It has been demonstrated that Expandable Sand Screen (ESS) technologies can be implemented rapidly and effectively without the requirement of a dedicated completion brine and well clean-up.

This paper will discuss a case history of the Kikeh #4 deepwater well test, performed in Block K, offshore Sabah, Malaysia. The test was performed in 4500 WD, from Diamond Offshore's fifth generation semi-submersible rig, "Ocean Rover".

Due to poor flow performance on the initial frac-packed completion, the decision was made to fast track this non-conventional approach to deepwater well test design. Key topics of discussion include: an integrated oil-based drill-in and completion fluid, expandable sand screen (ESS) selection, well test objectives, and well performance. Other points of discussion will include recommended practices and lessons learned using this completion technique. The completion and well test exceeded the objectives at a reduced cost and lower risk than conventional completion methods. As a result of the success of this methodology, it will be adopted for subsequent well tests in the area and is currently under consideration as the mainstay completion technique for the Kikeh development program.

Keywords:
drilling fluid chemistry, brine, completion, deployment, upstream oil & gas, drilling fluid selection and formulation, packer, drilling fluid formulation, displace, drillstem testing
Subjects:
Drilling Fluids and Materials, Formation Evaluation & Management, Information Management and Systems, Drilling fluid selection and formulation (chemistry, properties), Screen selection, Drillstem/well testing, Sand Control, Completion Operations
Copyright 2004, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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