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Abstract
Achieving proper depth control with coiled tubing has been a
problem since the service was introduced, and several improvements have been attempted with limited success. A newly developed tool overcomes depth-control problems by providing accurate depth locations of downhole devices. This tool allows realtime depth indication with standard coiled tubing, and requires
no logging cable.
Introduction
When coiled tubing was used primarily for well cleanout, depth
control was of little concern. Standard mechanical counters
yielded adequate depth control. However, as coiled tubing has
evolved into a more reliable means of servicing wells, it has been
used for services that require greater depth accuracy. Services
such as tubing-conveyed perforating, plug or packer setting, and
critical fishing operations require much greater depth control
than is currently available.
Surface Measurement Devices. To date, coiled tubing depth is
controlled with a steel measuring wheel of a known circumference that contacts the coiled tubings surface. When the coiled
tubing is raised or lowered, the wheel rolls along the tubing and
rotates an output shaft that is coupled to a mechanical footage
counter or an optical encoder. The encoder sends pulses to an
electronic counter, which is usually located in the control cabin.
Wheel counters can give inaccurate depth readings for several
reasons. Errors can result from wheel slippage on the surface of
the pipe, or from wear on the wheels surface, which reduces the
wheels circumference. These problems and others have led to
References at the end of the paper.
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pulse is easily detected at the surface. After the depth has been
correlated, the pressure barrier is opened, allowing fluid to pass
through the collar-locator tool.
The slickline collar-locators electrical circuitry was modified slightly for use with the coiled tubing collar locator. Fig. 3
(Page 5) is a flowchart of the circuit logic. The circuit board
allows a 25-minute test period in which the tools functions can
be tested at the surface. At the end of that period, the collardetection circuitry is disabled so that battery power is preserved
during the trip into the well.
The time during which the collar-detection circuitry is
disabled is referred to as sleep time. This period can be preset at
the surface, depending on the well depth. When the sleep time
lapses, the collar-detection circuitry is re-enabled and remains
on until the tool is retrieved to the surface. A flow-activated
switch, which could be used to start the collar-detection circuitry, is designed into the circuit board, but it is not used in the
current design. After the collar-detection circuitry is re-enabled
downhole, any change in metal mass on the casing or tubing
string will activate the solenoid valve in the tool. Such changes
could be triggered by collars, nipples, packers, and many other
types of completion equipment.
Because the collar locator is designed to work in any size of
casing or tubing, a gain setting for adjusting the sensitivity of the
detection circuitry is built into the circuit board. A relatively high
setting is required in large casing, especially when the tool is
centralized. A lower setting is required for small tubing, such as
2 7/8-in. tubing. In small tubing, a high sensitivity setting could
cause the tool to react to corrosion inside the tubing, which could
generate a false reading.
Software
A software package developed for recording the log output of the
collar-locator tool uses a standard API format. The software
includes drivers for continuous-feed printers, which are used for
the log output, and will run on most IBM-compatible computers.
A delay time for allowing the signal to travel the length of the
coiled tubing is built into the software. The delay time from the
collar detection to the peak pressure reading can be defined by
the following equation:
4,000
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3,500
1 bbl/min
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1/
2
1,000
bbl/min
1/
4
500
bbl/min
0
1
51
101
151
Seconds
201
251
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Conclusions
Because of the inadequacies of current coiled tubing depthmeasurement systems and depth-determination devices, the development of a wireless, coiled tubing collar locator was required. This project led to the development of a tool with a
2.25-in. OD that could function up to a 300F maximum working
temperature and a 15,000-psi maximum working pressure.
The tool provides depth accuracy comparable to wireline at
a much lower cost than coiled tubing logging reels. The tool can
provide depth control for coiled tubing-conveyed perforating
guns, drillable or retrievable plugs, cement retainers, inflatable
tools, and many other types of coiled tubing tools.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Halliburton Energy Services Inc. for its
support in developing this product and publishing this paper.
References
1.
2.
3.
4.
Connell, M.L.: Refining Coiled Tubing Depth Control, presented at the 1993 North American Conference on Coiled Tubing
Technology and Application, Phil Crouse Conference, Calgary,
Jun. 14-15.
Pessin, J.L. and Boyle, B.W.: Accuracy and Reliability of Coiled
Tubing Depth Measurement, paper SPE 38422 presented at the
1997 North American Coiled Tubing Roundtable, Montgomery,
TX, Apr. 1-3.
Newman, K.R., Sathuvali, U.B., and Wolhart, S.: Elongation of
Coiled Tubing During Its Life, paper SPE 38408 presented at the
1997 North American Coiled Tubing Roundtable, Montgomery,
TX, Apr. 1-3.
Larimore, D.R., Fehrmann, G.Z., and White, S.: Field Cases of
Cost Efficient Well Interventions Performed with Advanced
Slickline Technology, paper SPE 38097 presented at the 1997
SPE Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Apr. 1416.
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