An Innovative Coiled Tubing Project Management to Intervene Beyond Short String in a Dual String Completion

Abstract Field X, a mature but significant oil field in the Malay Basin, is characterized by a multi-layered sandstone reservoir. Situated offshore of Peninsular Malaysia, it has a production history spanning 31 years. Due to reservoir management challenges, numerous dual completions have been implemented (Hussain et al., 1992). To ensure wells continue to produce at their optimal rates and to reactivate shut-in wells, well intervention activities are now necessary in both strings. X1, a dual string completion well, is currently having issues with its short string (SS) being inactive as a result of formation fines migration. The well, which is sanded in until end of tubing (EOT), is incapable of producing either naturally or with artificial assistance. A cost-effective solution without recompletion would be to utilize traditional coiled tubing (CT) services and cleanout the sand via circulation. However, conducting a CT intervention in a dual completion beyond the short string wireline entry guide (WEG) is a challenging and undesirable scenario (Asedegbega et al., 2007). Most operating and service companies consider it nearly impossible due to the limitations of activities beyond the WEG. This skepticism arises from the complex sinusoidal and helical path the CT string must navigate, increasing the likelihood of it becoming stuck or helically entangled with the long string (Hendra et al., 2002). This paper introduces an innovative yet simple solution utilizing readily available hardware by implementing an 'extended length' of Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA) to successfully intervene in this annular space.