Halliburton Electromagnetic Pipe Xaminer® V (EPX™V) Tool Detects Metal Loss Near Wellhead
Download PDFMature Fields
Identify and repair the leak to get production back on track
An operator had a well experiencing an annulus B to annulus C pressure communication similar to others previously identified by the Halliburton Acoustic Conformance Xaminer® (ACX™) tool. Because of the leak, the well could not be produced. The operator wanted to determine the extent of the corrosion. Halliburton proposed assessing the corrosion using the Electromagnetic Pipe Xaminer® V (EPX™ V) tool, which indicated a shallow metal loss anomaly within a few feet of the surface-casing hanger. Additional subsequent surface diagnostics were performed, which indicated the anomaly’s shallow location. Since the problem was identified near surface, a rigless external casing repair could be performed, which will save the cost and avoid the risk associated with using a rig to cut and pull multiple strings of pipe.
Since the operator’s leak was impacting production, and similar wells in the area experience shallow surface-casing corrosion problems, the operator wished to know the extent of this potential problem to develop a remediation plan.
Halliburton recommended assessing the corrosion using the new Electromagnetic Pipe Xaminer® V (EPX V) tool. The EPX V tool uses High-Definiton Frequency (HDF) technology, which is capable of logging the well in a single pass, without needing additional services to assign metal loss per pipe string. Additionally, the 1 11⁄16-in. OD allows for assessing the 9 5⁄8-in. surface casing from within the 2 7⁄8-in. tubing. The EPX V tool operates off mono-conductor wireline or in memory mode, which allowed the operator flexibility in choosing how to run it most efficiently
The section of the well in question was logged, and the results indicated a shallow metal loss anomaly within a few feet of the surface-casing hanger. Subsequent surface diagnostics were performed, which indicated a shallow location. The operator cut windows into the conductor casing and positively verified the location and degree of the corrosion.
Since the leak was identified near surface, a rigless external casing repair was performed, saving the cost and avoiding the risk associated with using a rig to cut and pull multiple strings of pipe.
Looking forward in time, the operator plans to continue using the EPX V tool in an effort to survey and prioritize wells for additional proactive corrosion monitoring and prevention. Proactive surveillance allows for optimized intervention timing and reduced well downtime. The EPX V and ACX diagnostic services can be run together, saving time and money, while providing a complete picture of the challenge.
The Halliburton EPX™ V accurately pinpoints casing defects and metal corrosion in up to five tubular strings throughout the well.
Acoustic analysis tools that pinpoint costly wellbore leaks by analyzing sound waves that describe flow patterns in the formation and casing.