Well Stroker® Saves $15 Million USD While Boosting Oil Production Multifold

LUANDA, Angola, February 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Welltec®, the world leader in safe and cost effective well optimization, is pleased to share this recent success demonstrating pioneering approaches to solving workover challenges.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140219/671153 )

Offshore West Africa, a deepwater well, was suffering from excessive gas breakthrough, limiting oil production. The gas was coning and producing from the top of an open hole gravel pack completion, bypassing the oil it was intended to energize.

To overcome this problem, the operator had been shutting the well in to allow the gas to re-saturate the oil in the reservoir. After some time the well was put back on line until the Gas-Oil Ratio (GOR) again became too high for the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facilities to accommodate. This cycle had been repeated numerous times while the operator searched for viable options to overcome this challenge.

The solution arrived in the form of a 525 foot (160m) long straddle isolation assembly which overcame the coning. Installation of this hardware was accomplished in sections and necessitated precise control of both depth and force; the former to ensure proper position downhole and the latter to avoid seal damage whilst stabbing and latching the individual segments, joint by joint.

The Well Tractor® and Well Stroker® provided the best solution for the operator; a combination which delivers precise, accurate depth and force control irrespective of distance in the well. Over a period of 15 days, multiple runs were made to 'build' the straddle assembly up, piece by piece in this live well.

The job was completed safely, 30 days faster than originally planned. This first of its kind operation in West Africa effectively shut off the gas breakthrough and increased oil production multifold. The efficient operations resulted in more than $15M saved in rig costs while the higher oil production generated more cash flow and improved overall efficiency of the FPSO asset.

Welltec® is the pioneer and the world's largest provider of downhole robotic solutions for deployment, milling, clean-out and mechanical solutions. For more examples of innovative ways to solve your workover challenges through lower lifting costs, reduced capex and maintained production - http://www.welltec.com/reducecost

Brian Sidle, bsidle@welltec.com, +(45)-4814-3514 / +(45)-52138346