Results of pilot tests of laser welding technology for casing pipes

UDK: 622.24:621.791.725

DOI: 10.24887/0028-2448-2026-7-88-91

Key words: laser welding, high-tech wells, ultrasonic control, casing string, single casing string, casing, well design, metal content, cement, drilled rock

Authors: M.V. Mishakov (Rosneft Oil Company, RF, Moscow); D.D. Krepostnov (Rosneft Oil Company, RF, Moscow); O.P. Obedkov (Samaraneftegas JSC, RF, Samara); V.S. Averianov (Samaraneftegas JSC, RF, Samara); R.M. Alimov (Samaraneftegas JSC, RF, Samara); N.N. Churakov (Samaraneftegas JSC, RF, Samara); I.V. Romanchenko (Samaraneftegas JSC, RF, Samara); M.E. Koval (Samara Branch of RN-Upstream design LLC, RF, Samara; Samara State Technical University, RF, Samara); D.A. Fedoseev (Samara Branch of RN-Upstream design LLC, RF, Samara; Samara State Technical University, RF, Samara); K.A. Shipovskiy (Samara Branch of RN-Upstream design LLC, RF, Samara; Samara State Technical University, RF, Samara)

This article presents the results of pilot testing of laser casing welding technology during well reconstruction using the sidetracking method at Samaraneftegaz JSC field. The main objective of this pilot project was to evaluate the applicability of laser welding of casing pipes in terms of its reliability and efficiency in the construction of high-tech wells, as well as in complex geological conditions, across the Rosneft Oil Company facilities. This laser casing welding technology was first applied at Rosneft Oil Company facilities and enables the replacement of threaded coupling connections in the casing with high-strength welds. The project envisages the use of a laser casing welding system, which creates high-torque, gas-tight welded joints. The candidate well for the pilot testing was selected based on the borehole geological conditions and design calculations of the casing's strength under operational loads, including the expected pressure during hydraulic fracturing. The pilot testing confirmed the reliability of the orbital laser casing welding system, including the use of an automatic ultrasonic testing system. It was also noted that additional time was spent on preparatory and final work to prepare the laser system for welding. The article provides a comparative analysis of the time required to assemble a casing pipe joint using welding and screwing. The high potential of laser casing welding technology for improving the efficiency and reliability of high-tech well construction is noted as the conclusion.

References

1. Sundeev S.Yu., Galiev R.R., Zagadov A.A. et al., Laser welding of casing pipes. Experience and application prospects (In Russ.), Neft'. Gaz. Novatsii, 2024, No. 10(287), pp. 13–16.

2. Fedoseev D.A., Korovin I.Yu., Koval' M.E. et al., On the possibility to reduce metal consumption for well structure (In Russ.), Neft'. Gaz. Novatsii, 2021, No. 8(249),

pp. 25–30.

3. Yakunin S.A., Agishev A.R., Nurgaleev A.R. et al., Well design with application of integral casing connections (In Russ.), Neftyanoe khozyaystvo = Oil Industry, 2024, No. 3, pp. 42–45, DOI: https://doi.org/10.24887/0028-2448-2024-3-42-45

4. Kompleks orbital'noy lazernoy svarki obsadnykh trub TongWELD (TongWELD orbital laser welding system for casing pipes), URL: https://ire-polus.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ipg_ire_polus_tongweld_guide.pdf