WELCOME TO THE FEBRUARY 2026
TD TOOLS TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
FEBRUARY 2026
Can I Perforate Below Frac Ports? A Case Study
Even the best made plans for a well completion can take unexpected turns. Perhaps a well with frac ports installed for a multistage frac has a significant amount of debris in the well and the decision is made to perforate and frac instead of using the ports. What is the best method for running through the restriction and perforating? In today's Technology Update we will look at a recent job that required this exact type of intervention.
Coiled Tubing Conveyed Abrasive Jet Perforating Below Frac Port
The well for this study is a typical unconventional horizontal well drilled in 2024, a 16,000' total depth well completed with 4-1/2" liner through the producing zones. Wellbore cleanout revealed a significant amount of debris in the well. A program to complete the well was created utilizing abrasive jet perforating to pass through the 2.712" ID frac ports with a 2.125" OD bottom hole assembly (BHA) consisting of an UltraSlim 3 sand jet perforator. Advanced Lines Group (ALG) provided the TD Tools UltraSlim 3 tool and technical support for the job in Saudi Arabia. The UltraSlim 3 would provide large diameter perforation tunnels and enhanced communication with the reservoir.
2-1/8" OD UltraSlim 3 Sand Jet Perforator
The program included 14 stations of perforations across two stages of the original frac layout. The BHA was to pass through ten frac ports and two ball seats that were installed in the 4-1/2" liner. Stations of sand jet perforations were to be placed below and above the frac ports. Once a group of four stations was complete, a sweep of the well was to be performed for sand and debris removal. After perforating, an acid wash through the UltraSlim 3 tool was planned to treat the newly perforated zones. ALG personnel were able to assist their customer and the operator in determining flow rates, circulating pressure, and sand quantities to optimize the job.
Sand Jet Perforator Post Job
Results of the perforating job were very positive. Over 17,000 pounds of sand were pumped through the Ultraslim 3 tool to perform the perforations. The BHA was able to pass through the frac ports and ball seats without issue. Injection rates after perforating confirmed excellent communication with the reservoir. After the injection test, 50 barrels of acid were utilized as a high pressure wash over the perforations. The fracturing operation was successful and the customer was pleased. This job highlights execution of a high number of stages and pumping a a very large volume of sand through the UltraSlim 3 tool, particularly given the H2S environment, followed by performing an acid wash. Thanks and congratulations to our partners at ALG on a very successful job!
For more information about slimhole intervention capabilities, contact:
Rami El-Brmawy at rami@advanced-lines.com
Ahmed Qino at sales.ksa@advanced-lines.com
Cesar Tiberio Perozo Elias at cesar@advanced-lines.com
or
Thomas Dotson at tdotson@tdtoolsinc.com
