Case Study

The operator, Vermilion Energy, needed a solution that could:

• Shut off unwanted water production from a lower reservoir zone
• Restore zonal isolation in a compromised cement sheath
• Avoid rotation dependency issues in a deviated and constrained well environment
• Minimise risk of further formation damage during intervention

Traditional methods such as section milling or cement squeeze were less suitable due to complexity, risk, and uncertainty in achieving a reliable long-term barrier in this well architecture.

“This operation shows how far jet-based PWC® technology has evolved. Achieving zonal isolation in a 4-1/2” casing demonstrates the flexibility of HydraCT™ and opens the door to solving integrity challenges in wells previously considered too constrained.”
- Erlend Engelsgjerd, CCO HydraWell

A mature gas well, onshore in the Netherlands was producing water, ranging from 100 - 200 m³/day. The water production was a consequence of insufficient cement coverage from the primary cementing job behind the 4-1/2” casing in an 8-1/2” hole, allowing communication with a lower water-bearing reservoir zone.

With production efficiency below par and the well’s future value at risk, leaving it in its current state was no longer viable.