Swell Technology

Swell T

echn

ology

Swell TechnologySwell Technology is based on the swelling properties of

elastomers. The swelling process creates effective seals in

both open and cased hole applications.

Halliburton currently has three types of swelling elastomer

systems. The first system uses elastomers that swell when

exposed to hydrocarbon. This happens through a process

known as diffusion and occurs as hydrocarbon molecules are

absorbed by the rubber molecules, causing them to stretch.

The packer swells as the hydrocarbon enters the rubber and

is trapped in the crosslinked rubber matrix due to the natural

affinity of polymer molecules and hydrocarbon. This process

is not reversible. Mere trace amounts of hydrocarbons are

sufficient to initiate the absorption process.

The second system uses elastomers that swell upon

exposure to water. The swelling process for this system is

based on the principle of osmosis. Water will enter the

rubber matrix and swell the rubber element. Since osmosis

is dependent on the salinity levels of the elastomer and the

surrounding fluids, changes in the downhole conditions

can reverse the swelling process.

The third system features a hybrid swelling polymer, which

combines the capabilities of both oil swelling and water

swelling polymers into a single compound. The fluids enter

the rubber element via the same mechanisms as described

above and has the ability to swell whether the well contains

an oil-based or water-based fluid system.

Swell Technology products are made by bonding the

elastomer systems onto oilfield tubulars, and metal end rings

are installed on each end of the rubber element. The end

rings assist in increasing the differential pressure capability

and guide the packer when being run into the hole. Packers

can be tailor made for specialized applications, the element

can be mounted on any size of basepipe, and the element OD

and length can be adapted to suit the required purpose. The

Swell Technology system portfolio also includes a range of

slip-on pipe tools.

These products have no moving parts and require no

inflation to seal, removing the inherent risks of mechanical

and inflatable tools. Customers simply make up or slip on

Swell Technology products to their pipes where isolation

points are needed to optimize the well.

HA

L22

167

Swell Technology 4-1

Features and Benefits• Sealing

– Swelling of the elastomer is not instantaneous. It is

caused by the diffusion/absorption of liquid

hydrocarbon or water, or both, into the elastomer. The

time taken to achieve a complete pressure seal is

dependent upon oil viscosity, element thickness, and

temperature and salinity. The swelling time is

engineered to ensure that the system can successfully be

run to depth. The addition of slow swelling rubber

layers and/or diffusion barriers can delay the onset of

the swelling process as per individual well requirements.

This enables running with tight clearances even in

situations where the packer is exposed to swelling fluids

while being run into the hole.

– The hardness of the set element is low, ensuring

effective sealing in irregular wellbore shapes such as

poor hole geometry and corroded casing.

– Set in permeable formation, a long packer element (5 to

9 m) seals more efficiently as it reduces bypass through

the formation.

– The self-healing element will re-heal if damaged while

running in hole or due to formation changes during

production. If hole conditions are rough and the packer

gets a cut, packer functionality is still maintained due to

the expansion capability. If the seal should lose its effect

due to formation erosion around the packer element or

thermal shrinkage of the element, the Swellpacker®

systems will restart swelling to seal off any leak path.

• Rig Time

– An alternative to cementing, perforating, and cleanout

operations when running pre-perforated assemblies or

sand screens.

– No setting or manipulation operations are necessary.

• Openhole

– Swell Technology systems can transition from cased

hole to openhole operations, reducing cost and

formation damage.

– The system enables sand control with zonal isolation

plus the isolation of shales.

• Robustness

– The chemical bonding of the rubber to the basepipe is

stronger than the element itself, so it cannot be torn

from the basepipe under normal conditions.

– The packers retain the strengths of the basepipe and can

be rotated and jarred to bottom.

– The packer is damage-tolerant. If hole conditions are

rough and the packer gets a cut, packer functionality is

still maintained due to its expansion capability.

– Swellpacker® isolation systems can be delivered with any

element length depending on the basepipe length.

– End rings located on either end of the swelling

elastomer are an important component that assist in

increasing the differential pressure capability and guide

and protect the packer when run into the hole.

Depending on the application and metallurgy

requirements, the end ring design can be anchored to

the basepipe using set screws, a crimping process,

or welding.

– Temperature ratings up to 390°F (200°C).

• Risk Profile

– No mechanical interaction of downhole tools.

– No risk of damaging element by inflation.

– High reliability of equipment.

– Helps reduce rig time.

– No need for specialized personnel to run on rig.

4-2 Swell Technology

Swellpacker® Isolation System

The Swellpacker® isolation system is based on the swelling

properties of rubber in hydrocarbons or water, or in both.

It swells up to 200%, sealing the annulus around the pipe to

achieve effective zonal isolation. Once deployed, the rubber

retains its flexibility, allowing the Swellpacker isolation

system to adapt to shifts in the formation over time,

retaining the integrity of the seal. Its self-healing properties

make this a truly innovative technology for all zonal

isolation applications. It is a bonded-to-pipe product that

can be delivered with any element length depending on the

basepipe length. Since the rubber is bonded to the

basepipe, it is extremely robust and can hold significant

differential pressures.

The Swellpacker system can be used in cased or openhole

environments. In some openhole applications, operators

may be able to avoid cementing and perforating altogether,

reducing the expense associated with these operations. By

reducing well construction costs, saving rig time, and

isolating producing zones, the Swellpacker system helps

enable previously unachievable levels of oilfield

performance.

Cementing Support

For well integrity issues, the Swellpacker isolation system

can also be used to complement the primary cement job.

The system provides comprehensive long-term zonal

isolation, increasing the productive life of the well and

minimizing the potential for an expensive workover

operation. This combination of proven technologies

provides an effective means to address both micro-annulus

concerns and incomplete cement sheath issues.

Swelling Delay Systems

To ensure that the oil or water contained within the well

fluid does not affect the packer while it is run into the hole,

Halliburton has engineered several systems that can delay

the swelling process. These systems enable control of the

elastomer swelling process as the setting time can be

tailored according to the customer’s needs, mitigating the

risk of premature setting while optimizing the operating

envelope. The swelling delay systems include polymers

with built-in slower swelling properties and a variety of

applied diffusion barriers. Customizing a design with

either of these options, or using in combination, allows for

creation of a well-specific engineered product.

End Ring Design

End rings assist in increasing the differential pressure

capability and guide the packer when run into the hole.

Depending on the application and metallurgy

requirements, the design can be anchored using set screws,

a crimping process, or welding.

The Halliburton K2 end ring protects the rubber element

while running in hole and further eliminates element

extrusion once the packer is set. One of the benefits of this

unique end ring is the ability to shorten tool length, while

maintaining differential pressure. It also increases absolute

differential pressure performance of the tools with testing

performed to 15,000 psi across the packer.

HA

L32

568

Swellpacker®

Isolation System

HA

L32

569

K2

End Ring


Swellpacker® Cable System

The Swellpacker® system can be delivered with a unique

cable feed-through option that enables the passage of single

or multiple control lines and flatpacks for downhole

monitoring, chemical injection, and SmartWell®

completions without the need to cut the cables or lines. This

removes the requirement for cable splices, control line cuts,

and cable stripping, greatly reducing the risk of failure. It

provides an annular seal in cased and open hole, and a seal

around the control lines or flatpacks capable of holding

differential pressure. Installation of the cables through the

Swellpacker system is performed on the rig floor at the time

of running the completion and requires no extra rig time.

InstallationTo install the systems, simply perform standard pre-job

checks, then run in hole as part of the reservoir completion

string or liner system. At that point, either produce the well

to begin the swelling process, allow the current well fluid to

swell the packer systems prior to operations, or circulate

down the designed swelling fluid. The simplicity of the

operation means that specialized installation personnel are

not required.

For the cable design, Halliburton provides the installation

tool that fits easily on the rotary cable and installs the

control cable or flatpack through the packer.

Applications• Open and cased hole isolations

• Stimulation placement

• Open and cased hole straddles

• SmartWell completion systems

• Monitoring and chemical injection

• Water control

• Multilaterals

• Stand-alone screen sand control

• Compartmentalization for screen/ICD completions

• Gravel pack isolation

• Well construction

Features• Manufactured on any oilfield tubular

• Suitable for cased and open holes

• Robust construction

• No moving parts

• Spliceless cable feed-through option

• Self-healing, interventionless technology

• Can be run in most all fluid environments

• Multiple polymers available to provide oil swelling, water

swelling, and hybrid swelling solutions

• Engineered swelling delay system

Benefits• No specialist operator required for installation

• Casing integrity is maintained

• Perfect seal for irregular borehole geometry

• Alternative solution to cementing and perforating in

certain applications

• Complements cement to resolve well integrity issues

• Helps reduce operational risk

• Isolates producing zones more effectively

• Helps reduce well costs and rig time

• Cable feature increases system reliability by eliminating

cable splicing and enables openhole SmartWell

completions

HA

L32

625

Swellpacker®

Cable System


Bonded-to-Pipe Tools

OperatingCondition Oil Swelling (OS) Water Swelling (WS) Hybrid Swelling (HS) Comments

Run in Hole Fluid:Oil-Based Mud

Design to suitapplications All fluid systems Design to suit applications Contact Halliburton for

engineered delay system

Run in Hole Fluid:Water-Based Mud All fluid systems Design to suit applications Design to suit applications Contact Halliburton for


Temperature Range 30 - 390°F (0 - 200°C) 30 - 390°F (0 - 200°C) OS: 30 - 390°F (0 - 200°C)WS: 265 - 390°F (130 - 200°C) —

Reservoir Fluid:Liquid Hydrocarbon

Wide range of crude oil tested; swelling rate is a function of

fluid viscosity

Does not swell in hydrocarbons

Wide range of crude oil tested. Swelling rate is a function of

fluid viscosity

Contact Halliburton fordesign and simulations

Reservoir Fluid:Oil with High

Water Cut

Swells in traces ofhydrocarbon fluid

All fluid systems; swelling depends on temperature

and salinity

Swells in traces of hydrocarbon fluid; water

swelling depends on temperature and salinity

Contact Halliburton for design and simulations

Reservoir Fluid:Water Does not swell Wide range of fresh and saline

water testedWide range of fresh and saline

water testedSalinity and temperature

affect swell time

Reservoir Fluid:Gas Condensate


Requires contact with water-based fluid for permanent seal



DifferentialPressure Capability

Up to 15,000 psi(1032 bar)

Up to 10,000 psi(690 bar)


Contact Halliburton forapplication-specific pressure ratings

Time to Set Varies based on designs and well conditionsCan be engineered for swelling delays of 1-20 days

Contact Halliburton forapplication-specific simulations

Chemical Resistance Common oilfield chemicals Contact Halliburton forapplication-specific questions

Element Length Application and basepipe dependent Contact Halliburton forlength requirement

BasepipeTensile/Burst/

Collapse/MetallurgyCustomer supplied or Halliburton purchased to match specifications Can be built on any oilfield tubulars


Swellpacker® Slip-On Isolation System

The Swellpacker® slip-on isolation

system is another option for effective

zonal isolation. This unique slip-on

packer retains a full length internal

seal against the pipe. Once deployed,

the rubber retains its flexibility,

allowing the Swellpacker system to

adapt to formation shifts over time to

maintain seal integrity. Its self-healing

properties make it a truly innovative

technology for all zonal

isolation applications.

The Swellpacker slip-on isolation

system does not require basepipe

to be supplied up front in the

manufacturing process and is installed

at the service location or rig site by

sliding over the pin end of the casing

or tubing joint. This allows storing

and stocking of the tools, simplifying

logistics, and reducing cost

significantly.

The system can be used in cased or

openhole environments. In some

openhole applications, operators may

be able to avoid cementing and

perforating altogether, reducing the

expense associated with these

operations.

Cementing Support

For well integrity issues, the

Swellpacker slip-on system can also be

used to complement the primary

cement job. The system provides

comprehensive long-term zonal

isolation, increasing the productive

life of the well and minimizing

potential for an expensive workover

operation. This combination of

proven technologies provides an

effective means to address both micro-

annulus concerns and incomplete

cement sheath issues.

Slip-On Convenience

Traditionally, swellable packers

achieved high differential pressure

ratings based on the area in contact

with the casing wall or borehole.

Element length is a key parameter for

the contact area. The resulting

differential pressure, and therefore the

shorter slip-on designs, traditionally

had lower pressure holding

capabilities.

Halliburton has developed shorter

slip-on tools that can handle the

higher differential ratings previously

only achievable through a longer

bonded-to-pipe product. One of those

designs, the Swellpacker HPE (high

performance element) slip-on

isolation system incorporates the K2

end ring to protect the rubber element

while running in hole and support the

rubber during and after the swelling

process. In addition, the next

generation of the Lite family, the

Swellpacker Lite II slip-on isolation

system, has been redesigned to create

a step change in slip-on tool capability.

Swelling Delay Systems

To ensure the oil or water contained

within the well fluid does not affect the

packer while it is run into the hole,

Halliburton has engineered several

systems that delay the swelling process.

These enable control of the elastomer

swelling process as the setting time

can be tailored according to the

customer’s needs, mitigating

premature setting risk while

optimizing the operating envelope.

The systems include polymers with

built-in slower swelling properties and

a variety of applied diffusion barriers.

Customizing a design with either of

these options, or using them in

combination, allows for creation of a

well-specific engineered product.

ApplicationsSwellpacker slip-on isolation systems

can be key components in gravel packs

for isolation and stand-alone screen

completions to reduce fines migration.

In reservoirs prone to sand

production, the slip-on tool helps

enable increased productivity and

reduced well construction costs since

it can be installed without specialized

operating personnel. In completions

using inflow control devices, slip-on

tools are used to create shorter

compartments for improved reservoir

management.

Swellpacker® Slip-On

Isolation System

HAL32578


For many reservoirs using inflow control technology, the

Constrictor® slip-on isolation system can be an ideal device

due to its simple design and reliable performance.

One of the main applications for slip-on systems is with

hydraulic stimulation operations. Halliburton horizontal

completions provide operators with new options for

completing horizontal multi-zone wellbores and enable

highly accurate fracture placement with little to no

intervention. The service allows operators to selectively

access, isolate, and stimulate multiple payzones in a single

wellbore with the option to close off one or more zones at a

future date. This makes multi-zone stimulation possible in a

shorter time interval, leading to reduced overall well

completion costs.

InstallationSlide the slip-on system onto the basepipe, securing in place

with Halliburton end rings. Run in hole with assembly. The

tool simplicity means installation does not require specialist

attention and can be fitted by personnel at the rig site.

Features• Suitable for cased and open holes

• Install on any non-upset basepipe

• Robust construction

• No moving parts

• Self-healing, interventionless technology

• Can be run in most all fluid environments

• Multiple polymers available to provide oil swelling, water

swelling, and hybrid swelling solutions

• Engineered swelling delay system

Benefits• No specialist operator required for installation

• Casing integrity is maintained

• Simplified logistics

• Permits last minute adjustments to placement

• Perfect seal for irregular borehole geometry

• Protect sand screens from plugging

• Alternative solution to cementing and perforating

• Helps reduce operational risk

• Isolates producing zones more effectively

• Helps reduce well costs and rig time

HAL32576

Constrictor® Slip-On

Isolation System

Slip-On ToolsOperating Condition Oil Swelling (OS) Water Swelling (WS) Hybrid Swelling (HS) Comments

Run in Hole Fluid:Oil-Based Mud Design to suit applications Does not swell in

hydrocarbons Design to suit applications Contact Halliburton for engineered delay system

Run in Hole Fluid:Water-Based Mud All fluid systems Design to suit applications Design to suit applications Contact Halliburton for


Temperature Range 30 - 390°F (0 - 200°C) 30 - 390°F (0 - 200°C) OS: 30 - 390°F (0 - 200°C)WS: 265 - 390°F (130 - 200°C) —

Reservoir Fluid:Liquid Hydrocarbon


fluid viscosity

Does not swell in hydrocarbons


fluid viscosity


Reservoir Fluid:Oil with High

Water Cut

Swells in traces of hydrocarbon fluid

All fluid systems; swelling depends on

temperature and salinity

Swells in traces of hydrocarbon fluid; water

swelling depends on temperature and salinity


Reservoir Fluid:Water Does not swell Wide range of fresh and

saline water testedWide range of fresh and

saline water testedSalinity and temperature

affect swell timeReservoir Fluid:Gas Condensate


Requires contact with water-based fluid for permanent seal



Differential Pressure Capability




Contact Halliburton forapplication-specific pressure ratings

Time to Set Varies based on designs and well conditionsCan be engineered for swelling delays of 1-20 days.

Contact Halliburton for application-specific simulations

Chemical Resistance Common oilfield chemicals Contact Halliburton for application-specific questions

Element Length Standard lengths are 0.3 m, 0.5 m, and 1 m Custom lengths available on request


SwellSim® Software

The Swellpacker® simulator, SwellSim® software program, is

used for selecting the most suitable design to meet specific

customer requirements.

Extensive testing on the expansion properties of

Swell Technology systems has led to the development of the

SwellSim software which can help predict the expansion

ratio, differential pressure capability, time to first seal, and

time to operational seal for a given basepipe OD, rubber

element OD, and rubber element length in a given hole

size.

SwellSim software helps enable Halliburton to provide an

engineered recommendation to our customers that delivers

a custom-designed and reliable solution. For our

customers, this helps allow the utmost confidence that the

selected product will meet their expectations.

Based on actual test data, SwellSim software provides the

user with the ability to look at a variety of designs (bonded

to pipe, slip-on, cable bypass, etc.) and polymer types (oil,

water, and hybrid swelling) in the proposed well

environment. Inputting the well fluid characteristics and

temperature allows the user to design and optimize the

delay mechanism if necessary and tailor designs for

special applications.

Benefits• Engineered recommendations

• Helps predict time to first seal

• Helps predict time to operational differential pressure

• Helps predict time to maximum differential pressure

• Helps allow for hole size variation

• Helps predict delay recommendation

• Helps identify potential failure modes

• Helps reduce downhole risks

• Helps reduce rig time

SwellSim Software Legend

• Expansion ratio – volume increase of packer element due

to absorption of hydrocarbon

• Time to first seal – when packer OD engages hole ID

• Time to operational differential pressure – when packer

reaches customer-specified differential pressure

• Time to maximum differential pressure – when packer

reaches maximum differential pressure capability


SwellSim® Software Output

A differential pressure profile curve and a swell profile (time to seal and time to fully set vs. hole size) curve are automatically

generated by the simulator. See the examples below for curves extracted from the simulator.

DIFFERENTIALPRESSURE PROFILE

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

8.60 8.80 9.00 9.20 9.40 9.60 9.80 10.00 10.20 10.40

Hol e ID ( in)

Differen

tial

Pressure

(bar)

0

1450

2900

4350

5800

7250

8700

10150

11600

Differen

tial

Pressure

(psi)

5.5 in x 8.15 in x 9 m

ESWELL PROFILE

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

8.15 8.24 8.32 8.41 8.49 8.58 8.66 8.75 8.83 8.92 9.00 9.09 9.17

Hole ID (in)

Time(days)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Time(days)

Time to Fully Set: 5.5 in x 8.15 in x 9 m

Time to Seal: 5.5 in x 8.15 in x 9 m


Well Construction

With the challenges presented by depleted or even over-

pressured reservoirs, it is becoming more difficult to achieve

optimal zonal isolation using conventional methods.

Complicated wellbore geometry has pushed the limits of

technology in perfecting competent annular pressure

confinement and isolation of multiple zones.

Wells are being designed with more casing points to isolate

depleted reservoirs before drilling ahead to higher pressure

areas. The increased number of casing points dictate smaller

annular volumes between casing and open hole or casing and

casing. The smaller annular volumes make it more difficult

to provide sufficient zonal isolation or sustained casing

pressure prevention using current methods.

More casing points can also lead to larger annular volumes in

under-reamed openhole sections.

With the move into deeper water and more severe

environments, operators are requiring service companies to

adapt to these ever changing conditions. The advent of

swellable technology has presented a competent solution to

many of the challenges that have been encountered.

Swellpacker® isolation systems, along with swellable

elastomers in cement, are products that will change and

adapt along with downhole conditions.

Swellpacker® systems above top of cement

Swellpacker isolation systems on liner tiebacks

Liner Hanger

Swellpacker isolation systems below liner hangers

Swellpacker systems at shoe joints

Swellpacker systems on shoe joint forFormation Integrity Test

Swellpacker isolationsystems in production zones

with cement

HA

L33

105


Swellpacker® Systems Above Top of Cement

Swellpacker® isolation systems used above top of cement

(TOC) will prevent pressure migration to surface (sustained

casing pressure) from lower reservoirs without

compromising the competency of the original cement job.

The systems will help prevent sustained casing pressure if

during the life of the well cement becomes de-bonded from

the casing which could create channels for the pressure to

migrate from the formation. Swellpacker TOC systems work

independently from other operations regardless of

conditions as long as a swell fuel is present.

Swellpacker Systems at Shoe Joints

Swellpacker systems used on the shoe joints will create a

competent pressure seal and allow for a Formation Integrity

Test (FIT) regardless of the tail cement condition.

Swellpacker shoe joint systems are designed to swell in the

drilling fluid. If there is insufficient mud cleanout in the shoe

joint area, the contaminated fluid fuels the packer, prompting

the system to swell. A formation integrity test can then be

conducted to facilitate drilling ahead. If competent tail

cementation is achieved, the Swellpacker shoe joint system

does not activate.

Swellpacker Systems Below Liner Hangers

Liner hanger Swellpacker systems help provide a positive seal

to isolate the openhole section from the surface. The

Swellpacker systems are installed on a liner below a liner

hanger inside the parent casing. The liner hanger Swellpacker

system can be designed to swell either before the liner hanger

is set, or after the liner hanger pack-off is energized. Using

the liner hanger Swellpacker system can eliminate the need

for liner top squeeze jobs, resulting in a substantial savings of

time and money. The system can be employed with or

without cement.

Swellpacker® OBM System

Liner

Low-Pressure Zone

Open Hole

Swellpacker® System

at Shoe Joints


Below Liner Hangers

Swellpacker® System

Above Top of Cement

HA

L33

102

HA

L33

100

HA

L33

104


Swellpacker® Systems in Production Zones with Cement

Swellpacker® systems when combined with primary

cementing operations can provide comprehensive long-

term zonal isolation, increasing the productive life of the

well and minimizing the potential for an expensive

workover operation.

Incorporating Swellpacker systems in production zones with

cement can also provide a reactive downhole means to

address the micro-annulus that occurs when set cement

debonds from the casing. The Swellpacker system will

remain dormant while encased in the cement sheath. Once

the micro-annulus opens up and liquids or gas attempt to

flow through, the packer will swell to close the flow path. The

swellable rubber will conform to almost any irregular

geometry in the casing or cement.

Swellpacker Systems on Liner Tiebacks

Using Swellpacker systems on liner tiebacks provides

pressure holding capability and also creates an enormous

anchoring force for the liner tieback string—eliminating the

need for cement to anchor the tieback string. Swellpacker

systems are installed above the seal assembly and the tieback

string is run in the hole to the tieback receptacle. After the

seal assembly is pressure tested, it is then raised, and fuel for

the swellable element is circulated to the proper place (if not

in place already). The seal assembly is lowered back into the

tieback receptacle, allowing the Swellpacker system to swell.

Implementing Swellpacker systems frees up time and helps

reduce cost because there is no cement, float equipment, or

cement plugs to drill out before completing the well.

Swellpacker Systems on Scab Liners

Scab liners are placed in the well to simply provide a casing

conduit from the lower liner to the upper tieback casing

string. Cementing a scab liner in place is time consuming

and can be risky. Using Swellpacker systems on scab liners

helps reduce the risk of performing a competent cementing

job in relative small annuli. Swellpacker systems will provide

high-pressure sealing capabilities.


in Production Zones with Cement


on Liner Tiebacks

HA

L33

101

HA

L33

103


Testing Facilities

Since the first introduction of the Swellpacker® system in

2001, much has changed. Swell Technology systems have

been accepted by a large number of operators worldwide.

The growing complexity of well designs in harsher

environments has increased the need for more diverse

Swell Technology products and more rigorous testing on

tools that are going to be commercialized.

In order to support the research and development efforts

required for product development, Halliburton has invested

in laboratory facilities in Norway and the United States.

Research and Development Lab -Stavanger, Norway

The main facility for Swell Technology research and

development opened in August 2008 and is located near

Stavanger, Norway. The 8,000 ft² laboratory has tripled the

capacity of Halliburton’s ability to design, test, and qualify

new swellable technology products.

At this center, Halliburton has the opportunity to consolidate

key personnel—product management, global technical

support teams, and research—and enhance collaborative

efforts with the customer during the design, testing, and

qualifying stage.

All standard tests, qualification testing, and customer/

project-specific tests can be performed at this facility,

including swell speed testing at customer-specified

conditions, full-scale differential pressure performance

under both static and dynamic fracturing conditions,

scaled (reduced size) packer testing, gravel pack testing,

and friction testing.

For customer-specific tests, the procedures are agreed upon

between Halliburton and the customer before the test unit is

built and the test is executed. These procedures contain the

specifics of the test, timeline, reporting, and the testing

budget. This facility is set up with digital logging and

recording systems to accommodate the customer’s need to

evaluate the technology. Remote witnessing of the testing is

available upon request.

Swell Technology

Research and Development Lab

HA

L31

941


Swell pressure testing is performed at an early stage in

elastomer compound development. The objective is to

verify swelling and internal pressure building in the

elastomer, which indicates the differential pressure

performance on full-scale tools.

The swell speed test cell determines tool swelling speed at a

specific downhole temperature. The fluid used can either be

a sample supplied by the customer or a standard base oil. The

primary advantage of this “donut testing” is to help

determine the correct geometry, since the shape of the

sample tested has a significant impact on the test outcome.

All test results are subsequently used to update the SwellSim®

simulation software.

Differential pressure testing is conducted in large autoclaves

for full-scale tools only. Maximum pressure test pressure is

15,000 psi.

The final test conducted on Swell Technology tools before

commercialization is the run-in-hole simulation or

ruggedness test. In this test, full-scale tools are run through a

milled window. The main objective is to test the robustness

of the tools (both element and end ring) in a dry

environment (no lubrication of any fluid).

HA

L31

901

Differential

Pressure Testing Area

Swell Speed

Test Cell

HA

L33

081

Swell Pressure

Testing Cell

HA

L31

905


Support Lab - Carrollton, TX, United States

Halliburton's engineering test facility in Carrollton, Texas,

has the capability to run full-scale swell speed testing and

differential pressure testing. At the main facility, testing can

be carried out up to 600°F (315°C) and up to 20,000 psi

(1375 bar).

The center's engineering test facilities also provide

engineering analysis and support, high-temperature/high-

pressure testing, and tool pre-qualification to API and

ISO requirements.

The center includes two working test wells with rig

accessories, slickline, and E-line operations as well as flow

testing capabilities which allow Halliburton to simulate

actual well environments before running new tools in a

customer's well.H

AL

1770

2

Carrollton Test Facilities



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Swell Technology