Summing up the interim results of the pilot industrial tests of the high-tech Snubbing Unit

Introduction. In the context of unstable oil prices, cost reduction has become critical. New technologies allow for faster, safer, and cheaper well repair without production losses. The revolution in well repair has arrived: from mechanization to autonomous systems. Modern challenges require new solutions, and we strive to follow this trend by implementing advanced robotic systems. The value of the model, combined with technical solutions, allows us to increase the company’s capitalization in real-time. 

Aim. The main technological challenge is to perform work on wells with abnormal reservoir pressures without killing them. Testing new approaches and using high-tech equipment for routine and major well repairs.

Materials and methods. At the moment, various technological solutions have been tested, and approaches have been identified for each type of well, allowing for the regulation of the technological process. However, working with wells with abnormal reservoir pressures requires different, high-tech methods. Well killing is the first preparatory step before the start of the well’s “life” cycle or during the production process before scheduled repairs, and it is one of the most expensive expenses due to the specific features of the productive horizon, such as abnormally high or low reservoir pressures. This article presents a promising mobile installation for repairing wells under pressure without the need for killing.

Results. During the testing and evaluation of the installation in the Far North, there has been a positive trend in reducing the repair time in wells with abnormal reservoir pressures. The productive time ratio is at 90%, and there is potential to achieve a minimum level of unproductive time. The proposed method of well repair will help reduce the number of HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) incidents and mitigate the risks of gas and oil spills.

Conclusion. The new high-tech mobile Snubbing Unit can be considered a breakthrough technology for well repair in the Russian Federation, with the potential to reduce well killing costs by up to 100%. 

1. Yushin E.S. Equipment and technology of current and capital repairs of oil and gas wells on land and at sea. Training manual. Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation. Ukhta: Ukhta State Technical University, 2020. Р. 10–127.

2. Equipment and technologies for working on wells under pressure without jamming.

3. Achievements and experience in using the Snubbing Unit by Consolidated Services LLC and Gazprom Nek PJSC.