Well Intervention - Oil and Gas Well Completions

A: Risks include wellbore damage due to improper tool deployment, well control incidents such as kicks or blowouts if pressure is not managed properly, equipment failure, and environmental hazards like fluid spills. Personnel safety is also critical given the complex mechanical operations involved. Therefore, thorough planning, risk assessment, and adherence to safety protocols are essential. Regular training and use of blowout preventers (BOPs) help mitigate these risks. The American Petroleum Institute (API) has guidelines on well intervention safety practices.

A: Hydraulic fracturing is a specialized stimulation technique used to enhance production by creating fractures in the reservoir rock to increase permeability. Although often performed shortly after well completion, it can also be considered a form of well intervention when applied later to revive or boost production in existing wells. It involves pumping fracturing fluids at high pressure into the formation. Due to its complexity and environmental concerns, it requires detailed planning and regulatory compliance. For comprehensive understanding, review publications from the SPE and resources like the US Department of Energy's FracFocus website.

A: Common well intervention methods include: 1) Wireline interventions, which involve running tools into the well on a wire to perform tasks such as logging, perforation, or setting plugs; 2) Coiled tubing interventions, which use a continuous flexible pipe to deliver tools and fluids into the well, allowing for operations like milling, cleanouts, and acidizing; 3) Snubbing, which enables intervention on wells under pressure by pushing pipe into the well against the pressure; and 4) Hydraulic workover, which involves pulling and replacing tubulars. Each method has specific applications based on well conditions and objectives. Reference: 'Well Intervention Techniques' by Schlumberger.

A: Well intervention refers to the various operations carried out on an oil or gas well during or at the end of its productive life to extend its production, enhance recovery, or manage well integrity. It can include a wide array of activities such as cleaning out the wellbore, repairing damaged equipment, or stimulating the reservoir. These operations help maintain or optimize well performance without the need for complete well abandonment. For more detailed information, you can refer to the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) resources or the 'Handbook of Well Intervention' by SPE.