Successful wireline logging in difficult boreholes in Kuwait

Increased conveyance reliability leads to the expansion of logging program and a 10x reduction in unsuccessful operations


Adverse well conditions have compromised logging operations in the “Jurassic” wells in Kuwait. In a single year, 48% of all logging operations involved NPT or were curtailed due to logging difficulties.

Logging tools failed to reach TD on 10 occasions, there were 5 fishing operations and 4 jobs were cancelled due to logging difficulties. Typically the operator would only run essential logging services due to the risk.

In the 18 month period following the introduction of Wireline Express the operator achieved a success rate of 95%. This included 4 logging runs at 70deg deviation – a local record. As a result the logging programs were expanded to XPT, CMR and LithoScanner.


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In deviated wells using Wireline Express, the CMR bowspring can be removed and ledges are easily navigated with the angled holefinder.


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Using the Wireline Express conveyance system led to a 100% success in conveying wireline tools in Jurassic vs a 50-50 success rate in the years before.

CHALLENGE

Multiple conveyance issues were causing a high rate of NPT and reduced logging programs.


SOLUTION

Petromac’s ‘Wireline Express’ package was introduced to Kuwait – Tool Taxis + angled holefinders.


RESULTS

  • Logging programs were expanded to include XPT, CMR and LithoScanner.
  • Failed operations dropped from 48% to 5%.
  • 4 runs were made at 70deg deviation, a record for Kuwait.

Holefinder system facilitates wireline logging in an ‘impossible well’ in Iraq


Near Vertical ‘Impossible Well’ Logged in Iraq


An operator in Iraq was combating major issues with wellbore ledges in a well with only 6 deg deviation. After two wireline runs which were held up at shallow depth, the operator undertook a wiper trip, only to experience similar problems again on the 3rd attempt. The decision was made to run a TLC operation, however this was also unsuccessful.

In all a total of 5 days of rig time had been lost trying to pass a 20” washout with associated ledge.

Frustrated with the lack of results from conventional wireline and TLC, the operator sought the expertise of Petromac to log this critical well. A total of 6 descents were made with Petromac Wireline Express – all seamlessly conveyed to TD.

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Without a holefinder, wireline toolstrings are easily held up by ledges and washouts.

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Using the Wireline Express holefinder, the toolstring does not loose any momentum as it slides over wellbore obstructions.

CHALLENGE

In ‘vertical’ wellbores large ledges will persistently holdup toolstrings, even on TLC operations.

SOLUTION

Petromac Tool Taxis ensure that the angled holefinder is always oriented upwards, allowing the toolstring to slide seamlessly over ledges.

RESULTS

A well which could not be logged on TLC was subsequently logged using the Petromac holefinder system (6 successful runs in hole).


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