New Technologies Enhance Operational Efficiency in Difficult Gravel-Pack Operations

摘要

Although extended reach and horizontal wells in deepwaterrnfields have presented many difficult challenges, operatorsrnhave been willing to accept the challenges because of thernsubstantial net reserves that the deepwater fields offer.rnUnfortunately, although promising new technologies thatrntarget the more extreme conditions inherent to deepwaterrncompletions have been introduced, many operators havernhesitated to try them because they lack proven track records.rnFortunately, this has not been the case with one operator, andrnthis paper will discuss the innovative technologies that werernemployed to successfully perform two “firsts” in gravel packrncompletions in complicated wellbore scenarios in a deepwaterrnsubsea field.rnThe first job is the longest deepwater horizontal gravelrnpack (HZGP), run in Brazil. 75,000 pounds of gravel wasrnplaced in a 2,730-ft openhole section in 2,621 ft of water fromrnthe Ocean Alliance rig. The technologies that wererninstrumental in the success of this completion included specialrnpacker technology, a multi-position weight down tool with arnHZGP pressure maintenance assembly, and a new type of sandrncontrol screen. Despite the long slant section (6560 ft @ 60rndegrees) and openhole length, installation of the sand controlrncompletion was smooth, never reaching more than 10,000rnpounds of drag.rnThe second job used a realtime operations (RTO) datarnacquisition and visualization system during a gravel packrnprocedure. The system employs advances in traditional datarnmanagement and networking to allow the personnel at thernwellsite as well as all remotely stationed personnel to monitorrncritical well parameters so that immediate decisions onrnprocedural changes can be made. The system allowed thernservice personnel and operator to monitor the job’s executionrnand adjust pumping parameters as needed. This job illustratesrnthe enhanced capabilities that can be gained from adaptingrninnovative techniques to traditional procedures.rnThe best practices from these completions will be used inrnall future jobs. This paper illustrates the importance and gainsrnpossible from considering new technologies and applyingrnthem where feasible.