Abstract
Recent technology advancements now make possible the deployment and expansion of Expandable Sand Screen (ESSTM) into an underbalanced well. This accomplishment opens up the door to bringing the well-established benefits of UBD into the area of less consolidated sandstone reservoirs that require some form of sand control. A likely target for these combined services is the deepwater offshore arena where undamaged high rate producers are required to meet critical and demanding economic criteria.
Key to achieving this desirable end result is the development of a new full-bore Downhole Deployment Valve (DDV) that serves as a subsurface lubricator valve for running the unexpanded ESSTM safely into the live UBD well. Additionally, new improvements in the compliant ESSTM and associated running and expansion tools result in the largest possible internal screen diameter post expansion. The elimination of gravel packs and conventional sand screens results in significant production improvements over alternative solutions. By adding the advantage of reduced filtrate invasion and solids plugging of the sand face through drilling and completing the well underbalanced, both of which impair the well's ability to achieve maximum productivity or full depletion of the potential reserves, an optimum solution is achieved. The result: maximum flow rates, effective sand control and capture of a higher quantity of reserves.
