Henry L. Restarick

Horizontal Completion Options in Reservoirs With Sand Problems

Economic efficiency in todays oil and gas industry requires careful consideration of all horizontal openhole completion criteria during the completion design stage. This paper will review the scenarios that can limit the success of openhole horizontal completions and will focus on problems inherent to sand-producing reservoirs and their management using 1( prepack screens available today and new screen design innovations, 2) recent 90-degree short- and long-radius screen bend tests that determine flexibility characteristics, 3) mechanical fluid-loss control systems, 4) circulation options available to the operator for openhole cleaning 5) and new innovations in zonal isolation with sliding sleeve circulation devices that address sanding problems. Case histories of several unique completions that proved to be successful in controlling premature water breakthrough and sand problmes in fractured reservoirs will be presented, followed by a summary of the important considerations for openhole horizontal completion design.