A client operating on Alaska’s North Slope was experiencing Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) failures and needed to retrieve them from their highly deviated wells. Previously the client had used a rig or coiled tubing to perform this kind of work, but since this method was both costly and time consuming, they were interested in finding a more efficient solution.

The location was a remote island, which made the mobilization of large equipment logistically challenging. Therefore, the client concluded that Welltec’s e-line technologies would be the best solution from the options available in the market, because of the lightweight design and ease of transportation.

The operator was looking for a lighter alternative to coiled tubing and contacted Welltec®.

They decided to use the Well Cleaner® Power Suction Tool (PST) to remove the sand to surface with exact measurement of volume due to the advantages provided by this e-line solution. Initially, it was suspected that the sand was caused by a bridge instead of a full column of sand.

The PST cleared 4,777 ft (1,456m) of sand bridges and recovered a total of 861 liters of sand to surface.

The cleanout intervention was completed in 34 days of daylight operations and provided confirmation of the total amounts of sand recovered to surface.

The PST proved to be an efficient alternative to a conventional coiled tubing unit for this operator who applied the solution for the first time.

HSE risks were reduced by applying e-line compared to heavier intervention methods like coiled tubing; less and lighter equipment was involved, fewer lifts were required and mobilization was done considerably faster with Welltec’s solution.