REMOTE ACTUATION SYSTEM SPEEDS DEEPWATER WELL COMPLETIONS

Substantial savings in rig time, operating expenses, and overall completion costs, particularly in extended-reach and deepwater wells, can be realized with advanced wireless communication techniques and electronically enhanced pulse-actuation systems for completing wells. With drilling and completion costs climbing steadily, especially offshore, operators need to minimize rig time without sacrificing reliability, safety, or ultimate well productivity. During the past several months, Baker Oil Tools` EDGE remote actuation system, a surface-controlled communications system that relies on pressure-wave pulses to actuate electronics-equipped downhole completion tools, has been deployed commercially in a number of deep, high-pressure, high-temperature wells in the Gulf of Mexico. The paper discusses the system basics, the Mars installation, benefits and limitations, a simulator that was developed, time improvements, tangible savings, and further tools being manufactured for other jobs.