Challenge
An operator was experiencing casing failures in SAGD environments and wanted a solution to put their existing wells back on steam injection with minimal intervention required.
Fishing operations to recover the remainder of the string was becoming increasingly expensive due to the casing being structurally compromised in multiple locations and the completion being fished out in pieces.
Solution
Within a 6-week time period, Interra Energy developed the Thermal Overshot allowing operators to re-connect the existing completion string to surface and resume steam injection.
The Thermal Overshot is designed to function without tension or compression, which enables it to maintain a thermal seal for the life of the well.
Through a proprietary slip mechanism, the tool creates a thermal seal around the existing casing, resulting in a continuous flow of steam from surface to the toe of the well.
Results
As of April 2020, Interra Energy has run 10 Thermal Overshot tools with 100% success, all of which are still in operation with the earliest installation being May 2016.
The Thermal Overshot eliminated the risk of costly fishing operations or potentially even losing portions of the well if the completion could not be fished.