An Analysis of the Performance of Gravel Packs and Slotted Liners in Heavy Oil Operations

Abstract

As hydrocarbon prices continue to fluctuate, it is imperative for engineers to come-up with optimum and cost effective ways of managing and developing a field. This is especially true in heavy oil operations, where the margins are very small. So it is pertinent to gain a better and broader understanding on how completion techniques can be optimized to gain the maximum value for companies. This work presents an analysis/evaluation of gravel packs and slotted liners in a heavy oil field in California. The objective of this work is to compare gravel packs and slotted liners from a production and sand control standpoint. This work also has a secondary objective of re-evaluating the performance of old gravel pack wells that have been sidetracked using slotted liners. The result of this work indicates that there is not a "one size fits all" solution to the problem of sanding in the field. So, it is imperative that all feasible completion techniques be analyzed and their impact on production and economics be considered. The conclusions and recommendations from this study will provide an insight through which Petroleum Engineers in heavy oil operations will make educated decisions on how to optimally complete a field and also obtain the most value for the investment.