Laboratory Modeling of Mudcake Application and Erosion for Gravel-Pack Design in Horizontal Wells

摘要

Successful gravel packing of long horizontal sections depends on part on preventing carrier fluid from leaking off to the surrounding permeable reservoir. This requires correctly designed drill-in flu- ids to apply a thin filter cake, rendering impermeable the sand formation at the wellbore wall. Filter cake must be embedded sufficiently within the formation interstitial space to resist scour- ing by flowing sand during the gravel-packing operation. This paper summarizes testing using a large-scale laboratory apparatus and procedure designed to test the effectiveness of drill-in fluids planned for use in horizontal wells recently drilled in the Gul of Mexico.