WELL CASING REPAIR USING SLIM LINE SWAGED PATCHES - PROCESS

Swaging is a customised, precision engineering job, different for every application.   

  1. IPI require comprehensive details of the well to be repaired in terms of :
    1. casing ID and wall thickness or pounds/foot
    2. what the maximum loss in ID is that you can work with (eg 15 mm)
    3. what external pressures (if any) are on the casing, leaking through section to be repaired (ie back pressure)
    4. the operating temperature within the area to be repaired and conditions (eg, high H2S levels) Any down hole survey information is very useful.
    5. depth to top of desired repair and to the bottom of desired repair
    6. what the problem is that is being fixed – with some detail (eg perforations, corrosion, leaking joint)
    7. Other relevant detail – eg well  type, location, any unusual site operating conditions / logistics.
  2. IPI will then be able to give you a specification and quote – although we may still have to verify some detail, depending upon the situation. ( If swage repair is not feasible, we will advise)
  3. The order is then placed. Payment terms may involve a deposit before the job commences, all equipment is paid for ex-works. For the job IPI sell you the patches and service, whilst the packer and other ancillary equipment are rented to the job. In addition to time and materials costs our shipping, travel and accomodation costs will have to be covered (1, possibly 2, staff). In addition you will need to provide some local facilities – eg welding for long patches, rig or crane, nitrogen bottles.
  4. We manufacture the patches specifically for the job and select the right model of high pressure packer (a new one may be required).   We comprehensively test the packer and a sample patch in an identical piece of casing in our workshops before going on site. Your engineers are welcome to attend this at our Perth operation, especially if they will be on site for the actual repair.  This helps job preparation and execution.  Although we have extensive knowledge of many different configurations, rarely are two jobs are exactly the same.
  5. Our equipment is shipped, the well is prepared as necessary for the swaging operation, local resources are mobilised.
  6. Well repaired - the well is pressure tested after swaging.

A major factor in the cost is the length of repair – this process has been used from 0.5m to 250m to date, so total cost can be quite variable, but it is normally very much less expensive than drilling a whole new well.

For a general enquiry with several wells in need of repair, please identify a typical well for quotation.  Some clients prefer to undertake an initial job on a smaller job by way of a pilot exercise. 

Whilst our packer systems are guaranteed for materials, design and workmanship there is no guarantee that a swage patch will always work, which is why we prefer to work closely with your own engineers.

If you think that swaging is an option for you please ask us for a quote.