3 - Running The Completion

Running the Completion
S h e l l EP Le
Le a r n i n g Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V
z Preparations at the wellsite
z The Tools
z Running Procedures
z Connections
z Packers
z SSSVs
z Installing the Tree
z Well Hand-Over
Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V
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Wellsite Preparations
What do we need to run a completion?
z In your syndicate group make a list of

everything you will need on your rig to install
the completion in Team Exercise 2.

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Wellsite Preparations
What do we need to run a completion?

Sub-Assemblies
Tubing
Control Line
X-mas Tree
Wellhead Adapter Flange
Pipe Handling Gear
Tubing Tongs
BOP rams
Slickline Equipment
E-line Equipment??
People ….. lots and lots of people!!!
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The Tools
z The Rig
Hoisting
Rotating
Pumping
Well Control

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Drilling Rig
Typical Heavy Land Rig

– Depth Rating… 6,000 m
– Drawworks ……3000 HP
– Pump Power…3200 HP
– Rig Staff……………60
– Costs USD 15k per day
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Land Rigs “Abu Dhabi/Canada”

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DESERT RIG – Oman (Lekhwair)

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HELI RIG
when you have to…

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Sit on Bottom SWAMP BARGE

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Fulmar Production Platform

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Stena Tay – DP semi-submersible

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DRILLSHIP – Neddrill-2

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Stena Seawell – Well Intervention Vessel

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The Hoisting System
• Derrick
• Draw-works
• Crown
Block
• Traveling
Block
• Hook
• Anchor

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DRILLER Operating Hoisting System Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V
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DRAWWORKS System

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When Pressure applied to the Drilling Brake

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Kelly & Rotary Table

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Top Drive
1 Compensating Link
2 Rotary Swivel
3 El. Motor
4 Gear Box
5 Gear Lock
6 Swivel coupling
7 Link Tilt Actuators
8 Link Hanger
9 Knuckle Links
10 IBOP
11 Torque Wrench
12 Links
13 Drill Pipe Elevator
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ROTARY
SLIPS

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Slips
Elevator
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Circulation
System
WASTE
PIT

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MUD PUMPS Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V
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Mud Tank System

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Pipe Handling Gear
z Single Joint Elevators
z Single Joint Compensator
z Tubing Elevator
z Tubing Slips
z Stabbing Guides
z Quicklock thread protectors
z Pickup / Lay down machine for 13Cr tubing

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Tubing Tongs
z Hydraulic tongs
Electric / diesel powered hydraulic power-pack located in safe area
z Integral back-up system
z Variable speed
z Torque controller
z Soft-torque features
z Torque-turn analysis system
z Non-marking jaws for 13Cr tubulars
z Safety features
Minimum interface
Interlock on jaw covers

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BOP Preparation
z Must be a set of pipe rams in BOP that can close

around tubing
z Variable pipe rams required for tapered tubing string
z Top pipe rams generally changed out and tested prior

to running completion
z Some companies rely on annular preventer – brave!!!

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Preparing the Completion
z Tubing preparation serves two purposes

ensures pipe body and threads protected
when being moved to the drill floor
handling of tubing on drill floor kept to an
absolute minimum
z Laying out pipe

Last joint into the well is first on bottom
layer furthest from catwalk
Box ends nearest rigfloor
Work in and up from there!
Keep sub-assemblies separate
z Numbering
Different options but be consistent
Number sub-assemblies A… and B…
Number Pup Joints

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Cleaning and Inspection
z Cleaning threads
No diesel or wire brushes
Fast cleaning solvents (Shellsol)
High pressure steam cleaners and air dryers
Clean pin end thread protectors as well
z Drifting
Use non-metallic API drifts (42” long)
Always drift from pin end to box end (avoids box seal damage)
Use softline or air to move drift – avoid steel cable / rods / wire
z Inspection
Check threads for galling
Check seal areas for smoothness
Ensure anti-galling treatment applied
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Measurement and Pipe Tally
z Ideally pipe should be measured twice

by different people
z Use steel tape – check it is in good

condition
z Make-up Loss – two options:

Use tape jig to allow for loss
Measure total length and adjust lengths later
(spreadsheet)
Be consistent and clear (beware
crewchanges!!!)
Lengths sometimes marked on pin ends of

pipe
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z Tubulars picked up from catwalk to drillfloor

Pulled up by single joint elevator on rigfloor air
winch
Lifted up by crane
Picked up using manual pick-up / laydown
machine
Picked up using automatic pipe handler
z Tubing Made up to string

picked up on single joint elevator
Stabbed into previous joint
Made up using power tong
z String Lowered
Single joint elevator removed, main elevator
installed
String picked out of slips
String lowered into well
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Mechanical Handling of Tubulars

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Handling Tubulars
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Tubing Elevators
Side Door
Centre Latch
Slip-Type

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Slip Type Elevator

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Flush mounted slips

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Single Joint Compensator
z Positioning of the pin in the box during make-up is critical

If no weight transferred to box, make-up cannot take place
If too much weight transferred, stabbing and alignment becomes difficult,
galling may occur due to high contact loads
Extremely difficult to achieve accurate weight transfer with driller’s brake
z Controlled and accurate weight transfer is the key to successful

make-up.
z SJC installed between rig travelling block and single joint

elevator
weight of the pipe neutralised
controlled downward penetration of the pipe is possible during make-up
highly recommended for both make-up and break-out of premium
connections
Essential for corrosion resistant alloy (CRA) tubulars
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Single Joint Compensator

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Stabbing the pipe
z protect the threads and seals from

standing up on the shoulder of the box end
z tubing joint needs to be held vertically over

the stabbing guide and lowered in a
controlled manner to maintain the
alignment and guide the pin end into the
thread engagement of the box.
z the pipe should not be rocked;
z pipe should be rotated with a strap wrench

to initially engage threads
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Stabbing Guides

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Making the Connection
z Correct make-up torque essential

optimum stress distribution throughout thread connection
ensure a pressure tight seal
Prevents joint failure / back-off
z Over-torquing may
damage threads or seals
Cause crimping of the pin
Cause belling outwards of the box
z Make-up torque generally specified by thread

manufacturer. Dependant on
connection type
grade of material
size and weight of tubing.
z Make-up torque will vary with different thread

compounds
z Make-up speed also important:

High speed makeup causes damage – over torque,
thread galling, seal damage
Max speed: 25 rpm (CRA: 15 rpm)
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Tong
Features

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Dual Completions
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Dual Completion Tong

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Torque vs Turns
z Correct make-up cannot be judged on torque alone

Crossed threads
Dirty threads
Galled threads
z Essential to obtain correct pin penetration into the box

To form a pressure tight seal by producing adequate bearing pressure.
To achieve sufficient thread engagement to produce load-carrying efficiency.
z Torque vs turns has to be analysed

Torque turn data published by connection manufacturers
Torque-turn measurements possible using instrumented tongs
z On-site analysis of torque-turn graphs best practical means of identifying

potentially leaking connections before they are run into the hole
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Premium Thread Requirements
z Premium connection design requires that

a certain amount of the make-up torque
is applied to the metal-to-metal seal area
so that pressure integrity is maintained
under all expected loads
z Problem:
how to determine the amount of torque going
into the seal / shoulder area.
z Solution:
accurately identify the point of initial seal
/shoulder contact and supply sufficient torque
from that point.

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Recommended field make-up torque
Size (O.D.) Nominal Wall 55 75 - 80 - 95 105 - 110 - 115
Weight Thick- ksi ksi ksi
ness
in. lb / ft in. min. opt. max. min. opt. max. min. opt. max.
5" 13.0 .253 3780 4200 4620 4110 4560 5010 4370 4850 5330
15 .296 4230 4700 5170 4630 5140 5650 4820 5350 5880
18.0 .362 5140 5710 6280 5540 6150 6760 5800 6440 7080
20.3 .408 6190 6870 7550 6840 7590 8340 7170 7960 8750
20.8 .422 6320 7020 7720 6840 7590 8340 7170 7960 8750
21.4
23.2
.437
.478
ple6470 7160 7870
6840 7590 8340

7170 7960 8750
7470 8300 9130

7470 8300 9130
7830 8700 9570
24.1 .500
a m 6840 7590 8340 7470 8300 9130 7830 8700 9570
5½" 15.5
17.0
20.0
.275
.304
.361
ex 4230 4700 5170
4560 5060 5560
5340 5930 6520

4630 5140 5650
4950 5500 6050
5860 6510 7160

4880 5420 5960
5220 5790 6360
6120 6800 7480
23.0 .415 6390 7090 7790 7170 7960 8750 7470 8300 9130

26.8 .476 6840 7590 8340 7470 8300 9130 8150 9050 9950
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TORQUE / TURN GRAPH

Target Torque/Turn Zone
Max
Torque
Min
Zero
Turns Min Max
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TORQUE / TURN GRAPH
Max
Torque
Min

Zero
Turns Min Max
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TORQUE / TURN GRAPH

Max
Torque
Min
Zero
Turns Min Max
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Typical 'Tapered Connection' Profile

Max
Opt
Torque applied to
Shoulder
Torque
MSP
Shoulder Engagement
Thread and Seal

Interference
Thread
Interference
Ref
Turns
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Typical 'Non-Tapered Connection' Profile
Max
Opt
Torque applied to
Shoulder
Torque
MSP
Shoulder Engagement
Seal Interference

Ref
Turns
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Typical NKK Connection Profile

Max
Opt
MS
P
Torque applied to Shoulder
Torque
Shoulder Engagement
Thread and Seal

Interference
Ref
Turns
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Shoulder Detection
Max
Opt
5
Torque
4
3
1 2
Ref

Turns
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Shoulder Rejection Area
Max
Opt
Torque
MSP
MSP = (Maximum Shoulder Position)

Maximum torque minus manufacturers
recommended torque applied after shoulder
engagement (a % of Optimum torque)
Ref
Turns
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Minimum Shoulder Position
z Most Premium connection manufacturers require that a

certain amount of the make-up torque is seen to be
applied to the metal-to-metal seal area before the
shoulder engages to give confidence that the pin and
box seals have engaged correctly.

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Shoulder Rejection Area
Max
Opt
Torque
MSP
LSP (Lowest Shoulder Position )

Manufacturers recommended torque applied
before shoulder engagement (a % of Optimum)
LSP
Ref
Turns
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3rd generation torque-turn system capabilities
z Continuously monitors Torque and Turns.
z Controls Tong (speed and torque applied).
z Ensures a minimum % of Optimum Torque is applied to Seal

(LSP).
z Identifies Shoulder engagement.
z Ensures a minimum % of Optimum Torque is applied to

Shoulder (MSP).
z Can be used as a pressure testing medium (PLS).

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Connection Rejection Criteria
z Excess Turns. (Over Turns)
z No Shoulder engagement. (No Shoulder Detected)
z Shoulder below LSP.
z Poor Profile after shoulder.
z Shoulder above MSP.
z Excess Torque. (Over Torque)

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Over Turns
Max
Opt
Torque
MSP

Ref
Turns
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No Shoulder Detected
Max
Opt
Torque
MSP
Ref
Turns
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Shoulder below LSP
Max
Opt
Torque
MSP
LSP

Turns
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Poor Profile after shoulder

Max
Opt
3
2
4
1
5
Torque
MSP
Turns
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Shoulder above MSP
Max
Opt
5
4
3
2
1 5
4
3
Torque
2
1
MSP

Turns
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Over-torque
Max
Opt
Torque
MSP
Turns
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Good Connection
Max
Opt
5654
0.94
2132
Torque
0.89
MSP

Turns
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Other possible problems
z Some profiles indicate a possible problem – but might

still have a good seal
z Operator decision needed for

Poor Profile
Dip prior to Shoulder
Turns after shoulder
Insufficient Detail
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Torque Poor Profile

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Torque
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Torque

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Dip prior to shoulder

Torque
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Torque Turns after shoulder

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Insufficient Data
Torque
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Quiz
z In your groups consider the following graphs:

What is the graph telling us?
Would you accept the connection?

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Max
Opt
No. 1
Torque
MSP
Ref
Turns
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Max
Opt
No. 2
Torque
MSP
Ref

Turns
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Max
Opt
No. 3
Torque
MSP
Turns
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Max
Opt
No. 4
Torque
MSP
Ref

Turns
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Computer controlled make-up
z Systems now control and analyse connection in real time:
z After Stabbing
tubular speed gradually increased by the computer until the required RPM is
reached
If torque exceeds preset safety limit, the process halts
protects the connection from excessive torque during vulnerable stage of the
make-up process.
z Running In
computer controls RPM at desired value until a preset torque below reference
torque, is reached
make-up is interrupted in a controlled manner to enable gear changing (manual).
z After Gear Change

computer controls gradual acceleration of tubular RPM until new low gear RPM
setting is reached
computer controls the RPM until the shoulder point is reached
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Computer controlled make-up …(2)
z Shoulder Point
Shoulder point identified by computer – determines if it has occurred
between LSP and MSP
If OK make-up is allowed to continue
If outside limits make-up is aborted to prevent damage to connection.
z Approach To Target
computer decreases tubular RPM as the torque value approaches the
target make-up value
When target torque is reached, the computer can either terminate the
make-up with a controlled release of the torque or go into torque hold
mode.
z Torque Hold
Computer controls torque at a constant preset level for a preset time
period.

torque is released in a controlled manner
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Leak Testing
z Requirement for leak testing while running or after the

tubing has been landed depends on the type of
completion, production conditions, location, etc.
z During the running of tubing three methods available

External hydro-testing
Internal hydro-testing
Internal gas testing
Gas based testing most accurate
Operationally challenging
{ Limited pipe dope must be used
{ Leaks can take 10 -15 mins to appear
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External Testing
z Two packing elements

set around the pipe
above and below the
connection
z System pressurised with

water
z Leakage detected
pressure drop in water

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Internal Hydro-Test
z Tool activated by water

pressure which expands
opposing cup packers
z Leakage is detected by a drop

in test pressure.
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Internal Gas Test
z Wrap around device containing helium sensing

probe installed externally onto the connection
z Pack-off device installed internally across

connection
z Connection tested with Nitrogen/helium gas

mixture
z Leakage detected by the presence of helium at

the external sensing probe
z Safety Note:
beware use of high gas pressures
ensure gas can escape should the connection leak
severely
Ensure wrap-around sleeve cannot be blown off

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CRA Handling Precautions
z Non-marking jaws
z Soft grip tongs
z Micro-grip elevators and slips
z Pipe handling machines

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Non-marking Tubing Slips

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Non-Marking Jaws
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CRA precautions

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Correctly bundled tubulars

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Packers
z Prior to running a packer check the following:

Correct size and type (cross check with drawings);
Slips - cutting edges of teeth (internal/external);
Springs - location and integrity
sleeves - positioning of;
shear pins/screws - number and correct material
set screws - insertion/removal as required;
Elastomers - correct hardnesss and condition;
Clearances between components;
'O'-rings, chevron and other seals - location and integrity;
screw threads - condition
polished/honed surfaces - condition

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SSSVs
z WRSSVs generally not run with completion

Protective sleeve installed in landing nipple
Control line should be pressurised while running completion
z Tubing Retrievable Valves

Function test and pressure test at surface prior to running the completion.
Run with a hold open tool (HOT) to hold valve in the open position
throughout the completion operation (flow-tube activated type).
Control line should be kept pressurised while running valve
Do not conduct a pressure test on a "TR"-type valve unless the pressure
below the valve can be monitored at surface.
If a TR-SSSV closes with a plug below it and pressure is trapped below it
there is serious risk of damaging the SSSV when re-opening it.
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Reopening an OTIS DLS TRSSSV with pressure
trapped below (example only!!)
1. Pressure up the tubing string until there is an indication that the valve is being
pumped-through. (If the well is plugged below the TR-SCSSV indication of pump-
through may not be noticeable, resulting in an even higher, pressure below the
valve).
2. Apply control line pressure to re-open the valve.

Caution:
Control line pressure must not exceed 4000 psi above tubing pressure and/or 2000 psi
above the working pressure of the valve. Care should also be exercised so as not to
exceed the Xmas tree rating.
3. The pressure rating of the control line may be the limiting factor during this re-
opening operation.
4. Due to the importance of recognising WHEN the valve is pumped off-seat, the use
of a small capacity pump and continuous recorder is considered mandatory. A
wireline run may be conducted to ensure the valve is open, care should be taken not
to run/jar into a closed valve.

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SCSSV Control Line
z 1/4in OD continuous steel tubing is generally standard for control lines

available in carbon steel, stainless steel and copper-nickel based alloys
can be encapsulated in various jackets
can be supplied in dual form with/without a stress cable
mechanical strength of material needs to be appropriate for the conditions during
installation.
z Prior to running the control line in a completion, it should be thoroughly

flushed with clean control fluid and pressure tested.
z During running, a nominal pressure should be maintained on the control line

and it should be kept under tension
z Control line should be securely clamped at each tubing connection to both

protect the line and retain it against the tubing.
z Hydraulic tensioning machines are available to assist in running the control

line.
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SCSSSV control lines
z Control line or cable protectors that straddle the collar reduce the
number of protectors required and give protection to the control
line where they are most susceptible to damage.
z 'Swagelok' connections are commonly found to connect control

lines
Come completely assembled, finger-tight - ready for immediate use
Disassembly before use can result in dirt or foreign material entering the
fitting causing leaks.
z As a check on correct installation it is recommended that a

Swagelok inspection gauge be used

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General running considerations
z Ensure that elevators, slips, and power tubing tongs are in proper working
order, and correct dies are fitted.
z Do not use pipe wrenches for manual make up of joints. Apply pipe thread
lubricant sparingly to pin thread, and sealing areas.
z Ensure that the correct torque is applied, modifying the manufacturers'

recommended figure, if necessary, to suit the thread lubricant used.
z Drift each joint of tubing to ensure that no gloves, rags or other foreign bodies
have found their way inside.
z Record the serial number of each item as it is made-up in the string - this
includes the numbers marked on the tubing joints on receipt.
z Confirm the operating envelopes of the equipped are appropriate for the
expected working parameters.
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Completion considerations …(2)
z Supervisors keeping tally should cross-check with each other from time to
time to ensure that the string is being made up according to the programme.
z Run seal assemblies very slowly into/through packer bores.
z Running a tubing string with a plug installed in a landing nipple situated close
to the bottom of the string should be avoided.
Problems with debris accumulation on top of plugs are very frequent when applying
this technique making retrieval difficult.
Pump out plugs can help to overcome this problem
z Check hanging weight up and hanging weight down methodically and

accurately when required to do so.
z After tagging the packer with its seal assembly, ensure that any pressure
build-up in the tubing can be bled-off when running the seal assembly through
the packer to avoid seal damage.

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Completion considerations …(3)
z If required to make reference marks when setting down/spacing

out, do so accurately, taking care not to damage any special
surface finish.
z Check the completion fluid for correct composition and maintain the required
levels in the tubing and annulus.
z When carrying out pressure tests, build-up pressure slowly, in stages to the
maximum figures, maintain pressure for the recommended time, and record
on a suitable pressure recorder.
z Note that test pressures and times may be limited if the well is perforated
below the packer to be tested, since the test pressure may also act on the
formation.
z After spacing out, drift the complete string, using suitable wireline drifts.
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Depth Control
z Wireline set packer/tailpipe assemblies

Depth needs to be relative to casing / liner
Depth also needs to be relative to reservoir
Gamma Ray curve is principal correlation
tool
Some packer tools do not have GR
z Useful to have correlation marker in

casing or liner string
Pup joint installed in casing string just above
reservoir
z Mechanically set packers

Correlation by GR/CCL in critical wells
RA tag can also be used

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Space out of completion
z Completions need to be landed with bottom in:

Tension
Compression
Free hanging
z Tension achieved by use on an SRT/LDO ram type head
z Compression achieved by setting down weight on the

packer prior to landing off the tubing hanger
z Free hanging achieved by use of dynamic seal assembly

(PBR / ELTSR)
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Tubular Space Out
z Packer or PBR either run with completion or pre-set
z Depth variations make it impossible to get length of

tubulars right by use of a tubing tally
z Convention is to “tag” the packer to determine exact

depth prior to installing the tubing hanger
z String then pulled back and the length between hanger

and packer adjusted before installing the tubing hanger:
the space-out

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# 236 (9.4m)
2.4m
Space Out Exercise 9.75m
# 235 (9.1m)
Top of THS
0.3m
z Permanent packer has been run and set on Hang-off Point
electric line
Tbg Hanger Sub-Assbly # 234 (9.6m)
z Completion string including anchor latch, nipple
and ELTSR has been run into the hole (ELTSR
5.4m
pinned in the fully closed position)
1.7m
# 233 (9.4m)
z Anchor latch stabbed into the top of the packer
and tested by applying some overpull (less than
the shear release force for the ELTSR).
z With the latch holding, a mark is made on tubing 6.2m

ELTSR
joint 236 which is sitting through the rotary table.
z Completion program calls for the completion to be Nipple

landed off with 2m of the ELTSR inner mandrel Tubing and Pups available: Anchor Latch
inside the outer sleeve 2 x 0.95m
1 x 1.2m
2 x 1.5 m
How should we space out the completion?? 2x 3 m Permanent Packer
1 x 9.1m, 1x 8.6m,
1 x 9.6m 3 x 9.4m
S h e l l EP Le
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52
# 235 (9.1m)
z Top of joint 234 below HOP: # 233 (9.4m)
Landing
Joint
11.5 - (9.75 + 0.3) = 11.5 – 10.05 = 1.45m.
z String then released and pulled back to that

the ELTSR is in the correct position (2m # 234 (9.6m) # 232 (9.3m)
overlap): Pup
Joints
Distance to be pulled back = 6.2 – 2 = 4.2m
Top of joint 234 = 1.45 – 4.2 = -2.75m above # 233 (9.4m)
hang-off point
Top of joint 233 is therefore -2.75 + 9.6 =
6.85m below hang off point.
z Completion string now at the correct

position, top of joint 233 is where we require 2.0m
2.0m
it. Have to fill the distance (6.85m) with the
tubing hanger assembly and additional pup-
joints
Length required = 6.85 – 1.7 = 5.15m
z Pup joints to be used:

1 x 3m
1 x 0.95m

1 x 1.2m
Total: 5.15m
ELTSR in correct position Jt 233 back to DF String hung off &
S h e l l EP Le
Le a r n i n g spaced out correctly
Space-Out Best Practise
z Multiple Pup joints should not be installed immediately

below the hanger
Difficult to make up – no room for tongs and slips
Complicates installation of shallow-set plugs
Complicates fishing with a spear during workover
z Once space-out has been determined:

Pull back 2 or 3 joints (surface wellheads)
Install pup joints
Install full tubing joint
Install Tubing Hanger sub-assembly
RIH and land off using landing joint
S h e l l EP Le
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53
Pressure Testing
z Completion pressure tests vary between OUs.

Multiple tests while running / single test at end
Tubing test prior to setting packer, annulus test after setting packer
Tubing test without plug after setting packer to test packer from below
z Good practise is to pressure test entire completion prior to:

stabbing into packer (permanent packer)
setting packer (hydraulic packer)
picking up tubing hanger assembly
Objective is to test string while it is still recoverable
z Some OUs conduct intermediate pressure tests

Standing valves sometimes run in bottom nipple
Risk of junk obstructing the lock mandrel fishing neck
Well control issues if barefoot completion

S h e l l EP Le
Le a r n i n g
Pressure Testing Considerations
z Consider implications of a leak

How will it be observed
Will it apply high pressures to other equipment
z Have a feel for how much fluid will be needed

(Wellplan)
Calculate the theoretical volume
Check system if you pump significantly more
z Never try to fix a surface leak under pressure

S h e l l EP Le
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54
Preparing to install the X-mas Tree
z Many methods of landing the tubing and leading control line(s)

from the wellhead - precautions to be taken include:
check all sealing or matting surfaces for damage before bringing them
together;
check all sealing elements (metal ring gaskets, etc.) for damage and
ensure freedom of movement in grooves or recesses;
check that the tubing hanger nipple is central and vertical;
use flange protectors (seal pads) where recommended;
z Generally requires removal of BOPs

Adequate lines of defence must be in place (barrier policy)
Generally a deepset plug, kill brine and tubing hanger plug
z Tubing Hanger Plug

Traditional practice was a BPV or TWCV in the wellhead
ACME square threads prone to damage / corrosion / erosion

Increasingly replaced with plug c/w lock mandrel in nipple profile
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Tubing Hanger Back Pressure Valve
z tubing back pressure valve (BPV) fitted in the top of the tubing
hanger
z Installed in left handed square thread or hanger nipple (landing

nipple profile)
z Valve dressed with left hand thread or locking dogs
z Valve installed either by screwing it into the hanger using an

extension rod or is set in the hanger using wireline toolstring
z BPV allows circulation down the tubing but automatically closes

against well pressure.
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55
Tubing Hanger Valves

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Two Way Check Valve
z Holds pressure from both

directions
z Used for pressure testing the

X-mas Tree
z Should not be used when

removing BOPs etc – cannot
be equalised or pumped
through
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56
X-mas Tree Installation
Following general points apply:
z Adapter flange should be initially installed hand tight.

The Xmas tree should be lowered into position and the adapter flange rotated as
necessary to enable the Xmas tree to be orientated to correspond with the flowline
hook-up.
When the tree is aligned the bolts/clamps should be tightened.
z Plastic injection and pressure testing should be carried out carefully and
methodically
Adhere to torque and test pressures stipulated in the programme or standard
procedures
Injection of the plastic is considerably eased if it is slightly warmed using hot water,
but it must not be melted
When pressure tests are completed, injection screws should be backed out, ports
filled with plastic packing and screws and plugs refitted in the injection ports
Following testing, the test pressure should be bled off from the test port, the test
apparatus removed and the check valves and plugs refitted.

S h e l l EP Le
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X-Mas Tree Pressure Testing
z Xmas tree body pressure tested against the two-way

check valve or plug in the tubing hanger.
z Test carried out in two stages:

with flow and kill wing valves closed and choke open;
with valve downstream of choke and kill wing valve closed
and flow wing valve and choke open.
z After successful test, two-way check valve/plug

recovered from the tubing hanger
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57
Well Handover
z Asset holder needs to be assured that the end product meets

reliability/maintainability and technical integrity requirements to
meet planned well availability.
z Handover procedures must suit specific operating environments

– must ensure:
well is in a safe condition to accept hydrocarbons
its operating envelope is properly specified
z The handover must cover the following points:

Verification of well status
Condition of all valves and equipment on transfer;
Documentation of well parameters, operating envelopes, well status,
commissioning/pressure tests, annulus pressures (MAASP) and all other

pertinent well data (i.e. vendor literature, operating instructions, etc.)
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Well Hand-over process
z Handover may include a Well Handover Status Form
z Consideration needs to be given to the involved parties,

i.e. activity executor, asset holder and other service
provides and appropriate areas of responsibility defined
and focal points identified.
z It is recommended that the asset holder (new or

existing well) is responsible for:
correct and complete information about asset;
take initiative for handover process;
prepares and seeks relevant authority and forms.
S h e l l EP Le
Le a r n i n g
58

3 - Running The Completion

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3 - Running The Completion

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Running the Completion

Running the Completion

z Preparations at the wellsite

z Installing the Tree

What do we need to run a completion?

z In your syndicate group make a list of

Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

What do we need to run a completion?

Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

Typical Heavy Land Rig

Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

DESERT RIG – Oman (Lekhwair)

when you have to…

Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

Sit on Bottom SWAMP BARGE

Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

Stena Tay – DP semi-submersible

Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

Stena Seawell – Well Intervention Vessel

Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

DRILLER Operating Hoisting System Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

When Pressure applied to the Drilling Brake

Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

MUD PUMPS Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

Pipe Handling Gear

z Single Joint Elevators

z Single Joint Compensator

z Quicklock thread protectors

z Pickup / Lay down machine for 13Cr tubing

z Integral back-up system

z Torque-turn analysis system

z Non-marking jaws for 13Cr tubulars

Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

z Must be a set of pipe rams in BOP that can close

z Variable pipe rams required for tapered tubing string

z Top pipe rams generally changed out and tested prior

z Some companies rely on annular preventer – brave!!!

z Tubing preparation serves two purposes

z Laying out pipe

Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

Cleaning and Inspection

z Ideally pipe should be measured twice

z Use steel tape – check it is in good

z Make-up Loss – two options:

Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

Running the Completion

z Tubulars picked up from catwalk to drillfloor

z Tubing Made up to string

 String lowered into well

Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

Slip Type Elevator

Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

Single Joint Compensator

z Positioning of the pin in the box during make-up is critical

z Controlled and accurate weight transfer is the key to successful

z SJC installed between rig travelling block and single joint

Copyright 2001 SIEP B.V

Stabbing the pipe

String lowered into well