Novel, efficient well intervention methods have increasingly been requested by operators as more and more mature fields have complex well-designs, and in addition ultra-deep and extended reach wells become common place for new field developments. The ComTrac system is a conveyance system developed by C6 Technologies utilizing a light-weight, semi-stiff composite rod with embedded conductors for power and communication to logging and electromechanical intervention tools. The use of composites give many advantages over conventional steel cables and coiled tubing, however the composites utilized up to now have limitations in material properties that prevent their service in more extreme down hole conditions.
This project has delivered a platform for the next generations of composite rods to be used with the ComTrac system, significantly expanding the number of wells/fields that can be serviced with this system. Detailed raw material characterization and specification in combination with a completely novel manufacturing process allows for production of rods with significantly improved properties in length up to 10,000m. In addition to the rod production capabilities establish, a one-of-a-kind Non-Destructive-Test system capable of scanning full length composite rods at high speed has been developed. This allows for safe validation of rod quality and integrity from the production of a rod and until end of lifetime.
Novel, efficient well intervention methods have increasingly been requested by operators as more and more mature fields have complex well-designs, and in addition ultra-deep and extended reach wells become common place for new field developments. The ComT rac system, developed by C6 Technologies, utilizes a light-weight, semi-stiff composite rod with embedded conductors and fully exploits the many benefits of composites. The thermoset composite rods used up to now however have limitations in material prope rties that prevent their service in down hole conditions at temperatures above 130 oC.
There is a need for material solutions that will allow well interventions in the most challenging extended operating environments, for temperatures of at least 177 oC, pressures up to 1 000 bar and depths up to 10 000 m. This will be solved by developing thermoplastic composites that will constitute the next generation of composite rods and enable using the ComTrac system in such extended operating environments.
The s uccess of the project will benefit operators in the North Sea and globally, as well as society as a whole, by providing more cost efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for well interventions that will help increase oil recovery in both new an d mature fields.