Restriction

Downhole restrictions can have a significant impact on wellbore access, well integrity and well production. Often symptomless at surface, an unexpected downhole restriction adds significant risk to well interventions and can result in extended non-productive time – or even premature abandonment – of valuable assets.

Downhole tubulars can become restricted in different ways and with different operational consequences. Common causes of tubular restriction are solids deposition such as scaling, pipe deformation or collapse, and displaced or dropped objects that become stuck in the wellbore. Tubular restriction can prevent equipment access to deeper sections of the well, limiting the ability to manage and optimise production, or prevent removal of equipment during interventions, workovers and abandonments. In active wells, local restrictions can reduce flow volumes, impacting production and degrading economic performance. Likewise, downhole restrictions may directly or indirectly impact the integrity of a well, through mechanisms such as pipe deformation resulting from formation movements, or accelerated corrosion and erosion resulting from localised disruptions in flow regimes.

Traditionally, downhole restrictions are inferred from changes of flow performance, or from problems encountered during interventions when running equipment up or down the wellbore. However, this reactive approach often results in elevated operational risk and extended periods of non-productive time. If the cause of the problem can be accurately diagnosed and quantified, suitable remedial action can be taken to restore the well’s performance or allow a critical intervention to be completed successfully.

EV’s unique range of high-definition, vision-assisted diagnostic solutions provide accurate and rapid identification of the root cause of downhole restrictions and quantification of their severity. These restriction diagnostic solutions may be deployed on any mode of conveyance, either in response to an unforeseen event, or in advance of critical interventions, to proactively manage risk. In comparison to conventional mechanical interventions, the detailed understanding delivered by EV’s visual diagnostic solutions enables well operators to simplify complex challenges and ensure that the right conclusions are reached faster.