The standard well-completion method in the Valhall field hasevolved since 1996 to include multiple proppant fracturesalong the horizontal laterals. Coiled tubing (CT) has been usedsince then to perform over 200 post-frac proppant cleanoutoperations. Field practices were developed from these jobs butthe process in different stages of proppant cleanout operationshad not been systematically optimized to realize bestperformance until the launch of a new process to optimize CTproppant cleanouts.In May 2004, a study of proppant cleanout processoptimization was completed by analyzing historical cleanoutperformance and incorporation of a new, integrated wellborecleanout system to improve operational efficiency throughoptimized processes, improve safety and reliability byimplementing standardized procedures, and reduce stuck-pipepotential through improved design. This study analyzed thewhole process of proppant cleanout, captured best practicesthrough validation of field experience, introduced innovationsto routine operations, and engineered a new, more efficientcleanout procedure for field operations.The field implementation of this new process optimizationon the first three wells, a total of 22 zones, indicated asignificant performance improvement. The optimized processsaved a total of 6 days’ working time and encountered zeroincidents that might have led to stuck pipe. The new cleanoutprocedure was followed by different operational crews on thejob and has been adopted as a best practice for future wells.This paper details the engineering and implementation ofCT post-frac proppant cleanout process optimization in theValhall field and demonstrates a step-change improvement inValhall CT cleanout performance during the past 9 years.
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