Scientific Contributions Oil and Gas
Vol 48 No 4 (2025)

Application of Bailer Technique for Idle Well Reactivation in Mature Fields: Case Study of SLF Field Sumatera

Berkah Hani (Universitas Bhayangkara Jakarta Raya)
Wahyu Sutresno (Universitas Bhayangkara Jakarta Raya)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Dec 2025

Abstract

This paper presents a field trial of wireline bailer cleanout to reactivate an idle oil well (SLL-06) in the mature SLF Field, South Sumatra Basin. The well had been shut in for several years due to severe debris accumulation and scale deposition. A low-capital bailer operation was used to remove wellbore obstructions and restore fluid communication. Eight successive bailer runs were conducted, and debris volume was quantified for each run. Results show a pronounced decline in recovered debris per run and an estimated cumulative removal of approximately 80% of the original obstruction. Post-cleanup measurements indicate a significant reduction in static fluid level of about 35% and a stabilized bottom-hole pressure (SBHP) profile, suggesting partial restoration of reservoir–wellbore connectivity. Following the intervention, the well resumed production at a low oil rate. A simplified economic assessment shows that the bailer operation required only 15–20% of the capital cost of a conventional workover. Under a conservative production assumption of approximately 30 bbl/d and an oil price of USD 70/bbl, the projected first-year revenue substantially exceeds the intervention cost. These findings confirm that wireline bailer cleanout is a technically practical and economically attractive first-step strategy for reactivating marginal wells where conventional artificial lift options are not economically viable.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

SCOG

Publisher

Subject

Chemical Engineering, Chemistry & Bioengineering Energy

Description

The Scientific Contributions for Oil and Gas is the official journal of the Testing Center for Oil and Gas LEMIGAS for the dissemination of information on research activities, technology engineering development and laboratory testing in the oil and gas field. Manuscripts in English are accepted from ...