Building a Special Launch Sub to install casing during drilling
Start execution: 2010
End execution: 2010
Result: Successfully installed two casing strings in one run drilling
Role of WEP: WEP was the initiator and did all engineering and manufacturing; and managing during the installation.
Project Summary
| Client: | One of WEP's Salt clients |
| Description: | New technology, building and live testing a special Launch Sub |
| Wells: | Well in an existing cavern |
| Start Execution: | 2010 |
| End Execution: | 2010 |
| Target: | Demonstrating the new technology of the special Launch Sub |
| Result: | Two casing strings were installed in one run when drilling through an existing cavern |
| Depths (AH): | n/a |
| Role of WEP: | WEP was the initiator of this new technology and did all engineering, manufacturing and installing. |
| Challenges: | New technology |
Project Description
Special launch sub
A special Launch Sub was built for one of our salt producing customers to be able to install casing while drilling. Actually, two casing strings were installed in one run when drilling through an existing cavern. The purpose of the Launch Sub was to drill the new casing until target depth with the same BHA as used for the previous casing. This required a wireline activated take-over functionality. The disposable BHA was left in the hole and was shot off after reaching the target depth. The remaining part of the Launch Sub is used as an injection point with sideway outflow advantage. Taking over the launch sub was successful in one attempt, pressure test showed that the seals of the connection functioned properly. With the use of Finite Element Analyses, a design optimization was done to eliminate high occurring stresses due to high drilling forces and torques, which could lead to damage and failure of the tool. The launch sub is an example of a solution where well engineers worked together with mechanical engineers to find a unique solution for a specific problem.
