Successful Rigless Deployment of Selective Acid Stimulation System during Thru-Tubing Well Intervention in the Middle East

Region: Middle East
Well Type: Onshore Water Injector

Key Facts:

  • First rigless thru-tubing acid stimulation success in the Middle East
  • Remote 3rd party installation with flawless execution built from collaborative cooperation, fundamentals of robust pre-job planning, and solid cross-company procedures
  • Available as a single or dual-packer straddle assembly
  • Available in 2.36”, 3.375” and 4.5” chassis sizes
  • Compatible with a wide variety of inflation element sizes
  • Available for setting in cased and open hole applications
  • Compatible with memory gauge housings

Challenge

A leading onshore operator in the Middle East required a solution to selectively isolate a formation across a perforated 4.5-inch liner in a vertical injection well. Zonal isolation was required to effectively acidize and increase porosity and optimize injectivity rates across the formation of interest. The main challenges associated with this application were as follows:

  • Tight clearance nipple restrictions within the upper tubing completion required the inflatable packer to fully retract to its original run-in-hole outside diameter to prevent becoming stuck upon retrieval
  • The zone of interest was located across a corroded casing liner with risk of burst in case of elevated inflation pressure
  • Material compatibility to HCl concentration as high as 15%
  • Low-fluid level conditions posed the risk of premature packer inflation during deployment due to pressure overbalance in the CT reel
  • Third-party installation with IPI virtual field support

Solution

A 2.36” OD Multi-Set Acid Stimulation System (ST60) configured with a 3.50” OD DuraGRIP™ bi-directional packer element was supplied to a third-party oilfield service provider. The BHA was run in conjunction with a back-pressure valve to manage pressure overbalance inside the CT reel and prevent premature packer inflation during deployment. The system was deployed while minimizing speed across nipple restrictions and the packer inflation sequence and system activation into the injection position were both executed flawlessly as per IPI’s operational procedure. The operating company was able to effectively acidize the formation of interest and optimize injectivity flow rates to desired levels.

 

2.36″ X 3.50″ Multi-Set Acid Stimulation System (ST60)

Created Value

The ST60 system functioned as designed, allowing the operation to be carried out without complications or safety incidents. Operational expenses were considerably reduced given that selective zonal stimulation across the desired interval through rigless conveyance drastically reduced treatment-fluid volumetric requirements, overall pumping time, and environmental foot print in comparison to rig-based, workstring-conveyed stimulation methods.

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Stuart Brown

Director

Stuart recently joined IPI as the Director of Oil and Gas, bringing with him 15 years of diverse experience in the industry, with a strong focus on inflatable packers. His extensive background encompasses a variety of roles, including field engineering, operations management, sales, and business development. This breadth of expertise, coupled with his international experience in markets across North America, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East, positions Stuart to effectively lead and expand IPI’s oil and gas operations on a global scale. Stuart holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Aberdeen and a Master’s degree in Finance from City University of London. His robust technical foundation and financial acumen uniquely empower him to drive strategic initiatives and foster growth within the company.

Masoud Jangani

Director

Masoud joined IPI Packers in 2022 as the Oil & Gas Region Manager for the Asia Pacific, bringing over 20 years of experience across operations management, technical sales, and business development in the resources sector. His diverse career spans both the mining and oil & gas industries, where he has held key leadership roles at global companies. In 2024, Masoud was appointed Director of the Mining, Water, and Geotech product lines (MWG), driving strategic growth and expansion across these sectors. Masoud holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering and graduate certificates in finance and business law.

Garry Taylor

Dave Knell

Director

David (Dave) Knell has been involved with the manufacture and application of inflatable packers for over 35 years. He started his career as an apprentice aged 15, and within a year, was running packers offshore, in Western Australia. Dave was the first employee of IPI and has been instrumental in the development of IPI’s manufacturing facility and capabilities. His knowledge of building packers is backed by extensive experience in the field, an innate understanding of real-world applications, and a fierce attention to detail. Dave is currently focused on expanding IPI’s ISO9001 certified manufacturing operations on a global scale, to better serve customers and to foster the continued growth of the company.

Francis Ford

Director

Francis joined IPI in 2005, based in Perth, Western Australia, as an apprentice. He developed his skills in manufacturing, tool and packer design and field operations across multiple industries – mining, water, civil/construction and oil & gas. His level of expertise and understanding enabled him to progress into leading IPI’s R&D efforts as manager. This included leading key custom / OEM designs and their practical developments, for multiple clients as well as continuing to progress the design and development of IPI’s unique systems. Now as engineering director, he is developing IPI’s engineering team to better support clients by improving our predictive packer modelling and fostering the continuous improvement of our packer tools and technology. A member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and author of several technical papers, he is credited in several industry patents.

Joel Adams

Director

Joel Adams is a hydrogeologist, turned packer expert who has spent 30 years applying inflatable packer technology to complex downhole problems. His experience includes well testing for nuclear waste site characterization, water resources, water rights, rock stress testing, water well rehabilitation, and plug and abandonment (P&A). Joel has been leading the team as Director – North America since 2007 and has been associated with IPI, either as a key customer, agent or employee, since its founding in 1999. He led the introduction of IPI packer technology to P&A work, offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, and the establishment of DuraFRAC® packers as the market leader in the water well hydrofrac market. With numerous publications and presentations, Joel is a recognized expert in well testing and custom packer system design.

Howard Kenworthy

Director

Howard joined IPI in 2005 as commercial manager when IPI had 5 staff and was making customized product to order. His prior career was with UK public companies in retailing and financial services, leading operating companies. He holds an MBA which he took a few years after his degree from Oxford (Philosophy, Politics and Economics). He has led IPI’s distribution development with standard products and established most of IPI’s international operations as part of his role in business planning, finance and strategy. This included joint ventures in the USA, Chile and Indonesia. He was based in South East Asia 2015 to 2022, prior to relocating to Sharjah in the UAE, from where, as Commercial Director, he continues to develop and co-ordinate planning and strategy, the group’s global distribution and financial operations.

Clem Rowe

Founder and Executive Chair

Born and bred in Western Australia, Clem is a Curtin University graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering. Early in his career, Clem worked on offshore engineering projects in Western Australia and France. While working offshore, Clem was first exposed to inflatable packers, manufactured by a small Australian company that he subsequently joined in 1988 as Engineering Director. Clem established IPI in 1999 and has grown it from a small Western Australian manufacturing operation, to the world-wide manufacturing and distribution organization that it is today, by carefully selecting a competent team, that shares his values of quality, innovation and customer service. Clem is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Institute of Hydrogeologists and the Institution of Engineers, Australia. He is the author of multiple articles and papers on inflatable packers and their application and has several international patents to his credit.

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