When it comes to well completions, many considerations influence the final design of a production tool string. Sometimes the well conditions or geometry are a primary factor. Sometimes the above-ground equipment has a significant impact. In a few of those use cases, augmenting your tubing anchor catcher (TAC) with a heavy-duty mandrel may be an important addition.
Adding a Heavy-Duty Mandrel
One of the customization options available when purchasing a Slimline® TAC from TechTAC® is a heavy-duty, or HD, mandrel. The ID of the HD mandrel is reduced slightly to make the wall of the mandrel thicker and stronger. For example, the wall on an HD mandrel in a 7.0” Slimline is 0.2” thicker than a typical anchor body. That thickness results in an ID that’s reduced from 2.4” to 2.0”. Similarly, the ID of a 5.5” Slimline with an HD mandrel is reduced from 2.0” to 1.75” so the thickness of the body wall can be increased by 0.125”.
Use Cases for the HD Mandrel
The additional thickness of the wall of an HD mandrel adds strength to the body. When a TAC with an HD mandrel is deployed, the risk of breaking the body because of over-torquing the top sub is significantly diminished.
For instance, adding an HD mandrel to your TAC can help minimize the risk of breaking the anchor when a less-experienced rig crew is running equipment in a challenging well. Sometimes deep or deviated wells can make it difficult for a crew to run and/or set an anchor. That difficulty can, at times, lead to over-torquing and breakage.
Another situation where an HD mandrel might make sense is securing a progressive cavity pump (PCP). Though not nearly as common as anchoring the tubing in a rod pump system, TACs can also be used to stabilize PCPs. In high-fluid wells, a PCP uses centrifugal force to draw oil to the surface. Stabilizing a progressive cavity pump with a tubing anchor can improve its efficiency. At the same time, the constant centrifugal motion can, in some instances, over-torque the anchor’s top sub and break the mandrel. Once again, an HD mandrel can minimize this risk.
What’s the Downside?
The only potential downside to choosing an HD mandrel is the reduction in the anchor’s ID. Some operators prefer to set the anchor above the perforations and run the rod pump through it. That design may require a larger ID. However, with the Slimline TAC, the anchor can be safely run below the seat nipple. With up to 245% more flow-by area than a traditional B2 anchor, the Slimline is far less susceptible to the scale formation, sediment buildup and gas interference that pushed operators to place anchors above the perforations in the first place.
To learn more about the patented Slimline TAC – or the patent-pending Slimline® QuickSet™ TAC, which offers all the benefits of the original Slimline while fully setting in just 1-3 turns – check out the anchor product pages or contact the TechTAC team today!