Completion Installation Practices, Procedures and Programming

C O N T E N T S
INTRODUCTION
1. OPERATIONAL CONSTRAINTS AND
CONSIDERATIONS
1.1 Reservoir Inflow Must be Prevented
1.2 Prevention of Mechanical Damage to the
Wellbore, Casings or Wellhead
1.3 Safe and Effective Installation of the
Completion tubing(s)
2. WELLBORE PREPARATION
2.1 Open Hole Completion
2.2 Cased Hole Completion
3. COMPLETION STRING RUNNING
PROCEDURES
3.1 Pre-running Preparation - Phase 1
3.2 Tubing Installation
3.3 Tubing Land Off - Space Out Procedures
- Phase 2
3.4 Hydraulic Testing of the Completion
3.5 Surface Completion of the Well
3.6 Production Initiation
4. REPORTS AND DOCUMENTATION
SUMMARY

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
In this module a basic but logical step wise approach to the actual process of
completing a well is covered.
Having worked through this chapter the student will be able to:
Describe the intergration of the various stages of completing a well.
List and flow chart a general procedure to run a completion string.
Describe the requirements to pressure test and retain well control throughout the
completion process.
Define the need for full and accurate reporting and records to be kept.

Completion Installation Practices, Procedures and Programming

INTRODUCTION
There are a multiplicity of installation practices and procedures and these are
influenced primarily by:
(1) the integration of the perforation operation and the mechanical completion of
the wellbore.
(2) the particular completion string design and string components utilised.
In general terms, the process is one of taking a well which has been penetrated through
the production or injection formation, with or without production casing, and
converting it mechanically such that the well will be able to produce oil or gas to
surface safely and at an optimum economic rate.
The integration of the various completion stages is shown in Fig 1. Clearly there are
two options with respect to perforating, both of which can utilise wireline or tubing
conveyed guns:
Bottom Hole
Completion
Technique

Perforating Before
Completion

Perforating After
Completion

Production
Initiation

Figure 1

(1) Perforate before running tubing, whereby the hydrostatics pressure in the
wellbore must continue to overbalance reservoir pressure.
(2) Perforate after installation of the tubing, whereby all or part of the interval can
be perforated under drawdown conditions.

OPERATIONAL CONSTRAINTS AND CONSIDERATIONS

On the assumption that the status of the well prior to the start of the completion
operation is that the pay zone has been drilled through and that the various casing
strings have been installed, there are a number of conditions which must be maintained
throughout the completion operation.
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1.1 Reservoir Inflow Must be Prevented
In the case of wells perforated prior to mechanical completion this is accomplished
usually by maintaining a hydraulic overbalance i.e. the borehole hydrostatic pressure
must exceed the reservoir pressure thus fluid column height and wellbore fluid density
must be maintained. The correct level of overbalance differential pressure will vary
but it must be consistent with:
(1) minimising leak off into the reservoir. Theoretically, fluid will leak off into the
reservoir until the bottom hole hydraulic pressure in the wellbore approaches
reservoir pressure i.e. the height of the fluid in the production casing-tubing
annulus will decline.
(2) the provision of adequate overbalance to allow for the thermal effects of long
term placement of the fluid in the wellbore i.e. density reduction in the case of
completion brines and degradation of polymers in the case of fluids which
suspend weighting material.
(3) minimising formation damage generated by leak off in the near wellbore area.
For wells which are to be perforated after mechanical completion, the concerns are
primarily to ensure that the cementation of the production casing/liner provides
effective hydraulic isolation between the wellbore and the formation and that this
capability is not detrimentally affected by the differential hydraulic condition between
the wellbore and the reservoir.

1.2 Prevention of Mechanical Damage to the Wellbore, Casings or Wellhead

The susceptibility to damage of the permanent wellbore equipment and formation will
depend on the particular drilling and completion programme.
(a) Wellbore damage
The need to protect the formation against formation damage has been reviewed
above. However, in the case of barefoot or open hole completions, maintaining
borehole stability is essential. This will be achieved in most cases by:

maintaining adequate hydraulic pressure in the borehole to radially

support the formation.

using a borehole fluid which will provide minimum swelling/hydration

of formation clays.

(b) Casing/liner damage

Two types of damage can be affected namely:

hydraulic

mechanical

Hydraulic damage can occur as a result of collapse or burst conditions. Casing and
tubing is normally designed to withstand collapse under simulated evacuation

Completion Installation Practices, Procedures and Programming

conditions and accordingly this should not occur provided the correct design conditions have been assumed. However, excessive underbalance pressure conditions
between the wellbore and the reservoir should be avoided as there could be a different
radial contraction response between the formation, cement sheath and casing. This
could result in damage to the cement bonding. Damage due to burst is less likely and
could only occur if:
(1) the casing is tested with too high an internal pressure - refer to tubing tables
(2) the annulus is closed off at surface and rapid hydraulic failure occurs when
testing tubing with a high internal pressure.
Mechanical damage will occur as a result of contact between the inside wall of the
casing and the tubing being run in. Contact is impossible to prevent totally, but in most
cases the damage is minimal and is more likely to affect the tubing rather that the
casing.
(c) Wellhead damage
Damage in the wellhead region particularly to hang off or landing areas, is of greater
significance given the configuration of the landing area, the constriction offered by
the shoulder and reduced clearance. Damage to a seal bore area can impair the sealing
capability and hence the pressure isolation requirements. In most land or platform
completions the proximity to the wellbore allows greater control in the process of
running tubing through the wellhead. In subsea completions the remoteness introduces a greater potential for damage.

1.3 Safe and Effective Installation of the Completion Tubing(s)

The completion string and its components must be installed in the wellbore at the
correct depth and in good operational order i.e.
(1) Specific items of equipment should be positioned at or near the desired setting
depth e.g. SSSV, packer etc.
(2) Mechanically functioning equipment must be operational e.g. seal assemblies,
sliding sleeves etc.
(3) The complete string must be able to withstand the test (and hence operating)
pressure.
(4) The packer must be able to withstand, without leakage, an operating differential
pressure.

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2.

WELLBORE COMPLETION

Subsequent to drilling through the pay zone in the case of an open hole completion or
setting/cementing the production casing for a cased hole completion, the following
preparations are required prior to running tubing.

2.1 Open Hole Completion

The wellbore preparation must ensure that:
(1) the borehole is free from drilled cuttings
(2) the borehole is stable and not subject to continuous caving/collapse
(3) the borehole contains the required fluid to allow effective completion of the
well.
(4) to ensure no obstructions exist internally within the casing.
(5) the internal walls of the casing are clean across the proposed packer setting
interval.

2.2 Cased Hole Completion

In this case the preparation must ensure that:
(1) a downhole logging suite is available to allow depth correlation between
formation intervals and location of casing couplings.
(2) to identify the location of the top of the cement shoetrack and dress the TOC
as necessary.
(3) to ensure no obstructions exist internally within the casing.
(4) the internal walls of the casing are clean across the proposed packer setting
interval.
(5) the wellbore contains the required completion fluid in good condition.
The wellbore preparation can be conducted by running a drillstring with a scraper if
required, to clean the inside of the liner at the packer setting location. The assembly
will allow tagging of TD, circulation of the hole, internal cleaning of the casing across
the packer setting interval and displacement of the well to the completion fluid. The
sequence of operations is shown in Figure 2.

Completion Installation Practices, Procedures and Programming

Wellbore Preparation

Bottom Hole
Completion Technique ?

Open Hole

Run In Drillstring

Check For Fill

Scrape Casing
Internally at Required
Packer Setting Depth
Circulate and displace
to Completion Fluid
(Running Basket is
Necessary)
Check For Inflow and
Well Stability
Circulate and Kill if well
flows

P.O.H.

Figure 2
Wellbore preparation

Cased Hole

Scrape Casing
Internally at Required
Packer Setting Depth
Circulate and displace
to Completion Fluid
(Running Basket is
Necessary)
Run In Drillstring With
Bit and Scraper
Tag T.O.C. Dress To
Required Depth
Circulate and displace
to Completion Fluid
(Running Basket is
Necessary)
Check For Inflow and
Well Stability
Circulate and Kill if well
flows

Prepare to Run the

Completion String

P.O.H.

Prepare to Run the

Completion String

Throughout this phase, the wellbore will be continuously checked for inflow as a sign
of insufficient hydraulic overbalance or ineffective cementation of the production/
casing liner. In the case of inflow being identified, the well will be hydraulically killed
by circulation with the additional security of the BOP being available until the correct
remedial measures can be identified and implemented.

3. COMPLETION STRING RUNNING PROCEDURES

The actual running procedure for the completion string will depend on the completion
design. The installation sequence is however devised logically to allow for the
equipment to be checked as to its operational and pressure integrity. At all appropriate
stages of the installation, equipment should be tested sequentially e.g. whilst running
tubing it would be preferable to conduct pressure tests at regular intervals rather than
rely on one final pressure test after the tubing is installed.
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Whilst the completion procedure will vary with each specific completion design, it is
possible to outline an overall strategy for a well completion. Such a strategy is
depicted schematically in Fig 3.

Pre Running
Preparations

Tubing
Installation

Tubing Land
Off and Space Out

Final Testing of
Well Completion

Surface
Connection
Perforate Under
Drawdown If
Necessary

Production Initiation
and Clean Up

The installation of the completion is an integrated series of operations which by

necessity must verify the operational capability of the tubing and all completion
components. The further into the procedure the operation moves, the more significant
is the potential for equipment failure to necessitate:
(1) a problem with well safety/security.
(2) inoperability of equipment.
(3) time consuming and expensive remedial or workover measures.
The method chosen for completion installation and its subsequent execution are the
most crucial factors influencing effective completion performance.

Figure 3
Overall strategy for
completion installation

Completion Installation Practices, Procedures and Programming

3.1 Pre-running Preparation - Phase 1 (Fig 4)

Figure 4
Preparations prior to
running the completion

Surface
Inspection of
Tubing

Sub-Assembly
Inspection /
Pressure Testing

Drill Floor /
Surface Equipment
Preparations

Running Tally

Sketch / Measure
Sub - Assemblies

Function Test
B.O.P. Change
Rams

Proceed to
Phase 2

Check Slips
Tongs, Elevators

(a) Completion equipment

A completion string comprises a large number of joints of production/injection
tubing, frequently of premium threads and high performance steel/alloy plus a
selection of critical functional components. For the completion to achieve its operational
performance, all equipment must function effectively.
The tubing will normally be supplied to the rig having been cleaned internally and
externally, the threads having been inspected and protectors installed. Each tubing
joint should undergo the following at the rig site:
(1) The made up length of each joint should be measured and numbered.
(2) Each joint should be drifted.
(3) The threads on each joint should be cleaned and inspected.
Tubing components will normally be transported to the rig site as a series of made up
sub-assemblies. These assemblies, in view of their critical function, will have been
made up to specification and thoroughly tested prior to shipment.
Each sub-assembly will be inspected, measured and drifted. It is good practice for a
dimensional sketch to be made for subsequent reference and inclusion with the final
status reports for the well.
(b) Running equipment
The make up of the completion string will require the use of specialist equipment:
(1) Tubing slips, optimally having a more gradual taper than conventional drillpipe
slips and hence less likely to damage the outside wall of the production tubing.
(2) Tubing elevators, because of the need to minimise damage to the tubing and
suspend tubing with little or no upset compared to drillpipe.
(3) Power tongs to ensure that torque is more evenly and correctly applied in
making up the threaded couplings.

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All the tubing running equipment should be installed and checked to ensure that it
functions satisfactorily. Most importantly, particularly in the case of a well perforated
prior to mechanical completion, the ability to isolate well inflow will depend on the
blowout preventer package. It is therefore important that the pipe rams are changed
to match the size of tubing(s) which will be run and that the stack is function tested.
Lastly two important steps should be undertaken:
(1) A meeting should be organised to brief the drilling and completion staff as well
as the specialist contract personnel.
(2) A diary of events should be initiated to record progress in the completion
operation - this may be a most important diagnostic tool.

3.2 Tubing Installation

This phase of the completion operation depends largely on the conceptual design of
the completion string as depicted in Fig 5. The principal parameters are:

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Completion Installation Practices, Procedures and Programming

Single String
Completion

Packer
required?

No

Yes
Tubing to be stabbed
into liner top PBR

Go to next phase

No

Yes

Packer Set
Independent of
Tubing ?

Go to space out

Yes

No

Setting
Mechanism ?

Hydraulic
Set

Wireline
Set

Tubing or Drillpipe
Set

Moving Seal
Assembly

Figure 5
Possible tubing - tacker
interactions for a single
string completion.

Retrievable
Packer ?

No

Yes

Anchor / Latch
System

Spacing Out
Technique ?

Spacing Out
Technique ?

(1) whether the packer is set with, or independently from, the tubing string
(2) whether a moving seal assembly is to be installed to accommodate tubing
movement and hence relieve stress, and if so the manner of space out or seal
positioning.

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Clearly, the prior installation of the packer with or without a tailpipe, will offer
benefits in terms of reservoir isolation in a workover situation. However, the
detrimental effect is to impose another constraint on the running procedure.
Similarly, the incorporation into the design of a seal assembly is intended to improve
the performance of the tubing string by increasing its ability to withstand stresses, but
this will require positioning of the assembly at a specific location in the well.
The generalised procedure for tubing installation is shown in Fig 6.

From Phase 1

Set Packer
(With or Without TailPipe)
on Wireline or
Workstring

Pick up packer
on tubing joints

Final Drift,
Thread Inspection
Use Correct Torque
Continue Running
Tubing With
Appropriate
Sub - Assemblies

Pressure Test
External
Pressure Test
of Coupling
If Tubing Plug
Being Used

Phase 2
Tubing
Installation

Recommence
Running Tubing

Attatch Control
Line if Deepset
or No Spaceout
Required

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3 Packer Run
Independently Tubing Latched
Figure 7(c)

Clamp Control
Line
1-2 Clamps
Per Joint

Maintain
Pressure
In the
Control Line

Displace Tubing and the

Annulus to the Final
Completion Fluid if
Necessary

2 Polished
Receptacle
Without Packer
Figure 7(b)

Fill Tubing
Every 5/10
Joints

Install valve or
Dummy

Install SSSV

1 Packer Run
With Tubing
Figure 7(a)

Affix Circulating
Head After Every
5/10 Joints and
Pressure Test

4 Packer Run
Independently Tubing Seal Only
Figure 7(d)

Go to
options

Figure 6
Phase 2 Tubing installation

Completion Installation Practices, Procedures and Programming

The major task in this operation is the installation of the major length of the tubing
string and associated sub-assemblies into the wellbore. Whilst running the tubing, the
following actions must be pursued:
(1) Conduct final drifting and thread inspection of each joint prior to make up.
(2) Apply correct make up tongue.
(3) Apply external pressure test to each tubing coupling using Gator Hawk or
preferably conduct internal pressure test. In the latter case, each joint must be
checked but to do this for individual joints would substantially extend the
completion time. However, the other extreme of only pressure testing when the
maximum number of joints had been installed could be extremely risky since
the likelihood of tubing joint failure will increase with the number of joints
installed i.e. the depth of the completion.
The method of installing the subsurface safety valve SSSV will depend on the
proposed setting depth for the valve and the completion configuration. Once the
control line is attached to the valve, tubing manipulation should be minimised to
prevent possible damage to the control line. If the tubing is to be connected to, or
sealed within the base of an existing preset packer, whereby the packer must first be
located, its position verified and the tubing retracted to allow space out, then it may
be preferable not to attach the control line during the first run in of the tubing. After
locating the packer, to allow adjustment of the length of tubing and inclusion of the
tubing hanger, the tubing can then be pulled back to surface to expose the SSSV. Then
the control line plus the required length of tubing plus the tubing hanger joint can be
installed as the completion is lowered back into the well.
If the well is to be displaced to allow a particular packer fluid to fill the annulus
between the tubing and the casing, then the well may be circulated at this point prior
to stabbing the tubing into the packer.
The actual procedure for landing off the tubing and spacing out the string will depend
on the specific completion configuration.

3.3 Tubing Land Off - Space Out Procedures - Phase 2

The exact procedure for landing off the tubing will depend upon whether the tubing
is to be latched into the packer or attached by a seal assembly which allows for tubing
movement. (Fig 6)
(a) Completion with no tubing movement provision
In this situation it will have been decided that the completion string will be suspended
in the wellbore by the tubing hanger within the wellhead and at its bottom end will
either be free as in a packerless completion or will be fixed at the packer. In the latter
case, the tubing is fixed at the packer and at the hanger; hence there is either no
anticipated tubing movement or the stresses generated by movement will be withstood
by the completion without failure. However, having predicted the range of tubing
stresses which could occur in a variety of operating scenarios, the stresses may be
more satisfactorily accommodated if the string is set in compression or tension.

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There are two methods of running a completion in this category
packer run and set on the tubing
packer run and set independently and then the tubing is stabbed into the packer
bore
(1) Packer run and set on tubing
In this case, the packer will be lowered to the required setting depth with the tubing
hanger located above the landing shoulder in the wellhead, Fig 7(a). Pressure testing
of the tubing string against a plug should be conducted prior to setting the packer - see
Fig 7(b). After setting the packer, the rest of the string would then be lowered into
the well by slackening off the suspended weight until the hanger lands off with the
string in compression. If it is required to land off the string in tension then the tension
has to be applied after setting the packer. However, to accommodate tension setting,
the completion has to be designed appropriately.

Option
1

Packer to be
Set on Tubing

Moving
Seal Assembly

PHASE 3
Tubing Landoff
and Space Out

Yes

No

Locate Packer
Setting Depth

Install
Tubing
Hanger
Joint

Locate Packer
Away From
Tubing Coupling

Locate Packer
Set Packer
and Disconnect
Upper Tubing
from packer

Refer to Pull Back

and Space Out
Procedure for
Options 3 & 4

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Land Off
Tubing Hanger
In THS

Go To
Completion
Final Testing

Allow For String

Compression/Tension
Where Necessary

Figure 7(a)
Tubing land off / space out:
packer run and set with
tubing.

Completion Installation Practices, Procedures and Programming

Option
2
Circulate Whilst Lowering
Final Tubing Joints
- Observe Pressure Increase
LocatePolished
Bore Receptacle
Mark Tubing On Drill Floor

To SSSV if Control Line

Not Attached
PHASE 3

Pull Back Tubing

To Allow Space Out

Tubing
Landoff/Space Out

To Adequate Depth to
Adjust Tubing Length
Run Back With SSSV
Without Control Line
and Tubing Hanger

Locate Seals Within

Polished Bore

Figure 7(b)
Tubing land off / space out:
completion with polished
bore receptable

Land Off Tubing Hanger

in THS to Achieve the
Required Seal Length
Movement Capacity

Go To Completion
Final Testing

(2) Packer pre-installed and subsequent tubing stab in

In cases where the packer is set on wireline or with a work or drill string, the rest of
the completion string can be run to either attach or latch into the packer bore or
merely seal in the bore, Fig 7(a).
Where the packer is pre-installed and the string mechanically connected/latched into
the packer, the string is lowered to locate the packer. Normally circulation down the
string is started prior to final lowering to contact the packer (e.g. from 50-100ft above
anticipated setting depth). A pressure kick signifies entry to the packer bore.
After marking and calculating the depth, the string can be pulled back, its length
adjusted and the hanger joint installed so that on final lowering the string will first latch
in the packer and will then subsequently land off in the wellhead upon continued
lowering. The string at this stage would be set in tension or compression.
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(b) Completion with tubing movement provision
In this case there are two major designs

completion with annulus packer and tubing seal system

completion with polished bore receptacle and tubing seal system.

(1) Annulus packer/tubing seal completion

In this type of completion, the first stage on running in the tubing is to locate the packer.
If the completion system is one which will only seal in the packer bore such as a seal
assembly or locator seal assembly, the tubing string can be pulled back so that the
tubing length can be adjusted, the hanger installed and since this will be the final
running operation, the SSSV control line installed if not already connected. The string
can then be lowered into the well so that with the tubing hanger landed off, the seal
assembly would be appropriately positioned through the packer bore to accommodate
expansion or contraction.
If the tubing seal assembly will provide a mechanically fixed seal in the packer bore
with a moving seal assembly higher up e.g. tubing seal receptacle (ELTSR). Then the
lower component of the seal assembly must be stabbed into the previously located
packer bore, and the upper section retracted to allow adjustment in the tubing length
to set final seal positioning when, with the hanger installed, the tubing is finally
lowered into the well and landed off, Fig 7(c).

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Completion Installation Practices, Procedures and Programming

Option
3&4

Circulate Downto Packer

- Observe Pressure Increase
Locate
Packer
Mark Tubing On Drill Floor
If ELTSR Being Used
- Stab In and
Disconnect
Seal Receptacle

PHASE 3
Tubing
Landoff/ Space Out

Pull Back
Tubing
To Allow
Space Out

To SSSV if Control
Line Not Attached

To Adequate Depth to
Adjust Tubing Length
Run Back With
SSSV Control Line
and Tubing Hanger

Locate, Stab or Seal

Through Polished Bore
or on the Slick Joint

Land Off Tubing Hanger

in THS to Achieve the
Required Seal Length
Movement Capacity

Figure 7(c)
Tubing land off / space out:
packer pre-installed

Go To Completion
Final Testing

(2) PBR and tubing seal completion

In this case the tubing seal assembly is lowered down to locate the top of the PBR.
Again circulation can be employed when lowering the final 1-3 joints to locate exact
depth of entry to the receptacle. After marking the string and pulling back to adjust
the length of the tubing, on final lowering the tubing seals should be located at the
desired position in the receptable, Fig 7(b).

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3.4 Hydraulic Testing of the Completion (Fig 8)
Final Testing
of Completion

Set Wireline Plug

in Lower Nipple

Use Deepest Possible

Nipple Location
Protect SPM
With Dummy

Phase 4
Final Testing of
Well Completion

Hydraulically Pressure
Test Tubing
With Casing / Tubing
Annulus Open

Hydraulically Pressure
Annulus With
Tubing Open

Test Pressure is
Design Value Based
on Anticipated
Reservoir Pressure

Test Duration Must be

Adequate to Negate
Any Thermal Effects

If Tests
Satisfactory,
Proceed with
Surface Completion

The benefits of continuous, rigorous inspection and hydraulic testing of the completion string whilst the tubing is run in were discussed earlier in section 4.2. However,
once the string is installed its composite integrity, both tubing and annulus must be
checked. Provided no hydraulically actuated equipment exists in the completion
string e.g. SPM with shear out valves, or hydraulic set packer, the string can be
pressure tested in its entirety. This is the simplest approach.
In the case of setting a packer on a tubing string where subsequent tubing retrieval will
necessitate unseating/ pulling the packer, it is preferable to pressure test the string
before setting the packer. Final testing of the completion has the objective of
hydraulically testing the following:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

the integrity of tubing joints/couplings.

the integrity of seals in packer, seal assemblies, sliding sleeves, SSSVs etc.
the integrity of hanger/wellhead seals for both pressure in the annulus or tubing.
the hydraulic integrity of the production casing and wellhead.

Hydraulic testing of the tubing is normally conducted by monitoring either pressure

or flow from the annulus. The formation must be exposed to high bottomhole pressure
i.e. surface test pressure plus the hydrostatic pressure and should therefore preferably
be isolated by installing a plug. A nipple should be installed for the purpose of
accepting a plug and should be located as deep as possible e.g. in the tailpipe below
the packer, or just above the packer if it is hydraulically set, to allow testing of the
maximum length of the completion string. Hydraulically operated string components
such as side pocket mandrel shear valves must be removed and replaced by a dummy
sleeve.
18

Figure 8
Final testing of installed
completion string

Completion Installation Practices, Procedures and Programming

The test tubing pressure utilised must reflect the reservoir pressure and designed
operating pressures for the tubing. The duration of the test should again be adequate
to allow differentiation between the gradually increasing annular temperature effect
on the annular fluid volume and any potential leak channels. Initially, the annulus will
be pressure tested against the packer and hanger seals with the tubing open. Any
circulation beneath the packer will cause flow from the tubing.
3.5 Surface Completion of the Well
Prior to this stage, flow control of the well has been retained by the hydsrostatic
pressure of the wellbore fluids and in an emergency, the ability to close off the well
using the BOP stack.
Having successfully pressure tested the tubing and annulus and being satisfied that as
far as possible the completion equipment will mechanically function as per specification, the final phase of completing the well can be entered i.e. installation of the
Xmas tree and surface connecting flowlines, Fig 9.

Surface
Completion

Install Back
Pressure Valve
in Tubing Hanger

InstallControl
Line Inlet Flange/
Adaptor Spool

ConnectControl
Line and Pressure
Test to SSSV

Remove BOP
Stack

Install
Xmas Tree
Pressure Test
Tubing Seals
Pressure
Test
Pressure Test
Xmas Tree
Connect Up
Flow lines

Figure 9
Surface completion of the
well and testing

Pressure Test
Connection to
Xmas Tree

Remove Back
Pressure Valve

Install
Tree Cap

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The first stage is the removal of the BOP stack and, as a precaution prior to this, a
check valve is installed in the upper bore of the tubing hanger to prevent any
potential backflow.
Subsequent to nippling down the BOP stack, the necessary flanges/ connections for
the SSSV control line and for positioning the Xmas tree are installed. After
mechanical installation of the Xmas tree, all seals and valves require to be tested.
Upon successful completion of the pressure tests on the tree, the flowlines can be
installed, connected and pressure tested. After this has been successfully completed,
the BPV can be retrieved, as the entire completion can now accommodate safely, fluid
production.

3.6 Production Initiation

If the well has been perforated prior to mechanical completion, the major task is one
of placing the required fluid in the annulus to provide long term protection, and in the
tubing to provide the hydrostatic drawdown or balance pressure conditions.
If the well has not been perforated then the fluid conditions could provide either an
over or underbalance. The initial task will be one of installing and pressure testing a
wireline lubricator to allow subsequent fluid circulation with a positive tubing head
pressure THP. The means of circulation e.g. SSD or SPM must then be open and
the tubing and annulus contents displaced to the required fluids. Normally the
packer fluid in the annulus will function as a kill fluid whilst the tubing fluid will
underbalance. At the end of the circulation there will therefore be a positive THP. This
tubing head pressure can be reduced in the case of the unperforated well once the
circulation path is closed off, to provide the required drawdown differential between
bottomhole and reservoir pressures. In the case of the pre-perforated well, the well can
be opened up for production whilst for the other wells, the perforating operation can
be conducted, Fig 10.

20

Completion Installation Practices, Procedures and Programming

Rig Up Wireline
Lubricator

Run In on Wireline
and Open
Circulation Sleeve

Pressure Test To
3000, 5000 or 10000 psi

Pressurise and
Shear SPM
Valve
Seawater / Brine
With Inhibitors

Circulate Annulus
to Completion Fluid

Oil-Based Fluid
Option to run
coil tubing
Final Tubing Head
Pressure May Indicate
Drawdown Pressure

Displace Tubing to
Perforating / Drawdown
Fluid, Adjusting THP
as Necessary

THP Must be
Maintained Above Balanced
Requirements if Well
Already Perforated

Phase 6
Production Initiation

Run In on Wireline
and Close
Circulation Sleeve

Run In on Wireline
and Pull Shear
Valve and Replace

Adjust THP to Provide

Drawdown for Flow
or Perforating

Perforate

Flow Well Gradually

Beaning Back as
Necessary

Stabilise Flow-Monitor
Well Performance
Bean Up Well

Figure 10
Production initiation

Well Reaches
Operating Flow Rate

The well will initially be opened up with the objective of achieving stability rather than
maximum attainable flowrate. The well should be sequentially beamed up to its
operating flowrate over a period of several days.

Department of Petroleum Engineering, Heriot-Watt University

21

1
4.

REPORTS AND DOCUMENTATION

It is imperative that the completion installed is well documented with respect to:
(1) completion string equipment and string configuration
(2) a detailed record of the completion installation operation.
This is essential to allow for any post completion remedial evaluation if the well or
completion fails to perform as expected, but more importantly, it provides the
fundamental well information for well diagnosis, well re-entry and workover
planning.
The documentation on the completion for retention should consist of:
(1) Completion or well status drawing. An example is shown in Fig 11. A single
page drawing is concise but it may also be useful to attach dimensional sketches
of the critical sub-assemblies.

22

Completion Installation Practices, Procedures and Programming

Field - Platform Wells

Proposed Completion - Contingency For W.O.G
Single Packer (7 5/8" Tie Back Casing)
Depth ft
TV> BDF

DESCRIPTION
9 5/8" 47 lb/ft. VAM C95V Production Casing
(Drift)
7" 33.7 lb/ft. XL C75(I) Liner Tie-Back Casing
5 1/2" 23 lb/ft. Hydril Super Eu C75(II) Range 3 Tubing
Dual Monel SSSV Hydraulic Control Lines (2 x 1/4" OD)

+
_ 1500

5 1/2" x 6 ft. Flow Coupling. C75(II)

( 5 1/2" NOM OTIS RQ Landing Nipple.
( For 5 1/2" DB Ball Valve Assy.
( 5 1/2" 23 lb/ft. Hydril SEU Box x Pin.
5 1/2" x 6 ft. Flow Coupling. (As above)

Valve-NoGO & Bore

Nipple-NoGO (Top PKG)
Lower Packing

Max
OD ins

Min
ID ins

8.010
6.000

(8.525)
(6.640)
(4.545)

6.000
4.125

4.500
2.250
4.315
4.125

5 1/2" 23 lb/ft. Hydril Super EU (As above)

+
_ 8000

Swage Nipple. 5 1/2" 23 lb/ft. x 5" 18 lb/ft. Hydril Super EU

7" Liner to 7 ?" Tie-back Casing x over
5" 18 lb/ft. Hydril Super EU C75(II) Range 3 Tubing
9 5/8" Casing Shoe
7" 29 lb/ft. VAM C75(II) Liner

Swage Nipple. 5" 18 lb/ft. Hydril SEU x 4" 13.4 lb/ft. Hydril PH6.
4" 13.4 lb/ft. Hydril PH6. C75(I) Range 2-1 Joint
4" Camco KBMG-P SPM with DCK-2 Shear Valve
Shear Valve Set at ---------PSI Differential, Kickover Tool OD
4" 13.4 lb/ft. Hydril PH6 - (As above)
4" Otis R Landing Nipple
Packing Bore ID
(Baker 30 ft. Tubing Seal Receptacle Type EL-1
( 5 1/4" x 43 x 31 (4" 13.4 lb/ft. H-PH6 Box x Pin)
( 30 ft. stick joint - blank J slot - 10.000 lbs Upstrain Shear

5.420

(4.151)
(6.059)

4.625

(3.215)

5.875
3.187

(3.215)

5.750

3.125
3.373

6.000

4.000
(4.545)

_
+ 8400

(Baker Anchor Tubing Seal Assembly. Type H-22

(Size 81 -FA-47 (4" 13.4 lb/ft. H-PH6 Box).
(Baker Retainer Production Packer.
Type FAB-1
( Size 85 - FAB-47 (5 1/2" 23 lb/ft. H-SEU Box Down).
(5 1/2" x 6 ft 23 lb/ft. Mill Out Extension - Size 80 - FAB -47
( Swage Nipple. 5 1/2" 23 lb/ft. x 4" 10.9 lb/ft. VAM (Special by baker).
4" 10.9 lb/ft. VAM C75(II) Pup Joint x 5 ft.
4" Otis RD SSD. (Move up to close)
4" 10.9 lb/ft. VAM C75(II) Range 2-1 Joint
4" Otis RN Landing Nipple

Figure 11
Well status drawing
showing depth and
dimensions of components.

3.875

4.366

Packing Bore ID
4.366
Packing Bore ID
Nipple No-GO ID

4" x 10 ft. Perforated Flow Tube (J55).

3 1/2" Otis XN Landing Lipple.
Packing Bore ID
(4" 10.9 lb/ft. VAM Box x 3 1/2" 9.3 lb/ft. Hydril CS Pin.) Nipple No.-GO ID
3 1/2" 9.3 lb/ft. Hydril CS C75(I) Range 2-1 Joint
Wireline Entry Guide (3 1/2" 9.3 lb/ft. Hydril CS Box)
+
_ 9200

(3.351)
3.125
(3.351)
3.125
2.907
2.813
2.760

3.905
3.870

(2.867)
2.997

TD

(2) A copy of a petrophysical data log incorporating porosity, resistivity, gamma

ray, cement evaluation and casing collar locator logs should be an integral part
of the record, showing clearly the location and length of perforated intervals.
(3) Whilst not essential, a completion log can be of great benefit for diagnostic
purposes when problems are encountered in completing other wells in the field
or in workover planning.

Department of Petroleum Engineering, Heriot-Watt University

23

1
SUMMARY
The installation phase of completing a well is as important to its economic success as
the process of well design. However the actual process of running the completion is
specific to the design.
In this section we have seen the generalised process of running a completion presented
as a series of sequential flow chart covering the main elements of:Wellbore preparation
Running the completion
Perforating if required
Land off and space out of the tubing
Surface connection and tubing
Initiating production
Critical to the success of the well and facilitating both reservoir management and
intervention is the preparation adequate, accurate documentation.

24