Novel Completion Technology Eliminates Formation Damage and Reduces Rig Timein Sand Control Applications

摘要

Among the highest risks in well completions is formationdamage caused by perforating. Fractured andcompacted zones, perforation gun debris, and brokenformation blockages are common types of damage thatcan occur inside the perforation tunnel. Reducing oreliminating initial perforation damage can result in amore productive well over its lifetime.This paper examines a completely new technology forcompleting wells in unconsolidated formations thatinstalls a liner hanger and sand control mechanism in asingle trip to eliminate explosive perforation charges andassociated formation damage risk. This new technologywas developed by a Joint Investment Project (JIP) thatincluded three major operators, a large service providerand a small technology company. In addition toeliminating perforating, the technology reduces the costof well construction by allowing the production liner, flowconduit, primary cementing, and sand control tools to berun in a single trip.The perfless completion system uses telescoping tubesthat extend from the liner into the formation by applyinghydraulic pressure and mechanical force. Once thetubes are extended (or telescoped), the liner iscemented in place. The tubes, which contain sandcontrol media, form conduits from the formation to thecasing ID. No large, high-horsepower fluid pumpingtreatments are required. Neither are after-completiondrilling mud and fluid-loss control measures, both ofwhich can cause formation damage.The new completion method eliminates gravel packingand minimizes intervention in completion operations,saving substantial rig time. It also simplifies operationlogistics, especially in remote or offshore environments.This paper describes initial field test results of the newsystem, cost comparisons with existing methods, andexpected economic benefits over the lifetime of wells intypical applications of this new technology.