SPE 127399

Maximizing Coiled Tubing Reach during Logging Extended Horizontal Wells

Using E-line Agitator
Muhammad H. Al-Buali, SPE, Alaa A. Dashash, SPE, Alaa S. Shawly, SPE, Walid Al-Guraini, Saudi Aramco;
Vsevolod Bugrov, SPE, Shlumberger; and Scott Nicoll, SPE, NOV Andergauge

Copyright 2009, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2009 Kuwait International Petroleum Conference and Exhibition held in Kuwait City, Kuwait, 14–16 December 2009.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been
reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its
officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to
reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright.

Abstract
The implementation of extended reach horizontal wells in Saudi Aramco, and in the southern area of Ghawar field in
particular, is being increased for production and cost optimization. Logging these wells is a challenge, as production profile
of a horizontal section cannot be entirely recorded with conventional coiled tubing (CT). This is mainly because of friction
forces between the CT and the wellbore, which cause CT to lock-up significantly shallower than total depth (TD). Although
with availability of this limited technique, such as metal to metal friction reducer, still CT reach cannot be maximized
effectively.

This paper will describe a successful utilization of agitator tool with custom designed e-line bypass that helps CT maximize
the coverage of the horizontal section for logging purposes. The agitator tool was incorporated into the Production Logging
Tool (PLT) and bottom-hole assembly (BHA). It was activated by pumping to cause the CT string to vibrate, and subsequently
reduce the friction contact between the CT and the wellbore to allow CT running beyond the normal lock-up depth.

The tool was trial tested in an extended reach horizontal well which has a TD of 12,118 ft. The simulator was showing a
predicted lock at 10,400 ft while a dummy run proved a lock-up point occurs at 10,800 ft without activating the agitator. The
e-line agitator was activated while the well was flowing at a restricted rate which maximized the reach to the TD and reducing
the friction coefficient by around 26%. Different conditions and parameters were conducted in order to understand the best
performance of the e-line agitator tool.

The implementation of the e-line agitator resulted in extending the reach of CT by an additional 1,300 ft and reaching TD. This
additional reach was significant as the last part of horizontal section was contributing water. The production log has been
reviewed and showed acceptable measurements. This paper will cover the whole cycle of candidate selection, job design,
execution, post job evaluation, lessons learned and conclusion.
Introduction
Drilling strategy has been shifted from vertical to horizontal at most oil fields in Saudi Arabia due to proven advantages in
optimizing production and cost. Even the existing vertical wells, they are being converted to horizontal to prolong their life,
improve productivity index and delay water encroachment. Furthermore, the drilling strategy is being developed by drilling
more complex wells, such as extended reach horizontal wells, to maximize reservoir contact. This type of well is widely
implemented in Saudi Aramco, particularly in the Haradh area, which is located at the southern part of the giant Ghawar field.

The extended reach horizontal well can be defined as a well with measured depth (MD) to true vertical depth (TVD) ratio that
is equal to or greater than 2 (MD/TVD)1, 2. For this particular field, the horizontal well can be considered as extended reach
when its horizontal section is equal to or more than 6,000 ft. These wells act as a challenge for most of the rigless well
intervention operations, such as acid treatment and logging, using conventional coiled tubing (CT). The challenge came from
CT limitation to cover the entire long horizontal section.
Due to well arcticture, the most common CT size is 2 in. while sometimes 2⅜ in. CT is utilized when possible. The limitation
of CT in the long horizontal well occurs as it locks-up shallower than total depth (TD). This is because the axial compressive/
surface force (Fs) cannot overcome the axial bottom force (Fb) during run in hole (RIH) which resulted from friction forces
when the CT buckles in helical shape1, Fig. 1. To reduce the impact of the friction contact, there are limited techniques that
2 SPE 127399

increase CT reach, such as a metal to metal friction reducer, and CT tractor3-5. Application of a metal to metal friction reducer
could extend the reach for a few hundred feet in this particular field based on historical application3, 4. On the other hand, CT
tractor was a very good application for acid stimulation jobs, whereas it is not currently applicable for logging operations.

Fig. 1. Axial surface force vs. axial bottom force.

The agitator tool is another technique that can be activated hydraulically from the surface by pumping water. The main
function of an agitator is creating vibrations that reduce the surface contact of the CT string with wellbore. This type of motion
creates a significant reduction in friction force acting against the CT string while running in hole and delay helical buckling
accordingly.

So far, the agitator was utilized only for treatment purposes at formations with various friction coefficient (FC) values which
showed reasonable results. Although, it was not applicable for the logging operation as the wireline needs to bypass the
agitator to the bottom-hole assembly (BHA) and surveillance tool. This was always a concern from oil companies to service
providers to enhance the services by providing an adequate tool, which acts like as an agitator does with the same performance
for logging operation. This was a very important point as it was noted from the previous logs that a significant amount of
water and oil are produced from the last segment of the horizontal section.

A very good reaction was made toward the above point and a custom designed e-line bypass agitator tool has been provided.
This paper will shed light on trial testing the tool, which was implemented in one of the extended reach horizontal wells at
Haradh field.

E-line Agitator Description and Mechanism

The agitator consists of a Positive Displacement Motor (PDM) section, with the rotor having an upper valve plate attached to
it, Fig. 2. The plate has an eccentric hole and flow is directed through this hole. The rotor causes the plate to oscillate when
flow passes through the tool. This plate moves above a static plate with a hole. Oscillating changes the flow area and pressure
pulses are created which excite the CT to vibrate and break static friction, Fig. 3. The pressure pulse amplitude is directly
related to the flow rate and the weight of the fluid being pumped6.

Fig. 2. Agitator Cross Section.

SPE 127399 3

Fig. 3. The Impact of Flow Rate Area on Pressure.

The agitator has been modified to allow e-line wire to bypass it to the BHA. The e-line bypass consists of:
1. A top sub which screws into the upper bulkhead, which connects to the upper BHA.
2. The upper bulkhead which houses the packing stack element, and is also used to anchor the wireline when required.
3. The wireline runs in the annulus between the agitator and the outer sleeve.
4. The downhole agitator.
5. The lower bulkhead which returns the wireline back into the flow path.
6. The bottom sub which also retains the sleeve and connects to the lower BHA, Fig. 4.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Fig. 4. E-line agitator schematic.

Case Completion and History

Well A was drilled as an extended reach horizontal well across a carbonate formation in the Haradh area. The 6⅛ in. open hole
was drilled to a TD of 12,118 ft MD at around 6,090 ft TVD with a maximum dogleg severity of 7 degree/100 ft. The first kick
off point (KOP) is started from 4,600 ft MD while the second KOP is started from 5,803 ft MD. The 7 in. liner was set at
6,768 ft MD while the end of tubing (EOT) depth is 6,929 ft MD. The well was completed with 7 in. big bore packer and 4½
in. tubing with a minimum restriction of 3.725 inch, Fig. 5.

Initially, the well had been produced as dry oil at a restricted choke setting since 2006. Almost two years later, the well started
cutting water, which has increased gradually even with more restriction. Several surfaceproduction tests and collected
wellhead sample results showed that the water production has increased up to 8% water cut (WC) while salt concentration is
more than 1,500 pounds per thousand barrels (PTB).

Objective
A production log was required on this well to record the production profile of the horizontal section and detect the water entry
zone. The logging tools needed to be run were pressure, temperature, gamma ray (GR), casing casing locator (CCL), X - Y
caliper, fluid hold-up, full bore spinner (FBS), fluid flow logging capabilities and approved tool for wet wells production
logging that can detect the water entry zone. The log was needed to decide on a remedial action to maintain well productivity.
Logically, maintaining well productivity could be achieved with the utmost gained information from the wellbore. Based on
that, different remedial action techniques can be applied depending on the identified water production zones (heel, middle or
toe). It was expected that water was produced from the bottom zone (toe); as well trajectory and azimuth values indicated that
the well was drilled toward the injection boundary. Accordingly, the objective of the job was to convey the logging tool to the
TD to capture the flow profile across the entire horizontal section.
4 SPE 127399

Fig. 5. Well A cross section schematic.

Well Intervention Simulation

It is a common practice to run well intervention simulations for most of the CT intervention in order to understand the CT
reach and the CT working limit upon which CT size could be determined. Each service provider has its own software and
provided results will depend on the realiblity of the entered data.

The simulation predicted lock-up depth was generated, in the case of 2 in. CT, based on actual field data. The most important
considered parameter was the open hole FC during CT RIH. The proposed FC values were 0.43 and 0.4 to get the worst and
best case results. Both simulations were showing an early lock-up depth would be encountered at 9,980 ft and 10,485 ft MD,
respectively, Fig. 6. In addition, the simulator was utilized to predict 2⅜ in. CT lock-up, which showed a minor advantage.
Finally, the simulator was utilized to predict the lock-up 2 and 2⅜ in. CT with a help of the agitator, which showed a complete
reach to the TD, Fig. 7.
SPE 127399 5

Fig. 6. Simulator result without agitator.

Fig. 7. Simulator results with agitator.

Challenges
The main objective of this job is reaching TD and collecting high quality data. Although there has been very good experience
in deploying the agitator for acid stimulation purposes, the logging operation is a factor for additional challenges. These are
due to the following:
1. Killing the well: In acid stimulation jobs, the agitator is activated using water as it makes it performing aggressively.
However, during logging operations, pumping a large volume of water in the well could cease the well to flow and no
measurements can be obtained during flowing passes. Even the log during shut-in condition; it will not be
representative as the well is overbalanced.
2. Snubbing force: RIH during logging operations is not only at shut-in condition, as the case with acid stimulation.
The well needs to be flowed during RIH for better logging measurement. This adds another force against the CT,
along with friction contact force, which is known as a snubbing force. Accordingly, the additional force will alleviate
the agitator performance and it is expected that CT locks-up shallower during flowing condition than shut-in
condition.
6 SPE 127399

3. Maintaining CT optimum speed: As per the experience with acid stimulation jobs, the CT is run at very low speed
which could not be kept constant based on agitator and CT weight performance. This conflicts with the common
practice during logging operation, which requires RIH while maintaining the optimum running speed for reliability of
the logging measurement.
4. Pumped volume: The pumped fluid volume to activate the agitator is always a challenge due to cost and logistics.
More details will be addressed in the job planning section.

Job Planning
Several discussions were held with a multidisciplinary team involving production engineering, a logging company, a CT
company and an agitator vendor to determine an effective logging design to enable reaching TD while ensuring logging
effectiveness with an optimized cost. First, it was decided to utilize 2 in. CT rather than 2⅜ in., as the simulator indicates
reaching TD with a help of the agitator, to optimize the operational cost. The second decision was to deploy a 3¼ in. e-line
agitator, as it is the suitable size based on the given parameters.

The above challenges were thoroughly discussed and group of mitigation solutions were achieved. Regarding the first
challenge, it was agreed to pump diesel rather than water since it has lower density. This would make only a small difference
in the optimum performance of the tool which could be compensated by a higher pumping rate. However, water would be
utilized during the function test only for environmental and safety considerations.

Concerning the second challenge, the team planned to flow the well at a restricted rate with the purpose of reducing the impact
of the high flow. If this case is successful, it was decided to run it again with a higher rate to understand the agitator
performance at a higher rate, as well as reduced back pressure resulting from choke restriction to detect if there is a water
conning. In addition, the team agreed to activate the tool earlier than the lock-up occurrence with the aim of preventing early
helical buckling. This way was proposed based on historical cases, where the agitator was activated at CT lock-up depth, CT
could be run deeper just for a few hundred feet of distance4. The short extended reach distance is because CT had already
helically buckled, and subsequently it was difficult for the agitator to perform as expected.

About the pumped volume challenge, early pumping diesel to TD would require a big volume to allocate on location to cover
the desired interval. The same volume would be needed for the second run with a higher rate and during shut-in condition.
The required volume would be based on the pumping rate and speed of the CT. Accordingly, the estimated accumulative
required diesel was around 32,000 gallons. However, a plan was put to activate the tool at the minimum required rate and then
gradually increase it to the optimum activation rate to optimize the volume.

Job Execution
The main description of the job excecution sequence is highlighted:

1. Pre-job requirements were conducted and safety meeting with all involved personnel was held on location.
2. A 2 in.. CT, blowout preventer (BOP), kill lines,, etc., were rigged up. The logging head tool was connected to the CT
end.
3. Pressure tests were conducted as per Saudi Aramco requirements.
4. A 3¼ in. e-line agitator was connected and then function tested. All rates and pressure values were recorded while
optimum pumping rate was verified, Table 1.
5. A 36 ft dummy tool, equivalent to actual logging tool's dimension, was hooked up to the e-line agitator.
6. The CT with the dummy tool was RIH while the well was shut-in to ensure tools accessibility through minimum
restriction and no obstruction would be encountered. In this stage, the e-line agitator was not activated to determine
the actual lock-up depth, if it were to occur. After that, the CT was pulled out of hole (POOH).
7. On the surface, the dummy tool was disassembled and replaced by actual logging tools.
8. Meanwhile, the well was lined up to the surface test trap to be tested during the flowing passes to ensure data quality.
9. The CT was RIH while the well was flowing at a stabilized condition of a restricted rate. The agitator was activated
using diesel, starting from 45 degrees of well's inclination and then the well was logged down and up.
10. The CT was RIH again while the well was flowing at stabilized higher rate. The agitator was activated using diesel
starting from 45 degrees of well's inclination and then the well was logged again down and up.
11. With the well shut-in, the CT was RIH and the well was logged down and up.
12. The CT was POOH and logging tools and e-line agitator were visually inspected.
SPE 127399 7

Table1. Function test results using water

Flow Rate (bbl/min) Circulating Pressure (psi) Remarks

0.5 700 CT Vibrates

0.8 1,300 CT Vibrates Aggressively

Results
The operation was conducted safely and successfully for a period of five consecutive days. The results were encouraging and
the agitator was functioning within acceptable performance. The main results that were achieved can be summarized below.

™ Dummy Run at Shut-in Condition

In this case, the dummy tool was run along with CCL to correlate the depth and ensure an accurate lock-up point. The CT
passed through all minimum restrictions while no mechanical obstruction was encountered. The CT was run without activating
the e-line agitator until it reached a depth of around 10,800 ft, which is shallower than TD by almost 1,300 ft, Fig. 8. The
tension sub and CT weight did not indicate any slack off sign due to hitting any mechanical obstructions, which confirmed
lock-up occurrence. This dummy run is representative of lock-up depth during the actual logging run as the difference between
the dummy run and logging run is the BHA.

Averaged Weight
Pickup
30K Slackoff

25K

20K
eight - lbf

15K
AveragedW

10K

5K

-5K

-10K
0 900 1800 2700 3600 4500 5400 6300 7200 8100 9000 9900 10800 11700 12600
Corrected Depth - ft
© Schlumberger 1994-2005

Fig. 8. Simulated vs. actual CT weight during shut-in condition without agitator.

Figure 8 illustrates the actual weight encountered in the job, the blue line indicates the RIH simulated weight. After
completing the first run, the FC value of the open hole was updated to accurately match the simulation to the actual weight.
Since the CT locked up during RIH in the open hole, the original FC (0.43 or 0.4) of the open hole was not estimated
accurately. Consequently, by extrapolating from the trend obtained at the beginning of the open hole, the original FC in the
open hole is estimated to be 0.38, therefore the lock-up depth would have been at 10,800 ft. Weight fluctuations before the
lock-up point are common and can be explained by the shape of the CT string inside the wellbore. First, the CT string takes a
sinusoidal shape and when friction force exceeds a certain value (helical buckling load), the CT becomes helically buckled and
the contact area between the CT surface and wellbore walls significantly increased. Still, the CT string has a movement
momentum which allows it to penetrate deeper, but at the lock-up point, the friction force exceeds the CT weight, and the CT
becomes compressed and cannot be pushed deeper anymore.
8 SPE 127399

™ Logging Run at Flowing Condition and Restricted Rate

In this stage, the CT was run with the logging tool while the well was flowing at a restricted rate to record the flow profile. The
CCL was part of the logging tool as it is necessary for the logging operation to determine accurate flow zones depths. The e-
line agitator was activated by pumping diesel starting from 45 degrees of the well's inclination. The volume of pumped diesel
was approximately 8,000 gallons at 1.0 bbl/min. Figure 9 shows the CT reached the TD at an optimum speed of 25 ft/min
while the entire open hole section was logged.

st
Fig. 9. Major operation parameters of the 1 logging run at restricted rate.

Averaged Weight /

Pickup
Sla ckoff
30K

25K

20K
eight - lbf

15K
AveragedW

10K

5K

-5K

-10K
0 900 1800 2700 3600 4500 5400 6300 7200 8100 9000 9900 10800 11700 12600
Corrected Depth - ft
© Schlumberger 1994-2005

st
Fig. 10. Simulated vs. actual CT weight during 1 flowing condition at restricted rate

Figure 10 shows the actual weight encountered in the job, the blue line indicates the RIH simulated weight. The FC in the
open hole was calculated to match the lock-up depth while keeping the same FC in the tubing. It was found that only until the
FC is decreased to 0.28 the CT would be able to reach that depth. As a result, the FC was decreased by 26% from 0.38 to 0.28,
assuming the agitator had an effect on the open hole section only. This value can even be lower as the weight indicator trend is
constant and indicates that even if the open hole is deeper than TD, the CT still can RIH deeper in the open hole with the help
of the agitator tool.

™ 2nd Logging Run at Flowing Condition and Higher Rate

The CT was run with the logging tool for the second time while the well was flowing at a higher rate. The e-line agitator was
activated by pumping around 1.0 barrel/min of diesel starting from 45 degrees of the well's inclination. Figure 11 shows the
CT reached a depth of 11,090 ft at fluctuating speed. The volume of pumped diesel was approximately 22,000 gallons at 1.0
bbl/min due to speed fluctuation.
SPE 127399 9

nd
Fig. 11. Major operation parameters of the 2 logging run at higher rate.

Averaged Weight
Pickup
Slackoff
30K

25K

20K
Averaged Weight - lbf

15K

10K

5K

-5K

-10K
5400 6300 7200 8100 9000 9900 10800 11700 12600
Corrected Depth - ft
© Schlumberger 1994-2005

nd
Fig. 12. Simulated vs. actual CT weight during 2 flowing condition at higher rate.

Figure 12 shows the FC in the open hole was calculated to match the lock-up depth while keeping the same FC in the tubing.
As a result, the FC wasn’t decreased and stayed at 0.38, assuming the agitator had an effect on the open hole section only. The
weight indicator trend was difficult to maintain, due to snubbing forces against the CT and the agitator resulted from a high
flow rate. The CT speed of 25 ft/min could not be maintained while pumping 1.0 bbl/min.

™ Logging Run at Shut-in Condition

After completing the flowing passes, the well was shut-in until it got stabilized. Before the start of this run, it was noticed that
diesel volume might not be sufficient to go all the way to TD. A decision was made to go ahead with the current volume and
activated the agitator, if needed, starting at the lock-up depth. Figure 13 shows the CT reached a maximum depth of 12,000 ft,
which is 1,000 ft deeper than the dummy run lock-up depth. Taking into account the same friction coefficient value as for the
dummy run, deeper reach of CT can be explained by pull tests, which were performed periodically during RIH. This allowed
removing accumulated buckling from the CT string while POOH.
10 SPE 127399

nd
Fig. 13. Major operation parameters of the 2 logging run at higher rate.

Logging Results
The production profile of the open hole could be recorded during the three runs. The logging measurements were properly
recorded and CT vibration or pumping was not adversely affecting the results. Figure 14 shows that the water was produced
from the last segment of the open hole. In addition, the log shows the well complicated geometry, which could be overcome by
the agitator performance at flowing condition.

Fig. 14. Log result at restricted rate.

Lesson Learned
This job has increased the experience to perform the logging operation using CT with help of an agitator. The main lessons
learned:
1. Early activation of an agitator will help delay the helical buckling and then extend the CT reach effectively even
when the well is flowing. This procedure is better than activating the agitator at lock-up point or POOH for a short
distance and then activate it.
2. Based on the results during the flowing passes, we recommend to flow the well at a restricted rate to record the flow
profile while RIH.
3. If the well must be produced at very high rate or wide choke setting, then the agitator can be utilized while the well is
restricted or shut-in until the CT reaches TD, or locks-up at maximum reachable depth. After that, the choke is re-
adjusted to the desired wide setting and wait for stabilization before recording up pass only.
4. Diesel is an effective fluid to be utilized for the agitator activation in logging operations or during treatment jobs in
wells with relatively low reservoir pressure.
5. A compenation between frequent POOH and agitator activation could help the CT get deeper, especially in long
extended reach horizontal wells.
SPE 127399 11

Conclusion
1. The e-line bypass agitator tool is custom designed effectively, and it can convey the wire from the end of the CT to the
well surveillance tool without causing mechanical damage or interrupting the transferred data when vibrating.
2. The e-line agitator helps reduce the open hole FC by at least 26%.
3. The e-line bypass agitator is recommended for logging operations in extended reach wells.
4. The performance of the agitator could be enhanced by implementing the above lessons learned.

Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the management of Saudi Aramco, Shlumberger and NOV Aundergauge for their support and
permission to publish this article. Also, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Saad Al-Driweesh, Turki Al-
Saadoun and Hamad Al-Marri who provided the support to trial test the e-line agitator and perfrom the job. In addition, we
would like to thank all personnel who participated by engineering and operational support during the logging design, execution
and evaluation.

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