‘ SOCIETY OF PETROL~J4ENGINEERSOF AIME

6200 Ner:h CentralExpressway ~~R SPE 5660

Dallas,Texas 75296

THIS PRESENTATIONIS SUBJECT‘TOCORRECTION

New Thru-Tubing Gravel Pack Techniques

By

Glenn C. Shuntz and Warren G. Breminer,

Chevron Oil Co., and
Bob G. Comeaux,‘3~Jackscn, Inc., Members SPE-AIKE

,@Copyright 1975
American Institute of Mining, %fetalhu$giczd, and Petroleum Engineers, Inc.
\
This paper was ?regeredf’crthe 50th Annual Fall !4eeti.n6g e? :!?e Socie::! of ?etraleiuc;
~f MYE, to be held in Dallas,Texas, Sept. 28-OC$.1, 1~’75. Fernissio~to ap:r
2ngi.neers

The abstractshould containconspicuousacknowledgmentof where and by xham the paye~ - 4CJ

?resented. ?.~biicationelsewhereafter publication in the JC)Ll~&~ OF P5T?,GLSJ}CI _X~:-~K)~oi~’l
or the SOCIZTYOF ?5TRCLEEMENGINEERSJOU?.HALis usual~~ granted‘uponrequestto cke Zrii:or
of the appropriate.journaiprovidedagreementto give pr~per credit is made.
~iscussionof this paper is invited. Three copies 3? any disc’~ssiacshouli be se~?
:3 %he/Societ’y
Of;?etroleum%giceers office. Such discuss~ons-na-y be presentedst t;:e
~bove‘&eting and, wi:h the gaper, may be c~nsiteredfor publicationin one of the %-do
~~~ ~~g~~i~es.
-. —.....
.’ .,... ._. _ .- _. ._. . . . ... . . . . .. . ., _,,_, -—------- .—— ——.-——..— .... ... . ....- .
ABSTRACT In reservoirswhere send productionis a
problem, economicproductionof oil and gas
E?rsductionof formationsand continuesto cannot ie achievedwithout some mechanical
‘oea najor operatingproblem for the petroieum method of sand control (gravelpack, prepack
industry,parti.cularljjin the geological or chemicalconsoU.dation). ;/hena formation
young and poorl~ consolidatedreservoirsof the is known to produce sand, some measure of sand
GuU’ Coast area. control shouldbe ticludedin the initial
completion. However, Ih many cases, fornation
Remedial +duxN.@-tdkng gravel-pack ckwacteristics are not “knownand wells are
installationshave been greatUy simplified cmpleted without sand ccntrol. SoCetimes
throughthe use of s@ecial&rdesignedsetting these wells produce for months ar even years
tools and a higfiy ‘tisQous,cross-Meal ‘ceforesand productionbecomes a problem.
polymer,gravel-carr} g fl’tid. 3ased on field ConsequentfiJ,hundredssf wells in the GuU’
data, th@ tecbtique&r desiy. applicationhas Coast area are currentQ sandedup and off
been highly =~ccessful. The term grsvel or production. Many will rsmain off because of
gravel packing hereLn is intendedto mean any the prohibitive high cost of a major rig
matter used as a packingmaterial.. workcverto pull the productiontubing and
install sand control. This is not a new
ZWTRCDIJCT’ION problem, and for years the industryhas
attemptedto perfect through-tubingsar.d-
Recovery of oil and gas from poorly control techiques as an economicmeans of
consolidatedsand formationscontinues”tobe a returningthese ‘,vellsto production. ‘Some
major challengeto the petroleumindustry. limiteddegree of successwas obtainedwith
Sand is usualQ entrainedin zluids produced both through-tubingchemicalconsolidationand
from such forxations$causing eqyipmenterosion gravel-packingmethods. Becauseof the high
and surfacehandlingproblems. Often suffici- isd.hrerate on completionand the limited life
ent volumes of sand ‘tillenter the production associated‘withchemical. consolidation.&o-
stringto completelyblock or severelyrestrict cesses, a harder look was again taken at
fluid flow, making productionimpossibleor through-tubinggravel packing. As a result of
~rdrLbitiveU~ex’oensive.
Illustrationsat end of paper.
 NW THRU-TUBINGGIL ZL-PACKTECHNIQUES
the new techniquedeveloped,thiough-tubing
gravel-packimtal.lationshave become a
reality. Even though gravel-packscreens (3/&
in, to l-in. variety)have been availablefor
years, there has been no way to consistently
install these screensin oil end gas wells with
any degree of success. With the development
of special& designedtools! and a breakthrough
in ViSCOUS Cex’,.’ying
fluids,through-tubing
gravel-packinstallationsare now befig
installedwith a high degree of success. The
inajorlimitingfactor bei~g the physicaldown-
hole mechanicalconditionof the well, where
internaldiametersare restrictedbecause of
collapsed?corkscrewedor parted tubing.
Productioninfdrrnation to date indicatesthat
the small-diameterscreenshave minimum effect
on well productivity, Fluid withdrawalrates
of 1,200 bbl/iay have been achieved.
THmRY
A simpiiiiedtechniquewas needed to
ensure or at least improvethe consistencyof
through-tubing=~avel-packtistallations~
Xithout new or improvedequipment,material and
procedures,the door to through-tubiwzgravel
packingwas about to close, The industryhad
alrsady turned away from ~avel packing ‘La
~e=ch of a ~or~ re~able method of sand
control. This need titiated chemicalconsolid-
ation methods. It was thoughtthat this wouic
be tineTiltimatesolutionand through-tubiug
sand consolidationjobs using a varieti~of
plasticswere performed. !30vever, plasticsor
resins experienceda very Limitedsuccessin
through-tubingsand consolidationwork and
continuedefforts.toimprovethis method are
&T&liS&~g. Consequentk~,the need for a
reliablenethod fcr installingsand cantrol
tkzmugh-tubkg still.e.tisted.
-The deveJ.opmentof higfi~ -rLsCOuScross-
‘Ji.nhd,polymerfluids inspiredus to agsin 100}
at through-tubinggravel packing for remedial.
semd control. Laboratorytests run on this
:luid indicatedthat the fluid was not oti~
capableof transportingheavy concentrations
of =wavel,but also had good bleed-offor
fluid loss once the shrry (10 to 15 lb of
~~avel/gelof fluid)reached. the formation.
This ensuresgrain-to-graincontactof the
gravel bound the screen end in the perforatio~
tunnels. Furthertests showedthe perforation
tunnels are cleanedof debris and that forma-
tion sand is pushed back out of the tunnels so
there is notitermiqling of gravelwith the
formationsand. The slow brsak back of the
viscouspolymerfluid aZlowsthe gravel to
continueto fall around the liner after reach-
ing a final gravel-packpressure. This helps
to ensure that the gravelwill.not prematureY~
bridge over above the screenbefore a uniform
pack is obtained. This is an importantpoint
SPE 566(
since the polymer fluids have a high shrhkage
factor (%1’ ercent at 10 lb/gal to ~35 percent
at 15 lb/gal7 . Final evaluationof these tests
showed,thata “bullhead”procedurefor placing
gravel around a liner could be employed.
With the successfuldevelopmentof the
gravel carry5ngfluid, the next step was to
develop a complementof tools to use with a
bullheador pump down gravel-pacldngmethod.
Several. differentservicecompanieswere
approachedend asked to design runrh g and
setttigtoold for through-tubinggravel-~ack
work ustig this new approachto concentric
gravelpacking. After months of research,
severalcomplexcrossovertools for running
and settingsmall gravel-packscreenswere
tieveloped,These tools were,however,r’fledout
for our initial. programbecauseof their
complexity,and a more desirableset of tools
was developed. These tools were simple in
design and could be run with either a slick
line unit (0.092-in.wire) or on l-in. pipe
as the situationdictated. Our preference
was to run the small screenswith a ‘tieli.ne
unit. This not only expeditedworkoveropera-
tions and cut costs,but .maranteedscreen
placementwith minimumdamage to the screen
itself. :,
IXXJIPYSIJT,
FILED AND F%CCESS
Down.~oleGravel-?ack“~uipment
A typicaldown-holegravel-packir&alla-
tion (Fig, 1) from the bottom up, consistsof :
bull plug, rib-t-ypescreen,blank spacerpipe,
receptaclesub, receptaclenipple,pack-of:
assembly,and a slip stop holddown.
Rib-TypeScreer*
The number of feet of screenis determine
b~ the lwgth of the productioninterval. The
openingsh the screenwere predetermined. A
basic change.inthe through-tubinggravel-pack
installationshas been a reductionof screen
openingsfrom 0.035-in.and 0.020-in.gauge to
0.012-in.gauge. This reductionin screen
openingswas made ‘inan attemptto keep any
formationsand from enteringthe wellboresinc~
i% is practicallyimpossibleto wash out or
bail sand from these small concentricliners.
Spacer Pipe
The number of feet of spacerpipe to be
run above the gravel-packscreenis determined
for ea:h installationand has run enlywherefron
6 f% to 60 ft. This is dependentupon the
Wellfs existingmechanicalhook-up.
ReceptacleSub
The gravel-packliner receptaclesub is ,
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run on top of the blank pipe above the screen. been mixed in the polymer fluid, the slurryis
The receptaclesub is of special. design and chemicallycross-linkedwith a nonsolid
has fo&* primary functionsin the gravel-pack materialand the viscosityis increasedto
hook-up. about l? ~,~cp at surfacetemperatures.
T
1. It serves as a top assemblyfor the The followingfluid propertiesof the
blank ~ine above the screen. The sub screws viscouspolymer fluid had to be checkedin the
into the blsnk pipe snd has fin-typec,entral- laboratorybefore the first tb!o h-ti~bing
izers to hold it in the center of the tubing ~avel pack could be performed:% 1 faJl rats
so that the receptaclenipple can be properly of gravel vs temperature,, (2) formationcore
installed. damage, (3) pressurepac;cing,and (L) viscosity
vs temperature. In addixim to the laboratory
2. It serves as a device to attach the tests, it was equallyimperativethat a field
runnimz tool. The runnimg tool slips over the test be performedto be sure that the high
receptaclesub and is attachedwith shear pins. concentrationsof gravel (10 lb/gal)could be
Once the screen is positionedin the well.,the pumped throughthe small l-in. conduitwithout
runningtool is releasedby jarring down. excessivefrictionpressureor withoutpl~gging
the pipe. The gravel.size (0,015-ti.x 0.030-
3. It supportslineliner Dlug. The plug in. gauge or Xl x 40 mesh) to be used in the
is placed in the polish’boresectionof the poor~~ consolidatedformationsands was
receptaclesub prior to running the gravel-pack selectedprior to runnh g sny of these tests.
a.ssemb~y.The liner plug seals off the spacer This was done so all laboratoryand field tests
pipe and the screen so that gravel cannot enter :totidbe run with the same ~aVel size. Sieve
and plug off the inside of the screenwhile anti~sisof the gravel had to be run to
the gravel-packjob is being performed. 1 determinethe etient of crushingwhile it was
Followingthe ~gravel-pack operation,a clean- I being pumped in the viscous fluid.
out trip is made and the plii~is retrieved.
Fall Rate cf Gravel
L. It supportsthe liner receptacle
FIDDIC? . The Ji.nerreceptaclenipple is run on Before attemptinga bullheadmethod of
the bottom of a wirelinepack-off assemb~y. pumping the avel down around the small (3/4
The nipple screwsinto the bottom of a pack-off in, or 1 in.7 concentricgrzvel-packliners
assemblyand stings into the polish bore of’the through eitherthe work strin$ (1 in.) or the
receptaclesub. With the aid of tne pack-off productiontub~ng (2 in. or & in.), the fall
assembly,the nipple seals off the annular area rate of the gravel ti the viscous fluid had to
of the spacerpipe, thus ensuringthat all be cnecked. A sl’owfail rate would help to
formationfluid will.come throughthe screen ensure that the gravel would not prematurely
inlets and not around the blank pipe. bridge over above the gravel-9ackscree~ before
a pack cculd.’oe obttied. Since the gravel
Pack-OffAssembl~ was goLm.gto “oepumped at high concentrations
(10 to 15 lbof .gravelper’ gallon of fluid),
A pack-offassemblyis set on top of the with vazyyingdepths and temperatures,a series
receptaclesuh and with the aid of the nipple of tests (Fig. 2) were run. These tests proved
seals off the annulsrarea around the gravel-- that the fluid would carry the high concentra-
pack assembk~. tions of 2U x 40 mesh (0.015-in.x 0.030-in.
gauge) gravel throughthe work stringor produc
SUP Stop Holddown tion tubtig and sround the concentricgravel-
pack screens,at low pump rates without
A slip stop holddownis placed on top of bridgingover above the screen.
the pack-offassemblyto keep it from
unseating. The pack-offassembly,I&ner FormationCore Dama~e
receptaclenipple snd slip stop holddowntake
the place of a packer and stingerin a conven- Consolidatedcore samples were prepared
tional gravel-pac~hook-up. from Z&azos River sand so tinatpermeability
.. damage of the polymer fluid could be checked
Fluid (this sand simulatesvery close~~ the formation
sands found in the Gulf Coast area). The corss
The selectedgravel-packfluid is a water- were cleaned,dried and saturatedwith 2 per-
base, highly viscous,cross-linkedpolymer cent KC1 solutionm,d initialpermeabilitywas
fluid, designed for carrying high concentra- deterti.edusing t$#2!s
solution. Two PV of the
tions of sand or gravel. The ’fluidis par- ‘iiscous polymer fluid were then injectedinto
tially complexedwith a synthetic‘TIE(Y the core and the cell was shut in for 2 hours
polymerto 2CK)ta 400 cp prior to adding the at 150W. The cores were then flushedvrith2
~ga~el to the fluid. After the gravel has percentKC1 and the retainedpermeability
determined..

NEW THRU-TUBINGGRAVEL-PACKTEIXNTCXIES
Initial permeability 110.0 md
Retainedpermeability 103.3 md
Permeabilityloss 6.7 percent
A tackifieragent added to the fluid was
responsiblefor about 4 percent of this loss.
The tackifieradditivewas not added to the
fluid pumped in any of the jobs performed.
PressurePackiaq
A laboratorytest was ccnductedto prove
that a tight uniformpack could be obtained
with the fluid snd gravel when pumped against c
formation. A metal cylindertest cell.was
packed to one-thirdof its capacity~ith
3razos River sand. The fluid, with 15 Xc/gal
of 20 x“40 mesh Cttawa gravel,was packed to
300 psi againstthe Ilrazos Xiver sand. L’ter
‘~heSCreen-Outoccurred,tb.epress~~ Was ~.eld
for 30 minutesbefore the cell was dis-
assembledand examined. This test showed that
a uniform ~vavel~ack with .grsin-to-grti
contactwas obtainedwhen the slurrywas
screenedout under pressureagsinst a simulated
formation.
Fllfidvi.scositiy
CI the cross-linked
polymerfluid vs temperature(Fig. 3) was
anotherof the Lnportut factors to be eval-
uated before the fluid could be ‘~sedin
through-tubtiggravel-packwork. The viscosity
was checkedin the laboratoryat temperatures
ranging from ilO”to 200°F,while the ratio of
the nonsolidscross-linkmaterialwas increased
from 30 to 60 lo/l,CCOgal of polymer. These
viscositieswerethen comparedwith gravel faiJ
rate far the varioustemperatures,and it was
concludedthat through-tubingwork would be
pm.sible.
Field Test
After evaluatingthe fall rate and gravel- Since slick line odometermeasurementsare not
pacldng characteristicsof the cross-linked
polymer fluid, a field test was conducted
through 10,500ft of l-in. coiled tubing. This ments. This is accomplishedby tying into a
test was to determinefrictionpressure IOSS
while pumpingviscouspolymer fluid with a higk productiontubing. At this point, the wireline
concentrationof gravel (10 lb/gal)through 1-
int pipe.
Test Data
1. City drinkingwater was pumped througk be necessaryto find some other means of corre-
the tubing and a pumpingrate of 0.55 bbl/min
was establishedwith a pumpingpressureof
5,000 psi.
2. Three barrelsof 15-percentHC1 were
displacedthroughthe coiledpipe with water.
●
1
— ..— SP;
--- <&An
,---
,
3. Three barrels of the viscous fluid
with no gravelwere pumped throughthe pipe
at 0.5 bbl/minwith 4,’700psi.
4. Ten barrels of the gravel-polymer
slurry (10 lb of 20 x 40 mesh Otta\iagravel per
gallon of fluid)were pumped throughthe coiled
pipe at 0,5 bbl/minrate with hf@O psi.
As noted, the polymer fluid and gravel
siurrywere pumped through the coiled pipe with
less frictionpressurethan water.
Sieve .inalysis
While evaluatingths frictionloss,
samplesof gravel pumped through the coiled
pipe were taken. Sieve anatiysis was run on
these samplessnd comparedwith gravel samples
that had not,gone through the pump. This was
done to determinewhether or not the 20 x 40
mesh Ottawa gravel would be crushedwhile
pumpingwith this type of fluid. The two
sieve-enal.!rsis
curves indicatethat there vras
no crushingof the gravel,
The work procedure,mechanicalhook-up
and the gravel-pack-hgprocess for a typical
through-tubinggravel-packinstal.lati:n am
describedbelow.
~ The first step in almost every job
is to’~ashout the 2- or 2&iR. production
tubing to a predetermineddepth using a l-in.
work str~ing,(Eithera coiled tub~kg unit or
a jointedpipe workoverunit can be used.)
2. After cleanti.g out to the desired
depth, displacethe hole with filteredsalt
water and pump into the productionperforations
to be sure they are open before pullingthe
l-in.work string.
3. Awi-rdim unit (slickline) is used
to run a gauge tool to the same desireddepth.
reliable,it will.be necessaryto tie the slick
line measurementsinto electricline measure-
Q@ing nipple, stop ring, or the bottom of the
shouldbe flaggedand the odometerreading
ca’efti~ checkedto ensure that the liner
screenwill.be properlypositionedin the welJ.
before gravelpaclang. If none of the above
items sre presentin a particularwell, it may
lating slick line measurementsto electricline
measurements.
4. If additionalperforatingor logging
operations”’
are required,this is the time
before runningthe gravel-packher.
 ‘E+6’60 “ GLENN C. SHURTZ, WARREN Go
.
. 5.
Again, pump into the formationbefore
startingin the kole with the gravel-pack
assembly.
6. A typicalgravel-packliner assembly
from the botton up consistsof bull plug,
screen, blank spacerpipe, receptaclesub and
a receptacleplug. All of this equipmentis
screwedtogetherwith the exceptionof the
rece?t?cleplug. The receptacleplug shown
in Fig\ 1 is placed in the polish bore of the
receptaclesub and pinned in place with an
aluminumsheer pin. The running tool is
slipped~ver the top of the liner plug sndthe
receptaclesub and is pinned to the receptacle
sub with two steel or brass pins. The
runningtool is screwedto the bottom of a
stringof conventionalwirehe tools (stem,
spang jars, and a rope socket).
7* The stick line unit is used to run the
through-tubinggravel-packN.er assemblyto
the predeterminedpoint. If necessary,thds
assemblycan be run in the well with l-in.
tubing (eitherjointedor coiled pipe). How-
ever, h order to expediteoperationsand cut
costs,‘theslick line “unitis used. This
method minimizesthe possibiliti~ of screen
damage. After ?eac~g bottom with the liner
hook-up,jar down to release the running tool,
The stringof wirelinetools and the ruining
tool are then pulled out of tinehole.
8. The well is acidizedthroughthe
productiontubing. Both the filteredwater in
the tubing and the acid are bullheadedinto
the productionperforations.
9. Follow the acid with 10bbl ~f
filteredpotassiumchloride (KC1)“waterto
isolatethe acid from the ~niscous
fluid.
10. Follow the KCl water with 2 bbl of
the viscous iluid with no gravel. This fluid
acts as a pad ahead of the gravel concentra-
tions and as a buffer, tobe sure the gravel
does not outrun or fall out of the fluid w:hile
it is being pumped down the wellbore. ‘This
pad also helps to push formationsand out of
the perforationtunnelsbefore the gravel
reachesthe formation.
11. Follow the pad ‘with10 bbl of 20 x
LO mesh gravel-uolymerslurry at a concentra-
tion of 15 lb o? gravel to 1 gal of the - the mechanicalhook-upof each individualwell,
ViiSCOUSfluid. ‘ before a through-tubinggravel pack csn be
12. Follow the gravel with 1 bbl of the
viscous fluid with no ~=avel-
Dieplacethe gravel down tine2- or
.- 2&in~3&oduction tub<ingwith filteredsalt.
water until a screen-outoccurs.
X. Pack the llinerto the desired ~ dual completion,(3) ihside the productilsn
1-
.,,, i
IXNER and BOB G. COMEAUX 1
. I
pressure. When it is reached,bleed off
slowly and repressurethe tubing. Continue
this process until no additionalfluid can be
pumped into the wellbore.
15. Allow the fltid sufficienttime to
break down. Using the l-in. pipe, wash out
excess gravel to the top of the liner recep-
tacle plug. Circulatethe hole clean.
16. After cticulaiingthe hole clean$
pressureup on the gravel pack to be sure ,a
pack has been obtsimed. If the pack holds
‘,
pressure,pull,the,l-in. @pe out of the well.
If the pack does not hold pressure,mix a
batch of viscous fluid with 10 lb of 20 x 40
mesh gravel per gallon of fluid and spot it
down the l-b. work string. Then bullheadthe
gravel around the liner until the destiedpack
pressurehas been reached, Agakn, releasethe
pressure and pressureup severaltimes to be
sure the pack will not take any additional
fluid. Allow the fluid time to break and was!?
out to the top of the liner plug, Pressure
test the pack before pulllng out of the hole
with the l-in. work stringor continueto pump
graveluntil the pack will hola pressure.
17* Rig up a slick line unit and pull the
plug from the receptaclesub.
16. Make up the ~ece?taclenippl~ m the
bottom of a pack-off assemblyand using a
vrh~elineunit, run it tito the hole and st-ing
the nipple into the receptaclesub. The pac!<-
off assem.b~~is then set. T~~ seals .~ffthe
top of the gravel-packhook-up so ail formatim
fl~d ;~ll come through the screenOpefi.gS.
19. Using the wirelineW&t, set a slip
stop’hoiddovmon to? of the pack-offassembly
to keep it from unseattig.
20. Again, pump ‘intothe well to be suz-e
it is open. The well is now rea&y to be
placed on production.
APPLICATIONOF IKWI?MENTAND PROCESS
!?iththis new process,the through-tub~ag
gravel-packliner lends itself to +most any
situationwhere remedial sand control hi
needed. Each installationis slightfi~ differ-
ent and design considerationmust be given to
installed~
Through-tubingscreensmay be installed
in sny of the followihgplaces (Fig. k): (I)
out the bottom of tke.productiontubing in a
single completion,or the long stringof a
I multiwellcomplet~cn,(2) out of the bottom
of the short string productiontubing OS a

6 NEWTHRU-TUBINGGRAVEL-PACKTIXXNIQU’lB
tubing of a selectiveinterval,(1+)inside
existinggravel-packinstallations,(5) inside
existingprepack screens,(6) inside of produc-
tion tubing that has been cementedin place,
JOB HISTORIXSAND T?3SHNIQUIE5
. inlsnd water.
In order to evaluatefully the new
through-tubinggravel-packtechnique,a variet~
of well.candidateswere selected. It is
believedthat these candidates,as shown in
Fig. 4, includedalmost every type pf through-
tubing sand-controlsituationthat might’arise.
The followingjobs are listedin order of
completion.
‘Nell- Job No. 1 (Fig. 5~
Cut Off Field, La.r
Sir@e SelectiveCompletion- StraightYoU
!?esume- Conventionall-in.workoverrig -
‘blendwater.
Using this process,a through-tubing
gravel-packliner was installedin the selec-
tive intervalof this completionas sho~m in
=!!9 5* The gravel-polymerslurry (10 lb/e@)
was pumped down the l-in.work string and
around th~ liner,
35sults - Tke ~e~i was gas lifted to
productionat a rate of L6 50PD, cutting 96
percent,water (IP1755FPD). This wellis
currentYyproduc@g and has produced sand free
since the gravel-packinstallationon May 7,
:Q7&.
Cosrments- This ob was complicatedby the
2
fact that 200 ft of &in. x 2-in. casing
. annulushad to be filled with =mavel before
the through-tubinggravel-packliner could be
ir%talled.
‘ After fiW..ng the castng annulus,an
outcidepack was performedusing the vLscous
pack before running the gravel-packliner.
The final gravel-packpressurewas 3,CO0
psi, and 16 sacks of gravelwere pumped into
the formation. The excess grivelwas reversed
out of the well throughthe l-in.work string
snd the gravelpack was tested with 4,000 psi
before completing.
Economics
Cost of this job $60,1/+9
Esthated cost to pull the tubing and run
a conventional&avel pack $120,000
●
. ,
SPE 5660
Well - Job No. 2. Long String
Delta Farms Field. La.
Dual Completion- StrsiEhtHole
Resume - Conventionall-in. workoverrig -
Using this new process,a through-tubing
gravel-packliner was installedout the bottom
of the long stringof this dual.completionas
shown in Fig. 6. The gravel-polymerslurry
(15 lb/gal)waspump~d down the 2-3/8-in.
productiontubing.and tiound the liner.
Results - The well was gas lifted to
productionat a rate of 134 BOPD, cutting45
percentwater (w BFPD). This wel..lis
currentlyproducingand has producedsand free
since the”gravel-packinstallationon June 3,
1974.
Comments - The f-inalgravel-packpressure
was 3,0C0 psi and 7+ sacks of gravelwere
pumped into the formation. The excess gravel
was washed out of the tubing, and the gravel
pack was tested with 2,CC0 psi before
completing. ‘
Economics
Cost of.this job $27,401
Estimatedcost to pull both stringsof
tubing and gravelpack the lower zone $150,CC0
Well - Job ?!fJ. 3 (Fig.7)
Bay March-ad?ield, La.
Sirwle Conmletion- StraightHole
Resume - Coiled tubing unit - offshork
platform.
Using this new process, a through-tubing
gravel-packliner was installedinside of a
conventionalgravel-packEner, as shown in
Fig. 7. The gravel-polymerslurry (13 lb/gal)
wa,spumped down the 2-7/8-in.production
tubing and around the liner.
!lesults- The well was gas lifted to
productionat a rate of 132 !30PD,cutting 5
percentwater through a 26/64-in.choke. This
well is current& producingand has produced
send free since the gravel-packinstallationon
Oct. 7, 1974.
Comments- The original objectiveof this
.—
workoverwas to install a through-,tubtig
gravel
pack liner inside the conventionalgravel-pack
Liner oppositethe 3650-ft W“ sand. The
gravel-packliner could not be cleenedout
throughthe 3650-i’tsand interval,and the well.
R whm - CT,ENNC. SHURTZ.WIRREN G. BREINER and BOB G. COMEAUX
was alternatelycompletedin the 3~600-ftssnd.
A final.gravel-packpressureof 2,000 psi
was obtainedand three sacks of gravel were
pumped into the formation. The excesswas
washed out of the productiontubing, and the
~avel pack was tested with 1,0!)0psi before
completing.
Economics
Cost of this job $79,197
Estimatedcost to p~ the tubing and;im
a conventional.
Wavel pack $150?~
Well - Job No..4 (Fig.$)
Bay N=chand Field, La.
Single Completion- DtiectionalHole
Resume - Coiled tubing unit - offshore
platform.
TJsingthis new process;a t~ough-tubing
gravel-packliner was installedreside of a
prepack screen,as shown in Fig. 8. The
gravel-polynerslurrywas pumped down the
2-7/8-in.productiontubing and around the
liner.
Results - The well was gas lifted to
produ-t a rate of 39 i30PD,cuttingclean,
This well is currentlyproducingand has
produced sand free smincethe initial gravel-
pack installationm Oct. 28, 1974.
Comments- The top of the prepackwas
colla-dsmaged and it was impossibleto
clean out below this point. Thereforetad&-
tional productionperforationswere added io
the 4600-ft‘Wffsand above the prepack,.and
the through-tubinggravel-packliner was set
on the dsmage’dportionof tiheprepack.
A final gravel-packpressureof 2,000 psi
was obtainedend three sacks of gravelwere
pumped into the formation. The excess gravel
was washed out of the productiontubing and
the gravelpack was testedwith 1,000 psi
before completi:lg.
Economics
——
~OSt of this $ob $52,967
Lstimatedcost to pull the tubing and run
a cmventional gravel pack $170t~
‘dell- Job No. 5 (FiR.
Bay MarchandField, La.9)/
StiEleComrdetion-Directional Hole
~&S34Y&-Coild/@+ingtit and offshore
7
satellitejack-upbsrge.
Using this new process,a through-tubing
gravel-packliner was installedinside of a
prepack liner screen,as shown ti Fig. 9. The
gravel-polymerslurrywas pumped dotm the 1
2-7/8.,in.tubing end around the’liner.
Results -The well sandedup immediately
follo-e completion.
Comments- The existingprepack liner was
set o- a 2-3/8-in.fish adjacentto the
upper perforationsof the 7600-ft“L” send.
The prepack was pe--forated
and the through-
tubtig gravel-packliner was installed.
A final gravel-packpressme of 3,000
psi was obtainedand three sacks of gravel
were pumped into the formation. The excess
\ gravel was washed out of the productiontubing
and the gravel pack was tested ~Ath 1~500psi
before completfig.
This was a high-riskcandidatesince ther(
was no way to tell.whetheror not the 7-in.
casing snnulusor the 2-LI. tubtigwere sanded
up below the prepack screen. The well ssnded
up immediatelywhen placed on production and
it appesredas though the gravel fell ;own the
hole.
Economics
Cost Of this job $66,245
Estimatedcost to pull the tubing and run
a conventionalgravel pack $150,000
Well - Job No. 6 Fig. 10
Eay Msrchand?ieid. La.
SiruzleComrOetion- DirectionalHole
Resume - Snubber unit and jack-up%rg+—
offshore satellite.
Using this new process, a lhrough-tubtig”
gravel-packliner was installedinside of a
conventional.gravel-packliner, as shown ‘=
F;.g.10. The gravel-polymersluin’y(13 lb/g~
was pumped down the 2-7/8-in.productiontubhg
and around the liner.
Results - The well.was swabbedto produc-
tion and commencedflowing at a rate of 289
EOPD with LOO psi FTP, cuttingclean on a
18/64-in.choke. This well.is currently
producingsnd has produced sand free since the
gravel-packinstallationon Jan, 2, 1975.
Comments- A fiml. gravel-packpressure
of 2,-was obtainedand l& sacksof
gravel were pumped outsideof the conventional
$ NEW THRU-TUBINGGRAVEL-PACKTECHNIQUE+ APE %4n

gravel-packliner. The excess gravel was

rates do not appear to be a ‘majorproblem, and
‘tiashed
out of the productiontubing and the
this system is recommendedfor wells where
gravel pack was tested to 1,500psi before
productionrates,are expectedto reach 1,000
complethg.
B/D. Without such cost savingmeasures,many
Economics wells will never be returned~o production&d
will possiblybe prematurelyabandoned.
Cost of this job $42,326

Estimatedcost to pull the tubing and

I ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authorswish to acknowledgeV. L.

run a conventionalgravel pack $170,00C
Brown, Otis EngineeringCorp,,Belle Chasse,
COITCLUSICN La., for his assistancein developingrelated
tools for this process;M. A. Binford,Coiled
Tubing,Inc., Belle Chasse, La., for use of
The new through-t~bing&avel-pack tech-
coiled pipe to pilot test the gravel-polymer
nique is en economicalway of installingsand
slurry;and Chevron Oil Co. and Byron Jackson,
controlwhere formationsand contfiuesto be Inc.,f’ortheir permissionto publish the
a major operatimgproblem. Because of results of this development.
increasingremedialwell work costs, this new
process is particularlyadaptablefor wells
having limitedreserves. Fluid Withdrawa

20 M {SH\
.,
I “
40 MESH

I40

I ....
0 0.5 1.0
“1
1.5 2.0 2.5

FALL RATE-FT/MIN>

Fig. 2 - Gravel fall rate in viscous fluid.

 . .
.
.

..... ......-. .

7-suPsmP~
----

/& WCK-OFF ASSEWCf

5-RECEPTACLE NIPPLE \
*U \
o RINGS

—4- RECEPTACAL SW
\

.r
~

3- SR13CERPm

,,
CENTRALIZER

.—-
“’iii?
-.
--
-—-
.—.
—
.-
—
--
——
—
--
=.
—
-- ~2-GRAvEL mu SCREEN
.—-
—
--
—
.-
=.
r-
=-
--

~1- WLL PLUG

“J
t..

Fig. I - Gravel pack equipment.

 ~

/1.SCOSITY VS TEMPERATURE

\
—

\
’20-

\ %. OU%iE~M IN SELECTIVE
PROOUCTfONTBG --INTERVALS
(SINGLE m wALl (OWL COMPLETION)
\
3
\

\
— ,f=a (-&
\

WMSERS REFER TO \
XX&INTRATION OF CROSS LINK
UXIITIVS FfR 1000 GAL OF
OLYMER

.
INSIDE EXISTING
.“1”1—.. —. — GRAVEL PACK LINERS
100 m Ii 160 Zc
TEMPERAiJRE “F Fig. 4 - Thru-tubing gravei pack i i’ner instai iations.
Fig. 3 - Viscous cross linked polymer fluid.

.
 .
m
b’1 \\ a)
Y. I \ 1/
I

I-1,. -I?7 x ($
CJ
0
I

w
.
m
.-
LL

‘m
a
(u

.
v-

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.
al
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LL

L./
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5055 ‘1

u
o

.“
\
‘GLV

uwwNuG NIPPLE Fig. 7 - case39 cl \GLv

\M~D,NG~,~~~
Fig. 8 - Case 4.
 i-//7 \\ \
r7-7’ rrf-
.
.2718” Tu8iNG
‘2 7/8”’ TUINNG

THRU- TUBiNG GRAVEL

WCK UNER ASSEMBLY

THRU-TUGING GRAVEL
7- SLIP STOP NOLD-OOWN
PACK LINE ASSEMBLY
PACKER 8278’ 6- PACK-OFF ASSEMBLY

5-RECEPTACLE NIPPLE
\ { . f- WXEPTACLE SUB
\ 7- SliP STCP NOLO-COWN
3-SP,ICER PIPE
6-I%CK OFF &MM8LY
— 2-SCREEN PACKER -770J’
—
!HtECEPTACLE NIPPLE
,1- BULL PLUG \ —
{
F
4-RECEPTACLE Su8
‘DAMAGED 2 ?/8”’ FREI+iCK
2 7/a” PREPACK SCREEN
8292’- 8300’—

-2 7/a” Tu81NG FISN AT 8297’ TELL TALE ,

— ‘3-SPACER Pll%
i
8302’- 07’ 1..
# PLUG 837U’
k ..
0324’-3 ‘
7900’ SAND
Y #“’LINER-8350” ~:
,
/7’’ C8G-8378’
. 1 .“ +-SCREEN

PACKER 8542’-- . .

7777”- 7aol~ ,1-8ULL PLUG

“.

i [ ~~WlOlOL 271a”

LJ/’L’NER-’Oa”
l“.
PERFS-8565’-84 ‘1
\~D- 7ao~
-—

\ 7“ CSG - 8723
‘.

Fig. 9 - case 5.
D
\
\GLV

LANtXNG NIFPLE

Fig. 10 -Case 6.