Implementation of Effective Gravel Pack Pumping Procedure for High-Rate Water Pack Deployment

Abstract Controlling sand production is critical to prevent damage to downhole and surface equipment during the production life of a well. Gravel pack pumping operation as a common sand control technique used in unconsolidated or poorly consolidated formation if not properly executed will result to stuck tool and in worst condition, abandonment depending on the severity of the stuck tool. Proppant selection and pumping procedure are essential in successful execution of a gravel pack pumping job. Industrial technological advancement has seen a trend for the utilization of man-made proppant as against the natural sand for cased and Open hole gravel pack. This should be carefully analyzed especially deploying via HRWP taking into consideration the high compressive strength and stickiness of man-made gravel compared to the natural sand. In addition to conventional gravel pack pumping procedure, tailormade procedure in adaptation to available equipment and material should be considered when planning gravel pack jobs. Specific procedural additions required for the critical Screen Out and excess slurry reversal culminating to an optimized pumping procedure is also a key consideration. The case history in this paper will discuss the cause of a stuck tool on the lower zone gravel pack which was due to the inability to pull out of hole the running tool after reverse circulating excess slurry. This was attributed to poor reaction time causing sand grain to come in between the running tool and the gravel pack packer. The paper will be addressing the lessons learnt and applied in subsequent gravel pack pumping operation including optimized job procedure, analysis of proppant selection and the synergy required from service providers for delivering the gravel pack pumping operation.