Abstract:Openhole completions are often selected as the preferred completion technique to maximize reservoir flow potential and provide reliable, high capacity, low skin completions. In many environments, these completions will also require some form of sand control. To meet development objectives, operators are continually challenged to select, design, and install fit-forpurpose completion strategies to optimize ultimate recovery for these fields. These challenges necessitated the creation of new practices, procedures… Show more
Long, multi-zo wells, particula reservoirs, open gravel packs an A new generati This paper high reliability to op design guidelin An analytical, imit-based ana drawdown, and completion inte Limits allows p
Long, multi-zo wells, particula reservoirs, open gravel packs an A new generati This paper high reliability to op design guidelin An analytical, imit-based ana drawdown, and completion inte Limits allows p
An innovative surfactant chemistry in a nonaqueous system with an oil-to-water ratio (OWR) of 20/80 was effectively utilized for the first time to provide wellbore stability and run a sand-control screen in an openhole gravelpack completion. This novel type of invert emulsion system uses relatively higher aqueous internal phase, i.e., less than 50/50 OWR, which subsequently allows for a relatively higher density than the drilling fluid. More importantly this system is maintained as solids free and oil continuous.The increasing application of Inflow Control Devices/Intelligent Wellbore Systems and swellable elastomers as well as drilling longer intervals and their exposure to shale/sand dictates the use of compatible and solids-reduced invert systems to reduce the risk of an unsuccessful gravel placement treatment caused by shale swelling or plugging of sand control screens. This novel high-internal phase system provides flexibility for these types of completions. The use of the higher internal phase allows the formulation of oil-continuous solids-free systems while still achieving the required density necessary in solidsladen aqueous systems. This paper will focus on the selection of the 20/80 high-internal-phase system for this openhole completion, the upfront testing and planning for deployment. Discussion will also be provided with respect to the mixing of the system at the wellsite as well as the lessons learned.
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