AquaPac Friction Reducer

Chemical solution for alpha/beta gravel pack in low fracture-pressure gradients

APPLICATIONS Openhole completions in formations with This increased pressure can cause the
■■ Openhole completion intervals with low fracture-pressure gradients pose unique formation to fracture. The resulting fluid losses
low fracture-pressure gradient challenges for gravel packing, including loss can trigger the creation of a gravel bridge that
■■ Vertical, deviated, and horizontal of carrier fluid, which leads to premature disrupts the beta wave and leaves sections of
wellbores screenout and incomplete packs. the screen unpacked.
■■ Onshore, shelf, and deepwater In AquaPac* integrated water packing AquaPac friction reducer solves this
developments operations in horizontal and highly deviated problem. The friction reducer is pumped in
wells, the gravel is placed in two waves. the carrier fluid, reducing the friction pressure
BENEFITS During the alpha wave, the gravel dune in the screen-washpipe annulus and in the
■■ Reduces risk of early screenout and migrates evenly downward along the lower washpipe. The result is lower pressure in the
resulting loss of well when fracture part of the hole. When the toe is filled, openhole section.
pressure is exceeded pressure increases as the beta wave carries The AquaPac friction reducer treatment is
■■ Simplifies gravel pack process, lowering the dune back toward the heel to fill the top supported by SandCADE gravel-pack design
costs compared with alternatives part of the hole. The increase in pressure is and evaluation software.
■■ Tool-free insurance for gravel due to the returning flow of the carrier fluid
pack efficiency through the screen-washpipe annulus and in
the washpipe.
FEATURES
■■ Enables gravel packing of longer intervals Field Scale Friction Test of AquaPac Friction Reducer
100
■■ Functions in both monovalent and Washwipe, 2.875 in

divalent brines up to 12.5 lbm/galUS Annulus, 5.5-in/4.0 in

80
■■ Does not affect gravel deposition during
Friction reduction, %

alpha wave 60
■■ Does not damage gravel pack or
formation 40 Field scale friction test
results showed that the
■■ Is compatible with K240 shale stabilizer AquaPac friction reducer
20
■■ Is supported by SandCADE* gravel-pack in 9.2 lbm/galUS of sodium
chloride carrier brine reduced
design and evaluation software friction pressure in both the
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
washpipe (black) and screen/
washpipe annulus (red) by
Flow rate, bbl/min
more than 40%.

Effect of AquaPac Friction Reducer vs. Brine (No Friction Reducer)

8,000

7,500
Fracture pressure

7,000
Pressure, psi

Fracture pressure Brine The AquaPac integrated water

6,500
BHP at toe with brine (no friction reducer)
BHP at heel with brine (no friction reducer)
packing operations with brine
BHP at toe (with friction reducer) containing no friction reducer
BHP at heel (with friction reducer) AquaPac (purple) exceeded the fracture
6,000 friction
reducer pressure (red) during the beta
wave packing stage, resulting
5,500 in an incomplete pack. With
the AquaPac friction reducer
5,000
(green), however, it did not
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 exceed the fracture pressure,
allowing a complete pack to
Time, min be achieved.

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