Well CommanderMitigate drilling hazards with the industry’s most versatile drilling valve

Features■■ Generous flow-through area via

multiple ports ■■ Ball catcher has up to 18 ball capacity

(9 cycles)■■ The same-size ball opens and closes

the ports■■ Available in 5 in., 7 in., 8 1/4 in. and 9 1/2 in.

outer diameter for all drillstring configurations

■■ No internal tool connections ■■ Tool activation mechanism locks into

open or closed position■■ Tool activation mechanism isolated from

circulating fluids ■■ Ball catcher permits smaller ball and/or

limited wireline access below the Well Commander* tool even after it has been activated

■■ Optional shut-off ball prevents coarse lost-circulation material (LCM) from entering sensitive bottomhole assembly elements such as logging while drilling (LWD)/measurement while drilling (MWD)/core barrel, mud motor and more

Benefits■■ Easy spotting of LCM or

wellbore strengthening material (WSM) while drilling

■■ Cuttings-beds removal, enhanced hole cleaning and efficient fluid displacement by boosting annular velocities in conjunction with pipe rotation

■■ Will not function prematurely from high circulation or tripping rates

■■ Saves tripping time; multiple trips without redressing the tool

■■ Simplifies reverse circulation through the tool

■■ Boosts annular velocities above an underreamer for enhanced hole cleaning

■■ Elevates circulation rates with minimal pressure drop

■■ Functions in water or invert-emulsion drilling fluids as well as clear brines

■■ Provides jetting functionality in the blowout preventer (BOP)

■■ Permits running other ball-activated tools below

■■ Permits limited wireline access for freepoint indicators or other elements

■■ Promotes filling or draining the workstring while tripping

APPLICATIONSExtended-reach drilling, spotting LCM or kill-weight fluid, underreaming operations, underbalanced and managed-pressure drilling, and other applications for conditioning or displacing wellbore fluids at high flow rates.

PrOBLeMSDuring drilling operations, many hazards may be encountered that must be mitigated to permit successful completion on the interval. For instance, restrictive bottom hole assemblies (BHAs) can limit the flow rate and annular velocity, preventing effective hole cleaning while drilling or displacing wellbore fluids. These same BHAs can also limit the size and concentration of LCM or WSM that can be placed in troublesome zones.

SOLuTIONSThe Well Commander tool lets you perform the necessary operations by providing a large flow area bypass on demand through as many as nine open-and-close cycles in one trip.

eCONOMICSThe high flow rates achieved through the tool’s generous ports save time and money in spotting effective LCM/WSM treatments or kill-weight fluids and reduce circulating time during displacements. The tool also helps avoid problems such as cuttings beds and packoffs in extended-reach wells.

eNvIrONMeNTALThe tool allows even small-diameter workstrings to drain easily during a trip by bypassing restrictive BHA equipment, so a slug can work every time at any angle, thus avoiding drilling fluid spills and promoting a safer work environment.

The Well Commander tool is a ball-activated drilling valve placed above sensitive bottomhole assembly equipment such as MWD and LWD tools, core barrels, and mud motors. It provides an alternate circulation path for performing critical functions including placing LCM or, for I-Boss* applications WSM, in troublesome zones, without having to pass the material through size- and concentration-limiting downhole tools.

The Well Commander tool also boosts annular velocities during drilling or completion operations. This is typically done to prevent or remove cuttings-beds buildup, enhance fluid displacement or simplify reverse circulation. Placing the tool above other ball-drop tools, such as an underreamer, can also be highly advantageous.

The tool is also used to help fill or drain the drillstring during trips to control surge and swab pressures and to enhance tripping operations by minimizing fluid discharge.

Spot pills and increase circulation exactly where you want, with no impact on the BHA, logging tools or the bit.

Open circulating ports provide generous flow areaThe Well Commander tool uses the same size operating ball to open and close the ports

Well Commander tool

1. Ball landing

7. Bypass ball catcher

4. BHA shut off

Drop ball on connection and pump down to tool. Ball lands on seat. Pressure is applied.

Optional shut-off ball can be landed on lower ball seat to prevent LCM or WSM from entering the BHA while treating the formation.

Bypass ball catcher captures activation and BHA shut-off balls to the side permitting high flow rate with minimal pressure loss and allowing smaller balls to pass through it.

How it works

The Well Commander tool is run into or pulled out of the hole with the ports locked open or closed. The ports remain in the same position until the tool is activated by dropping a ball and pressuring up to shift the circulating port. The tool uses the same size operating ball to open and close the ports, with the capacity of the ball catcher (18 balls/9 cycles) being the only limit. A smaller BHA shut-off ball can be dropped to prevent fluid flow or solids deposition at the top of the BHA. This ball is expelled with the subsequent operating ball.

The operating balls and BHA-shutoff balls are collected in the ball-catcher assembly below the tool. This bypass ball catcher captures the balls to one side of the inside diameter to facilitate positioning other ball-drop tools below it, as smaller activation balls can pass through the Well Commander tool and ball catcher.

Advantages

Unique ball-seat technology allows the same-size ball to open and close the tool, eliminating the risk of dropping the wrong size ball. No complicated ball/dart sequence or potentially problematic pump on/off hydraulic sequencing is required to open and close the tool. Additionally, high circulation rates will not cause the tool to function prematurely.

2. valve activation

5. valve closing

8. Other activation balls

When pressure exceeds activation pressure, ports open and ball proceeds to ball catcher below tool.

The BHA shut-off ball is removed when subsequent activation ball closes the ports.

Other ball activation tools that use smaller diameter balls can be positioned below the Well Commander tool as the ball will not activate it.

3. Open circulation

9. Ball bypassing

6. BHA shut off removal

Majority of flow passes through the ports with lower pressure to allow increased pump rates, while some flow is maintained through the bit for lubrication.

After pressuring up on the activation ball, the BHA shut-off and activation balls move to the ball catcher.

The activation balls for these other tools will pass through the bypass ball catcher.

Applications

The Well Commander tool provides an alternate circulation path for mitigating drilling hazards, such as preventing cuttings-beds buildup by boosting circulating annular velocities during drilling or completion operations and/or spotting LCM or WSM (I-Boss applications) in troublesome zones without passing the material through size- and concentration-limiting downhole tools.

The Well Commander tool can assist in removing cuttings beds in high-angle/horizontal wells and can efficiently displace fluids by boosting annular velocities.

This very versatile and reliable tool also permits easy spotting of LCM during drilling operations. Other applications include enhanced hole cleaning during hole-opening/underreaming operations.

In extended-reach drilling (ERD) or other drilling applications that encroach on fracture pressure, the tool can assist in spotting WSM pills in troublesome zones without routing the treatments through the BHA and bit.

In horizontal underbalanced and managed-pressure drilling (UBD/MPD) applications, the Well Commander tool allows spotting/removing of kill-weight fluid in the vertical section prior to commencing the trip/additional drilling.

The tool can be used to good effect for conditioning wellbore fluids at high flow rates in any drilling or displacement string. The ports also promote jetting BOP cavities at high flow rates, when properly positioned.

Finally, it can be used as a fill-and-drain sub in any drilling or displacement string to avoid swabbing or surging the open hole.

The Well Commander tool is easily redressed.

A smaller BHA shut-off ball can be used to isolate flow to the bit during LCM or WSM operations.

The Well Commander tool is placed above sensitive bottomhole assembly equipment such as MWD and LWD tools, core barrels, and mud motors.

Operations

The Well Commander tool is normally positioned above the BHA, MWD/LWD tools, motor or small-diameter drillstring. The valve is run in the hole in the closed position. The tool remains inactive during normal drilling operations.

When the need arises to open the circulating ports, an operating ball is dropped and pumped down to the Well Commander tool. When the operating ball lands on the seat and pressure is applied, the tool is primed to open. Increased pressure drives the ball through the ball seat and a pressure drop is observed. The operating ball is expelled into the ball catcher, and the tool advances to the locked-open position.

With the circulating ports open, the pump rate can then be increased to circulate at higher annular velocities through the open ports. Note that in this open position, there is still a small percentage of fluid circulating around the BHA, keeping it lubricated. In this position, the tool can be used to spot LCM or, for I-Boss applications, WSM. If these materials have the potential for damaging any of the BHA components, flow to the bit can be isolated by dropping a smaller, differently colored BHA shut-off ball. This smaller-diameter shut-off ball can also be used for stopping flow to the bit.

To close the Well Commander tool and restore all the flow through the BHA again, another operating ball is dropped and pumped down to the tool ball seat. When the ball lands on the seat and pressure is applied, the tool is primed to close via an indexing system. Increased pressure drives the ball through the ball seat and a pressure drop is observed. The operating ball and the BHA shut-off ball are both expelled into the ball catcher and the valve returns to its original, closed position. The pressure is allowed to bleed off before continuing operations.

In managed-pressure or underbalanced drilling operations, the Well Commander tool can be opened to displace kill-weight fluid prior to tripping to simplify the operation. It can remain open while tripping out of the hole to avoid swabbing and permit tripping dry.

It can also remain open while tripping into the hole to avoid surging and allow the pipe to readily fill. Once on bottom, an operating ball can be pumped to close the Well Commander valve and commence operations. The open and close cycling can be repeated on a single trip until the maximum capacity of the ball catcher is reached. The ball catcher can be emptied at surface during each trip. The Well Commander tool can be run on multiple trips before redress is required.

Get more done on your next well with the Well Commander tool from M-I SWACO

Let one of our representatives introduce you to all the benefits you can get from this versatile workhorse of a drilling valve. Contact M-I SWACO today to hear how the reliable Well Commander tool is saving time and money on drilling projects around the world.

This information is supplied solely for informational purposes and M-I SWACO makes no guarantees or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the accuracy and use of this data. All product warranties and guarantees shall be governed by the Standard Terms of Sale. Nothing in this document is legal advice or is a substitute for competent legal advice.

Specialized Tools Locations

M-I SWACO (Headquarters)5950 North Course DriveHouston, Texas 77072Tel: +1 713 739 0222

M-I SWACO305 Ida RoadBroussard, Louisiana 70518Tel: +1 337 837 8655

M-I SWACOEndeavour DriveArnhall Business ParkWesthill, Aberdeenshire, AB32 6UFTel: +44 (0)1224 742 200

P.O. Box 42842Houston, Texas 77242-2842www.miswaco.slb.comEmail: questions@miswaco.slb.com

©2012 M-I L.L.C. All rights reserved. *Mark of M-I L.L.C.

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