Case History of a Successful Pipe-Cutting Campaign in the Adriatic Sea

Abstract This paper will present the results of an extensive pipe cutting campaign in the Adriatic Sea for a major Italian operator, where previous pipe cutting tools failed and where explosive severing tools were not permitted for offshore operations. The main objective of the pipe cutting campaign was to sever the 2 3/8-inch dual string completions on platforms in the Adriatic Sea. Most of these strings are stressed during the production stage due to buckling. All the cutting operations were to be conducted using the Coiled Tubing (CT) conveyed 1 11/16-inch hydraulic pipe cutter in highly deviated zones, on the order of 45 to 70 degrees, with the production strings in compression. The new CT conveyed hydraulic pipe cutter has proven to be an excellent alternative to conventional severing options which can be ineffective or are not permitted due to offshore regulations. The pipe cutter features durable knives dressed with specially designed tungsten carbide inserts to engage and quickly sever tubing, casing or drill pipe. The knife design produces lower point loading across the cutting surface resulting in longer life, completing cutting operations in a single run. A detailed description of the CT conveyed hydraulic pipe cutter, the challenges and results of this campaign will be presented in this paper.