Restarting wells

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
The basic problem of
production
 Getting fluids from
reservoir to the
300 psi
250 psi
separator.
1. From reservoir to
bottom of wellbore
150 psi

(drawdown)
2. From bottom of
wellbore to
wellhead
3600 psi 3. Across choke
4000 psi
4. From choke across
flowline to separator

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
The basic problem of
production

• Completion design
We • Choke
create • Flowline dimensions
• Separator pressure

From • Reservoir pressure

the • Water cut
reservoir • Oil chemistry (PVT)

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
 What happens when a well
is shut in?

Pr Pr

Pwf

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
What happens when the
well is shut in?
Initially filled with
fluid Gas cap forms

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
What happens when the
well is shut in?
Initially filled with And water settles
fluid out

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
 In low pressure wells, tubing
head pressure can be
deceptive
Early gas Late gas
500 psi 1000 psi
breakout breakout

2000 psi

3000 psi

3500 psi 3600 psi

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
Slowly depressurising well
won’t work

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
Open the well fast
Draw out the fluid like in a shaken coke bottle

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
Velocity is important to
unloading a well
Larger pipe means lower velocity.

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
Annulus pressure can help

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
For a successful restart

1. Open tubing only.

2. Keep annulus closed.
3. Big choke.
4. Patience.

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
Concerns

• Sanding

• Hydrates

• Joule-Thomson effect

• Process stability

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
Things we can do
When the well doesn’t restart…

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
Flashing

 Ingredients
• Spare train and
header
 Instructions
• Depressurise spare
train and header
• Line up well to space
train and header
• Open well

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
Flowback

 Ingredients
• Flow back package
• Flare pit
 Instructions
• Rig up flow back
package to well
• Open well to pit

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
Nitrogen lift

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
Nitrogen lift

 Ingredients
• Coiled tubing
• Nitrogen
 Instructions
• Run in hole
• Circulate the nitrogen

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
Electrical submersible pump
 Easy to make a well flow.

 Harder to operate.

Pump

Gas separator

Motor

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
Electrical submersible pump

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
Things done elsewhere

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
Swabbing

 Ingredients:
• Slickline
• Swab cap
 Instructions
• Run in hole
• Pull out of hole

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
Gas lift
Gas lift gas
injected into
annulus

Gas lift
valve

Packer

Mohammed Al_Jawhar
Gas lift

Mohammed Al_Jawhar