Most of the engineers we’ve consulted with agree that TechTAC® Slimline® anchors have a positive impact on well production. Some have cited production increases of 20% or more. Still, adoption of the Slimline® TAC has historically been slow in the Eagle Ford Basin in South Texas. With many wells in that region operating for decades, changing a downhole tool assembly that’s worked – even if the changes could improve production – is no small task. However, that trend is changing rapidly. Operators have discovered the success of the Slimline® QuickSet™ TAC in solving a very particular problem.
Using the Slimline® in Deviated Wells
Here’s how it started: One of TechTAC’s dealers put our team in contact with a production company operating in South Texas. The lead engineer on the project had some questions and concerns about using the Slimline®. She explained that, as a general policy, her company tries to use Slimline® anchors in as many wells as possible. They recognize the production gains those anchors can provide. However, the geometry of the wells in this particular region made a traditional left-hand set anchor very difficult to run. In some instances, the rig crews simply couldn’t get the tubing anchors to fully set.
In view of these challenges, TechTAC’s Texas and New Mexico Region Manager, Weston Hendricks, recommended the engineer consider a right-hand set Slimline® QuickSet™ Tubing Anchor Catcher. The Slimline® QuickSet™ is designed to set downhole in just 1-to-3 turns. That’s less than half the 6-to-8 turns required with a traditional TAC. Yet even with the quick-setting capability, the anchor still benefits from the unique design of the Slimline®. That design offers up to 245% more flow-by area compared to a standard B2 TAC.
The production company agreed. Weston quickly delivered several of the Slimline® QuickSet™ RHS TACs to the service company supporting the project in South Texas, so the operator could test the tools. Not only did the anchors set despite the well deviation, but the production company has placed repeated orders through its local dealer since then for the same anchor and gotten the same results. This example and several others like it have led to record-breaking Slimline® adoption in the southern Eagle Ford in 2024 – and the pace shows no signs of slowing down.
Use Cases for a Quick-Setting Tubing Anchor Catcher
A quick-setting tubing anchor catcher has broad application in a number of challenging well scenarios, including:
- Deep Wells. When a well is extremely deep, it can be it difficult for the rig crew to generate enough torque at the surface to set the anchor securely. By requiring only 1-3 turns to be fully set, a quick-setting tubing anchor can be very beneficial in these environments.
- Wells with Extreme Wellbore Geometry. Certain drilling conditions can cause a borehole to develop high dog-leg severity or take the shape of a corkscrew. These directional changes within the well can make it very difficult to apply the necessary string torque with surface rotations. A quick-setting anchor overcomes this obstacle by reducing the amount of string torque required to fully set the anchor.
- Horizontal Wells. Today the vast majority of U.S. well completions are horizontal or directional. Setting a tubing anchor in the bend of a horizontal well can make it difficult to generate enough torque at the surface to set the anchor securely. Setting the TAC in 1-3 turns is much more practical in horizontal wells than the 6-8 turns required by a traditional anchor.
The Slimline® QuickSet™ TAC
To address these and other use cases, TechTAC® introduced the Slimline® QuickSet™ TAC. This quick-setting anchor can enhance the performance and design of many downhole production strings. The Slimline® QuickSet™ TAC provides all the same benefits as the original Slimline® – such as increased flow-by capacity – but with the added ability to set the slips in just 1-3 turns.
The concept of a quick-setting anchor offers distinct advantages in a variety of well scenarios. It’s not just about ease; it’s about enhancing safety, efficiency, and reliability. For petroleum engineers tackling challenging well operations, choosing the Slimline® QuickSet™ TAC could be a game-changer.
