Expandable liner hanger (ELH) system saves significant rig time

Overview 

An operator in the Middle East actively sought ways to streamline and enhance screen liner installations. Existing openhole fluid-treatment setups require a secondary trip to pump treatment fluid into the screen section of the lower completion. This imposes additional operational costs and consumes valuable time for offshore applications. Thus, the operator was committed to identifying a more efficient and cost-effective solution to address this challenge.

Challenge

Drilling highly deviated wells with extended lateral sections such as this can be a time-intensive process. The operator recognized a need for cost-saving measures and actively explored options to enhance current screen liner installation practices.

Solution

To help streamline operations and maximize efficiency, Halliburton recommended a single-trip lower completion installation combined with a robust liner hanger packer system and fluid treatment operation. The field-proven VersaFlex® XSL expandable liner hanger (ELH), renowned for its fully compliant metal-to-metal (MTM) seal, is a game-changer when combined with a wash-down running tool and the soft release ball seat (SRBS). Together, these systems offer cost-effective solutions tailored to this specific application.

This robust system helps ensure the string reaches the intended setting depth and facilitates a seamless treatment-fluid displacement process within the screen annulus during hanger installations. When the hanger packer is activated, the SRBS allows as many operational pressure cycles as needed, without any time constraints. After activating the hanger packer and releasing the running tool, we mechanically actuate the SRBS to create a bypass. This allows circulation to resume through the inner string without causing hydraulic shear or surges to the formation. This innovation allows the operator to efficiently pump the treatment fluid inside the screen and eliminates the need for a second trip, thereby streamlining well objectives.

Result

Since its successful introduction in February 2023, the single-trip expandable liner system has been the operator’s preference for screen installations. This solution has minimized rig time associated with fluid-treatment operations and enhanced operational flexibility and risk mitigation. As of March 2024, approximately 45 installations (inside  9 5/8-in. and 7-in. casing) have been completed with more installations planned.