier for downhole tools. In such applications, it may be used as a:
Bomb Hanger for carrying downhole gauges. The advantage of the SIM Plug in all cases is that it allows the tool being conveyed by the SIM Plug to be placed as close as is desired to the area of interest for pin-point data acquisition
SIM Plug
When the SIM Plug is fitted with an elastomeric element and run with a melon, or more commonly, a prong type equalising assembly, it will then act as a bidirectional plug.
Applications include:
1.Collision barrier during drilling operations
2.Wellhead isolation
3.Zonal isolation for water shut-off
4.Zonal isolation to prevent cross flow/co-mingling
5.Packer setting and tubing tests during completions/workovers
6.Tubing integrity testing
SIM Plug can be set with a standing valve prior to re-perforating above existing sands. This allows the higher pressure upper zone to produce without cross flow to the ‘old’ lower zone. When pressure within the upper and lower sands equalises, the lower zone can produce freely without the need to recover the barrier.
SIM Plug Carrier Device
With adapters added to the SIM Plug, the plug can be used as a carrier device:
1.With Standing Valve to prevent cross-flow from newly perforated sand to lower depleted sand to suspend downhole screens;
2.To suspend storm chokes/velocity valves;
3.To deploy shut-in tools to monitor pressure build-up;
4.To carry any other device that needs to be suspended in tubing where there is no nipple profile or the profile is damaged. Can be set at precise depth within tubing where the tool needs to be positioned.
Choke
The SIM Plug System can be fitted with an independently recoverable downhole choke thus allowing the SIM Plug to be used to choke back well fluids as desired. The SIM Plug System has a unique arrangement where the downhole choke can be recovered to surface without recovering the plug body. This means the choke can be recovered and re-sized to meet flow requirements without the added runs required to pull and re-set a plug – reducing further runs/time and also removing plug redress cost.
The Choke can be used to:
1.Control oil or gas flow between two or more sands to control cross flow and improve overall reservoir performance;
2.Control gas flow from a gas reservoir below an existing oil reservoir and thus provide natural gas lift;
3.Control gas flow from differing reservoirs to give a controlled mix from the well, for example to balance gas dilutions between high and low CO2 content gases.
Straddle System
The SIM Plug System can be fitted with straddle tubes between an upper and lower packer to provide isolation across the straddled zone. There is no requirement for a different SIM device – all SIM System applications use the same base SIM Plug components.
The SIM Plug System has a unique selective latch mechanism on each straddle connector to allow the tubes to be recovered one at a time should the straddle need to be retrieved. This can be critical for safety purposes when trying to recover the straddle section back into the lubricator. If the recovered straddle system is longer than expected because more than one straddle tube has been recovered, it may not be possible to function the xmas tree valves, thus creating a safety hazard.
The Straddle System can be used to:
1.Isolate water zones;
2.Isolate unwanted gas flow;
3.Isolate a hole in tubing;
4.Isolate a leaking device within the tubing – SPM, SSD etc.
Integral Gas Lift
The Integral Gas Lift System incorporates a Gas Lift Choke Sub/Connector that is run within the straddle system providing controlled gas flow from a gas zone behind the straddled zone. If required, the choke can be resized by recovering the upper straddle tube.
FloWell
FloWell is a simple and robust tool used to clean existing perforations by providing a rapid pressure drop across the face of the perforation tunnel and therefore inducing a surging flow through the perforation tunnel from the surrounding formation. The surging could also be used in other operations where a rapid negative pressure drop and surging could be of benefit e.g. unplugging ICDs.
FloWell can be used to:
1.Surge cased hole completed intervals to improve perforation tunnel productivity;
2.Surge completed intervals to overcome damage due to crush zone effects, scale build-up, skin factor created by drilling / completion fluids, filter cake sticking, fines migration etc;
3.Surge completed intervals prior to squeeze treatments;
4.Surge dowhole flow control devices (e.g. sleeves and valves) to free stuck mechanisms.
All SIM System products are modular and, as such, they all have similarities in their design and capabilities:
1.100% mechanical;
2.Safe – no pyrotechnics or special setting tools required;
3.Simple to redress;
4.Robust design;
5.Interchangeable components resulting in reduced inventory;
6.Recoverable from wellbore using industry standard SIM Pulling Tool for GS-Type Fishing Neck.
Case Study
Independent Oil Company, North West Shelf, Australia
Well type
4-1/2in Oil Producer (57? deviation, 220?F)
Deployment:
4-1/2in SIM Retrievable Bridge Plug and SIM Running Tool
The Challenge
During plug and kill operations prior to a well workover, contingency steps were taken after several attempts to set a deep set plug failed. It was decided by the Customer that a slickline-set, nipple-less type plug was required to provide the critical well barrier. It was suspected that the nipple profiles had been damaged by sand production and wire tracking from multiple slickline runs through the nipple profiles.
Considerations
The following key requirements and concerns were highlighted by the Customer:
1.Debris expected after well kill and circulation;
2.High pick-up weights expected;
3.Small setting window – adequate depth control required;
4.Preference to utilise the onsite slickline crew;
5.E-Line setting option required as a back-up to slickline if excessive pick-up weights were encountered.
Summary
1.SIM Retrievable Bridge Plug drift simulation carried out;
2.Correlated against nipple profile and set 4 ?” SIM RBP and Prong;
3.SIM Retrievable Bridge Plug successfully tested and remained in the well for approximately seven days;
4.Bailing operations performed – significant amount of debris recovered;
5.SIM Retrievable Bridge Plug recovered on first attempt using SIM Pulling Tool.
Value to Customer
1.Contingency option 1 successful;
2.All operations performed safely and efficiently;
3.SIM Plug successfully retrieved in high-debris environment;
4.The customer mitigated the potential risks and expense of the operation by opting for a 100% mechanical solution;
5.Short-term rental option preferred by the Customer avoiding further unnecessary expenditure;
6.Workover operations progressed and were completed successfully.
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