Aberdeen-headquartered well integrity and decommissioning specialist Unity has successfully completed a well intervention project in Central Italy for SMAPE, deploying a bespoke thru-tubing solution for a major international oil company to achieve well isolation in a technically challenging well environment.
The project was initiated after conventional cement squeeze operations were unable to deliver the required isolation due to a thief zone behind a slotted liner that was absorbing cement. The well’s challenging geometry also ruled out standard equipment for mechanical isolation, as any retainer had to pass through a tight 2.188-inch nipple restriction, then expand and set reliably inside a 3.958-inch ID above the thief zone. The low fluid level in the well increased operational complexity and had to be accounted for in planning to avoid premature disconnection during the cement job or pressurising the treatment packer beyond its limitations.
To address the challenge, Unity engineered an inflatable cement retainer to pass through a restricted nipple profile after earlier attempts to seal the well with cement alone had not achieved the required isolation. Unity builds its thru-tubing solutions by sourcing components across the OEM market, then engineering them around the specific challenges of each well. This enables the team to deliver tailored solutions that address complex well challenges without being constrained by off-the-shelf equipment.
Unity’s specialist thru-tubing team developed a custom 2.125-inch inflatable cement retainer, modifying the Bottom-Hole Assembly with a dual check valve system and shear disconnect. The solution was topped with a cement plug, allowing the rig team to release from the cement retainer immediately after squeezing without dropping additional balls or encountering issues once the packer was inflated.
Unity Thru-Tubing Operations Manager Chris Myles said: “This is the first time we have used this configuration, which draws on established principles. This is really the heart of how we work at Unity thru-tubing. We’re not tied to one OEM’s solution, so we can pull in whatever’s most appropriate, adapt it, and build something that fits the exact problem in front of us. That’s what sets Unity apart, and it’s what clients get in return – a solution built around their well requirements, not the other way round.
“This project marks our second collaboration with SMAPE, and it’s fantastic that the team see the value we bring to complex well integrity challenges. These are often the kinds of jobs where a standard approach isn’t enough, so being able to work closely with the client and develop a solution around the specific requirements of the well is where our expertise really makes a difference.”
This project forms part of Unity’s broader investment in well intervention capabilities. Since the beginning of 2025, Unity has significantly expanded its intervention tooling portfolio, strengthening its ability to provide integrated well integrity and intervention solutions through a single supplier relationship.
By combining engineering expertise, OEM- agnostic tool selection and operational experience, Unity supports operators and service providers with customised solutions designed to address complex well integrity challenges while streamlining operations by removing the cost and complexity of managing multiple suppliers.
Unity, part of the FrontRow Energy Technology Group, has a strong 30-year track record of helping operators around the world to reduce risk, overcome constraints, and extend asset life across global energy operations.
SMAPE is an independent, engineering company specialising in coiled tubing and well services.
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