Completion Practices and Techniques in Deep Gas Producers of the Delaware Basin

Abstract

In the past 5 years more than 80 01 the deepest wells in the world have been drilled below 20,000 It in the J)elaware basin 01 West Texas. Most 01 these wells have heen tremendous gas producers and have required some extraordinary completion procedures. The main lac tors causing completion problems are depth, pressure, temperature, high producing rates, and extensive stimulation treatments. Pronounced changes in tubing length (as much as 22 It within a few hours) are caused by temperature and pressure fluctuations that occur between treating and flowing. Presented are equations to calculate elongation and shortening, and a graph to calculate expansion. Described and discussed are a widely used typical completion as well as some newer completion practices. A recently developed well completion tool. the production "packer hare" receptacle. is described.