First split-flow application using a ‘wired’ PBL® was deployed by an operator in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea

Overview

A major oil & gas operating company in Norway had a requirement to deploy a DSI PBL® multiple activation bypass tool for an application where the operator had already reached TD with 100% of the flow to the bit, but prior to running the lower completion, and on POOH, wanted to divert 80% of the circulation to the annulus to boost the flow rate and dynamically clean the 13-5/8” casing by improving the annular velocity without the need to perform a dedicated clean out trip. The main challenges facing DSI were:

  • PBL® bypass system must have full IntelliServ compatibility,
  • PBL® bypass system must permit uninterrupted communication across the tool,
  • PBL® bypass system must be able to split the flow and divert a predetermined percentage of the flow to the annulus and the remaining flow to the BHA below.

Solution

DSI, in partnership with TFS Services, provided this operator with a “wired” DSI PBL® multiple activation bypass system with “split-flow” capabilities. The wired PBL® had been re-designed to provide full IntelliServ compatibility and to allow uninterrupted communication across the tool, while by using the Split Flow Dart allowing a predefined ratio of the flow to be diverted out from the PBL to the annulus and the remaining flow to the BHA.

Conclusion & Recommendation

DSI’s in-house hydraulics software was utilized to determine the correct ports and dart nozzle sizes to deliver the desired split flow ratios.

Due to the success of this operation, the wired PBL® is now included in the BHA for the next well.

Key facts