Abstract
A newly developed style of bottom nose assembly for wireline logging tools is capable of maintaining logging string momentum as the toolstring traverses highly rugose sections of the wellbore. This can reduce or eliminate the need for other conveyance technologies in deviated wells and aid successful descent in horizontal wells. Although current technology has addressed a significant portion of the market, conveyance in rugose open hole still presents a significant challenge. Drillpipe and coiled-tubing conveyance of wireline logging tools has cost and risk considerations, for example logging tool hold-up on ledges in rugose hole can result in costly hole conditioning and re-logging operations. More recent advances in conveyance technology, particularly open hole tractors, have provided additional options for conveying open hole wireline logs. However, rugose hole also presents challenges for open hole tractors including limited opening diameters that result in loss of wall contact, effect of contact forces on rugose formations, and ledges that hold-up logging toolstrings. Starting from a novel physics based modeling approach of the conveyance operation in rugose open hole, and armed with years of logging experience and data, a family of wireline conveyance tools (Fig. 1) were developed and tested to address this challenge. Exhaustive laboratory based testing supported by virtual testing and simulation verified the proposed tool concepts. Intellectual property protection through invention disclosures and filing of patents was then completed. A number of field-worthy prototypes were then developed. Finally several promising field trials were conducted confirming the viability of the developed technology. Copyright 2014, International Petroleum Technology Conference.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Society of Petroleum Engineers - International Petroleum Technology Conference 2014, IPTC 2014: Unlocking Energy Through Innovation, Technology and Capability |
Publisher | Society of Petroleum Engineers |
ISBN (Print) | 9781632660053 |
State | Published - Jan 1 2014 |
Externally published | Yes |