Hurricane Contingency for Stuck Coiled Tubing: Preparing for PlatformEvacuation and Allowing a Safe RecoveryMaurice, Louisiana, North Gulf Coast

摘要

Operations in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) areaffected during the months of June throughNovember by the weather, as hurricanes aregenerated and come into the GOM, creating theneed to plan abandonments to avoid harm to anypersonnel, environment and minimize damage tofacilities. During June 2010, while executing ascale clean out operation on a platform with1.25'' coiled tubing (CT), the pipe got stuck. After11 days of troubleshooting, it was required toevacuate the platform due to a hurricane thatwas approaching. A management of change wasdeveloped to safely secure the CT string atsurface, which would allow for abandonmentwhile maintaining well control (WC). During thisprocess three options were analyzed: the firstoption was to add additional support to theinjector head(IH) jacking frame and leave thepipe stabbed in, this option was rejectedbecause it would not guarantee WC in the eventthat the storm takes down the IH.The second option was to secure the CT with theBlow Out Preventers(BOP) then shear it, and rigdown the IH. This Approach provided WC, but itcreated additional risk and limitations whenresuming the retrieval operation after the storm.The third option was to secure the CT at the BOPand cut it above the IH. With the removal of theIH, this would leave the section of pipe that waspreviously across the chains and riser freeabove the BOP. An appropriate valve would thenbe connected to the CT stub end, for WC. Furthermore, by sliding a riser section over theCT stub and making up a gate valve and nightcap would minimize the exposure to the storm.Finally, the riser could be secured to the deck.After analyzing available options, the thirdalternative was recommended and approved bythe BOEMRE; as this option addressed WC andallowed safe recovery by re-stabbing the pipeback into the IH, and rigging up the requiredequipment to proceed with the pipe recoveryoperation.