Downhole sealing solutions firm BiSN has successfully completed its first North Sea project.
The plugging and abandonment work in the Valhall field, offshore Norway, for Aker BP, used BiSN’s metal-to-metal downhole sealing solutions, BiSN (stand 6A21) told the SPE Offshore Europe Show Daily.
Using modified thermite heaters, the technology reduces the heating time required to create metal-to-metal seals from hours to minutes, whilst eliminating the need for special wireline equipment, or restriction on deployment depth, as they are designed to be run on standard wireline.
With a wireline go-pin top connection, the technology requires 240V and 60 mA for 15 seconds (conventional wireline set tools), to activate the thermite chemical reaction heater. During the well abandonment phase of multiple wells in the field, standard zonal isolation resulted in surface tubing pressure issues.
To resolve this, BiSN set a Wel-lok M2M TS (tubing seal) in the liner to isolate the producing zone. The tool was set by activating the thermite chemical reaction heater, melting the bismuth alloy on the outside of the tool, allowing it to fill the inside of the liner. When solidified, the alloy expanded, creating a gas tight seal in the liner and isolating the non-permeable zone.
Setting the tools in each well resulted in the elimination of their respective surface liner pressure.
BiSN recently secured £5 million investment from BP Ventures, Schlumberger Ventures and GE Ventures. BiSN and BP Ventures will work together to develop a commercial portfolio of technology for use across BP’s portfolio.