Advanced Laser Welding Applied to Casing Running
Two laser automated welding complexes of domestic production appeared in Tatneft. The equipment was designed and manufactured with the participation of specialists from the oil company. Oil News writes about this (Elena FILATOVA).
The laser was first used in fields in Tatarstan in 2019. Since then, the design of the equipment has been improved every year. After all the transformations, the laser complex has become more compact and reliable. Today, with its help, it is possible to perform operations in an explosive environment, at low temperatures, and precipitation.
Thanks to the changes, the equipment is able to quickly readjust to work with pipes with a diameter of 89 to 140 mm. “At the moment, we are working with casing strings with a diameter of 102 mm,” said Elvir GALIEV, head of the laser welding section of TN-Service LLC. “In the near future, we expect to start working with casing strings of a larger diameter — 114 mm.”
The project to create a service for laser welding of casing strings was implemented at TN-Service LLC together with the corporate technical policy department of Tatneft under the supervision of Renat NUKAYBEKOV, Deputy General Director for Logistics and Technical Development.
As part of the project, a unique mobile laser complex was created. It includes a specialized portable six-meter container, in one half of which the laser unit and control cabinets are placed, and in the second – the laser key, electrical cables and optical transport fiber.
The complexes are easily delivered over long distances. During the operation, the equipment has already visited the remote fields of Prikamneft, Nurlatneft, Bavlyneft, etc.
“The specialists of our company, together with the equipment manufacturer, have done serious work on the development and implementation of design and technological solutions that have no analogues on the market today,” said one of the project participants Vladislav KhRENOV, chief specialist of the ORPS of TN-Service LLC.
The main advantages of using laser welding in the process of running casing strings are the following indicators: welding time does not exceed 40 seconds per connection, the use of threadless pipes allows to reduce the metal consumption and diameter of the casing string, it becomes possible to run casing strings with rotation without torque restrictions.
Since November of this year, 11 wells have been built by our own complexes. All seams withstood loads and hydraulic pressure tests up to 150 atmospheres.
Tatneft is testing laser welding of casing pipes for the first time in the Russian Federation Breakthrough technology can effectively replace threaded connections in wells.
In November 2020, the Devon news agency reported that Tatneft was the first in Russia to use an automated laser welding complex to connect casing pipes during well construction. The equipment was designed and manufactured by NTO IRE-Polus LLC in Fryazino, a subsidiary of the international IPG Photonics Corporation. The first prototype, made according to the instructions and developments of Tatneft, was tested in 2019.
Information from IA Devon: TN-Service LLC was established in 2021 in Almetyevsk. Engaged in the repair and maintenance of oilfield equipment. In particular, it repairs and diagnoses sucker rods and sucker rod pumps (SRP) after lifting from wells. At the enterprises, the equipment undergoes all types of control, and then distributed for repair or recycling.
