MaxForce® Flow Ultra-Kleen Gun System delivers unsurpassed flow area

Overview 

A Gulf of Mexico operator with a challenging deepwater, high-pressure well needed a perforating system that could perforate bottomhole pressure greater than 21,000 psi (1,448 bar) at a depth of more than 30,000 ft (9,144 m) TVD. Because of the extreme well conditions, a standard gun system was not an option. The operator was concerned about the dynamic transient load that a gun system might exert on their completion string during the perforating event; thus, the selected gun system could not exceed the pressure limitations of other downhole tools and equipment, nor compromise the ability to perform a successful fracpack operation. Through close collaboration with Halliburton, the operator selected the innovative 6¾-in. 18-SPF Big Hole MaxForce® Flow Ultra-Kleen Gun System, designed with Dynamic Transient Control, because of its maximum flow area and limited debris. The gun system performed as designed, preventing shock loading from dynamic transient forces and safeguarding the completion and tubing-conveyed perforating string for future frac-pack operations. Debris was kept to a minimum, and the entire operation was completed with no nonproductive time (NPT) or safety issues, meeting the customer’s expectations

Challenge 

Unconventional E&P projects are capital intensive. It is critically important to establish reservoir understanding before proceeding with wellsite completion operations to minimize risk and optimize production. In the Woodford Shale play in Oklahoma, an operator found itself in an unsatisfactory position. Having experienced unexpected and poor results on an initial well, the operator wanted to develop a comprehensive understanding of the reservoir’s expected production performance before taking the next steps to ensure lower overall cost per BOE. 

Solution

The operator approached Halliburton for a solution. The Halliburton Global Engineering and Technology team designed and modeled a unique solution to meet these challenges. Halliburton’s innovative 6¾-in. 18-SPF Big Hole MaxForce® Flow UltraKleen Gun System, designed with Dynamic Transient Control, was the solution. The gun system is rated to 25,000 psi (1,724 bar) and 425°F (218°C). It was designed for optimum performance in deepwater and high-pressure wells, allowing Halliburton to perforate the well within the limits of operator’s requirements. With a confirmed official API 19B Section 1 and 5 Test, the MaxForce Flow Ultra-Kleen Gun System leads the industry both in hole size and lowest debris. It delivers a high-flow area of 13.04 sq. in./ft, in a 97 /8-in 62.8 lb/ft Q-125 casing test, and lowest debris of 16 g/ft, which allows for the best frac-pack completion. The gun’s system design prevents shock loading from dynamic transient forces during the perforation event, which protects the completion and tubing-conveyed perforating string

Result 

The perforated interval was from 30,710 ft (9,360 m) to 30,815 ft (9,392 m) MD, and had a temperature of 245°F (118°C) and pressure of 21,174 psi (1,460 bar). The MaxForce Flow Ultra-Kleen Gun System fired and functioned successfully. After the guns fired, the well was monitored and reversed out. No debris was spotted on the shakers. The sump packer was retagged at the exact original tag mark on the pipe. With no indication of movement and fill, the gun was pulled out of the hole. The completion and tubing-conveyed perforating string were retrieved to surface with no incidents (i.e., sticking, bending, etc.), with physical confirmation of all shots fired and minimum lost debris as designed. The entire job was also completed with no nonproductive time (NPT) or safety issues. Through effective communication and planning with the operator, the job was successfully executed as proposed. The MaxForce Flow Ultra-Kleen Gun System successfully perforated the well under these extreme conditions, while meeting all the client’s expectations and addressing all their concerns