OI L A ND G A S
Coiled Tubing: Definition, Components,
Application & Process
22 A U GU ST, 20 23
Reading Time 8 mins
Coiled tubing has become a popular technology in the petroleum industry. It can be
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used for a variety of tasks in oil and gas operations, such as drilling and well interven-
tion. Compared to traditional methods, coiled tubing is cost-e!ective and versatile,
making it become a preferable technique in upstream activity. Coiled tubing is widely
used due to its ability to reach inaccessible areas in wells.
Table of Contents
1. What Is Coiled Tubing?
2. What Is Coiled Tubing Operation?
3. What Are The Application of Coiled Tubing?
4. What Are The Physical Characteristics of Coiled Tubing Equipment?
5. What Are The Components of Coiled Tubing Equipment?
6. How Does Coiled Tubing Work?
7. What Are The Disadvantages of Coiled Tubing?
8. What Are The Advantages of Using Coiled Tubing?
9. What Are Some FAQs Regarding Coiled Tubing?
What Is Coiled Tubing?
In the petroleum industry, coiled tubing is a continuous metal pipe with no joints
ranging from 1 to 3.25 inches (25 to 83 mm) in diameter conveniently supplied spooled
on a large reel. This coiled tubing serves multiple purposes, including interventions in
oil and gas wells and production tubing in depleted gas wells.
What Is Coiled Tubing Operation?
In the oil and gas sector, coiled tubing operation is a technique used for well interven-
tion without using traditional drill pipes. It employs a continuous coil of tubing, typi-
cally made of steel or composite material, wound onto a large spool and then inserted
into the wellbore. This method allows for various tasks to be performed in the well-
bore e"ciently. Coil tubing is sometimes needed when the well completion and
:
workover are performed.
A drilling engineer focuses on extracting oil and gas resources. (Credit: Vecteezy)
Coiled tubing operations can be used for a wide range of tasks, including well
cleanouts, acid stimulation, fracturing, cementing, logging, plug setting or retrieval,
and stuck pipe prevention. The coiled tubing is typically deployed into the wellbore
through a specialized injector head, which controls the speed and tension of the tub-
ing as it is fed into the well. Once the desired depth is reached, various tools and
equipment can be run through the coiled tubing to perform the required tasks.
What Are The Application of Coiled Tubing?
Since coiled tubing is a versatile tool that finds numerous applications in the oil and
gas industry, there are diverse applications of coiled tubing that help the drilling pro-
:
cedure to be done easier. Circulating, pumping, coiled tubing drilling, production, log-
ging and perforating commonly apply coiled tubing.
1. Circulation
Coiled tubing is a beneficial tool for circulation in well interventions due to its contin-
uous length ability to navigate complex wellbores. In some cases, the flow of forma-
tion fluids in a well may be impeded by the weight of a hydrostatic head. To restore
the flow, coiled tubing can be inserted into the wellbore allowing production to re-
sume.
2. Pumping
Another common application of coiled tubing is for pumping operations in oil and gas
wells to deliver various fluids and treatments. It is employed in applications such as
hydraulic fracturing, well stimulation, cementing, acidizing, and nitrogen purging.
To initiate pumping, the coiled tubing is connected to a surface pumping unit or a
dedicated pumping system. Fluids are then pumped down the coiled tubing string,
which is inserted into the well. The continuous length of coiled tubing enables unin-
terrupted pumping, ensuring a consistent and controlled flow rate.
3. Coiled Tubing Drilling
As the name conveys, coiled tubing can be employed for Coiled Tubing Drilling (CTD)
operations that involve utilizing a coiled tubing string as a drill pipe to carry out
drilling tasks in oil and gas wells.
In Coiled Tubing Drilling, the coiled tubing is inserted into the well and equipped with
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a bottom hole assembly that comprises a drill bit. The coiled tubing is then rotated
and pushed into the rock formation, enabling the drill bit to cut through the rock and
establish a wellbore.
4. Logging and Perforating
Coiled tubing is specifically employed in logging operations to lower specialized tools
and instruments into the wellbore, enabling the collection of data for evaluating sub-
surface formations.
These tools, including logging tools and sensors, are connected to the coiled tubing
string and utilized to measure formation pressure, temperature, fluid composition,
and rock properties. The acquired data aids in assessing reservoir characteristics and
making informed decisions regarding production strategies.
5. Production
Coiled tubing can be employed in production operations to support a range of activi-
ties to maximize well productivity. One prevalent application involves well stimulation,
where fluids, chemicals, or proppants are injected through the coiled tubing string
into the well. This process enhances the performance of the reservoir, leading to an
increase in hydrocarbon production.
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What Are The Physical Characteristics of Coiled
Tubing Equipment?
Considered as flexible yet durable, coiled tubing has several physical characteristics.
1. Self Contained
Coiled tubing is labeled as self-contained because it contains all the essential compo-
nents and equipment within the tubing, enabling it to operate autonomously without
relying on external assistance or additional equipment.
2. Mobile/Modular
Coiled tubing is mobile and modular due to its design which facilitates convenient
transportation and assembly. Its modular construction allows for easy setup and dis-
mantling, enabling it to move and deploy in di!erent locations as required.
3. Hydraulically Powered
Coiled tubing is hydraulically powered, utilizing hydraulic pressure for e"cient opera-
:
tion. It enables tasks such as fluid pumping, circulation, and tool manipulation, ensur-
ing e!ective performance in various applications.
4. Environmentally Friendly
Coil tubing is recognized for its environmental friendliness as it contributes to mini-
mizing ecological impacts. By reducing the requirement for extensive equipment and
infrastructure, coiled tubing helps decrease emissions and disturbances to surround-
ing ecosystems.
What Are The Components of Coiled Tubing
Equipment?
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Mechanical elements of a hydraulic CT unit (Credit: sasindustries.com)
Ever since it was o"cially developed in late 1960, coiled tubing has become a crucial
piece of equipment in the oil and gas industry for well-intervention purposes. It comes
in various designs and types available in the market, but the components of a coiled
tubing unit are generally similar. Here are the basic components of Coiled Tubing
Units:
1. Injector and Tubing Guide Arch
The coiled tubing injector is a device that grasps and exerts the necessary force to de-
ploy and retrieve the continuous tubing in and out of the wellbore.
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2. Service Reel with CT
The coiled tubing injector is a device that grasps and exerts the necessary force to de-
ploy and retrieve the continuous tubing in and out of the wellbore. It is an essential
component of the equipment used.
3. Power Supply or Prime Mover
Most prime mover packages in coiled tubing units are powered by diesel engines and
multistage hydraulic pumps with pressure ratings ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 psig.
This is the general configuration of prime mover packages used in such units.
4. Control Console and Monitoring Equipment
The console contains the necessary controls and gauges to operate and monitor the
components of the coiled tubing unit, including the red and injector heads, and the
control system for regulating the drive chain, stripper rubber, and blowout preven-
ters.
5. Downhole CT Connectors and Bottom Hole Assembly
(BHA) Components
In coiled tubing (CT) services, various connections isolate pressure and transfer ten-
sion, compression, and torsional loads from tools and bottom hole assemblies to the
tube.
6. Well-control Stack Equipment
The well-control stack system plays a crucial role in the pressure containment package
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of a coiled tubing (CT) unit, consisting of a stripper assembly and hydraulically operat-
ed rams.
How Does Coiled Tubing Work?
Coiled tubing is typically used in the oil and gas industry for various well-intervention operations.
First, a coiled tubing unit (CTU) central to CT surface operations consists of a reel that
holds a continuous length of flexible steel pipe. After that, the tubing is deployed
downhole by spooling it o! the reel and guiding it through a gooseneck, which directs
the CT downward to an injector head. It becomes straight before it enters the bore-
hole.
Right after the end of the operation, the flexible tubing is taken out of the well and
spooled back onto the reel using a high-pressure swivel joint on the reel hub that al-
lows for the pumping of fluids while the reel rotates. Throughout the process, the CT
operator controls the movement and depth of the CT string from the CTU control cab-
:
in using a hydraulically driven injector head.
It is important to note that a dynamic seal around the tubing string is provided by a
stripper assembly beneath the injector head, which is crucial for running the CT in and
out of live wells. A secondary and backup pressure-control system is provided by a
blowout preventer assembly positioned between the stripper and wellhead.
The CTU control cabin oversees and coordinates the entire process of managing the
deployment and retrieval of flexible tubing during CT surface operations, making it a
crucial component in the overall process.
What Are The Disadvantages of Coiled Tubing?
One disadvantage of CT is its inability to rotate. This means you can not turn the pipe,
which limits its flexibility and capability in certain operations.
Another disadvantage is the risk of fatigue and wear on the tubing due to repeated
bending and straightening during use. Over time, this can weaken the tubing and in-
crease the likelihood of failure, leading to potential safety hazards and increased
maintenance costs.
What Are The Advantages of Using Coiled Tubing?
Utilizing coiled tubing provides numerous benefits across di!erent industries and ap-
plications. Here are some of the key advantages of using coiled tubing:
1. Versatility
Coiled tubing is highly adaptable and can be utilized for various operations such as
:
well intervention, stimulation, cleanouts, logging, and production enhancement. Its
flexible nature allows it to navigate complex wellbore configurations e"ciently.
2. Cost-E!ectiveness
Coiled tubing operations often require smaller crews and equipment since killing well
is unnecessary, leading to cost reductions. It enables faster deployment, minimizing
the need for time-consuming rigging-up processes and enhancing overall operational
e"ciency.
3. Time Savings
Coiled tubing operations are generally faster compared to traditional methods as
there is no need for frequent trips in and out of the wellbore. This enables swift mobi-
lization, increases well productivity, and reduces downtime.
4. Enhanced Well Control
The continuous length of coiled tubing minimizes the risk of connection failures, en-
suring better well control during operations. Real-time monitoring and control capa-
bilities allow for immediate response to well conditions.
What Are Some FAQs Regarding Coiled Tubing?
Frequently asked questions regarding coil tubing revolve around the size and the com-
ponents of the tools itself.
1. What Are The Unit Sizes of Coil Tubing?
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The unit sizes of coiled tubing are measured by their outside diameter (OD). These
sizes vary from 0.750 inches (19.1 mm) to 5.00 inches (127 mm). Additionally, the wall
thicknesses of coiled tubing range from 0.087 inches (2.00 mm) to 0.337 inches (8.60
mm).
Due to its popularity, coil tubing is often massively produced by manufacturer (Credit: katyspring.com)
2. What Is The Length of Coiled Tubing?
The length of coiled tubing can vary depending on the diameter of the pipe, which
ranges from 1 inch to 4-1/2 inches, and the size of the spool. Typically, coiled tubing can
range from 2,000 feet to 15,000 feet or even longer, which is approximately 610 to
4,570 meters. For further information, you can refer to “The Defining Series: Introduc-
tion to Coiled Tubing.”
Coiled tubing is a complex process with strict regulations and standards that must be
followed during operation. If you want to know more about coiled tubing operations,
you should consider undergoing proper training to enhance your skills and expertise
in this specialized field.
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Our Coiled Tubing Operation training course provides an introductory overview of
coiled tubing operations in oil fields, including its concept and applications. PetroSync
crafts a thorough outline covering various coiled tubing technologies, focusing on sur-
face equipment and downhole tools. It also addresses the main components, applica-
tion envelope, special coiled tubing applications, and contingency planning for di!er-
ent operational situations.
PetroSync aims to enhance your understanding, knowledge, and decision-making abil-
ities related to wellbore treatments for well performance improvement through pre-
sentations, case studies, group discussions, exercises, and practical videos of real-
world cases. Join us and gain a comprehensive understanding of coiled tubing opera-
tions and their applications in oil and gas from our expert instructor!
Credit header image: stimline.com
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CO I L E D T U B I N G AP PL I CAT I ON COI L ED TUBI NG CERTI F I CAT ION
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