Thru-Tubing Water Shut-off Solution for High Temperature Horizontal Well in South East Asia

Region: South East Asia
Well Type:
Offshore Oil Producer

Key Facts:

  • Available for setting in cased/open hole applications
  • Available in different sizes and configurations
  • Rigless offshore deployment
  • Available for HPHT applications
  • Bi-directional leak-free seal and anchor with DuraGRIP™ technology

Challenge

A leading offshore operator in South East Asia required a solution to control water-cut production in an offshore well. Multiple zones required effective zonal isolation within the 5-1/2” liner to selectively squeeze water shut-off (WSO) chemicals after passing through a 2.8” ID restriction. The main challenges associated with this application were as follows:

  • High expansion thru-tubing application
  • Multiple 2.8” ID restrictions at various depths
  • Extended-reach horizontal conditions
  • Unknown fluid level
  • Coiled-tubing conveyance
  • Bottom hole temperature expected to exceed 230F (110C)
  • Short-notice delivery
  • Retrievability through well restrictions was a critical requirement

Solution

IPI designed a 2.68” OD inflation element within a short notice period to reduce expansion and maximize operational ratings at expected well conditions. The inflation element was configured with IPI’s DuraGRIP™ technology for leak-free bi-directional anchoring in cased hole conditions. Product qualification was carried out by performing full-scale testing at the required expansion and temperature while verifying post-deflation OD retraction characteristics before delivery. Once the newly-designed 2.68” OD inflation element passed product-qualification testing, the following solution was provided to cover all treatment zones:

  • Run #1: 2.68” X 2-1/8” Thru Tubing Retrievable Inflatable Bridge Plug (TT RIBP) to shut-off the bottom water-producing zone.
  • Run #2: 2.68” X 2-1/8” TT RIBP to provide zonal isolation above the first bridge plug and serve as a base for the WSO treatment chemicals.
  • Run #3: 2.68” X 2-1/8” Single Set Treatment Packer (SSTP) to isolate the upper interval of the treatment zone and effectively squeeze the WSO treatment chemicals into the formation by pressurizing against the TT RIBP.

Both TT RIBP’s were successfully set at the required setting depths in the horizontal section, and verification for each bridge plug was carried out by monitoring water-cut production after each set. WSO chemicals were squeezed into the zones located above the second bridge plug by setting the SSTP above the water producing zones and increasing applied pressure within the isolated interval. After WSO chemicals were effectively squeezed into the formation, the SSTP was deflated to its original run-in-hole diameter and it was successfully retrieved through the upper completion.

Created Value

Water production and crossflow within the desired formation intervals were successfully shut-off, allowing the operator to improve water-cut production to desired levels. The job was successfully executed in a safe and timely manner without operational issues, which generated substantial savings in operational costs while minimizing offshore platform nonproductive time.

 

 

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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 Eastern Hemisphere and LATAM for 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.

Gordon Mackenzie

Director

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 P&A. Joel has led the IPI North American team 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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