Network of Excellence in Training

Preparing a Well for Completion

© COPYRIGHT 2002, NExT. All Rights Reserved

 Objectives of well preparation

• Clean casing

• Circulate to a completion fluid

• Check Hold Up Depth (HUD)

• Configure at surface for completion

2
© COPYRIGHT 2002, All Rights Reserved
 Clean casing with Bit & Scraper

CASING SCRAPER

Scraper blades

Run bit and scraper to

bottom to clean casing from
mill scale and cement.

3
© COPYRIGHT 2002, All Rights Reserved
 Circulating the well
This is a major step in the preparation

• Displace the drilling fluid with a

completion fluid (brine) after cementing

production casing or liner.

NOTE: assure that

pumping system is clean

4
© COPYRIGHT 2002, All Rights Reserved
 Completion fluids
• A completion fluid is a bridge between the
traditionnal classifications of drilling fluids and
stimulation fluids.
• Type of fluid:
– brine (salts: KCl, NaCl, MgCl2, CaBr2, ZnBr2, etc)
• type of salt determines density
– filtered (10 micron and 2 micron)
– inhibited (low pH, dissolved salts may contain O2)
– compatible with drilling mud
– compatibility with hydrocarbons and formation
water

5
© COPYRIGHT 2002, All Rights Reserved
 Application of completion fluids
A completion fluid is used:
• To help to prepare the well for production,
• To drill the pay zone,
– keep solids and cuttings in suspension

• For the completion operations,

• For gravelpack operations
• For work over operations,
• For well abandonment.
6
© COPYRIGHT 2002, All Rights Reserved
 Drilling fluid displacement
• The full displacement is to ensure that a clean
fluid is
– opposite the interval to be perforated.
– drilling mud might impair slickline tools

• A spacer with a viscosifier will be used to push

the drilling fluid.
• A chemical wash may be used for casing
cleaning.
– Mud solids
– Loosen and remove scale
– Pipe dope
7
© COPYRIGHT 2002, All Rights Reserved
 Drilling fluid displacement

Mud
Chemical wash:

- Cleaning wellbore

Spacer: Séparation
Completion
Fluid

8
© COPYRIGHT 2002, All Rights Reserved
 Drilling fluid displacement

Reverse circulation:
• A better displacement is obtained,
• The completion fluid is pumped down the
annulus and the returns are through the
drillpipe.
• Prevents solids settling in the annulus of
the well where flow velocities are lower
compared to inside drill pipe.
9
© COPYRIGHT 2002, All Rights Reserved
 WELL SURFACE CONFIGURATION
for completion at a later date

2 Top Valves
tubing head housing with
hanger and kill string

1
0 © COPYRIGHT 2002, All Rights Reserved
 WELL SURFACE CONFIGURATION
ready for completion
BOP's Stack

Tubing Head Spool

Casing Head Spool(s)

Casing Head Housing

1
1 © COPYRIGHT 2002, All Rights Reserved
 Network of Excellence in Training

End of Session

© COPYRIGHT 2002, NExT. All Rights Reserved