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A study finds that, despite their benefits, standard tubing anchors can also create serious problems with oil well production.

Replacing the AC system in your home is a little like a prostate exam. As the equipment gets older, it’s going to be necessary, but it’s never fun. Such was the case for our family two summers ago when our AC unit finally gave out. Interestingly, one of the main factors contributing to the failure was also a necessary part of the system. The air filter that was needed to keep the circulating air clean was also restricting the airflow too much for the old system to handle. The result was a frequently frozen AC condenser and soaring temperatures in the house.

The Impact of Tubing Anchors Above the Pump Intake

That was the finding of a research study conducted by Echometer Company. The Texas-based software firm offers solutions for analyzing and optimizing the performance of oil, gas, and water wells. In this case, the firm studied the production rates of 11 oil wells. Each well had high fluid levels and the pump intake was located below the perforations. Yet despite these seemingly favorable conditions, nine of the wells showed a pump fillage rate of less than 90%.

According to the report: “In these wells that exhibited high fluid levels … the fluid distribution in the wellbore below the liquid level was not uniform. The wellbore in the vicinity of the pump intake was primarily filled with gas with a minimal volume of liquid. …The presence of a tubing anchor set high above the pump intake is considered to be the main cause of this uneven distribution of fluids in the wellbore.

“The particular tubing anchor used in these wells provides a flow area of about 2.9 square inches between the body of the anchor and the casing compared to a flow area of 14.4 square inches between the casing (4.892-inch ID) and the tubing (2.375-inch OD). The small flow area could increase the velocity of the upwards flowing gas to the point where it would be difficult for liquid present in the upper part of the annulus to flow downwards past the depth where the tubing anchor is set. The anchor would essentially act as a choke and also cause an increase of the annular back pressure.”

In other words, the tubing anchor itself was restricting the flow of gas up through the annulus of the well. The gas that did escape had an increased velocity. That velocity made it difficult for fluid above the anchor to fall past it and reach the pump. In turn, the fluid around the pump had a high gas content, making highly efficient production impossible.

#tubing anchors #tubing anchor catcher

TechTAC® Highlights Tubing Anchor that Can Navigate Oil Well Casing Patches

SALT LAKE CITY – Nov. 7, 2023 – TechTAC®, an industry leader in downhole tubing anchor solutions, today highlighted the availability of the Slimline® Casing Patch TAC, a tubing anchor catcher that gives engineers and field personnel more options for anchoring a tubing string within an oil well where the wellbore casing has been patched, is swollen or has a reduced ID due to scale. This custom-made anchor leverages innovative mechanics and the unique design of the Slimline® to navigate an oil well casing patch or similar anomaly while still being able to fully set below the patch or affected area.

Source url:- https://tinyurl.com/59jd8t39

#tubing anchors #slimline tubing anchor catcher #techtac #slimline

Original Manufacturer vs. Aftermarket Parts: Which are Best for Your Downhole Equipment?

When it’s time to repair or rebuild a piece of downhole equipment, one of the main questions an operator needs to answer is whether to use parts made by the original manufacturer or aftermarket parts made by a third-party supplier. Both options have certain advantages. The right choice depends on an operator’s business and production goals.

This article will outline five important factors to consider when evaluating replacement parts. Specifically, we’ll look at:

Quality and steel grade

Short- and long-term costs

Compatibility and fit

Availability and customer service

Lifespan and component integrity

Source url:- https://tinyurl.com/2pmk9r6w

When looking at the history of crude oil prices in the U.S., both the highest oil price and the lowest have been marked relatively recently.

When looking at the history of crude oil prices in the United States over the last 50 years, both the highest oil price and the lowest have been marked relatively recently. Rising inflation, scarcity concerns, and once-in-a-generation global events like the COVID-19 pandemic have all played a role.

For these benchmarks, we’ll look at the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) index, the standard U.S. oil benchmark.

#tubing anchors #slimline #techtac

Placement Considerations in Unconventional Wells

The optimal alignment for most TACs is as deep as possible while still remaining in the vertical section. For unconventional wells, that typically means just above the kickoff point. This placement anchors the maximum length of the tubing string while maintaining proper alignment, helping to avoid introducing bending moments or undue stress on the tool.

Although Slimline QuickSet TACs can — and have — been successfully deployed below the kickoff point, doing so may expose the tool to increased side loading and stress. Engineers should carefully evaluate well geometry, deviation severity, and overall completion design before choosing to set the TAC below the kickoff point in unconventional wells. And as always, operators should confirm the TAC placement relative to the pump, wellbore deviations, and any other downhole equipment prior to running the anchor.

#tubing anchors #techtac #slimline

What Does the Slimline® TAC’s Increased Flow-by Area Actually Look Like?

Sometimes benefits are a little tough to visualize. If you’re in the market for a new truck, it’s one thing to read about a vehicle with a 40,000-pound towing capacity. It’s something quite different to see that truck hauling 20 tons of rock and steel up a grade on the way to a jobsite. More often than not, seeing is believing.

A Flow-by Area Comparison

In the case of the Slimline® Tubing Anchor Catcher (TAC), documenting the increased annular area around the TAC, when compared to a Baker B2-style (standard) anchor, isn’t as compelling as seeing it in action. The Slimline® offers an increased flow-by capacity of up to 245%. That distinction can best be seen in a side-by-side comparison:

Source url:- https://tinyurl.com/59hfzwaj

#slimline #techtac

Using AI in the oil and gas industry could enhance important functions like demand forecasting, corrosion detection, and safety.

The technology of the moment is certainly artificial intelligence, or AI. Stories about its uses and potential applications are everywhere — and the oil industry is no different. Following is a roundup of some of the latest perspectives on how AI will impact the oil and gas industry:

Improving Demand Forecasting

In a recent post, software firm Appinventiv highlighted many promising use cases for AI in the oil patch. One of the key applications cited in the article is demand forecasting:

“Traditional methods of demand prediction often fall short in handling the complexities of today’s global energy markets. This is where AI solutions for oil and gas, powered by advanced machine learning algorithms, are revolutionizing demand forecasting processes.

“AI models can uncover intricate patterns and correlations that human analysts might miss by analyzing vast amounts of historical data, market trends, geopolitical events, and even social media sentiment. This empowers companies to make well-informed decisions based on data-driven insights.”

Source url:- https://tinyurl.com/mwj56yfk

#tubing anchors #slimline

Using AI in the oil and gas industry could enhance important functions like demand forecasting, corrosion detection, and safety.

The technology of the moment is certainly artificial intelligence, or AI. Stories about its uses and potential applications are everywhere — and the oil industry is no different. Following is a roundup of some of the latest perspectives on how AI will impact the oil and gas industry:

Improving Demand Forecasting

In a recent post, software firm Appinventiv highlighted many promising use cases for AI in the oil patch. One of the key applications cited in the article is demand forecasting:

“Traditional methods of demand prediction often fall short in handling the complexities of today’s global energy markets. This is where AI solutions for oil and gas, powered by advanced machine learning algorithms, are revolutionizing demand forecasting processes.

“AI models can uncover intricate patterns and correlations that human analysts might miss by analyzing vast amounts of historical data, market trends, geopolitical events, and even social media sentiment. This empowers companies to make well-informed decisions based on data-driven insights.”

Source url:- https://tinyurl.com/mwj56yfk

#tubing anchors #slimline tubing anchor catcher

A Powerful Combination for Deep or Deviated Wells

The Slimline® QuickSet™ TAC offers a flexible solution for anchoring production tubing strings in deep or deviated wells. Compared to the original Slimline® or a standard TAC, the QuickSet™ requires fewer string rotations to fully set the anchor. Yet it retains the patented Slimline® design, which increases flow-by capacity in the annulus by as much as 245%. That combination has helped the Slimline® QuickSet™ TAC support a wide range of deployments.

One engineer with a large energy company operating in the Permian described the anchor’s impact this way: “Despite trying a variety of different products, we could not get a tubing anchor to set in the dogleg of one of our horizontal wells. We tried standard and quarter-turn anchors but kept getting the same result. Finally, after hearing about the Slimline QuickSet TAC, we decided to give it a try — and we were able to fully set the anchor in the bend of the well.”

For more information about the Slimline® QuickSet™ TAC, download the product brochure or visit the QuickSet™ product page.

#slimline #techtac

The operational benefits of adopting the Slimline TAC are firmly supported by rigorous scientific research. An independent computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study conducted revealed several fluid-dynamic penalties with traditional anchor designs. In particular, the research demonstrated that the net pressure drop around a standard Baker B2-style anchor is more than double the pressure drop experienced around the Slimline TAC.

In physics and petroleum engineering, a steep pressure drop across a narrow restriction can trigger severe operational consequences. It accelerates the precipitation of scale, iron sulfide, and paraffin out of the wellbore fluid, which can rapidly accumulate and bridge off on top of the anchor, potentially cementing it in place. In addition, formation gas can be trapped below the TAC, eventually leading to a gas locked sucker rod pump.

The net pressure drop around a standard B2-style anchor is more than double the pressure drop experienced around the Slimline TAC.

By providing up to 245% more flow-by area in the well’s annulus, the Slimline TAC eliminates this chokepoint. The CFD study also confirmed a noticeable reduction in overall turbulence and vorticity strengths within the flow field around the Slimline anchor, yielding a smoother, more laminar flow. According to field data compiled alongside this research, operators frequently report a 15% to 25% increase in pump fillage after switching to a slim-style anchor, translating directly to higher production rates, lower lifting costs, and significantly extended runtimes between workovers.

To learn more about TechTAC’s suite of Slimline tubing anchor catchers and why they are often the preferred downhole tool of production engineers, check out the Slimline TAC Engineering Info Packet or contact the TechTAC team.

#slimline

Setting a Tubing Anchor: One Commonly Missed Step

To ensure the optimal downhole performance of its tubing anchor solutions, TechTAC® has established best practice guidelines for setting tubing anchors. Some of these guidelines are simple cautions, such as avoiding carrying an anchor by the drag springs. Others are vital to its proper operation.

View the complete Setting & Releasing Instructions.

Source url:- https://tinyurl.com/p69zxxxc

#tubing anchors #slimline tubing anchor catcher

Oilfield Tools: 25 Common Types

The oilfield is a complex and demanding environment, requiring a variety of specialized tools to ensure efficient and safe operations. From drilling to production, each stage in the oil extraction process utilizes specific equipment designed for particular functions. Here, we catalog 25 common types of oilfield tools, including the essential tubing anchor catcher, or TAC.

Source url:- https://tinyurl.com/4znkf2nw

The Need for a Full Bore Slimline TAC

For years the original Slimline TAC has helped engineers and operators improve efficiency and lower lifting costs. The product provides up to 245% more flow-by area than a standard B2 TAC. However, in the past, if a 5.5” well were using 2–7/8” tubing to support a large pump, engineers would have to place a Slimline TAC below the seat nipple because of the anchor’s reduced ID.

The new Slimline Full Bore TAC combines a full bore ID (2.4” on the 5.5” anchor) with a slim OD. This combination allows engineers to place the tubing anchor catcher above the seat nipple in 2–7/8” tubing with a large pump running through it.

#tubing anchor catcher

A New Slip Design for the 7 5/8-inch Anchor

Assembling a large piece of downhole equipment like the 7 5/8-inch Slimline® can be challenging. The size of the tool and the relative size of its components can create some tight workspaces. In the past, the height of the 7 5/8-inch Slimline® slips compared to the limited space in the anchor’s housing could slow the assembly process. Only two slips could be inserted initially. The third would have to be connected to its springs from within the housing. Great tool but not the easiest to put together.

To make the assembly of the 7 5/8-inch Slimline® faster, TechTAC® has improved the design of those slips. The new design, similar to the 4.5-inch Slimline®, features a two-piece slip. The bottom section of all three anchor slips can be inserted into the housing, and once they are positioned, the top sections quickly slide into place. The faster assembly process for TechTAC’s largest Slimline® anchor is just another way the company tries to deliver the right anchoring solutions as quickly as possible.

#slimline #slimline tubing anchor catcher #tubing anchors

What to Check Before Running an Anchor Downhole

When a TechTAC Authorized Dealer receives an assembled anchor, the accompanying packing slip includes several notes. One of them reads: “Tools are to be checked upon delivery to ensure they are in correct working order.” But what does it mean to “check” the anchor? While individual circumstances may vary, this post will highlight a few key items that should be inspected before running an anchor downhole.

A Focus on Quality

One of TechTAC’s core values is to always meet the highest standards of quality. Whenever a tubing anchor leaves one of our facilities – whether a patented Slimline® TAC or a standard B2 anchor – dealers can trust that product has been built according to key quality standards. Those standards include using American-made steel and following a best practice assembly procedure.

Source url:- https://tinyurl.com/mn43d2r3

#tubing anchors #techtac

Assembly Tip: Inserting Slips into the Anchor Housing

The many benefits of running a Slimline® Tubing Anchor Catcher are realized, in large part, thanks to the anchor’s reduced OD. However, when it comes to assembling the TAC, that smaller OD can create some pretty tight spaces. In particular, without the right technique, inserting slips into the anchor housing can lead to some frustration and colorful language.

Source url:- https://tinyurl.com/2wv3v9rm

#techtac #tubing anchors

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