This paper presents the successful deployment and results obtained from flexible coiled tubing (FCT) technology applied to an oil-producing well of the Frade field in the Campos Basin of Brazil. The success of the technology allowed re-establishment of well production to approximately 4,300 BOPD, representing an increase of 9%, proving the viability of FCT in mature fields.
Introduction
When depressurization, inert gas bullheading, fluid displacement, and chemicals are unsuccessful for hydrate-blockage removal, mechanical techniques become necessary. However, for scenarios in which conventional steel capillary or coiled tubing (CT) cannot be used, alternative types of CT technologies must be employed. One such technology is a flexible composite CT, which, because of its materials, can handle challenging geometries and short-radius pipe bends and can reach significant distances owing to its ability to more-easily acquire neutral buoyancy while inside a pipeline.
The complete paper aims to present the successful floating production, storage, and offloading vessel (FPSO)-based deployment of the FCT in the Frade deepwater field for the removal of a challenging hydrate blockage with sand content in one of the field’s production lines.
