This paper presents the design and execution of an openhole gravel-pack completion campaign in deepwater West Africa. Based on field history and past challenges, a novel approach was implemented to address the low fracture gradient.

Various aspects of the gravel pack design are discussed - drilling and gravel pack fluid selection, screen selection, openhole displacement, filtercake removal, placement technique, and pumping design. The placement method uses screens with shunt tubes, an existing technology, that was deployed in an unconventional manner. Post treatment evaluation and analysis are also presented. Results are compared to conventional gravel pack placement and to previous wells from this field.

The success of the first completion enabled an increase in openhole length in subsequent wells. The understanding of the packing sequence was consolidated after each well, driving the optimization of the pumping schedule.

Keywords:
low fracture gradient environment, shunt tube, horizontal openhole gravel-pack completion, slurry, Upstream Oil & Gas, completion, Bridge, packer, displacement, sand control
Subjects:
Gravel pack design & evaluation, Sand Control, Completion Operations
Copyright 2018, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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