Single-Trip, Multiple-Zone Frac Packing Offshore Sand Control: Overview of 58 Case Histories

Abstract

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractIndustry experience has shown that frac pack completions can provide effective production stimulation and reliable sand control for unconsolidated sand reservoirs. One of the more rewarding areas of opportunity is in the completion of longer and more complex intervals that can be stimulated with a single frac pack, high-rate water-pack (HRWP) or EX-Tension Pac SM Service treatment. One of the major considerations in planning the \well completions in the BZ-25-1 field was design efficiency. To complete each individually zone independently with a Stack Pack completion would have been very time consuming. This paper presents the results from installing frac-pack and HRWP treatments through a single-trip, multiple-zone (STMZ) completion system in the offshore Bohai field in China. Using the 9 5/8 × 4.75-in. ID single-trip gravel pack tools, operators have performed frac packing and HRWP treatments on 58 wells, on three platforms, during 2003 and 2005 with an average of 3 to 5 zones per well, spending an average of less than 3 days to complete each well. This paper presents the selection process for the completion technique used to achieve high production efficiency and initial performance of the field. It provides guidelines and results associated with frac packing and demonstrates the importance of selecting completion techniques that will provide high-efficiency production.

A feasibility study of using frac‐packed wells to produce natural gas from subsea gas hydrate resources

“…Special fracturing treatment combined with gravel packing can produce highly conductive fractures to support cracks that can control grain migration, maximize sand placement, and assist steady gas flow . Industrial cases have shown that frac‐packing operations can reliably address both the sand‐control problem and provide effective production stimulation for unconsolidated reservoirs . According to Hainey and Troncoso, fracturing tests were conducted for two wells (A10 and D9) which were unable to produce prior to the treatment in the South Pass Block 61 Field.…”

“…The use of larger gravel packs had contributed to better control of sand production. Liu et al presented frac‐pack design treatments in the offshore Bohai field in China. The production data showed sustained oil production of above 50BPD in multiple wells and all wells were produced with no sand.…”