Services
Snubbing
The Snubbing Unit is the most versatile technique available in the upstream oil & gas industry.
Safe and Advanced
The Snubbing Unit is the most versatile technique, available in the upstream oil & gas industry. It provides solutions to almost all well problems. Our Snubbing units are internationally recognized as the safest and most technologically advanced in the world. Our latest data aquisition systems in combination with the newest safety software enables us to perform operations efficiently.
Technical Capabilities
Designed to deal with challenges like buckling of tubular, push and pull forces, and lubrication of tubular in and out of the pressurized well.
Flexible & Mobile | Quick rig up/down
Small footprint, flexible, and easy to mobilize. These properties make HWO units very suitable for offshore and onshore operations.
How does Snubbing work?
Live Well Operations
Snubbing is a technique to install or remove tubular from a well while the well remains pressurized (live well). This technique is used when it is not possible or not desired to kill a well.
Key Advantages
Work can be performed without killing the well, thus eliminating reservoir formation impairment or costly stimulation operations. We use the advantage of not killing the well to continue with the same unit in a workover mode to install the upper (smart) completion. This removes reservoir damage + extra (de)mobilisation, means a cost efficient operation.
Safety & Engineering
Before starting a snubbing operation, dedicated engineering is required. The operation and contingencies must be in place to ensure that operations on live wells can be performed safely with our latest data acquisition systems and safety software.
Specifications
Snubbing Units Comparison
| Specification | CSU 160 Unit | 340K | 385 Space Saver II | 600k | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max. Pull Capacity | 180,000 lbs | 340,000 lbs | 385,000 lbs | 600,000 lbs | |
| Max. Push Capacity | 135,000 lbs | 166,000 lbs | 170,000 lbs | 263,000 lbs | |
| Rotary Torque | N/A | 27 kNm | 27 kNm | 27 kNm | |
| Stroke | N/A | 3 m | 3 m | 3 m | |
| Through Bore (Snubbing) | 203 mm (8 inch) | 11⅛" | 11⅛" | 11⅛" | |
| Ginpole | N/A | 2 × 1.5 t | 2 × 2.5 t, 1 × 5 t | 2 × 2.5 t, 1 × 5 t | |
| Unit Total Weight | N/A | 40 t | 36 t | 40 t |
3 Stages of Snubbing
Pipe Light
The weight of the tubular is less than the upward acting forces caused by well pressure and buoyancy. This stage introduces technical challenges like buckling of tubular and push forces instead of pull forces.
Balance Point
The weight of the tubular equals the upward acting force created by the well pressure and buoyancy. This critical transition point requires precise control and expertise.
Pipe Heavy
The weight of the tubular is larger than the upward acting forces. During the entire operation, well pressure shall be controlled and sufficient barriers shall be in place to avoid uncontrolled pressure release.
Interested in our Snubbing Services?
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