Expandable system built to take it

摘要

Many formations can tolerate an openhole completion if theyjust get a little help. A variety of solutions exists, including matrix treatments that bond sand grains together with an epoxy-like material, the use of resin-coated proppants for hydraulic fracturing, or installation of sand control media such as screens and/or gravel packs. In horizontal completions, particularly, sand control can be extremely troublesome. The only positive aspect is that usually completion intervals are long, allowing maximum sandface area to be open to the completion. This means that high production rates can be attained with fairly low drawdown. By reducing the hydraulic shock in this way, sanding may be forestalled. Heretofore, the typical horizontal completion involved running sand screens with or without gravel packs. But the practice is risky. Borehole collapse, non uniform pack distribution and excessive drawdown at the heel of the completion leading to water coning threaten the completion, and so-called "hot-spots" can appear, where preferential high flow rates lead to erosion of the screen or pack.