Proposal
A major operator in the Gulf of Mexico had planned to run a cased, slimhole completion. The formation was sandstone, and thus, gravel packing would be required. The well was drilled, but the liner became stuck at 1500 feet from bottom. The operator did not want to pursue the sidetrack option, and unless another solution could be developed, the well project would have to be abandoned. The service/engineering company working with the operator felt that a solution could be developed that would allow the well to be completed.
The operator and service company representatives formed a dedicated team and developed a plan that would provide the perforation needs, solve the packer problem, and perform the gravel pack satisfactorily from a service vessel. This paper will discuss how an unusual solution was planned and executed and was successful in resolving the problems.
This case history is an example of how a service company and operator can work together to resolve difficult completion scenarios and provide win/win solutions for all parties. With regards to innovative completion techniques, the completion configuration that was developed using a smaller liner, the small bore tools and compatible gravel-pack design for the smaller liner as well as the unusual use of an enhanced low-profile prepacked (ELP) screen were significant to the success of this completion.
The unusual completion was run as planned. The gravel pack was successfully performed with returns throughout the treatment. The well is on line and performing better than expected.
