Design, Testing, and Operation of a Completion Deflector Running and Test Tool for Efficient Multilateral Completions

Trip optimization is essential in multilateral well construction, especially for extended-reach drilling (ERD) wells. This paper describes the design, testing, and operation of a completion deflector running and test tool (RTT) that was recently used during completion of one of the industry's deepest extended-reach multilateral wells. The RTT allows for running and pressure testing of a completion deflector and lower completion components in a single trip, thus saving at least one trip, and up to three trips. The challenge was to develop the capability to run a completion deflector with an existing pressure test tool. This was accomplished by converting the pressure test tool into a running tool. The new pressure actuated mechanism built into the tool releases the completion deflector automatically after a successful pressure test. A secondary release mechanism was also incorporated for contingency options. Extensive engineering qualification tests validated the new features to be highly reliable.