Production

Gas migration through channels formed in cement sheaths is a major problem in producing oil and gas.�� This problem can cause gas pressure on the casing annulus, inter-zonal communication with lost production, or a blowout.�� One remedial technique is to perform a squeeze job to inject an extremely fine cement slurry. The cement may block some channels, but, there are problems with penetration and vertical migration. Another option is to use solids-free materials, like epoxy resins or polymer gels. These materials can't block all of the channels where the gas may migrate.

This JIP conducted large scale model tests on different configurations of HCR risers. While there were already several riser analysis software programs available to industry that address the computational requirements needed for HCR analysis, there was little model or full scale test data that validates these programs. Phase II included some additional evaluation of the test results and was funded by other entities.

Coriolis flowmeters were tested under laboratory conditions to determine the effects of piping and equipment configurations, vibration, density, temperature, and pressure. The data was used to support or refute claims that these meters are insensitive to installation effects and to define the range of operation. This project also will analyze new field tests data received by the task group. The data was added to the meter repeatability data bank.

TUFFP is a JIP with an industry consortium of 17 member organizations that conduct fluid flow research to maximize flow and analyze problems such as corrosion and erosion.

Member Companies:
AspenTech Baker Hughes/Baker Atlas BP DOI/BSEE Chevron ConocoPhillips ExxonMobil GE Oil & Gas JOGMEC Kuwait Oil Company Marathon Oil Company Petrobras Saudi Arabian Oil Company Schlumberger Shell SPT Group Total

The committee on gas fluids measurement conducted a thorough review and revision of Part 2 of API Chapter 14.3,AGA Report #3. The report incorporated the installation requirements from improvements in technology gathered from research and the field experience gained.

The 24-month project 1) reviewed all aspects of coiled- tubing drilling, completion, production, and workover technology, 2) updated existing PC programs, and 3) developed new PC programs needed by participants to overcome field problems. Information for the reports was obtained from technical literature, field tests, service companies, operators, and laboratory tests. The objective of the project was to keep participants abreast of the latest technical developments in coiled-tubing technology and to assist them in implementing this technology into their operations.

The purpose of this project was to examine the design and reliability of production tubing used in oil and gas wells on the Outer Continental Shelf. The study assessed the current design criteria for production tubing as well as assess actual practices for wells in the Gulf of Mexico. It identified and evaluated tubing-related failures to determine if there were common failures and failure modes.

This project, 'Investigation of Hybrid Deep Water Production Systems' was initiated by a three-year cooperative agreement between the Minerals Management Service and LSU. Dr. Stuart Scott was the principal investigator. It was intended to complement another project with the same name and focus funded by the Louisiana Board of Regents, LSU, and Chevron. Both projects were to use field-scale experiments and analytical modeling to investigate the problems associated with subsea, multi-phase production systems.

This project evaluates the risk costs of three alternative design concepts for a deepwater Dry Tree Tieback well systems (well systems that extend the wellbore to a Christmas tree located on the production vessel (TLP, Spar)). The three design analyzed are:

1) dual casing riser;

2) single casing riser; and

3) tubing riser.

This was a Joint Industry Project (JIP). The project was to verify methods to accurately sample gases. The effects of several variables on the repeatability of sampling were studied. Spot, composite, and continuous sampling was evaluated under various field conditions. Variables studied include: vertical and horizontal runs, location of sampling probes relative to orifice meter, effects of gas composition on sampling integrity, use of GPA separators, flowing temperature in the vicinity of the dew point, re-vaporization of chilled samples swirling flows.