World Record: Longest open-hole tractor logging operation completed in KSA

Acquiring OH wireline logs in extended reach wells, can become very expensive, due to difficulties in logging tool conveyance. Pipe conveyed logging, PCL, is operationally complex, time consuming and risky, whereas tractor conveyance can sometimes be limited by the force required in long laterals. In addition, navigating adverse OH conditions (changes in hole shape, ledges, washouts etc.), means tractors must be assisted by complementary technologies.

In KSA, unconventional exploration wells regularly reach measured depths of over 20kft with OH sections of up to 5kft. Wireline logging in such wells, has traditionally been done via pipe conveyance, taking over 4 days.

To improve efficiency of such operations, a comprehensive solution to replace PCL was deployed, which was comprised of OH tractors, Petromac tool taxis and angled guides. With the whole toolstring run on ultra-low friction wheels, the toolstring drag coefficient reduced from 0.4 to 0.08, enabling gravity descents to >85° deviation. Ultimately, this enabled the tractor to push the toolstring all the way to TD in these long laterals, whilst effectively navigating ledges and washouts.