Coiled-tubing applications for blowout-control operations

Coiled-tubing drilling is now being used in various operations. Its complete field of applications is not currently established. Coiled tubing used for well control while drilling is a new field where its limits are being explored. This paper provides guidelines on topics to be considered in determining the applicability of coiled tubing for well-control problems. The information provided is based on recent field experiences with several well-control problems when drilling vent and relief wells. In some cases, coiled-tubing drilling capabilities, by necessity, were significantly extended beyond levels the industry considered to be upper limits. Well control cannot always be handled by coiled tubing. It is a special-application tool that can handle many situations and is, in some cases, clearly the optimum choice for the application. This paper presents guidelines for selecting coiled tubing for each application and discusses economics. It also describes coiled-tubing operations for regaining control of blowout wells in certain situations and gives technical requirements for planning and executing these types of jobs. Case histories where coiled-tubing units (CTU's) have been used to regain control of drilling and producing wells are provided for illustration.