Owen Kratz, Helix ESG Chairman and CEO
Well Intervention
Overview
1
What is well intervention?
Well intervention is the ability to safely enter a well with well control for the
purpose of doing a number of tasks other than drilling.
Well intervention historically was done with drill rigs, with an 18-3/4 BOP and
21 marine riser as the only means of well access with well control.
In the 80s, technology was developed that afforded for re-entry into wells with
alternatives to the drilling well control systems and rigs for delivery of nondrilling services.
As technology is developed, water depth increases, well head design evolves
and well construction changes, intervention also evolves and demand grows.
Intervention Today
Vessel
Monohull
Semi
Smaller
SIL
Well
Intervention
Smaller
Cat A
Wireline
Well
Services
Larger
SIL/IRS
Intervention System
IRS
IRS
18 3/4 BOP
<7"
>7"
>7"
21" IRS
Cat A+
Cat A++
Cat B
Cat C
Wireline
<7" riser
Coiled tubing
Wireline
<7" riser
Coiled tubing
Wireline
<7" riser
Coiled tubing
Pull tubing
Drilling
Wireline
E-line reservoir/annulus
Well perforating-tubing/casing
DHSV repair
SSSV/sleeve insets/storm chokes
Fishing
Guage cutting
P/T/F gauges
Gas lift valves
Sand screen repair
Tubing/seal failure-mechanical
plugs/patches (well integrity)
Downhole video/camera surveillance
Perforating
E-line plug setting/removal/sand removal
Pressure/temp flow monitoring
Downhole seismic calliper survey
Well logging
Coiled Tubing
Cement plug placement-reservoir/
intermediate/shallow
Fishing
Gas lift valves
Sand screen repair
Tubing/seal failure-mechanical
plugs/patches (well integrity)
Zone isolation/re-perforating
Scale squeeze/hydrates soak
Scale mill-out
Well stimulation
Related Operations with Intervention Assets
Xmas tree recovery/installation
Xmas tree/wellhead maintenance
Choke change-out
Light construction
Saturation diving (inspection, repair & maintenance)
ROV support services
Future Applications of Some Intervention Assets:
Through tubing well intervention
Top hole drilling
Extended top hole drilling
Riserless Mud Return
Subsea Rotary Controlled Device
Well flowback and Well testing
Subsea Construction
4
Downhole Well Intervention Solutions
Straddles or patches to
repair tubing
Wellbore unloading
with nitrogen
Milling or high pressure
jetting to remove scale
Wellbore cleanout, fill
removal with long or
reverse circulation
Milling and underreaming
to remove wellbore scale
Formulation matrix or
fracture stimulation
Heavy duty fishing with
simultaneous removal
of fill
Selective zonal isolation,
mechanical or chemical
Perforating long sections
Helix Intervention Industry Firsts
First Subsea Intervention Lubricator
operations in the North Sea
First build and launch of dedicated
intervention vessel - Seawell
First coil tubing deployed on a
subsea well from a rig alternative
monohull
Build and operation of prototype
vessel Q4000
First rig alternative decommissioning
of offshore production facility with
multiple subsea wells
First application of Huisman
multipurpose tower
Growing Market
As production goes to deeper water, subsea well count grows.
As the number of subsea wells increase and they age, the demand and
frequency of required servicing through intervention grows.
The market is in its infancy with huge growth potential.
Well Intervention Demand Drivers
Global subsea trees by onstream year
700
607
600
500
400
497
396
344
407
361
262
300
285
Declining shallow water
resources have spurred
technical advances that allow
offshore exploration and
production in deeper, harsher
environments
New discoveries and
pressure to improve recovery
rates from developed fields
increase demand for subsea
intervention
Subsea trees are expected to
increase at an 18.3% CAGR
and global offshore rig count
is expected to increase at a
5% CAGR from 2010 to 2015
340
200
100
0
2007A 2008A 2009A 2010A 2011E 2012E 2013E 2014E 2015E
Global offshore rig count
500
400
361
361
321
336
348
379
396
412
429
300
200
100
0
2007A 2008A 2009A 2010A 2011E 2012E 2013E 2014E 2015E
The global subsea intervention market is expected to expand as the focus of offshore drilling shifts
to more challenging environments
Source: Spears & Associates, Quest Offshore Resources
Intervention Needs Rises with Subsea Well Count
Subsea wells installed base (2002 2012)
7,000
6,000
Installed subsea completion base over 5 yrs
old
Installed subsea completion base 5 yrs
or younger
5,000
6,500
Need for intervention typically
occurs after 5 years of
production, due to:
Reduced pressure in wells
3,000
Increased water or sand
production
4,000
Scaling in wells
3,500
Other factors
3,000
1,700
2,000
1,000
0
+94%
1,800
Oil wells generally have a
greater need for intervention
than gas and injection wells
3,500
1,200
+200
%
1,800
600
2002A
2007A
2012E
Note: Total installed base includes all subsea well completions from 1990, not adjusted for wells decommissioned 2007-2012
Source: Quest Offshore Resources
Market Outlook for Well Intervention
Subsea well intervention expenditures
$4,000
$ in millions
$3,100
$3,000
2009A
2010A
$3,752
$2,630
$1,786
$2,000
$1,000
$2,230
$2,305
$3,446
$1,043
$0
2007A
2008A
2011E
2012E
2013E
2014E
Subsea intervention demand driven by increasing activity and rising
subsea well counts
Maintenance intensity expected to rise as greater share of production
moves into deepwater fields and as operators face increasing oil
recovery needs from maturing fields
Global expenditures on intervention are expected to grow 11% annually
from 2009 to 2014, reaching nearly $3.8 billion
Source: Douglas-Westwood
10
2011 Market for Well Intervention Services
Norway
SS Intervention spend:
Offshore rigs:
Offshore wells drilled:
$303mm
19
188
United Kingdom
SS Intervention spend:
Offshore rigs:
Offshore wells drilled:
North America
SS Intervention spend:
Offshore rigs:
Offshore wells drilled:
$272mm
16
157
$470mm
31
260
Asia Pacific
SS Intervention spend:
Offshore rigs:
Offshore wells drilled:
$375mm
80
1,072
Latin America
SS Intervention spend:
Offshore rigs:
Offshore wells drilled:
$427mm
88
572
Africa
SS Intervention spend:
Offshore rigs:
Offshore wells drilled:
Source: Douglas-Westwood, Spears & Associates
$746mm
37
531
11
Regulatory Limitations
Vessel Class Many independent classing societies
Most Prominent DNV (Det Norske Veritas),
ABS (American Bureau of Shipping)
MODU Notation Specific requirements for a vessel used in intervention
including zoning for handling hydrocarbons.
Government No international standard. All strictly enforced by each country.
Prescription vs. Safety Case
Client Every client and sometimes every engineer has a different set of
compliance standards. Now driven by SEMS.
Industry Many depositories of guidance principles.
Voluntary Compliance
Generally accepted by Industry but different clients will look at different
sets of guidance.
APL Most generally accepted.
12
Wireline Deployment via SIL
7-3/8 bore, 10ksi WP single trip
600 m water depth rated
Various wireline & coiled tubing modes
with sub-modes (long and short tools,
etc.)
Live well decommissioning & stimulation
modes
Balanced stabs with valves
Modular design
LRA / URA VXT, HXT & CT riser
URA only VXT wireline
Dual BOP position
18.5 m or 22 m toolstrings
Norwegian compliant
Except DNV-E-101 re: QOD
Minor lessons learned in next version
13
SIL Overview MUX Controls
MUX EH control system
Mode Screens
Auto Set Interlocks
Configuration, Set Up & Test, Lifting Ops
Slickline, Braided Line & Riser
ROV electronics technology
Grease system same as Seawell & Enhancer
Not electric pump - seawater powered from surface
No wireline shear upon subsea comms failure
6hrs POOH batteries & surface grease pump
Auxiliary umbilical option to LRA / URA & extend
ROV controls
Full LRA WCE
Primary URA safety functions
Client Mimic Screen
14
Intervention Riser System for CT Deployment
As water depth increases, the cost of intervention increases. If a problem
is encountered, wireline alone is limited in being an effective remediation
tool.
To run coiled tubing into a well requires either an absurdly complicated
well head mounted system or requires a riser back to the surface. This
creates an extremely complicated interface occurring between the
stationing riser and a mooring vessel. These relative motions and the fact
that the interface between the wells high pressured hydrocarbons and
the low ambient pressures on the vessel creates technical challenges.
15
Helix Coiled Tubing Setup
Multi Purpose Tower
MPT
Compensation
Frame CCTLF
Flow Tee and Swivel
Riser Centraliser
Moonpool Joint
Fatigue Enhanced Riser
Mid Joint Connector
Stress Joint
SIL including EDP
Assembly
Vessels Category A Intervention
Category A Wireline only deployed via a SIL. Typically, a monohull due to
capital cost and cost of transit.
Smaller the better to keep costs down commensurate with limited
capability.
Limited deck area required for necessary equipment. $110 million and
larger typically.
Operability limited if size is so small that motions become too great for
safe operating. Has even greater effect in harsh environments
Water depth is limited by seal technology and cost associated with
complexity of system required to accommodate depth.
17
Vessels Category A+ Wireline
Category A + wireline and coiled tubing deployed via SIL and sub 7 riser,
i.e. drill pipe. Also typically, a monohull.
Greater capability with CT but unable to work full bore 7 which restricts
what can be done.
Advantage of being smaller and lower cost.
Motions are high thus complexity is difficult.
High motions result in narrow operating envelope resulting in more
down time and higher risk if emergency disconnect is required. Smaller
vessel makes it difficult to be able to operate on station in high seas.
High motions adds to safety risk, i.e. man riding.
18
Vessels Category A++ Intervention
Category A ++ - Wireline and CT deployed via a 7 riser.
Has full bore capability with coiled tubing through full 7 bore of the
well.
May have limited capability of pulling tubing.
Size of the vessel increases deck space required for equipment and
riser handling.
Larger size vessels handle sea motion better.
System required to compensate for motions is still relatively complex.
Overall cost is now getting high.
19
Vessels Category B Intervention
Category B Semi Submersible
Ample deck area
Motions are the best and allows for less complexity and risk in systems
design.
Greatest number of applications possible.
20
Industry Considerations
21
Conclusion
Determining which solution makes sense is a balance between
small, low cost vessel with a complex high risk system. (Technology
is not fully developed)
Or
Larger, high cost vessel with simpler low risk system.
Primary Focus: Semi Platform Deploying IRS
22
Colin Johnston, Helix Well Ops Senior Engineer
Well Intervention
Fleet Overview
23
Well Intervention Assets
MSV DP3 Well Enhancer
Vessel of opportunity
MSV DP2 Seawell
MODU DP3 Q4000
24
Providing World Class Intervention Services
Helix is the leader in subsea through-tubing
intervention
Global Reach
Successful application of prototype equipment
Gulf of Mexico
North Sea Collaboration Multi client
Helix Well Containment Group
Proven capability to manage:
Q4000 IRS, HFRS, MPT, VDS
Well Enhancer
Track record of cooperative contracting and
scheduling
24 years experience in the North Sea on more
than 600 wells
14 years experience in the Gulf of Mexico on
more than 100 wells
5 years experience in Australia & Sea East Asia
on more than 20 wells
Marine vessels,
Crewing
Subsea systems
Subsea controls, downhole services, diving,
construction, and WROV operations
Well Enhancer CT system
WOUS IRS MUX upgrade
25
History and Evolution Seawell
26
History and Evolution Well Enhancer
27
History and Evolution Vessels of Opportunity
28
History and Evolution Q4000
29
Where the value is found
Efficiency Main Driver
Time efficient
Cost efficient
Campaign Based
Shared across BU, Assets,
Operators
Broad Functionality
Minimal Built-ins
Variable deck lay out
Construction Support
Construction and well intervention
capability
Seabed access and recovery
Emergency Response
Knowledgeable, integrated crews
Integrated Onshore Management
Assessment and investment in new
technology
Integration of Technology
30
Seawell Light Well Intervention Vessel
Active heave-comp Derrick
18 man saturation
1 x WROV
1 x Obs ROV
Accommodation (122)
& project offices
Twin Crane & Well
Services spread:
Slickline
E-line
Pumping
Well test
114m
Derrick Lifting Capacity 80Te
Crane 130Te (twin lift)
2 x 15k psi OPI triplex pumps
Main deck
(Client supplied)
Below deck
2 x drill water tanks 258m3
4 x bulk fluid tanks 240 m3 (1509 bbl)
31
Well Enhancer Light Well Intervention Vessel
Active heave-comp Tower, Crane, Riser Handling & Skidding system
Accommodation (120)
& project offices
132m
18 man saturation
1 x WROV
1 x Obs ROV
Tower Lifting Capacity 100Te
Crane 150Te
2 x 10k psi SPM600 pumps
Well Services
spread:
Slickline
E-line
Pumping
Well test
Coiled Tubing
Main deck
1 x bulk fluid tank 150m3 (943bbls)
Below deck
2 x drill water tanks 90m3 each
1 x bulk fluid tank 190m3
32
Subsea Intervention Lubricators (SILs)
7 3/8 SIL in the Well Enhancer Tower
7 1/16 SIL in the Seawell Derrick
5 1/8 SIL in the Seawell Derrick
33
Well Enhancer Overview
Tower, Riser Handling
& Skidding systems
2 x SPM600 673kw 10k pumps
pipe-in-pipe
welding
On-site
Helix 1Danny
x s/steel
frac
tanks = 200
m3fabrication
(1260 capabilities
bbl)
2 x drill water tanks = 190m3
Deck tanks = >266m3
Crane & Well Services
Slickline
E-line
Pumping
Well test
Coiled Tubing
Tower Lifting Capacity = 150Te
Tower
Active Heave Comp = 130Te
Aerial view of Ingleside Shore Base
Crane = 100Te
Guide Line Tensioner = 4 off (10te)
Active Pod Line Tensioner = 2 off (15te)
Well Enhancer Coiled Tubing Setup
Multi Purpose Tower
MPT
Compensation
Frame CCTLF
Flow Tee and Swivel
Riser Centraliser
Moonpool Joint
Fatigue Enhanced Riser
Mid Joint Connector
Stress Joint
SIL including EDP
Assembly
Q4000 DP3 MODU Semi-submersible
Active heave-comp Tower, Crane,
Riser Handling & Skidding system
MPT Tower Lifting
Capacity 600 mT
Active and Passive Heave
Comp
360 mT Huisman crane
with
10,000 ft capacity traction
winch
Well Services spread:
Slickline
E-line
Pumping
Well test
Coiled Tubing
Accommodation (133)
& project offices
4,000 mT variable main deck load
36
Well Ops 7-3/8 Intervention Riser System
7 3/8 system internal
diameter
Standard Riser 6 5/8 pipe
10,000 psi rated
Dual barrier in Lower Riser
Package (LRP)
Emergency Disconnect
Package (EDP)
Retainer valve at EDP
Annulus hose or 2 3/8 tubing
Direct and MUX Hydraulic
Controls
Future Vessels
Through tubing well intervention
Top hole drilling
Extended top hole drilling
Riserless Mud Return
Subsea Rotary Controlled Device
Well flow back, well testing
Subsea construction
Subsea processing support
Open Water Completions
Kurt Hurzeler, Helix Well Ops Commercial Manager
Well Intervention
Methodologies
39
Consistent Success Requires
Critical Skill Sets
Specialized vessels and vessel
management
Down hole & Service Options
expertise
ROV expertise
In-house Subsea expertise
Construction expertise
Saturation Diving expertise
Multi Functional Crew Management
Vessel Functions
Adequate usable Deck space
Adequate Accommodation
Certified and classed for
hydrocarbons on deck
Lifting Capacity and Stability
Heavy weather dynamic positioning
Fluid storage and handling
IRS tubular handling and tensioning
Where the Value is Found
Facilitate Wellbore Access
Flexibility of system to interface with all subsea well types with minimal
modification.
Provide systems on a day rate basis to reduce end users cost
Minimize complication, deployment and testing time
Reduce rig requirements and costs
Reduce Decommissioning Liability
Lower cost well abandonment
Reliable and successful completion
Improve Intervention Response
Provide a rig alternative with 4 season capability.
Minimize mobilization, demobilization and transit time
Pre-engineer capability to allow rapid response for clients needs
Stay in the field
Provide Surveillance & Flow Assurance
Reduce access costs for subsea production evaluation
Reduce Inspection, Repair & Maintenance (IRM) Costs
Where the Value is Found
Campaign Based
Shared costs across BUs, fields and operators
Reduced transit time
Minimal port and duty costs
Construction Support
Ability to carry out construction and well intervention
Lift and/or transport heavy equipment from port to location, install via
crane or drill pipe, assist platform operation
Emergency Response
Offshore fire fighting, diving and ROV support
Ready availability, construction, accommodation, intervention and
general operations support
Operational overview Seawell North Sea
The Client objective was to maximise
the operational functionality of the
MSV Seawell in order to complete the
following well workscopes:
Mechanical repair/well
maintenance/integrity
Production logging
Mechanical repair/well
maintenance; tree change-out;
well integrity
Well suspension operations
(temporary abandonment)
3 x well P&A and wellhead
removal
Pumping scale-squeeze
operations
Operational overview Seawell North Sea
5 1/8 SIL in the MSV Seawell Derrick
In field 16 days
In field 16 days
In field 14 days
In field 17 days
In field 9 days
Highlander Field
Tartan Field
Enoch / South Wood
Claymore
Tweedsmuir
Seawell Operation summary
Number of well locations = 7
Water depth range = 90 141m
Full demobilisation of 5 1/8 SIL in order to mobilise 7 1/16 SIL for TNT
Total days = 68
Vessel off-hire
Wait on Weather
Uptime
0 days
9.5 days
58.1 days
Well-work completed:
4 Interventions (Well Maintenance & Production Enhancement)
3 wells P&Ad (Decommissioning)
All the above workscopes were supported with Saturation Diving operations
All procedures developed and work supported by in-house WOUK project engineers
Q4000 Gulf of Mexico Snapshot
Q4000 Gulf of Mexico Snapshot
Deck Space- More is Better
Q4000 Deck Layout for Well Stimulation
Intervention Deck Space and Positioning
Drilling module roofs with complete coiled tubing system,
E-Line, Slick Line, fluids and second WROV system
Critical Components Remain Onboard
Coil-tubing Lift Frame
Intervention Riser Package
Flowhead
H4 Connector
Riser
3rd Party Service Equipment
Construction - Dock to Seabed
280 MT Manifold being deployed
Construction - Concurrent Operations
Seabed debris recovery
Debris cap recovery and
reinstall
Flowline plug and burial
Flowline clean out
Jumper disconnect and
recovery
Q4000 Versatility and Capabilities
Static Kill
Dynamic Kill
Oil & Gas Burn
Arrived
in staging area within
SIMOPS
3 days of call-off
Multi functional and ease of
adaptability between operating
modes
Containment
Dynamic Kill
Flaring
Static Kill
Recovery
Control platform for
LMRP/BOP yellow pod
Summary
Helix Well Ops Provides
A unique combination of specialized skills and equipment
A clear understanding of Client value
Recognition of operational technical limits
The means, ability and experience to manage and control diverse assets and
personnel effectively and reliably
