Halliburton helped deepwater operator in Gulf of Mexico save at least 10.5 hours of non-productive time (NPT) in stuck pipe situation

OV E R V I E W

A CASE STUDY:

Fast, accurate identification of free point

When faced with stuck pipe, the operator needed a fast and accurate way to locate the free point before pipe recovery operations could begin. After the operator struggled with a strain-gauge tool for 18 hours with no conclusive results, they turned to a faster, more advanced technology.

Stuck pipe, operational efficiency, and safety

Strain-gauge tools have exposed and moving parts that can cause false readings, malfunctions and miscalibrations. A strain-gauge tool doesn’t function well in pipe with changing internal diameters. It also requires multiple stops to stress the pipe, exposing personnel to increased HSE risk.

Working with competitor’s equipment

The operator began the job using a competitor’s wireline equipment. When the competitor’s strain-gauge tool failed to deliver accurate results, the operator needed a better solution that had to work on the same competitor’s wireline. There wasn’t enough time to bring out a new wireline unit.

Revolutionary HFPT technology

Halliburton’s HFPT technology eliminates the trial-and-error method used by strain-gauge tools. It relies on altered magnetic properties of the pipe to accurately locate the free point in one run. In this case, the operator successfully located the free point within 45 minutes of reaching bottom.

Slick tool means safer operations

The HFPT is a slick cylindrical tool with no anchors or protrusions to cause problems downhole. It collects all the data it needs in real time on a single trip during which the pipe is stretched only once. This greatly reduces HSE risk.

Conveyance independence

The HFPT is completely conveyance independent. It can work on any service company’s e-line equipment without compatibility issues. The operator previously qualified the HFPT for use in the field, so when the pipe stuck, they had confidence the tool would work successfully.

CHALLENGE SOLUTION

Minimizing NPT associated with stuck pipe

A deepwater operator working in the Gulf of Mexico encountered stuck pipe that stalled operations. A competitor already on site deployed a strain-gauge free-point tool to identify where the pipe was stuck so it could be effectively recovered. But after 18 hours of unsuccessful attempts to locate the free point, the operator turned to Halliburton for a more advanced solution. That solution turned out to be the Halliburton Free-Point Tool (HFPT). It quickly and accurately identifies the free point by measuring changes in the magnetic properties of the pipe. A Halliburton engineer deployed the HFPT on the competitor’s wireline. Within 45 minutes of reaching bottom, the HFPT positively identified the free point and accomplished in just 7.5 hours what the competitor’s tool could not achieve in 18 hours. This saved the operator at least 10.5 hours of NPT, valued at approximately $500,000.

Revolutionary advance in free-point determination saves operator $500,000 of deepwater rig time

FAST &ACCURATE

$500,000SAVED AT LEAST 10.5 HOURS AND In just 7.5 hours, the Halliburton

Free-Point Tool (HFPT) successfully accomplished what a strain-gauge tool failed to do in 18 hours.

The simple operation of the HFPT eliminates trial and error.

Step 1: Run HFPT into the hole, recording the magnetic properties of the pipe to create a baseline log curve.

Step 2: Stress or torque the pipe to alter magnetic properties of the free section. Set pipe back to neutral weight.

Step 3: The HFPT records where magnetic properties change while pulling out of the hole. Changes in the log clearly show free pipe, partially free pipe and stuck pipe.

The HFPT is conveyance independent. It can run on any service company’s e-line equipment with no compatibility issues.

A CASE STUDY: Minimizing NPT associated with stuck pipe

Compared to traditional strain-gauge tools, the HFPT can help operators save time and money by locating the free point more reliably in less time. On average, it finds the free point in half the time or less compared to a strain-gauge tool.

CONVEYANCE INDEPENDENT

Gulf of Mexico operator facing stuck pipeA major operator in the Gulf of Mexico was completing a deepwater well when the wash pipe in an upper gravel pack assembly became sanded in. This put an immediate stop to any further operations until the operator could recover the stuck pipe. And with rig rates of about $1 million per day, it became critical to begin pipe recovery operations immediately to reduce unplanned NPT.

Fast and accurate free-point identification to minimize NPTBefore pipe recovery could begin, the operator needed to determine the free point – the lowest point where the pipe could move freely. This would allow them to remove the free pipe and gain access to the problem area for pipe recovery operations. Without knowing the free point, pipe recovery operations would be unsuccessful.

Competitor’s strain-gauge tool struggles to locate free pointThe operator initially chose to use a competitor’s strain-gauge tool, since it was already on site. The strain-gauge tool uses decades-old technology to anchor the top and bottom of the tool to the pipe, which is then stretched or torqued. A strain gauge between the anchors measures any movement in the pipe in percentages, indicating the degree to which the pipe is stuck.

This kind of strain-gauge tool has many drawbacks. The pipe must be stretched and torqued repeatedly in a trial-and-error method to locate the free point. The strain-gauge tool can malfunction or become miscalibrated, or the anchors can slip, causing a false reading. And even when the tool works perfectly, interpreting information from the tool is as much art as science.

The operator struggled with the competitor’s strain-gauge tool for 18 hours without achieving a definitive result. With so much on the line, the operator needed a better technology that could deliver fast, accurate results.

Operator calls on Halliburton to deploy advanced technologyTwo months prior to this project, the operator qualified the Halliburton Free-Point Tool (HFPT) for use in the field. This qualification process included tests to verify both the accuracy of the tool and its compatibility with third-party e-line equipment. When this situation arose, the operator asked Halliburton to deploy the HFPT immediately. Thanks to the tool’s small size and low weight, a Halliburton engineer quickly and easily transported the HFPT and its portable computer system to the rig.

A CASE STUDY: Minimizing NPT associated with stuck pipe

Halliburton helped a deepwater operator in the Gulf of Mexico save at least 10.5 hours of NPT in a stuck pipe situation

Traditional Strain-Gauge

Tool

Halliburton Free-Point

Tool

Revolutionary HFPT technology eliminates trial-and-errorUnlike a strain-gauge tool, the HFPT measures changes in the magnetic properties of the pipe to determine a free point. It is the only technology of its type in the industry. While traveling downhole, the HFPT records the magnetic properties of the pipe and creates a baseline log curve. The pipe is stretched or torqued and set back to neutral weight. Then the HFPT travels uphole and records the changed magnetic properties of the pipe to create a second log curve. The pipe’s magnetic properties will change after being stressed. The two log curves compare the pipe’s magnetic properties before and after stress. The point where log curves overlay indicates the stuck point. Where they separate indicates free pipe or partially free pipe. This makes log interpretation simple and completely eliminates the need for the trial-and-error system of the strain-gauge free-point tool.

HFPT designed to reduce HSE and operational riskStrain-gauge tools have bow-spring anchors that can slip and do not work well in pipe where the internal diameter changes, further complicating operations. But the HFPT features a slick, cylindrical design that works well in pipe of different diameters – without a strain gauge or anchors. It also eliminates the need for multiple stops to stress the pipe. Less rig time is spent working the pipe because, with the HFPT, pipe is only stressed once. This greatly minimizes HSE risk by reducing exposure to rig-floor hazards and improves safety for the entire rig crew.

HFPT is HP/HT CapableAdditionally, because the HFPT is rated to 350ºF and 30K psi, it can function safely virtually anywhere.

Real-time data from HFPT helps locate free point quicklyThe HFPT operates quickly and safely since it does not require frequent measurements and repeated stressing of the pipe. And thanks to real-time data from the HFPT, the operator could make plans for pipe recovery operations within 45 minutes of the HFPT reaching bottom.

HFPT saves at least $500,000 compared to competitor’s toolIf the operator had not called Halliburton, the next step would have been to mobilize a second strain gauge and crew, causing additional delays and costs with no guarantee of success. The operator estimates the HFPT saved at least 10.5 hours of rig time worth $500,000. If the operator had run the HFPT to begin with, the savings would have been even greater.

Sales of Halliburton products and services will be in accord solely with the terms and conditions contained in the contract between Halliburton and the customer that is applicable to the sale.

H011141 8/14 © 2014 Halliburton. All rights reserved.

“I will never use a strain-gauge tool again if the HFPT is available to do the job.”

Operator Drill Site Manager

Halliburton helped a deepwater operator in the Gulf of Mexico save at least 10.5 hours of NPT in a stuck pipe situation

A CASE STUDY: Minimizing NPT in stuck pipe situations

www.halliburton.com