Double barrier isolation restored in 45 minutes
Plasma® restores integrity in the tubing hanger BT seal
- Client Major Operator
- Leak Location Tubing Hanger BT Seal
- Location North Sea
- Nominal Bore 7 inch Tubing
Challenge
A $100,000/day oil production well uses gas lift to maximise production. During diagnostic testing, the tubing hanger BT seal had 3,300 psi present. The seal was passing, allowing pressure from the tubing to charge up the hanger void. The well was left with only a single barrier isolation, failure of which would require the well to be shut in.
Solution
Plasma® was used to restore integrity in the seal and to provide the well with second barrier isolation.
Outcome
The tubing hanger BT seal was stung and bled to 100 psi. After injecting Plasma® into the seal, a successful 15-minute pressure test at 1,000 psi was achieved. The tubing hanger void was then bled down and a successful 30-minute pressure build-up test of the void obtained. The Plasma® had restored the integrity of the seal, providing a second barrier from the tubing and the A annulus.
The upside
The risk of losing $100,000/day production, if the remaining seal had failed, was eliminated.
The seals were reinstated in only 45 minutes, with no interruption to the revenue stream.
There was no risk to the operation of the well, as the solution does not affect future wellhead operations.
