Abstract
This paper summarizes the systematic methodology & engineering process employed to identify and refine the highly effective fluid-train solutions used to drill, and install the highly productive, long horizontal gas well completions of the NCMA Hibiscus Project offshore Trinidad. It presents and discusses the unique fluids design, pre-project evaluation, and the integrated application efforts undertaken to: 1.) Minimize formation and completion damage; and 2.) Maximize gravel-pack placement and filtercake removal efficiencies. The paper will identify important reservoir drilling and completion fluid service integration points (metrics), laboratory validation methods employed, and provide completion process details that led to the successful high-rate gas well installations in an unconsolidated sandstone reservoir.
Specific topics discussed will include: the design and implementation of: the optimized Reservoir Drilling Fluid (RDF), RDF to Completion Fluid displacement, gravelpacking process, and the filtercake removal treatment. Finally, the paper will present case histories of the five completions installed in the Hibiscus reservoir and provide comparisons of: 1.) RDF drilling performance, 2.) gravelpacking efficiency, and 3.) well performance (productivity) of a stand-alone screen completion versus the gravel packed wellscreen completions that employed the unique RDF and filtercake cleanup treatments.
