This paper will outline the snubbing operations conducted to carry out a complex reabandonment in a remote jungle location. The abandonment called for the fullbore removal of the existing cement plugs with suspected poor integrity and with uncertain pressures below. The challenge was compounded by a restricted ID in the surface equipment which was installed due to unforeseen bubbles in the 13-3/8" casing after wellhead removal during the original abandonment. The pressures observed required the use of live well intervention techniques and equipment Several vendors for the supply of the snubbing unit were considered with focus on their stand alone capability and the availability of suitable interlock safety systems. Due to the nature/condition of the well a number of concepts were considered to initially mill a pilot hole through the surface plug to establish communication with any pressure below the plug. As the intervention was considered urgent the primary plan was to utilise coiled tubing for this (available in country), however due to the cement plugs being inside the 13-3/8" casing it was decided to hang off a 3-1/2" conduit string from a slip ram assembly down to the surface plug to contain any CT “walk”. Following the milling of a pilot hole, a new cement plug was to be set to act as a barrier to allow surface equipment reconfiguration to a 13-5/8" snubbing stack.
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