Remote Toe Isolation in ERD Wells Using an RFID-Actuated Circulating Toe Sleeve CTS A case study

Abstract

One of the main challenges in the oil industry is to reduce well intervention costs. This paper will explain the planning and execution of an application in the Middle East in which Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has been incorporated into a Circulating Toe Sleeve (CTS) to close and operate the tool remotely. Using the remotely activated CTS tool eliminates the need for additional intervention equipment and subsequently reduces the operational cost and risk involved in isolating and testing liners in Extended Reach Drilling (ERD) wells.

The remotely activated CTS will be located at the toe of a plugged Pre-Perforated Liner (PPL). The RFID CTS tool will be run open so that the liner can be circulated in. When the liner assembly is at the desired depth, it will be activated either by circulating RFID tags to the tool or allowing a timer to elapse. Once the CTS has been closed, it will prevent communication between the liner and the wellbore, thereby functioning as a barrier and allowing the liner assembly to be pressure tested.

The use of a standard circulating toe sleeve to provide liner isolation would typically result in significant costs and risks for the operator. These could be incurred in intervention time, additional service personnel on location, and budgeting for the risks associated with intervention. In ERD applications it may not be technically possible to provide an intervention solution to all parts of the well, especially the toe section. The use of a remotely activated CTS can reduce all of these considerations and make ERD wells economical and technically feasible. The potential savings this technology can bring increase by an order of magnitude when applied offshore/subsea.