A Novel Approach to Replacing a Gravel Pack Completion Using Hydraulic Screens to Remove the Annular Gap

摘要

Achieving flow performance in openhole sand control completions often requires removal of the annularrngap between the screen section and wellbore. For the first time in the industry, patented hydraulic screenrntechnology has been used to provide wellbore support and overcome the challenges associated with gravelrnpacking in depleted reservoirs with low operational margins.rnThis paper demonstrates how new technology has been adopted by an operator in Norway to providerneffective downhole sand control in an offshore environment faced with continuous reservoir pressurerndepletion. Detailed job planning and evaluation of risks when adopting new technology is described.rnThe case study describes a producer well drilled to 2580 m, at a maximum deviation of 30º, and temperaturernapproximately 90ºC. With the sand control equipment run to depth closed ended, the liner hanger and hydraulicrnscreens are set by surface applied pressure. When set, the screens extend radially to close the annular gap andrnprovide wellbore support; production ports in each screen provide the flow path from the reservoir tornproduction tubing. The liner hanger packer was set and reservoir isolation barrier valve closed in the same triprnproviding testable barriers, prior to displacing the well for upper completion operations.rnThe paper outlines how adopting new technology challenges openhole gravel packing and deliversrneffective downhole sand control in a depleted reservoir. The operator has demonstrated savings associatedrnto operational planning, logistics, HSE risks and rig time. Production rates meet expectations with allrnscreens contributing to flow.