Innovative Use of Expandable Sand Screens Combined With Propped Hydraulic Fracturing Technology in Two Wells With Intelligent Completions in the Egret Field, Brunei: Challenges, Successes, and Best Practices Learned

摘要

Oil and gas producers have long been looking for effective sand control methods that allow completion flexibility and improved productivity throughout a well's lifecycle. This paper discusses the many challenges encountered during the planning and completion of two wells in the Egret Field in Brunei, operated by Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP), how the challenges were addressed, and the best practices identified for future operations. Sand-control techniques such as an extension packing and hydraulic fracturing were evaluated to help minimize the risk of fines plugging because of the high fines content (10 to 15%). To minimize well interventions while maximizing data gathering, an intelligent-well completion using surfacecontrolled sub-surface variable chokes for internal gas-lift and surface controlled sub-surface fixed chokes was proposed. Another design challenge was that conventional wirewrapped screens would have insufficent clearance to accommodate intelligent-well completions. A feasibility study recommended a combination of expandable sand screens (ESS) and propped hydraulic fracturing in a cased-hole environment. Two wells were planned in which three oil reservoirs would be completed and produced commingled, using one gas reservoir as a lift gas source. Expandable sand screens would be installed across the perforated intervals inside a cemented 9-5/8-in. casing. With a skin of less than +1 on all completed intervals, the productivity of both wells has been excellent. The success has been attributed to the unique combination of ESS and hydraulic fracturing.