Rigless Repair of Packer Leak Via Annular Cement Plug

Abstract

Well double barrier envelope policy is a common industry practice and main philosophy of well integrity discipline. It is well-explained in well integrity related international standards: API RP90 (1 & 2), Norsok D10, ISO 16530 (1 & 2). It states that all wells with positive pressure at surface capable to flow naturally should have primary and secondary barrier envelope. Primary barrier envelope consists of well equipment which is continuously in direct contact with hydrocarbon and is pressurized. In case primary barrier failure (leak through the tubing, packer, or other completion equipment element), secondary barrier envelope is the one that holds the pressure and prevents further escalation of the incident outside of well boundaries. The content of this paper is related to such kind of wells that comply to the double barrier policy and are equipped with production packers. Conventional process of curing packer leak is to re-complete the well during rig intervention – the workover. During this process old completion is retrieved and new completion is installed. This operation can be repeated multiple times. Failure of any element of the primary barrier envelope results in the sustainable pressure in annulus "A" – SAP pressure. Such SAP wells is a violation from double well barrier policy and create a hazardous situation.