This paper will describe the development, testing andinstallation of a high pressure rated mechanical bridge plug fora major oil and gas operator on the Norwegian ContinentalShelf. Due to low reservoir pressure a mechanical highpressure rated bridge plug was required to be set as a zonalisolation barrier prior to a frac operation.The plug was set in a heavy wall liner with a 4.375'ID, but had to pass a 3.725' ID minimum restriction and hold7500 psi differential pressure during the frac operation. Thecombination of high pressure rating and expansion ratio was achallenge to solve. A new metal-to-metal sealing technologywas the solution to meet the required criteria.In July 2005, the first plug was successfully set,conveyed on coiled tubing. This new plug technology hasimproved the way of performing the zonal isolation and fracoperation in low pressure reservoirs.
展开▼
