Schlum berger COILED TUBING SERVICES MANUAL

Dow ell

INTRODUCTION

Coiled tubing (CT) has become a widely accepted and routinely prescribed tool for well service and work-over operations
in many areas of the world. What was originally developed in the early 1960’s as a means of entering live wells for the purpose
of removing sand bridges has evolved into a multi-faceted technology. The traditional CT well intervention, or workover
applications, still account for over three-quarters of CT work, however, the use of CT technology for completion and drilling
applications is rapidly becoming technically feasible and economically viable.

This extension of CT technology from well-intervention to drilling and completion applications has been achieved within a
relatively short time, largely due to the close cooperation of oil companies, CT service companies, and equipment
manufacturers in developing innovative tools and techniques, and in improving the performance and reliability of the CT
equipment.

Since 1981, ARCO has been directly involved with the development of several innovative CT applications intended to
resolve specific wellbore, reservoir or production related issues. This involvement has helped to expand the knowledge and
capabilities of existing CT well-intervention techniques, and helped push the frontiers of new CT applications, such as CT
completions and CT drilling. In each case, the resulting benefits reinforce an ARCO belief that CT technology can, when
intelligently applied with a clear purpose, play a major part in the future progress of our oil and gas production industry.

The intent of this manual is to provide the reader with an overview of CT service development and a basic understanding
of a technology that is continuing to expand and evolve into a critical part of the oilfield. Within this introduction section
reference has been made to key elements, companies, and circumstances that have played a key role in the development
of CT equipment and services. In this, every effort has been made to provide information that is current and accurate.

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Basics of Coiled Tubing
Perhaps the major driving force behind the origination of CT
as a basic concept was an understandable desire to
perform remedial work on a live well. In order to do this,
three key elements would have been required:
• A continuous conduit which can be inserted into the
wellbore (CT string).
• A means of running and retrieving the string into the
wellbore under pressure (injector head).
• A device capable of providing a dynamic seal around the
tubing string (stripper).
Coiled tubing technology is based on the use of a continu-
ous, flexible steel tube (the CT string) which is coiled on a
reel for transport and storage. The surface end of the CT
string is connected to a high-pressure swivel joint on the
reel hub to enable fluids to be pumped through the string -
continuously if so desired.
The CT string is run into and retrieved from the wellbore by
the injector head which combines several hydraulically
operated functions to enable the coiled tubing unit (CTU)
operator a high degree of control over the position and
movement of the CT string.
A stripper assembly mounted below the injector head
provides a dynamic seal around the tubing string enabling
the tubing to be run and retrieved on live wells. Secondary
and contingency pressure control functions are provided by
a blowout preventer (BOP) assembly mounted between the
stripper and the wellhead.
The CTU is operated from the control cabin which is
designed as a single point control and monitoring station for
the primary functions of the CTU and associated equipment
spread.
Origin of Coiled Tubing
It is generally agreed that the first practical, fully functioning
CT unit was developed by the California Oil Company and
Bowen Tools in 1962 for the purpose of washing out sand
bridges in wells along the U.S. Gulf Coast.
The injector head operated on the principle of two vertical,
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contra-rotating chains, a design that is still used by the
majority of CT units today. The stripper was a simple,
annular-type sealing device that could be hydraulically
activated to seal around the tubing at relatively low well-
head pressures.
The tubing string used for this early model was fabricated
by butt-welding 50 ft sections of 1-3/8-in. OD pipe into a
15,000 ft string and spooling onto a reel with a 9 ft diameter
core.
Although this was the first operational CT unit, it was based
on concepts and ideas that had been previously developed
for other purposes as early as 1944.
Prior to the Allied invasion of Europe in 1944, engineers
developed and produced very long, continuous pipelines for
transporting fuel from England to the European Continent to
supply the Allied armies.
PLUTO was an acronym for “Pipe Lines Under The Ocean”,
and the effort involved the fabrication and laying of several
pipelines across the English Channel. A total of 23 lines
were laid; 17 were made from lead pipe and 6 from steel
pipe. The steel lines were fabricated by butt-welding 20 ft
joints of 3-in. ID pipe into 4,000 ft. sections. These
intermediate lengths were then welded and spooling onto
floating drums that were 70 ft. wide and 40 ft. in diameter.
The pipelines, approximately 70 miles in total length, were
laid by towing the drums across the channel while the
pipeline unspooled.
The successful fabrication and spooling of continuous
flexible pipeline, laid the foundation for further develop-
ments that eventually lead to downhole tubing strings used
in modern CT.
Steps leading to the 1962 Bowen unit included:
• In the late 1940’s, several concepts relating to the
injection of continuous tubing or cable into a live wellbore
were patented.
• In the early 1950’s, several concepts relating to drilling
with continuous, flexible strings were patented.
• In the early 1960’s, a device was developed by Bowen
Tools for use in antenna-deployment aboard submerged
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 COILED TUBING SERVICES MANUAL
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Dowell INTRODUCTION

Prefabricated tubing lengths Commencing spooling

Spooling the pipeline Laying the pipeline

Figure 1. Operation PLUTO - "the birth of coiled tubing ?"

submarines. The antenna, a 5/8-in. brass tube, was
spooled onto a reel for storage and was capable of
reaching the surface from a submerged depth of 600 ft.
This system used the same principle of the contra-
rotating chain drive that would be later adopted for CT
injectors.
• In 1962, Bowen adapted the injector design used on the
antenna deployment for the prototype that was developed
with the California Oil Company.
Following the success of the Bowen Tool, California Oil
Company efforts, in 1964, Brown Oil Tools and Esso
collaborated to develop a system that utilized a slightly
different principle for the injector design. Instead of a set of
contra-rotating chains to grip and drive the tubing, the
tubing was squeezed between a single chain and a grooved
drive wheel. The entire unit was mounted in a portable,
hydraulic mast that suspended the CT unit above the
wellhead.

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INTRODUCTION
Figure 2. Brown injector head circa 1964.
A variation of this design exists today as alternative to the
widely-used contra-chain systems. The Brown Oil Tool unit
was designed for 3/4-in tubing and was successfully used
for wellbore cleanouts, on onshore and offshore wells.
In both the Bowen and Brown Oil Tools developments, the
CT units were developed for specific clients and were one-
of-a-kind prototypes. However, the success of these proto-
types soon generated a commercial interest in CT as a
service to be provided on a call-out basis for oil companies.
In 1967, NOWSCO first provided CT services to several
clients who did not want to develop or purchase their own
units. Nowsco began by leasing a modified version of the
original Bowen Tools design (for 1/2-in. tubing) for nitrogen
injection services. As a result of increased demand for CT
services, NOWSCO ordered 12 similar units from Bowen
Tools. This marked the beginning of the CT service
industry.
Improvement and Evolution of Coiled Tubing
Throughout the remainder of the 1960’s and into the 1970’s,
both Bowen Tools and Brown Oil Tools continued to
improve, modify, and enhance their respective designs to
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accommodate tubing up to 1-in CT. By the mid-1970’s, over
200 of the original-design CT units were in service.
In the late 1970’s, the evolution of injector design was
influenced by several new equipment manufacturing com-
panies (Uni-Flex Inc., Otis Engineering, and Hydra Rig
Inc.). In general, these companies based their units on the
original Bowen Tools contra-chain design, however Uni-
Flex Inc., improved the design significantly. Although Uni-
Flex stopped production of its units around 1978, many of
its design concepts have been incorporated into the equip-
ment of modern manufacturers.
At about the same time Uni-Flex ceased manufacturing CT
equipment, Brown Oil Tools also ceased manufacturing the
drive-wheel model. However, a variation of this design was
re-introduced in 1985. This unit retains the drive-wheel
concept, but used rollers, instead of chain, to force the
tubing against the drive wheel (providing traction).
Evolution Of The Continuous String Tubing
Throughout the period when injector heads were being
improved, the tubing string was also undergoing some
significant development.
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Dowell INTRODUCTION

The Bowen Tools prototype of 1962 used 1-3/8-in. tubing,
however, the models produced commercially for NOWSCO
used 1/2-in. tubing. By the early 1970’s, the tubing size was
increased to accommodate 1-in. tubing.
The Brown Oil Tools prototype of 1964 used 3/4-in. tubing,
but was modified by 1967 to handle 1-in. tubing.
In summary, the early commercial period of CT services,
during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, was dominated by
tubing sizes up to 1-in. and relatively short string lengths.
The tubing diameter and length was limited by the mechani-
cal properties of the tubing material and the manufacturing
techniques of that era.
Early CT operations were plagued by string failures due to
the inconsistent quality of the tubing strings. A major part
of the problem related to the many butt-welds in the tubing
string, necessitated by manufacturing limitations.
Early tubing manufacture used techniques developed dur-
ing the PLUTO project and involved butt-welding 50 ft.
sections of milled tubing into a continuous length for
spooling onto a reel. This meant that there was a butt weld
every 50 ft throughout the tubing string.
By the late 1960’s, techniques had been developed to allow
tubing strings to be milled in much longer lengths. This
decrease in the number of welds throughout the string was
accompanied by an improvement of the steel properties.
The resulting improvement in string reliability significantly
benefited CT services (Figure 3).
In 1969, the quality of the tubing was further improved when
Southwestern Pipe Inc. began manufacturing CT using
improved material and techniques. Another company,
Quality Tubing Inc., started manufacturing tubing in 1976
using a process similar to Southwestern Pipe. At that time
Quality manufactured exclusively for a single CT service
company. However, by 1982, Quality Tubing provided CT

1941 Operation PLUTO - 30 ft lengths

1965 250 ft strip lengths (Republic Tubing, USA)

1983 1000 ft strip lengths

1985 1700 ft strip lengths

1986 3500 ft strip lengths (Japanese Suppliers)

1987 Tubing milled continuously

Figure 3. CT string construction.

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INTRODUCTION Dow ell

CT string and Control cabin

reel and power pack

Injector head
Layer1 HighExhaus t LowOi l Lo
ssof
H igh
Tem per
Ca
ool
tu
rate
n Temperatur e Pressure Coo
l an
t

Pr O
i ur
le
Cper
Tm
e oola
attnure es
s

Eng
i ne
Tcho
a me t er
Per mistrsive
sta

St rat
Engi
Kilne Em Ki
relge
lncy Ai
Pr s
r e
esur

Strippper

Quad BOP

Fluid handling
and pumping
equipment

Nitrogen handling
and pumping
equipment

Electric power to
the toolstring

Electronic data
Tool string
from the
toolstring

Figure 4. CT operations - principal equipment components.

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 COILED TUBING SERVICES MANUAL
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Dowell INTRODUCTION
strings to the general CT industry, and with Southwestern
Pipe, dominated this market. The techniques used, at that
time, allowed for the manufacture of 1-1/4-in. CT in continu-
ously milled lengths of 1,500 ft.
During the 1980’s, CT materials and strings improved
significantly
• 1980 - Introduction by Southwestern Pipe of 70 ksi yield
steel for milling tubing
• 1983 - Introduction by Quality Tubing of continuously-
milled tubing lengths of 3,000 ft.
• 1987 - Development by Quality Tubing of “bias-welding”
the sheets of steel prior to milling to provide a stronger,
milled tubing.
Over this period of development, the maximum practical
CT size was increased, first to 1-1/2-in. and subsequently
to 1-3/4-in. By 1990, the first 2-in. tubing was being
produced, followed shortly by 2-3/8-in., 2-7/8-in., and 3-1/
2-in.
Today, 2-3/8-in. tubing is generally considered the largest
practical size CT well service work. The larger sizes are
more commonly used in CT completion applications,
where cycling, and the resulting fatigue is not a major issue.
CT Drilling
Although a more detailed history of coiled tubing drilling is
given in the Coiled Tubing Drilling Manual, reference should
be made to influence given to the general evolution and
development of CT technology.
The initial concept of using a continuous drill string dates
from the late 1940’s. However, it was not until 1964 that the
concepts were actually employed. In similar, but indepen-
dent efforts, the French Petroleum Institute and the Cullen
Research Institute developed working prototypes of con-
tinuous drilling systems. In 1976, the Canadian company
FlexTube Services Ltd., developed and commercial oper-
ated a continuous drilling system for several years.
The modern CT drilling era began in 1991 and has rapidly
progressed providing the major driving force behind the
development of the 2-in. and 2 3/8-in. CT sizes.
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Coiled Tubing Today
As the complexity of CT equipment and services has
increased it has become more difficult to briefly summa-
rize the advantages of applying CT technology. Speed and
economy were early drivers or incentives for the use of CT
and still remain a key feature. The relatively small unit size
and short rig-up times compare favorably with those of
conventional workover units . However, many other techni-
cal advantages can now be applied, depending on the
specific wellbore, reservoir and location conditions.
Commonly cited advantages over conventional workover
methods, e.g., a workover rig, include:
• Safe and efficient live well intervention
• Capability for rapid mobilization, rig-up and well site
preparation
• Ability to circulate while RIH/POH
• Reduced trip time (RIH, POOH) and production downtime
• Lower environmental impact and risk
• Reduced crew/personnel requirements
• Lower cost with greater flexibility
Similarly, it is becoming more difficult to summarize the
growing list of applications for which CT can be considered.
Early applications were designed around the fluid circulat-
ing/placement capabilities of the CT string, while more
recent applications can rely on several unique features of
the CT string and associated equipment.
The majority of current CT applications are enabled by one
or more of the following unique features.
• Live well operations - CT pressure control equipment
enables the functions listed below to be safely applied
under live well conditions.
• High pressure conduit - CT string provides a high pressure
conduit for fluid circulation into, or out of the wellbore. In
addition, hydraulically operated tools may be operated or
powered by fluid pumped through the string.
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 COILED TUBING SERVICES MANUAL
INTRODUCTION
Determine
treatment Acquire job design data
objectives
Select treatment Select equipment
(i) Fluids
(ii) Tools
Prepare plans and procedures
(i) Normal operating procedures
(ii) Emergency responses
(iii)Contingency plans
Figure 5. CT operations - principal job designand execution elements.
• Continuous circulation - fluids may be pumped continu-
ously while the CT string is run and retrieved.
• Rigidity and strength - the rigidity and strength of the CT
string enables tools and devices (and the string itself) to
be pushed and pulled through highly deviated and hori-
zontal wellbore sections.
• Installed conductors and conduits - electrical conductors
or hydraulic conduits may be installed in the CT string,
and terminated at the CT reel. This enables additional
control and power functions to be established between
the BHA and surface facilities.
The ability to easily adapt equipment, tools and techniques
for specific purposes is a significant advantage of CT
technology. This flexibility combined with specific location
or local requirements, has resulted in regional "hot spots"
of activity and development. In such areas, CT technology
is not only accepted but is supported by often pioneering
work in equipment or technique development, e.g., zonal
isolation and coiled tubing drilling (CTD) in Alaska.
Modern coiled tubing equipment is now commonly used to
perform a variety of applications on wellsites or locations of
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(i) Reservoir
(ii) Wellbore
(iii) Wellsite/location
(i) CT equipment
(ii) Pressure control equipment
(iii) Special equipment
Perform treatment
Evaluate treatment
widely varying conditions, using a range equipment of
differing capacity and capability. As a result, there is no
standard equipment configuration which is applicable to all
conditions. However, there are principal equipment compo-
nents used on each operation that are generally considered
to be common to all applications. The illustration in Figure
x identifies the principal equipment components typically
required to complete safe and efficient CT operations.
The variety of applications, equipment configurations and
operating conditions means there is no standard job plan-
ning and design process. However, there are job design and
planning elements which should be applied to each opera-
tion. The illustration in Figure 5 identifies the principal job
design and execution elements that should typically be
considered for all CT operations.
The components and elements identified above provide the
basis for the content and structure of this manual which is
compiled in four distinct sections and supported by supple-
mentary information in appendices.
• CT String
• CT Equipment
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Dowell INTRODUCTION

Operation PLUTO
1943 3.35 in. x 20 ft butt
welded into 4000 ft lengths
First downhole CT
1.315 in. x 50 ft butt 1962
-welded to length
First continuous
1964 CT (1/2 in. & 3/4 in.
x 2000 ft lengths)

1 in. CT 1970
Canadian string
1976 using 2.3/8 in.
X-42 pipe
Canadian string
using 2-3/8 in. 1977
aluminium tubing

1978 1-1/4 in. CT

70 ksi yield
material 1980
CT string
1983 manufactured
in 3000 ft lengths

1-1/2 in. CT 1986

1988 1-3/4 in. CT

Continuous string
using bias weld 1989

1990 2 in. CT

2-3/8 in.
& 2-7/8 in. CT
1990
3-1/2 in. CT
1992 pre-installed
gas lift strings
Hydraulic conduit
installed 1993
(control string)
CT sizes
1995 manufactured
in 80 ksi yield

4-1/2 in. (flowline) 1995

Figure 6. CT string material and product developemnt.

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 COILED TUBING SERVICES MANUAL
INTRODUCTION
• CT Applications
• Safety and Contingency Planning
• Appendices
Many technical papers, magazine articles and similar
reference sources have been used in the preparation of this
manual. The publication of case histories and actual
experiences are acknowledged as providing valuable con-
tribution to the general furtherance and acceptance of CT
technology.
1 CT STRING
Most coiled tubing strings are constructed from high-
strength low alloy steels which are formed into high speci-
fication tubing with the desired chemical, physical and
geometrical properties. Under development are compos-
ite-material, special alloy, and fiberglass tubing. Improving
the reliability of CT strings was generally regarded as the
prerequisite necessary for the acceptance of CT services
as a viable well servicing option. Manufacturing processes
and quality control/assurance systems can now deliver a
consistent product with a predicable performance and the
manufacturing process is adaptable to the extent that CT
work strings are commonly designed to the individual
requirements of the customer (typically the CT service
vendor).
Coiled tubing, or pipeline was first developed during World
War II as a means of supplying fuel to the invasion forces
following the Normandy landings. The PLUTO (Pipe Line
Under The Ocean) project investigated the feasibility of
coiling 3-in. pipeline onto to massive floating spools were
designed to lay the pipeline as they were towed across the
English Channel. In excess of 20 pipelines were subse-
quently laid providing the allied forces with fuel to sustain
the liberation of occupied Europe (Figure 3).
While the chemistry, physical properties and construction
of modern coiled tubing is significantly different form that
fabricated for the PLUTO project, many of the issues and
concerns identified then are equally valid now. For example
the inherent weakness associated with butt welding tubes
and the resulting influence on fatigue were identified during
this early work.
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Despite the considerable technical advances in modern CT
string chemistry and design, a CT string should still be
regarded as a consumable product, which has a limited
safe working life. Many demands are made upon CT strings
so reliability and predictable performance are critical quali-
ties if operations are to be completed confidently within the
safe operating envelope of the string. Since many desired
string properties are contradictory in effect, the require-
ments of a CT string are typically determined as a compro-
mise of specifications relating to material chemistry (met-
allurgy) and the material physical properties. For example,
a material having high corrosion resistance may have low
fatigue resistance.
The reliability of modern CT services is assured through
application of a comprehensive string management sys-
tem throughout the life of the string. This is based on a
thorough understanding of the parameters influencing string
performance, and the implementation of procedures de-
signed to control or monitor resulting effects. For example,
fatigue and corrosion can significantly reduce the safe
working life and reliability (predictability) of a CT string. By
tracking the parameters influencing these mechanisms an
efficient string management system does not necessarily
prevent fatigue or corrosion, but provides a reliable means
of accounting for the effects, thereby ensuring continued
reliability of string and service.
Further explanation of this development process and fac-
tors effecting the design and operation of modern CT
strings are contained in Section 100 of this manual.
2 CT EQUIPMENT
At first glance, much of today’s CT equipment bears great
similarity to the early equipment designs of the 1960s.
However, over this period the "weak areas" have been
improved and as factors or parameters influencing service
quality became known or better understood, equipment
modifications and reworked designs were implemented. As
with most well servicing industries, there has been a
preference for generic or "standard" coiled tubing unit (CTU)
designs which enable a higher degree of flexibility in
application and wellsite conditions. With the increased
global CT market and the wider acceptance of specialized
services such as coiled tubing drilling, the use of custom
designed equipment is becoming more common.
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Operation
1944 PLUTO

Early live
cable injection 1948-51
Bowen system
1961 used on
submarine
Contra rotating
chain drive system
1962
Brown & Esso
1964 use 3/4 in. wheel
injector
Bowen 5M
& 8M CTU
1967-78
Hydra-Rig,
1975-76 Otis & Uniflex
CTU Introduced
Brown & Uniflex
cease to 1978
manufacture
Development
1985 of wheel
injector head
Combi BOP
Introduced 1988
Side door
1990 stripper
introduced
5000 &
10000 psi Quad 1991
BOPs
40,60 & 80K
1990-93 injector heads
introduced
Live well
deployment 1993
systems
Automatic stab
1994 BHA deployment

Figure 7. CT equipment development.

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Operation
1944 PLUTO
Wellbore fill
removal and fishing 1962
inside tubing
Test drilling
1964 with CT

Acidizing 1968
First commercial
1976 CT drilling
1500 ft gas wells

CT logging 1985

CT completion
1988 velocity string
Real-time
bottomhole 1990
monitoring
Resumption of
1991 commercial
CTD
CT completion
gas lift string 1992

Figure 8. CT application evolution.

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Dowell INTRODUCTION
The basic functions required of CT equipment largely
remain as they did in the early days of CT services, e.g.,
run-in, pull-out, maintain well security. However, the condi-
tions under which these are now to be achieved can be
considerably different. Modern CT strings are typically,
larger (OD), heavier and longer. They are run and retrieved
from wells which are deeper, hotter and have higher
wellhead pressure. In addition, the wellbore can be devi-
ated, horizontal or, in some cases, fearsome combinations
of both.
Many modern applications have very close depth toler-
ances and can require the application of highly controlled
force downhole. Also, tools and downhole equipment pro-
viding data for real-time analysis are now routinely used.
Each of the factors above have been addressed by equip-
ment designers and manufacturers. The result is efficient
but complex CT equipment spreads which require operator
skill and competency far beyond that which has historically
been considered adequate for safe CTU operation.
Equipment
Personnel
Well Security
Figure 9. CT operation safety and contingency planning factors.
Rev A - 98
One of the most visible developments influencing the
design and operation of CT equipment is the introduction of
software modeling, monitoring and recording equipment.
Sophisticated computer models can accurately predict the
forces exerted on the CT string for any given wellbore and
treatment conditions. In addition, the behavior of treatment
and wellbore fluids can be modeled. This combined with the
ability to use powerful wellsite computers to monitor oper-
ating parameters assists CTU operators to complete the
operation while fully understanding the implications of their
actions.
Significant developments in the evolution of modern CT
equipment are shown in Figure 7. Further explanation of this
development process and factors effecting the selection
and operation of CT equipment are contained in Section 200
of this manual.
Environment
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INTRODUCTION
3 CT APPLICATIONS
An important aspect of CT operations that is often over-
looked is that CT simply provides a means of conveyance
for fluids, tools or equipment required to complete the
desired treatment. Only by successfully combining such
fluids and tools with well executed CT services can CT
applications be successfully completed. Consequently,
most CT applications are undertaken through the collabo-
rative effort of two or more service company "disciplines",
departments or organizations. In such circumstances,
good communication skills and team working are prerequi-
sites for a successful job. One obvious, but often over-
looked means of encouraging better team working is to
ensure the goals, i.e., the operation objectives, have been
clearly defined. This enables personnel and organizations
to focus on a common objective rather than their individual
contribution.
The unique features offered by CT conveyance, e.g., safe
live well operations, continuous circulation and electrical
connection with the BHA, provide benefits that cannot be
achieved by any other well intervention method (e.g., work
over rig, snubbing, wireline). In the development of CT
applications, these features have been applied in two main
ways. Earlier efforts focused on adapting existing technol-
ogy to use with CT, e.g., using CT to push logging tools
through deviated wellbores. However, more recent tech-
nique developments combine two or more CT features and
incorporated them into application systems specifically
designed for CT conveyance, e.g., underbalanced drilling
with wireline telemetry and control system or stimulation
treatments performed with a real-time bottom hole pressure
and temperature sensor system.
The profile and configuration of oil and gas wellbores have
changed significantly over the relatively short history of CT
services. For example, highly deviated and horizontal
wellbores are now common, completions are now specially
configured with the intention of using CT for subsequent
intervention and many completion or intervention activities
require highly accurate depth correlation. Therefore, it is
understandable that routine CT applications have changed
accordingly. Such changes are evident not only in the
equipment, tools and hardware but significant develop-
ments are also noticeable in the design methodology
applied in the preparation and execution of modern CT
operations.
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The value of adequate and accurate job design data has
been realized, as have the benefits of comprehensive and
documented operating procedures which typically also
include a means of verifying that equipment and personnel
are prepared and capable of completing the operation as
intended. With the increased demands being made of CTU
operators it is becoming increasingly important that person-
nel are fully trained, and verified as competent, for the tasks
to be undertaken. While this rationale has its roots in safety
and pressure control issues, the complexity of modern CT
operations and the implications of wellsite incidents often
demands that on-the-job-training is no longer a feasible
option.
Significant developments in the evolution of modern CT
applications are shown in Figure 6. Further explanation of
this development process and factors effecting the design
and execution of modern CT applications are contained in
Section 300 of this manual.
4 SAFETY AND CONTINGENCY
The equipment and techniques employed on almost all CT
operations today have evolved from a process within which
safety is a major concern. In this context safety issues are
generally categories in one of four areas:
• Well security/pressure control
• Personnel
• Equipment
• Environment
No attempt is made at prioritizing the importance of these
areas, rather that safety issues in each of these areas be
adequately addressed during the planning and execution
phase of every operation.
A vital part of any job planning process relates to contin-
gency planning which is intended to minimize response
time or operation downtime. Contingency plans provide a
reference source in the event reasonably foreseeable, but
unplanned conditions are encountered during an operation.
Note: Contingency plans should not be confused with
emergency responses which are rapid and instinctive
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actions performed by the CTU operator to prevent, contain

or resolve an emergency condition.

The safety and contingency planning recommendations

made in Section 400 of this manual are provided as
guidelines for the preparation of detailed plans or proce-
dures. Such documents should be prepared for every CT
operation and take account of the specific treatment
requirements and wellsite conditions.

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