Wash Pipe Or No Wash Pipe? That is The Question

摘要

Conventional gravel pack or frac pack completions typicallyrnrequire the use of wash pipe to act as a conduit for fluidrnreturns as well to carry a shifting mechanism to open or closerna return port. Using properly sized wash pipe can enhance thernplacement of the gravel across the entire annular space and thernformation. It can be used in conjunction with a shiftingrnmechanism and a sliding sleeve to force the fluid returns tornpass through the bottom of the screen. It can allow a washdownrncapability while running the assembly into hole. Inrnspecialty systems, it can even act as a pumping conduit forrnpost-gravel pack stimulation.rnHowever, the use of wash pipe, especially in longrnhorizontal wells, means the loss of valuable rig time due tornmake up and break up of the wash pipe, or recovery if thernwash pipe is stuck. Economic considerations, along withrncompletion efficiencies, are especially important on deepwaterrncompletions. Not using wash pipe reduces rig time,rngenerating significant cost savings, and also eliminates the riskrnof sticking it.rnThis paper reviews conventional wash pipe applicationsrnand describes new systems that accomplish the same goal withrna minimum amount of wash pipe or no wash pipe at all.