Downhole Swarf Collection Tool

In Oil and Gas industry, it is necessary to utilize the investments in fields and wells to the maximum to achieve ambitious targets for EOR (Extended Oil Recovery) Optimal and efficient cost utilization could be to do sidetrack drilling in existing wells for increased drainage of reservoirs or other purposes that support increased recovery. Sidestep drilling is performed by milling through the existing casing further drilling a new well which is completed. The technology developed in this project is aimed at improving the existing methods of handling the swarf from the milling operation through the casing (window milling). The existing method of collecting, cleaning wells for swarf consists of the use of permanent magnets in the drill string in addition to swarf may be circulated surface by the mud return. Method often involves additional washing runs to remove more swarf, BOP can accumulate swarf that can affect the equipment ability to operate as required and may also require special cleaning runs. Furthermore, the swarf is removed from magnets by hands on drill floor and cause spill of swarf and mud on deck. These conditions have been addressed by Swarfix® newly developed technology Swarfix® WCT (Well Cleaning Tool) in that all swarf are collected continuously throughout the operation downhole in the tool?s Container. There will be no swarf in the return flow, there is no need to handle swarf at surface and there is no need for extra cleanout runs to achieve sufficiently clean well or BOP cleaning before further operations. This has a direct positive impact on HSE results, it improves operational risk and efficiency and help to reduce operational costs. The technology does also use permanent magnets to capture the swarf, but now the magnets are placed protected inside a cylinder (Swarfix® Magnet Sleeve). By having a transport screw (Swarfix® Screw) surrounding the Magnet Sleeve, as well as keeping it static by a rolling anchor (Swarfix® Anchor) which is activated and locks against the casing wall when pumping rate reach a certain level. In this way the tool will be active during the entire milling operation causing the Magnet Sleeve to be kept clean by the static Screw feeding all swarf in the Container below the Magnet Sleeve. Important issues that have been addressed during the development of the technology is to have a design enable compatibility to 3. party tools in the string, the Swarfix® WCT will always be part of a toolstring consisting of one or more 3. party suppliers. The specifications for pressure, temperature, rotation, flow rates, fluids, tensile strength, torque etc. are considered to address most of potential marked for the relevant size casing. The lifespan of MTBM has also been addressed to deliver the service on competitive terms. Swarfix® WCT has undergone the following testing to qualify for TRL4 level - Functional testing in test well under operational conditions ref to rotation, flow, fluid and with 100% capture of swarf, no swarf to surface. - Verification of technology robustness in that Swarfix® WCT has been part of the milling operation of casing for 8 ½ hours efficient milling, 100% collection of swarf and no technical issues during the execution. - Lifetime test focusing on Anchor, Magnet Sleeve and Screw as these are considered the most critical components. 24 hours continuous circulation of swarf cleaning the Magnet Sleeve by the Screw kept static by the Anchor, test performed at operational conditions for rotation, flowrate and fluid. Test results confirmed robustness and functionality. Swarfix® WCT was tested and qualified for TRL4 level in Q4 2020. Pilot well offshore Norway is expected to take place early Q1 2021 The plan is to make the Swarfix® WCT available for commercial service Q2 2021

Teknologi for aktiv oppsamling av spon nede i brønn ved vindusmille operasjoner er realisert og de kommuniserte gevinster innen HMS og forbedringer av operasjonell effektivitet som ble gjordt ifm oppstart av prosjektet vil kunne realiseres. Teknologien har nådd TRL4 akespet av industri partner og det forventes utpøving offshore på norsk sokkel allerede i januar/februar 2021. Det medfører at prosjektet går over til kommersiell drift med inveseteringer i produksjon og levering av tjenester, dvs at selskapet Swarfix AS vil bidra til både arbeidsplasser internt og externt hos underleveranndører. Det er også vist stor interesse for teknologien fra store internasjonale oljeselskap og globale service selskap som indikerer at vekst utenfor Norge vil ha stort potensiale.