Completion Components lec ( 7 )

Introduction 

The selection of completion equipment and hardware is based on the reservoir,
field, wellbore and operational requirements that will achieve efficient, safe and
economic production.
There are many types of components available, each of which may be specified
in a number of service or dimensional variations, (e.g. H2S or normal service).
Principal completion components are categorized as follows:

•  Production packers
•  Gas lift equipment
• Safety valves
•  Tubing flow control equipment
•  Permanent
•  Retrievable
•  Completion accessories

Production Packers 

The packer is often considered the most important downhole tool in the
production string. Completion packer types vary greatly and are typically
designed to meet specific wellbore or reservoir conditions, (e.g., single or
tandem packer configurations, with single, dual and triple completion strings).
Production packers can have several functions. However, the principal function
of a packer is to provide a means of sealing the tubing string from the casing or
liner. This seal must provide a long-term barrier compatible with reservoir
fluids or gasses and the wellbore annular fluid.
The production packer must also enable efficient flow from the producing (or
injection) formation to the tubing string or production conduit.

Downhole Anchor

 A secondary, but nonetheless important function of most packers is to provide
a downhole anchor for the tubing string. However, cup or isolation packers do
not anchor the tubing stringcontinued next However cup or isolation packers,
do not anchor the tubing string.

Subsurface Safety Valve

These hydraulically operated tubing flow control valves are used offshore, in
critical locations (next to a school or home) and areas of concern of the
environment, the reservoir, the facilities and the personel.

Gas Lift

Sidepocket mandrels with dummy valves are run in new free flowing completions
where workover costs are high and the reservoir will require artificial lift to
deplete.

Tubing Flow Control Equipment

This equipment expands the value of the completion by introducing flexibility.
Nipples, sleeves, plugs, chokes, test tools, standing valves, bomb hangers,
etc. could be utilized.

Casing String
Protection Example

For Casing
String Protection.

In most wellbores, the casing string or liner is a permanent component of the
completion system. Since casing replacement or repair procedures are
complicated and expensive, systems are designed (using packers) to protect
the casing from pressure differentials and corrosive conditions. The packer
and tubing string is typically easier to repair and/or replace than the casing
system.

Formation Safety
Control Example

For Downhole Formation
Safety Control


High Pressure gas and fluids are generally encountered at some depth. In the
absence of heavy completion fluids, a packer provides an effective means of
isolation. The high pressure can then be controlled by subsurface safety
valves in the tubing string attached to the packer. This also enables some
control of pressure on the wellhead. By inserting a tubing plug in the packer,
creating a temporary bridge plug, workover work above the packer can be
carried out with a greater degree of safety.

Multiple Zone
Completion Examples

For Zone Separation

 In multiple zone completions, it is generally necessary to separate the producing
zones for the following reasons:

•  Legality - Government regulations monitor produced flow-rates as

allowable production. Often each production zone must be isolated,
which is more easily accomplished through the use of a packer.

•  Control of formation fluids - Frequently, high and low pressure

zones are encountered. Packers are used to prevent cross flow of
reservoir fluids.

Artificial Lift Example
To Facilitate
Artificial Lift

When using gas lift to enhance production, a packer is utilized to separate
the produced fluid pathway from the injected gas pathway down the
annulus. Packers are often used with ESP’s to facilitate control of well zones.
Tubing anchors are commonly used to increase the efficiency of rod pumps.
Anti-rotational anchors are commonly used with progressive cavity pumps.

Remedial and
Repair Examples

To Facilitate
Remedial / Repair Work


In situations where casing is damaged, two packers can be used to seal off and
bypass the damaged area. With the use of accessory completion equipment,
such as stingers and on-off attachments, tubing can be pulled for repair and/or
replacement without releasing the packer.

Completion course