First Saudi Aramco use of retrievable downhole pressure and temperature gauges monitoring system: A cost effective technology solution to manage maturing oil and gas fields

The trial test of Wireline Retrievable Side Pocket Surface Read-Out Permanent Downhole Monitoring System (SPSROPDHMS) was successfully conducted in a newly drilled well in a giant oil field in Saudi Arabia. In the wireline retrievable PDHMS system, the downhole gauges sit in a side pocket mandrel; if the downhole gauges malfunction, they can be retrieved and replaced easily with wireline. Conventionally these gauges are run on tubing and in case of gauge failure, a workover rig is required to replace the malfunctioning gauge (there are 6 wells with malfunctioned/failed gauges in the operated field). The WL retrievable option would eliminate the $500,000 rig cost per well to replace malfunctioning or damaged gauges.