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First Subsea Multilateral With Re-entry Access
HOUSTON, Texas - Norsk Hydro a.s and Halliburton Energy Services have successfully completed the world's first subsea multilateral with re-entry access. The H-3 well was completed from the "Polar Pioneer" semi-submersible in Norsk Hydro's Troll field.
In March, the two companies announced plans to advance re-entry multilateral technology to subsea developments where they projected significant economic benefits would be realized through savings in subsea wellheads, templates, flowlines, control umbilicals, and subsurface wellbores. "The benefits we anticipated for applying this technology in subsea developments are being realized on Troll," said Johan Mikkelsen, senior vice president of Hydro's drilling department. "We intend to expand the use of this technology to improve the economics of this and other developments."
Ali Daneshy, vice president of Integrated Technology Products for Halliburton said, "We are seeing the potential to reduce by one-half the costs associated with subsea developments by reducing the systems required to access the reservoir. In some cases, this will make what were previously marginal or non-economic discoveries economical."
Halliburton and its milling technology partner, Weatherford Enterra, employed a new wellbore-landed Rate Of Penetration Control device (ROPC) on the H-3 well to avoid the detrimental effects of vessel motion on milling. Weatherford also provided a new hollow whipstock casing exit system to allow access to the main wellbore without having to retrieve the solid whipstock, thus providing a more cost-effective, reliable entry into the wellbore.
Norsk Hydro and Halliburton have achieved major breakthroughs in multilateral drilling and completions over the last two years. In May 1996, the companies announced completion of the world's first well to successfully provide full bore re-entry access to the lateral with a single casing-size reduction. In March 1997, the industry's first application of multiple re-entry multilaterals from a single offshore platform was achieved.
"The teamwork exhibited on the Norsk Hydro multilaterals has been outstanding," said Daneshy. "Strong working relationships and a commitment to success are the main reasons this team is leading the industry in the application of this valuable technology."
The successful multilaterals have incorporated Halliburton's Multilateral System 3000, the industry's only system that provides full lateral liner connectivity, a hydraulically-isolated lateral junction and full-bore lateral re-entry access with a single casing-size reduction. In addition to the technology, Halliburton provides Integrated Solutions project engineering and management to the multilateral projects.
Norsk Hydro and Halliburton are also making plans to pursue advanced reservoir control through smart well technology. Remote-control assemblies will be installed in future multilateral wells that will allow the adjustment of downhole chokes while maintaining production. This technology will also enable real-time monitoring and measurement of multiple reservoir parameters.
Weatherford Enterra Inc. (NYSE: WII) is a Houston, Texas based diversified international energy service and manufacturing company that provides a variety of services and equipment to the exploration, production and transmission sectors of the oil and gas industry.
Halliburton Energy Services Inc., a Halliburton Company organization (NYSE: HAL), is a leading supplier of products, services and integrated solutions to the energy industry on a global basis.
Contact
Brandon Lackey
Public Relations
(p) 713.624.3463
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