Geothermal Development Company has embarked on an exercise to deploy coil tubing technology at the Korosi field in the Baringo-Silali Geothermal Project.
So far, GDC has successfully used the coil tubing unit at the Menengai Geothermal Project in airlifting tasks at Menengai Well Eight (MW-08), Menengai Well 4A (MW-04A), Menengai Well 17 A (MW-17A), with plans currently underway to airlift Menengai Well 28-A (MW-28A).
Acting Chief Engineer Drilling Operations and Specialized Services, Eng. Michael Kamau has welcomed the opportunity to apply oil tubing technology in the Korosi field.
“The Korosi operation is timely because it has opened a new frontier for the coil tubing function as pipes often get stuck during geothermal drilling. We are confident that the team will report success on the use of coiled tubing. With the right downhole tools, we can be able to clean the well annular, thereby freeing the drill strings,” said Eng. Kamau.
The Coil Tubing Unit consists of ten (10) experts drawn from different fields. Among them are engineers, technicians, operators, and compressor men. The team stimulates the well by airlifting and nitrogen lifting, cementing services, and mechanical workovers such as scale removal. The whole setup and airlifting work takes around seven (7) days to complete.
This new technology, which is also used in the oil and gas industry, can help recoup part of the money spent in the drilling of wells. Coil tubing is an intervention technology that aids in kick-starting wells that would otherwise not discharge on its own.
The Baringo-Silali Geothermal Project has an estimated geothermal potential of 3,000MW. GDC plans to develop 300MW in the first phase of the project. Appraisal drilling has begun in Paka Field while exploration drilling at the Korosi Field is ongoing.
