Well Cutter®

Efficient and safe tubular cutting

- Well Cutter hero

An efficient and safe approach to drill pipe, liner, tubing and casing recovery operations without the need for explosives. 

The Well Cutter uses a rotating head to remove pipe incrementally, which prevents the creation of shavings. Due to the smooth, bevelled surface it produces, a polishing trip with drill pipe may be eliminated for increased operational efficiency.

A key benefit of the Well Cutter is that it eliminates the use of explosives which can pose an operational risk, especially when simultaneous operations are being conducted. The transfer of explosives may also cause complex logistics and significant operational delays, making the Well Cutter an attractive alternative for pipe recovery operations. Conveyed on e-line for accurate depth control, the Well Cutter incorporates a ‘fail-safe’ mechanism that prevents the tool from getting stuck.

Case Highlights

Featured case

Drilling an offshore well, an operator had a hardware failure that led to accidentally cementing of more than 500 meters of drill string...

The Well Cutter enables efficient and safe tubular cutting for pipe recovery or completion removal without the use of explosives. Utilizing a fast, grinding technique rather than a blade, the Well Cutter produces a smooth, polished surface.

This precludes the need for a polishing trip to dress the cut, resulting in significant rig time savings. It can be run slick, on e-line or equipped with a ‘no-go’ for a precise cut at depth. And it can be deployed independently or combined with the Well Tractor® for cuts in highly deviated or horizontal wells.

Challenges

Datasheet

Well Cutter Hori
Applications
Casing cutting
Drill pipe cutting
Liner cutting
Packer mandrels cutting
Control line cutting
Features
Works on pipe in tension or compression
Cuts L80, L80-13Cr, Super 13Cr, 25Cr, Inconel 718, P110, XD105, S135
Modular and configurable
Compatible with all service providers
Accurate depth control
NACE compliant
Benefits
No explosives
Multiple cuts in the same run
Rigless cuts for batch work
Very small debris
No pipe dressing required
Monitoring of cutting operation with Welltec® SRO 2.0
Specification range*
Tool OD 2 3/8'' 5 3/4''
Length 17.5 ft 23.8 ft
Weight in air 230 lbs 897 lbs
Min. anchor ID 2.85” 5.85”
Max. pipe thickness 0.375” 1”
Pipe cutting range (OD) 3.5” 9.625”
Max. well temperature 302°F 350°F
Tensile strength 36,000 lbs 42,000 lbs
Compressive strength 30,000 lbs 50,000 lbs
* Dependent on pipe material and well parameters
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Talk to your local expert

At Welltec, our team of specialists is experienced in resolving the unique challenges of well drilling and operations across diverse terrain. Whatever your need, we can help you find a solution.