Deep-water testing as an alternative to risky "real" well testing of new wireline tools2. ©2015AarbakkeInnovationAS
The need for demonstrating new technologies prior to taking
this into use in “real” wellbores
• Trying out new wireline technologies in live deep wellbores, not at least
offshore, can be a very costly task
• There is always a risk of damaging the wellbore, tool malfunction, tool
getting stuck (stopping oil production), etc.
• Due to these factors, we often experience a strong reluctance of
implementing new “untried” technologies
• “Come back when you have demonstrated success in someone
else’s wellbore”
• Therefore, we propose an alternative method that should lower the fear of
introducing new technologies
• Use deep water to provide distance (from operator to tool) and
hydrostatic pressure
3. ©2015AarbakkeInnovationAS
We have deep oceans, lakes and fjords all over the world
• There are typically deep water available in close proximity to us
• In many cases way deeper than any test wells available
• Smaller vessels, like for example fishing or supply vessels, are low cost
to hire
• Use this infrastructure to improve testing prior to deploying new
technologies into your client’s wellbore
Note: The method herein described is not patented, and I have no intention
of doing so. It is for the common benefit for suppliers and operating
companies to lower the barriers for introducing new technologies into the
oilfield. I believe the method described will help us all.
However, if you want us to help you plan and execute testing according to
these ideas, we will gladly do that.
4. ©2015AarbakkeInnovationAS
Alternative testing method, where deep water is used instead of
costly wellbores
1. Perform repeated testing in workshop
- Tool is not out of view for operator
- Tool is close to surface control system
- Tool is not “at depth”
+ Tool functions can be closely observed
+ Problems can quickly be corrected
+ Low cost
5. ©2015AarbakkeInnovationAS
Alternative testing method, where deep water is used instead of
costly wellbores
2. Perform testing in land test well
- Access to test well
- Well may not be deep enough
- Tool may be stuck downhole, resulting in significant costs of
retrieving tool
+ Tool is downhole
+ Problems can relatively quickly be corrected
+ Medium cost
6. ©2015AarbakkeInnovationAS
Alternative testing method, where deep water is used instead of
costly wellbores
3. Perform testing in clients offshore well
- High risk
- Tool may be stuck downhole, resulting in significant costs of
retrieving tool, including possibility of loosing well
- Tool may malfunction, resulting in high cost (for nothing)
+ Tool is downhole, at required depth
7. ©2015AarbakkeInnovationAS
Alternative testing method, where deep water is used instead of
costly wellbores
4. Perform testing in deep water, using low cost vessel
- May not achieve similar depth as client wellbore
+ Tool is at significant depth
+ Tool is out of operators view
+ Relatively low cost
+ No risk of damaging or loosing client well
+ Visual observation of tool operations possible
Note: The method herein described is based on doing the testing at minimum cost,
and therefore I have not included any ROV for the testing. Simply because it is fully
possible to do it without such a unit.
12. ©2015AarbakkeInnovationAS
Deploy WL tool into test tubing, and perform testing
Pull WL tool into tubing, and
perform required testing.
Use external video cameras
to observe any tubing
protruding operations.
Editor's Notes True rig less is no rig or similar arrangement to pull tubulars from a wellbore. Leave all tubulars in the well, and permanently and properly seal it off.