Halliburton announced an asset acquisition of a new portfolio of electro-mechanical downhole cutting tools and tubing punches from Westerton (UK) Ltd. These services provide operators with a safe and reliable alternative to traditional pipe recovery and intervention across the well lifecycle from exploration to abandonment.
The electro-mechanical downhole cutting portfolio includes single and rotating blade configurations that perform precision cuts on oilfield tubulars. Operators can achieve single blade cuts in less than two minutes with real-time downhole data that reduces uncertainty.
This new technology eliminates the need for traditional explosive charges and chemicals, resulting in improved safety and easier transportation. Each cutting operation requires minimal surface equipment to enable faster deployment from any wireline unit.
“The ability to deploy cutting services rapidly and efficiently is important for pipe recovery,” said Trey Clark, vice president of Wireline and Perforating. “This new technology complements Halliburton’s extensive well intervention portfolio, helping operators reduce the cost to construct new wells and extend the life of old wells.”
On a recent campaign in the North Sea, an operator utilized the electro-mechanical downhole cutting service for a well abandonment program. The technology successfully saved one and half days of rig time per well—a substantial reduction from the initial plan.
The Westerton Electric Cutting Tool (WECT) is an electric wireline deployed high-precision cutting solution for cutting single strings of casing, tubing or drillpipe, or completion components such as cut-to-release packers. The system provides a machine-shop like quality of cut far simplifying subsequent operations. It can make single or multiple cuts accurately, efficiently and quickly with an industry recognized success rate of > 85%.
Real-time data gives our clients immediate notification as to cut progress and completion, taking away any uncertainty as to the next step to be taken. No radio silence is required during the Westerton Cutting Tool operation and it avoids the need for explosives or chemicals minimizing risks to HS&E non-compliance.
ACCURACY, SPEED AND EFFICIENCY
Depending on application, Westerton Cutting Tools can be provided with either a single or multiple blade cutting configuration driven by a downhole electric motor. A unique single fixed-point anchoring and centralizing system keeps the cutter centered and stationary throughout the process, and a real-time surface read-out monitors the cut and indicates when the operation is complete. Its speed means that a 5-inch drill pipe can normally be cut in under 7 minutes.
CONTINUAL TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT
We are constantly looking at how technology can be advanced, so that we can provide the optimal solutions for downhole operations. Our cutting tool offering continues to evolve to ensure precision, accuracy and efficiencies are optimized to stay ahead of the complex downhole changes that our industry demands.
GLOBAL SERVICE CAPABILITY
We rent cutting and punching systems for use both on and offshore and provide skilled engineers to operate them. Mobilizing the system for the duration of a project is recommended so that it is available as soon as it is needed, minimizing disruption and saving downtime. Experienced engineers can be flown globally, whenever you need them.
Recovery of Stuck Drill Pipe and Bottom Hole Assembly
Scope of Project
The client tasked Westerton to aid in the recovery of stuck drill pipe and the associated Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA) in a well located in Albania. Cut(s) were to be performed in 5.50” and 5.00” Outside Diameter (OD) S135 Drill Pipe at circa 14,820ft (4,517m) to allow for retrieval of the drilling BHA for temporary well suspension and future sidetracking.
Challenges Overcome
Westerton was called to the client well at short notice with minimal time to prepare, plan and loadout. They previously attempted a blind backoff but this resulted in the drill string backing off shallow at 2,188ft (667m).
An overshot assembly was run in hole on the drill pipe and latched the fish, providing a conduit string to deploy Electric Line and the Cutter. We then succeeded to make a precision cut at 2,352ft (717m) with no dress off required, with the drill pipe being recovered successfully to that depth.
This operation was repeated with a cut at 12,946ft (3,946m) and one final cut conducted above the Drilling BHA at 14,820ft (4,517m).
Around 12,632ft (3,850m) of drill pipe was recovered safely and efficiently from the well, allowing fishing operations to continue for the Drilling BHA.
WECT – Tailored to the Task
Our 2.75” WECT with a 3.00” cutting head was chosen for this operation to accommodate the specific needs of the client: ▪ The WECT has High Pressure / High Temperature (HP/HT) configurations to operate at temperatures up to 200°C ▪ Cutter head options allow clients to cut through material from 2.99” to 6.10” OD; in this instance suitable for both the 5.50” and 5.00” pipe ▪ Westerton tools can cut pipe under compression ▪ Clients do not require explosives to utilize tool system
Positive Outcome for Our Client
▪ 3 out of 3 cuts were performed with 100% success: ✓ 5.50” OD, 4.374 ID, S135 @ 2,352ft (717m) ✓ 5.00” OD, 4.276 ID, S135 @ 12,946ft (3,946m) ✓ 5.00” OD, 4.276 ID @ 14,820ft (4,517m)
▪ Each cut conducted in full accordance with safety policies and procedures of four different companies ▪ The client returned a perfect Job Performance Report citing score of ‘Excellent’ in all areas ▪ Zero injuries, unsafe incidents or NPT occurred during operations
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