Several published articles mention sand control problems in deep water Gulf of Mexico projects. ‘ In the Fall of 1990 Oryx Energy, while preparing for a deep water platform decision, conducted an in-depth study of deep water sand control techniques. At the time of the study, there were eleven platforms in water deeper than 700′ and they were operated by six companies. Each company permitted an interview with their engineers. This allowed us to trace the history of these platforms from conception through current operations, with special emphasis on sand control. This paper presents the specific techniques for wellbore preparation, perforating, stimulation, gravel packing, and completion hardware used by these six companies (companies only identified as A through F).

Keywords:
gravel, society of petroleum engineers, drawdown, gulf, reservoir, deep water, slurry, completion installation and operations, deepwater sand control practice, spe 23772
Subjects:
Perforating, Completion Installation and Operations, Sand Control, Completion Operations
Copyright 1992, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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