WELCOME TO THE MAY 2025
TD TOOLS TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
MAY 2025
Sand Jet Descaling Using Dissolving Abrasive
Descaling and cleaning tubing and casing can be a challenging task. Common cleaning methods include mechanical brushes and mills, chemicals that dissolve scale, and high pressure water blasting. Today there is another option, abrasive jetting for descaling. This abrasive can take the form of sand, carbonates, or dissolvable abrasives mixed with water and nitrogen under pressure to mechanically remove tough scale.
Advanced Lines Group (ALG), a TD Tools preferred service provider, had the opportunity to run the TD Tools RBJet rotating head abrasive jetting tool in Saudi Arabia last month. The goal of the job was to remove scale and deposits from inside the 4.5" production tubing.
2.5" OD Rotating Head Abrasive Jetting Tool After Well Cleaning
The descaling job consisted of several components:
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Perform a function test of the bottomhole assembly varying the fluid rate from 1 barrel per minute (bpm) to 3 bpm confirming proper operation of the tool prior to commencing the job.
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Run in hole (RIH) to a depth of 11,000 feet while circulating fluid.
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Pump sand, water, and nitrogen under pressure for the cleaning of the production tubing.
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While pumping, run in the well at a set speed for a pre-determined distance, then pull out of the hole at a different speed for a pre-determined distance and work through the zone to be cleaned.
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Clean the production tubing from 11,000' to 12,000' while continuing to pump the slurry.
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After reaching 12,000', perform a wiper trip using nitrogen foam.
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Complete descaling run with bottoms up circulation of fluid.
Example Of Rotating Head Tool During A Function Test
Results from the cleaning run were encouraging with well head pressure increasing as the job was completed. Approximately 1,500 pounds 20/40 mesh sand was used to clean the 1,000 feet of production tubing with up to 1,200 scf/minute of nitrogen added to the slurry. Circulation pressure was a very reasonable 3,400 psi.
The RBJet tool was thoroughly inspected following the pumping of abrasive fluid. No signs of wear or erosion were observed on the tool body, internal parts or jetting nozzles. This confirms tool’s ability to withstand abrasive fluid pumping at high flow rates without any operational concerns. The customer was very pleased.
Dissolving Abrasive?
Testing Dissolvable Abrasive Descaling Material
We recently had the opportunity to meet in person with Dr. Mathew Samuel, CEO of Atomix Chemicals Company. Atomix manufactures an abrasive material designed for use in abrasive hard scale removal and also abrasive jet perforating and cutting. TD Tools was able to participate with Atomix in a function test conducted in Saudi Arabia in March that examined abrasive descaling utilizing the Atomix CarboSolve. ALG provided the RBJet rotating tool for the test and Atomix provided the CarboSolve material. A section of 7" casing was cleaned using the CarboSolve and the RBJet tool. Operating parameters were up to 2 bpm abrasive slurry and up to 1200 scf/minute of nitrogen.
Results from the yard test were positive with the CarboSolve completely removing the casing coating after 5 min jetting in two places which were aligned with the rotating jets. The jetting continued in the same position for 10 minutes and no casing damage was found. The entire length of the casing was then cleaned using 210 pounds of the CarboSolve.
In a field trial done using CarboSolve on an oil well, 200 ft of the casing with hard scale was removed using 500 pounds of the CarboSolve. After the treatment, the CarboSolve material was removed by spotting dilute hydrochloric acid.
For more information about CarboSolve visit: www.atomixcom.com
Contact Dr. Samuel at samuel.m@atomixcom.com
For more information about ALG visit: www.advanced-lines.com
Contact Rami El-Brmawy at rami@advanced-lines.com
Dissolving Abrasive Descaling Test
Send Us Your Questions
The Mailbag is open! Please send us questions that you would like to see answered in future technology updates. You can submit questions to info@sandjetperf.com
