High Gas-Rate Production: Expandable Solutions in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

An operator facing the need for sand control in multiple maturing fields investigated the possibility of using expandable technologies to address their needs. Years of production and the onset of water production has affected that need. After an extensive study of rock mechanics and properties and how sand production might be initiated based on these properties, the investigation for an optimized sand control technique began. A systematic approach ensued between operator and Service Company in an attempt to define an optimized solution for sand control in each of these fields. Conventional cased hole gravel packs were excluded due to the need for a larger flow area for handling the high gas rates. Open hole gravel packing was investigated yet ruled out due the exposed unstable shales during the packing operations. Ultimately the optimized solution led to the deployment of an expandable screen system to ensure sand control for the remaining life of each well. The undesirable shales were isolated with the installation of expandable blank pipe and expandable packers. Expandable screens were positioned across the clean sand bodies. Many wells had multiple sand bodies exposed. These separate reservoir sections were isolated with expandable blank pipe and packers as well. The entire expandable assembly was deployed in a single trip and hung off in the parent casing with an expandable hanger. Sand-free production data obtained from more than 20 wells will be presented and discussed. Expandable technologies provided the operator with a sand control technique that previously didn't exist., After exploring this new technology, the operator conducted multiple installations of expandable sand screen for sand control in the maturing fields of the Mediterranean Sea. This became the new philosophy for sand control by the operator in the Mediterranean Sea as well as other parts of the world where they have sand control needs. Introduction In December 2001, an in-depth sand production risk analysis study was conducted on the Miocene Age Gas Reservoirs located in the Mediterranean Sea (1). Sand production prediction modeling analyses were conducted for the Baltim, Temsah, and Port Fouad Fields. Baltim Field sand production analysis was performed considering the Messinian gas reservoir zones of the Abu Madi formation. The Temsah Field analysis was performed considering the Serravallian reservoir sands known as Lobe 1, Lobe 2, and Lobe 3. Finally the Port Fouad Field sand prediction was conducted on the Tortonian Gas Reservoir Sands of the Wakar Formation.

Years of Success with Premium Expandable Screens System through Managed Applications and Installation

“…2 The DIF will establish a thin but resistant filter cake which is preferred for the success of expandable operations (Figure 3). The limitation of this process was recognized to be the clean up phase in horizontal wells.…”