903 Well Site Completion and Servicing Safety

Well Site Completion Safety

Well site completion is a critical phase in oil and gas production. After drilling reaches the planned depth, several steps must be taken before the well can begin producing oil or gas.

Well Completion Steps

Completing a well involves several important steps that prepare it for safe and efficient production. These include:

• Conducting a drill stem test: This test checks if oil or gas can flow to the surface from the formation.
• Setting production casing: A steel pipe is placed into the well and cemented to protect the wellbore and separate production zones.
• Installing production tubing: Tubing allows oil and gas to move up to the surface equipment.
• Starting production flow: Once the well is opened, the flow of oil or gas to the surface begins through the Christmas Tree.
• Hydraulic fracturing: A process where fluid is pumped at high pressure to break the rock and improve flow of oil or gas into the well.
• Installing beam pumping units: These units help lift fluids to the surface when natural pressure is not enough.

Once this is done, the drilling rig is dismantled and moved to the next location.

The Servicing Rig

After the casing is set and cemented, a servicing rig—also called a workover rig—is brought in.

This smaller rig is used to finish preparing the well for production. It is responsible for perforating the casing at the correct depth, which allows oil or gas to flow into the wellbore from the reservoir. After perforation, production tubing is run down into the well. This tubing provides a path for the fluids to reach the surface.

At this stage, tests are run to examine the formation and see if it can produce oil or gas. This includes checking for pressure, flow rate, and the presence of hydrocarbons. If the formation is promising, the well will move to the next phase of completion. If the formation is not suitable, the well must be safely plugged and abandoned following regulations.

If the well does not need additional preparation, such as fracturing or stimulation, then the next step is to install the Christmas Tree at the surface. This marks the beginning of production operations.

The Christmas Tree

The Christmas Tree is a set of equipment installed at the top of a completed well. It includes control valves, pressure gauges, chokes, and other tools that manage the flow of oil and gas. These parts work together to control the pressure, monitor conditions inside the well, and safely direct the production flow.

The Christmas Tree is used when the reservoir has enough natural pressure to push fluids to the surface without pumping. If the pressure is too low, artificial lift systems such as beam pumping units may be needed.

Even after the well begins production, it might need future servicing to maintain flow or repair equipment. This work is done with a service rig or coiled tubing unit, depending on the job.

If testing shows the formation is not able to produce, then the well must be properly plugged and abandoned. This means sealing the well with cement and removing surface equipment to protect the environment and follow safety rules.

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