Malaysia Market Entry Journey

For decades, Malaysia has cultivated the reputation for its technical prowess in drilling & completing extended reach wells in challenging offshore reservoirs. As fields mature and the depletion curve becomes ever more pronounced, a proven and solid means of extending oil and gas recovery (EOR) from existing offshore platforms has been to plug back, recover an existing slot and then re-drill, with a full hole size, often with high step out ratios and high dog leg severity, reaching previously ‘stranded’ assets without the need for new surface instrastrure such as a new platform or sub-sea template. A key technology enabler in this strategy has been the use of downhole swivel technology within the lower completion deployment string to ensure that completions can reach full target depth.  

When a swivel is utilized, typically placed one joint or stand behind a liner hanger running tool it enables the independent rotation of the deployment string, keeping the lower completion and its sensitive connections and jewellery  static, safely allowing for friction forces lost due to drag and side loading in the cased hole, to be re-distributed efficiently to the liner running tool and onwards into the lower completion, aiding in pushing the lower completion to full target depth without reaching block weight or inducing string buckling.  

Toolserv’s first step in supporting this key market was to align exclusively with an well established and performance proven local partner, intimate with the technical challenges of extended reach drilling & completions in Malaysia. Eftech Energy Solutions Sdn Bhd were the perfect fit, with their technical & operational expertise and in real time drilling monitoring and tracer supply alongside their existing service and warehousing facility footprint inside Kemaman Supply Base (KSB) supporting peninsular Malaysia activity.  

With the channel partner dialled in we were well positioned to hear end user challenges first hand, and we responded to the call to action from a national operator seeking a robust, field proven swivel solution that would deliver premium performance at an economical price, within a short mobilization timeframe for a relatively short notice project. Step forward the Toolserv Drag Reduction Swivel Model DRS-H containing two hydraulic locking methods, hydraulic differential pressure lock and dart lock, primarily required to support secondary rotational release of their liner hanger running tool.  

Following the operators technical & commercial review, Toolserv & Eftech Energy Solutions Sdn Bhd were awarded the contract to supply the Drag Reduction Swivel Model DRS-H via their tier 1 completion service provider. With the mobilization deadline tight, a tool package was immediately mobilized from Toolserv headquarters in Stavanger directly into Kemaman Supply Base. Full onsite checks were carried out with in person witness by the operator prior to loadout along with active participation from the operator and service companies in program review and torque & drag analysis carried our in-house by Toolserv using the Merlin ERD TDH software package to ensure the technology would be successfully integrated into the completion design. 

Onward into the two field deployments where the technologies use was a resounding success, where the DRS-H was functioned downhole, demonstrating both the the value of swivelling and on reliability of the locking feature. Both extended reach lower completions, which included Stand Alone Screens and Swell Packers for Zonal Isolation, reached full target depth and packer setting, testing and releasing operations were executed as planned, with the DRS-H confirmed locked by the rig crew at the point of break out and lay down.   

The value of leveraging addition weight available at the hook was demonstrated by swivelling prior to entering open hole, leveraging an additional 40,000lbs of friction forces regained to the hook. Quick turnaround servicing between jobs was successfully supported with the capable assistance of Odfjell Well Services within Kemaman Supply Base for use of the Torque & Pressure Test facilities.  

Following detailed end of well reporting the project was closed out, with the rewarding dividend of two flawless case studies, a regional track record established and assets in country, we are well positioned to support the next phase of Toolserv’s growth in the Asia Pacific Region alongside our esteemed strategic channel partners. Malaysia Boleh!