For years the Slimline® Tubing Anchor Catcher has helped petroleum engineers and field personnel mitigate the effects of gas interference and scale buildup by providing up to 245% more flow-by area than a standard B2 anchor. Occasionally, however, the requirements of a specific well design can limit the use of the Slimline TAC in certain wells.
Wells with 5.5” casing and 2-7/8” tubing used to be one such example. If the design mandated the TAC be placed above the seat nipple, the 5.5” Slimline TAC wasn’t an option. But an innovation from TechTAC® has eliminated that constraint.
Limited Options in the Past
Previous designs of the 5.5” Slimline TAC dictated where the anchor could be placed within a well using 2-7/8” tubing. The reduced outside diameter (OD) of the Slimline helps prevent plugging, gas interference and other production inhibitors. However, that reduced OD necessitated an internal diameter (ID) that wasn’t designed to support pump sizes deployed through 2-7/8” tubing. In those instances, the anchor needed to be positioned below the seat nipple.
Of course, that placement is not a problem for the Slimline TAC. The anchor’s increased flow-by capacity and reduced area for debris collection allow it to be safely positioned below the seat nipple. However, sometimes factors like excess sand or regional preferences necessitate an assembly that places the TAC above the seat nipple, even with 2-7/8” tubing. For those completion designs, TechTAC® has developed an innovative new anchor that’s now available to early adopters.
Development of the Slimline Full Bore TAC
The new 5.5” Slimline® Full Bore™ Tubing Anchor Catcher gives engineers and operators more flexibility in where an anchor can be placed within a well when utilizing 2-7/8” tubing. The product’s design combines a full bore ID (2.4” on the 5.5” anchor) with the Slimline’s reduced OD. This combination allows the anchor to be placed above the seat nipple where 2-7/8” tubing and associated pump sizes are installed.
The patent-pending Slimline Full Bore TAC leverages a unique “housing-less” design. This approach provides significantly more flow-by area around the anchor while still maintaining an ID large enough to allow rod pumps designed for 2-7/8” tubing to pass through it. Wells with 2-7/8” tubing and a TAC above the seat nipple can now take advantage of the Slimline anchor benefits.
Ready to Try the Slimline Full Bore TAC?
The Slimline Full Bore TAC has already been successfully deployed in multiple wells. An engineer with one of those early adopters had this to say about his experience with the new anchor:
“We have had good luck with the Slimline Full Bore TAC so far. They are very easy to set and release. We haven’t had a single issue setting or releasing one. They work well for gas interference issues in our wells with 5.5-inch casing.”
If you’re a TechTAC Authorized Dealer with customers who might benefit from the unique design of the Slimline Full Bore TAC – or you’d just like a demonstration of the new product – our team would love to talk with you. Visit techtac.com/contact to find a location near you or email info@techtac.com.
