Weatherford Introduces V0-Qualified Retrievable Well Barrier
Gas-Tight Barrier Provides Isolation in High-Pressure, High-Temperature Wellbores
Weatherford International plc announced the commercial release of the ISO Extreme retrievable well barrier, which is qualified to ISO 14310 V0 standards for gas-tight isolation.
The barrier has a large operational envelope: it is capable of withstanding pressure differentials up to 10,000 psi (68.95 MPa) and temperatures between 40 and 325°F (4 and 163°C), which reduces the loss-of-containment risk in extreme environments. ISO Extreme well barriers are available for tubing sizes from 3.5 through 7 in. The variety of deployment options — including electric line, slickline, tubing and coiled tubing — further increases operational flexibility.
Unlike comparable technologies available for the high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) market, the ISO Extreme barrier does not require any nipple profiles and is retrieved by first shifting down to equalize the pressures then jarring up to release. This safety feature reduces the risk of trapped pressure below the plug prior to releasing. Additionally, the small diameter of the plug enables passage through typical wellbore restrictions for easy deployment and removal even in challenging environments.
Applications
Packer setting and completion installation
Contingent plugging of completions with damaged nipples
Temporary zonal isolation and plugging
Hanging of completion accessories within the tubing string
Temporary well suspension
Pressure testing of production tubing and packer setting
Wellhead repair and replacement
Features and Benefits
The ISO Extreme retrievable well barrier is tested to ISO 14310 V0 standards for high-performance reliability.
The 10,000-psi (68.95-MPa) pressure rating provides high-integrity sealing and minimizes loss-of-containment risk and associated health, safety, and environmental risks.
Retrieval is achieved by means of an internal sleeve that is shifted down to equalize the pressure and then sheared up to release. This minimizes the risk of the plug releasing before equalization.
An internal and external fish neck for provides options for removal from wellbore.
The short maximum running OD enables passage through wellbore restrictions.
The ISO Extreme well barrier can be deployed on industry-standard-setting tools on any conveyance means, which enhances operational flexibility.
The element booster system traps boost pressure into the elements for higher-pressure and -temperature applications.
Rotational locking during milling operations facilitates removal in the event that the plug cannot be retrieved conventionally.
Optimized slip and casing contact minimizes potential damage to tubing.
The flow area through the ports exceeds the ID area to mitigate the risk of debris plugging the well barrier in overbalanced situations.
The plug releases with as little as 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) to allow for the use of slickline for retrieval.
The plugs are compatible with existing standard and trip-saver junk catchers to minimize inventory requirements.
Body lock rings in the slip system prevent re-engagement of the slips after release.
Tool Description
The Weatherford ISO Extreme retrievable well barriers set on electric line, slickline, tubing, or coiled tubing (CT) to temporarily isolate the well. The high-performance HNBR packing element provides a V0-rated seal that holds pressure from above and below while protecting the bidirectional, low-stress slip system from debris contamination. The plug is easily retrieved on tubing, CT, or slickline with a standard GS retrieval tool. An external fish neck is incorporated into the design as an alternative retrieval method. Once the retrieval tool engages the top of the plug, jarring down will shear an equalizing valve that locks in the open position. Straight pull releases the plug, and a release-retention system maintains run-in diameter of the plug for easy removal from the wellbore.
“We are pleased to add the first V0-qualified and field-proven HPHT well barrier to our industry-leading portfolio of wellbore isolation technologies,” said Mark Hopmann, Vice President of Completions at Weatherford. “With this addition, we now have a comprehensive offering of well barriers for diverse applications and environments.”
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