Lloyd G. Jones

Use of Short Term Multiple Rate Flow Tests To Predict Performance of Wells Having Turbulence

A method is presented for predicting well performance and analyzing completion and fracture effectiveness. The new procedure uses production tests, rather than buildup tests, to determine whether turbulence is a major factor in reducing a wells flow capacity. If the pressure drop from turbulent flow is greater than expected, the well probably has an inefficient completion. For a perforated completion, this may mean too few open perforations; for a fractured well, it may indicate that the fracture is too narrow. The analysis procedure is applicable to most gas wells and to oil wells with high flow rates. Field cases are shown for two gas wells and one high-rate oil well.

Alternate Path Gravel Packing

A new and superior gravel packing method called ALLPAKTM. for alternate path gravel packing, is reported here. It has been found that gravel packing problems associated with formation of sand bridges in the annulus outside the screen can be eliminated by adding alternate flow paths for slurry flow. The alternate paths are provided by perforated shunts or secondary piping placed in the annulus, usually by attaching the tubes to the screen. Laboratory gravel pack simulator tests indicate that essentially complete annulus packs can always be obtained, even in cases where current methods provide very poor pack efficiencies. This paper describes the laboratory experiments and field tests which verify the advantages from this new concept.