A Paradigm Shift in Drilling Frac Plugs in Extended Laterals-A PermianBasin Case History

摘要

Wells in the Permian Basin continue to increase in technical complexity and lateral length,testing the limitsof traditional completion practices in unconventional wells.Coiled tubing has been the standard methodfor drilling out frac plugs in the basin but has mechanical limitations in extended-reach and high-pressurelaterals.Due to the increasing well complexity operators have begun using high technology hydrauliccompletion units(HCU),also known as a snubbing unit,to drill out frac plugs in certain Permian Basin wells.By using the HCU in wells with longer laterals,higher pressures,and downhole uncertainty/complexitysome of the additional risk can be mitigated.The HCU system can provide a reliable and cost-effectivemeans to cleanout laterals in the Permian Basin while reducing mechanical risk.The purpose of this paperis to present case histories that illustrate the positive impact of the HCU on field operations.This paper willalso detail the evolution of the HCU over time to its current state of the art stand-alone rigless system.