Heavy and Lightweight Well Intervention Services for Offshore

The entire purpose of well intervention services is to keep the maintenance upkeep on the well, so it keeps up with productivity. Companies like PRT Offshore are there to provide services and parts to the offshore sector to keep the equipment running and running at the highest level of safety. It is up to the crew operating the well to report any and all faulty parts or operations to their supervisor to create the safest work environment possible. Once the supervisor is notified, the company contacts the nearest well intervention service company to fix the problem. Most of the issues are caught during an early but daily inspection by the designated crew members. 

The Two Types of Interventions

There are two different types of interventions that are placed in simple categories, light and heavy. At some point in the life of the well, the parts will break or require some sort of maintenance. The operators will seek specialists who are reputable to keep their company going. After all, it is the well that is the money maker for the company. All interventions are performed by specialists and are done with the utmost safety standards in place. 

Light Interventions

During light interventions, the well can remain in operation. Only portions are contained for obvious safety reasons. Sensors and tools are lowered into the well to spot and fix minor issues. All is safe because the pressure is held at the surface. Some of the services performed in light interventions use coiled tubing, wireline, or slickline. They all prevent well blockages which is the most dangerous scenario for all crew members. The operators use light interventions to adjust or change pumps or valves. They can also gather the temperature, downhole pressure, and flow data. 

Heavy Interventions

During heavy interventions, all work on the well or platform shuts down. This is where significant equipment changes and all work may be life-threatening if the well remains in operation. When noticing something may be hazardous or wrong from a piece of equipment breaking, the crew member must call a “Stop Work Authority.” Once assessed, the situation will be determined if it is in the light or heavy category. If the wellhead requires removal, it will be labeled as heavy intervention. This is the only way to get to the problem, and pressure barriers are removed, so it is entirely unsafe to service while the well is in operation. 

Safety at the Forefront

All mechanical devices will fail at some point, but it is in the hands of the crew members to observe and the specialist to repair and maintain the well. All of the parts are furnished and shipped off to the location where any remaining assembly takes place offshore upon arrival. Old and new wells need a strategy for maintenance, and a game plan should some mechanical devices fail. Companies like PRT Offshore know what to do for each situation when it comes to offshore wells.