Wireless Tubing Hanger Deployment in Deepwater Environment, the Bonga Field Experience

Abstract The deployment of Tubing Hangers (TH) in offshore subsea wells is a critical aspect of oil and gas production systems. The Tubing Hanger is a key component in well completion, allowing for the suspension of tubing, communication of hydraulic and electric functions downhole, and sealing the annulus. The installation and retrieval of the Tubing Hanger are typically carried out using a tubular riser within the marine riser and Blow Out Preventer (BOP). The Tubing Hanger Running Assembly (THRA) plays a crucial role in this process, consisting of a Simplified Landing String (SLS) or BOP Spanner Joint and a Tubing Hanger Running/Retrieval Tool (THRT). Traditionally, the control of the THRT and associated downhole functions has been facilitated through a heavy-duty umbilical or Electro-Hydraulic (EH) umbilical, manually clamped to the drill pipe during deployment. However, this setup comes with challenges and requires significant investment in equipment, including an EH Reel with umbilical, a Work Over Control Unit (WCU) or Workover Control System (WOCS), and considerable rig real-estate with multiple resources for operation. The challenges associated with the traditional deployment of the EH umbilical include the need for parallel activities during umbilical handling and clamping to the drill pipe. These activities must be carefully managed to ensure the safety and efficiency of the operation. The large investment in equipment and the complexity of the deployment process highlights the importance of exploring alternative technologies. The paper introduces a new technology that eliminates the need for the EH reel and WCU in the overall setup. This alternative approach aims to address the challenges associated with the traditional deployment of the EH umbilical. However, it's essential to note that, at the time of writing the paper, this new technology had not been deployed in Bonga field, Nigeria. The importance of this paper lies in providing an overview of the specific challenges associated with traditional EH umbilical deployment and introducing a potential solution with the new technology. It serves as a foundation for understanding the limitations of the existing setup and the potential benefits of adopting an alternative approach. The successful implementation of this new technology could potentially streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance the overall efficiency of Tubing Hanger installation and retrieval in offshore subsea wells.