Case Study: Statoil retrieves a broken gas lift valve with Archer Well’s inverted kickover tool

Statoil retrieves broken GLV in 21 hours with Archer Well

The customer, Statoil, faced a significant challenge when a gas lift valve (GLV) was damaged and stuck in a side pocket mandrel during a routine intervention in a North Sea well. Conventional retrieval methods had failed, and the broken valve fish neck made extraction extremely difficult, threatening unproductive downtime. Archer Well was engaged to provide a consultative design and engineering service to solve this unique fishing problem.

Archer Well developed an innovative two-stage solution using a bespoke inverted kickover tool and methodology. Their approach first mechanically pushed the valve and then used hydraulic pressure to free it. This technique successfully retrieved the broken GLV on the first attempt within 21 hours of the drift run, minimizing downtime. The solution enabled Statoil to immediately install a replacement valve and bring the well back on-stream. Archer Well's successful application of this novel tool, backed by extensive testing and close cooperation, proved its value for resolving complex well issues.

Statoil