Well Integrity Technical Section

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  • 1.  Wellhead & Christmas Tree Integrity Procedure

    Posted 10-02-2014 07:20 AM
    This message has been cross posted to the following Discussions: Well Integrity and Production .
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    Hi all,

    We're going into the development phase of our new field and I have been tasked to develop procedures of performing integrity tests on the wellheads and christimas trees.
    This will include; function testing of all the valves, greasing of valve bodies, pressure testing of flanges and flange seals.

    Can any of you people help me with these procedures?

    Thanks & Regards
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    Emmanuel Byensita
    Jr. Production Engineer
    China National Offshore Oil Co Uganda Ltd
    Kampala
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  • 2.  RE: Wellhead & Christmas Tree Integrity Procedure

    Posted 10-03-2014 02:52 AM
    Dear Mr. Byensita,
    we made this integity programms on wellheads aligned with the given maintenance procedure from the equipment provider. If you have in your field agressive fluids or gases then you have to shorten the inspection period.

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    Wolfgang Meyer
    WO/Well Intervention Manager
    OMV Petrom SA
    Bucuresti
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  • 3.  RE: Wellhead & Christmas Tree Integrity Procedure

    Posted 10-03-2014 09:48 AM
    Hello,
    try
    "An Introduction to Well Integrity"
    "Norsok Standard D-010"
    "API Standard 65"

    best regards
    Sergio


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    Sergio Chavez
    Global Completion & WO Staff Engineer
    Pluspetrol Intl. Inc.
    Capital Federal
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  • 4.  RE: Wellhead & Christmas Tree Integrity Procedure

    Posted 10-04-2014 01:15 AM
    Hi , I will recommend you to check API 14-A-F as well the new release of ISO 16530-2 to continue with your well intervention ------------------------------------------- Guido Piccone Well Integrity Engineer Expro North Sea Ltd. Aberdeen -------------------------------------------


  • 5.  RE: Wellhead & Christmas Tree Integrity Procedure

    Posted 10-07-2014 12:13 AM
    Thanks Sergio

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    Emmanuel Byensita
    Production Engineer Trainee
    China National Offshore Oil Co Uganda Ltd
    Kampala
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  • 6.  RE: Wellhead & Christmas Tree Integrity Procedure

    Posted 10-05-2014 06:14 AM
    Emmanuel,

    I have integrity test procedures for 'my wells' but these may not be anything like your wells due to differences in environment, design, temperatures, fluids, etc.. You need to focus on developing the 'philosophy' and 'strategy' of WH maintenance for your field.  The guidelines below may help you with your planning;

    1) You need to be clear in your 'purpose' when developing the inspection program.  The API/ISO standards will help you define that purpose.  Management needs to agree to that 'purpose' which will set the well inspection frequency and budget.  Note: This is not a 'Production Operator' task but a dedicated 'team' of a few people that inspect and repair wellheads and trees.  This is often contractors doing these inspections for several companies to help reduce costs. Obviously, if you only have a few trees (i.e. 5 or 6) the Opertaors could do this.
    2) The program needs to be preventative not reactive.  Don't have a plan that waits for leaks or failures and repairs the problem. 
    3) You are already clear that it is Trees and Wellheads....be inclusive and cover all the seals, valves, and test ports that are accessible by the team.
    4) The tree and wellhead suppliers will have a recommended inspection and maintenance procedure for each item; "open test port xx and connect pressure gauge.  Allow presure to build up for PBU for xx minutes to determine if there is a leak."  You should start with their recommendations.  These are typically clear and refer to the ports and fittings in a consistent way. 
    5) The tree and wellhead suppliers will not necessarily mention frequency of inspection. You should consider 'frequency' based on severity of environment..offshore in a harsh environment maybe quarterly. Onshore in a dry environment maybe annually.  I would start off with a very early inspection, post start up, to look for problems, and then schedule a 6 monthly inspection to check on integrity.  Six monthly is typically frequent enough for offshore.
    6) Finally, don't over grease the tree valves.  They consume grease with each cycle but many are left open with few cycles per 'period'.  The Manufacturers recommended procedure is to grease each valve with a certain amount of grease at each service.  If the valve has not been cycled much this will just push old grease into the production stream where it will cause production problems (plugging) and is hard to remove.  This grease is designed not to dissolve in hydrocarbons so can only be removed by hand or fancy chemical.   Look at well utilization and only grease valves as much as required. For example; Lower Master Valve is rarely opened/closed and only needs 1/10 (or less) of the grease requirement of the Production Wing valve which is opened and closed regularly.

    To repeat, you can't copy someone else's WH maintenance procedure as these may not be anything like your wells due to differences in environment, design, temperatures, fluids, competency, etc.  Work with your tree supplier for their standard procedures and you focus on developing the 'philosophy' and 'strategy' of WH maintenance for your field.  Let me know if you have any questions;

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    Dan Gibson
    The Well Doctor
    Completion / Well Integrity Advisor
    Gibson Petroleum Consultants
    FulshearTX
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  • 7.  RE: Wellhead & Christmas Tree Integrity Procedure

    Posted 10-06-2014 03:43 AM
    Hi guys SPE Ghana Section is planning Well Integrity Workshop in January, 2015. In Accra - Ghana. Open up for sponsors, Committee members and participants. Can send me email at hamogas@spemail.org Tel: 0233(0) 248365622 ------------------------------------------- Henry Adom-malm General Manager Horizine Tech. Int. Gh Ltd. Accra -------------------------------------------