February 18, 2004 Technical Dinner Meeting

Polybore, A Wellbore Liner & Patch System
 ¤ Rob Cox, P.Eng. – Production Development Manager, Trican Well Servicing Ltd

Biography:

 Rob Cox is currently Manager of Product Development with Trican Well Service Ltd in Calgary.  Rob graduated from the University of Calgary in 1981 with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, and has worked in the regulatory, service, and operating sectors of the oil and gas industry. He spent his first 15 years with the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board in a variety of technical and management positions, after which he spent 4 years with Fracmaster developing the coiled tubing directional under balanced drilling service line. After a brief stint with Husky Oil as a drilling engineer in Lloydminster, Rob moved to Trican where he is currently responsible for Research and Development and implementation of new technologies into the marketplace.

Abstract:

 Polybore – Full Length In-Situ Plastic Lining of Oil Well Tubulars

 Plastic tubulars have been used in oil and gas operations for many years as a means of preventing wellbore or tubular corrosion. The traditional method has been by lining and installing individual joints of tubing or casing in the wellbore, or as a stand-alone hanging string. When compared to steel, plastics have improved friction characteristics as well as increased thermal insulating qualities, but have reduced mechanical properties which limit their applications. Recent technologies have allowed the in-situ installation of full-length liners composed of high density polyethylene and other plastic materials to reduce corrosion potential and reduce wellbore friction in injection wells. Under certain limitations, plastic liners can also be used for casing repair to extend wellbore life in injection and producing wells. One additional use of plastic tubing strings are as velocity strings which provide reduced friction and improved thermal insulation to gas producing wells to reduce and in some cases eliminate liquid loading in the wellbore.

 This presentation will illustrate both the benefits and the technical limitations of these applications of plastic tubulars, and present available field and case-study data on recent installations.