‘ SOCIETY OF PETROL~J4ENGINEERSOF AIME

6200 Ner:h CentralExpressway ~~R SPE 5660

Dallas,Texas 75296

THIS PRESENTATIONIS SUBJECT‘TOCORRECTION

New Thru-Tubing Gravel Pack Techniques

By

Glenn C. Shuntz and Warren G. Breminer,

Chevron Oil Co., and
Bob G. Comeaux,‘3~Jackscn, Inc., Members SPE-AIKE

,@Copyright 1975
American Institute of Mining, %fetalhu$giczd, and Petroleum Engineers, Inc.
\
This paper was ?regeredf’crthe 50th Annual Fall !4eeti.n6g e? :!?e Socie::! of ?etraleiuc;
~f MYE, to be held in Dallas,Texas, Sept. 28-OC$.1, 1~’75. Fernissio~to ap:r
2ngi.neers

The abstractshould containconspicuousacknowledgmentof where and by xham the paye~ - 4CJ

?resented. ?.~biicationelsewhereafter publication in the JC)Ll~&~ OF P5T?,GLSJ}CI _X~:-~K)~oi~’l
or the SOCIZTYOF ?5TRCLEEMENGINEERSJOU?.HALis usual~~ granted‘uponrequestto cke Zrii:or
of the appropriate.journaiprovidedagreementto give pr~per credit is made.
~iscussionof this paper is invited. Three copies 3? any disc’~ssiacshouli be se~?
:3 %he/Societ’y
Of;?etroleum%giceers office. Such discuss~ons-na-y be presentedst t;:e
~bove‘&eting and, wi:h the gaper, may be c~nsiteredfor publicationin one of the %-do
~~~ ~~g~~i~es.
-. —.....
.’ .,... ._. _ .- _. ._. . . . ... . . . . .. . ., _,,_, -—------- .—— ——.-——..— .... ... . ....- .
ABSTRACT In reservoirswhere send productionis a
problem, economicproductionof oil and gas
E?rsductionof formationsand continuesto cannot ie achievedwithout some mechanical
‘oea najor operatingproblem for the petroieum method of sand control (gravelpack, prepack
industry,parti.cularljjin the geological or chemicalconsoU.dation). ;/hena formation
young and poorl~ consolidatedreservoirsof the is known to produce sand, some measure of sand
GuU’ Coast area. control shouldbe ticludedin the initial
completion. However, Ih many cases, fornation
Remedial +duxN.@-tdkng gravel-pack ckwacteristics are not “knownand wells are
installationshave been greatUy simplified cmpleted without sand ccntrol. SoCetimes
throughthe use of s@ecial&rdesignedsetting these wells produce for months ar even years
tools and a higfiy ‘tisQous,cross-Meal ‘ceforesand productionbecomes a problem.
polymer,gravel-carr} g fl’tid. 3ased on field ConsequentfiJ,hundredssf wells in the GuU’
data, th@ tecbtique&r desiy. applicationhas Coast area are currentQ sandedup and off
been highly =~ccessful. The term grsvel or production. Many will rsmain off because of
gravel packing hereLn is intendedto mean any the prohibitive high cost of a major rig
matter used as a packingmaterial.. workcverto pull the productiontubing and
install sand control. This is not a new
ZWTRCDIJCT’ION problem, and for years the industryhas
attemptedto perfect through-tubingsar.d-
Recovery of oil and gas from poorly control techiques as an economicmeans of
consolidatedsand formationscontinues”tobe a returningthese ‘,vellsto production. ‘Some
major challengeto the petroleumindustry. limiteddegree of successwas obtainedwith
Sand is usualQ entrainedin zluids produced both through-tubingchemicalconsolidationand
from such forxations$causing eqyipmenterosion gravel-packingmethods. Becauseof the high
and surfacehandlingproblems. Often suffici- isd.hrerate on completionand the limited life
ent volumes of sand ‘tillenter the production associated‘withchemical. consolidation.&o-
stringto completelyblock or severelyrestrict cesses, a harder look was again taken at
fluid flow, making productionimpossibleor through-tubinggravel packing. As a result of
~rdrLbitiveU~ex’oensive.
Illustrationsat end of paper.
 NW THRU-TUBINGGIL ZL-PACKTECHNIQUES SPE 566(

the new techniquedeveloped,thiough-tubing since the polymer fluids have a high shrhkage
gravel-packimtal.lationshave become a factor (%1’ ercent at 10 lb/gal to ~35 percent
reality. Even though gravel-packscreens (3/& at 15 lb/gal7 . Final evaluationof these tests
in, to l-in. variety)have been availablefor showed,thata “bullhead”procedurefor placing
years, there has been no way to consistently gravel around a liner could be employed.
install these screensin oil end gas wells with
any degree of success. With the development With the successfuldevelopmentof the
of special& designedtools! and a breakthrough gravel carry5ngfluid, the next step was to
in ViSCOUS Cex’,.’ying
fluids,through-tubing develop a complementof tools to use with a
gravel-packinstallationsare now befig bullheador pump down gravel-pacldngmethod.
installedwith a high degree of success. The Several. differentservicecompanieswere
inajorlimitingfactor bei~g the physicaldown- approachedend asked to design runrh g and
hole mechanicalconditionof the well, where setttigtoold for through-tubinggravel-~ack
internaldiametersare restrictedbecause of work ustig this new approachto concentric
collapsed?corkscrewedor parted tubing. gravelpacking. After months of research,
Productioninfdrrnation to date indicatesthat severalcomplexcrossovertools for running
the small-diameterscreenshave minimum effect and settingsmall gravel-packscreenswere
on well productivity, Fluid withdrawalrates tieveloped,These tools were,however,r’fledout
of 1,200 bbl/iay have been achieved. for our initial. programbecauseof their
complexity,and a more desirableset of tools
THmRY was developed. These tools were simple in
design and could be run with either a slick
A simpiiiiedtechniquewas needed to line unit (0.092-in.wire) or on l-in. pipe
ensure or at least improvethe consistencyof as the situationdictated. Our preference
through-tubing=~avel-packtistallations~ was to run the small screenswith a ‘tieli.ne
Xithout new or improvedequipment,material and unit. This not only expeditedworkoveropera-
procedures,the door to through-tubiwzgravel tions and cut costs,but .maranteedscreen
packingwas about to close, The industryhad placementwith minimumdamage to the screen
alrsady turned away from ~avel packing ‘La itself. :,
~e=ch of a ~or~ re~able method of sand
control. This need titiated chemicalconsolid- IXXJIPYSIJT,
FILED AND F%CCESS
ation methods. It was thoughtthat this wouic
be tineTiltimatesolutionand through-tubiug Down.~oleGravel-?ack“~uipment
sand consolidationjobs using a varieti~of
plasticswere performed. !30vever, plasticsor A typicaldown-holegravel-packir&alla-
resins experienceda very Limitedsuccessin tion (Fig, 1) from the bottom up, consistsof :
through-tubingsand consolidationwork and bull plug, rib-t-ypescreen,blank spacerpipe,
continuedefforts.toimprovethis method are receptaclesub, receptaclenipple,pack-of:
&T&liS&~g. Consequentk~,the need for a assembly,and a slip stop holddown.
reliablenethod fcr installingsand cantrol
tkzmugh-tubkg still.e.tisted. Rib-TypeScreer*

-The deveJ.opmentof higfi~ -rLsCOuScross- The number of feet of screenis determine

‘Ji.nhd,polymerfluids inspiredus to agsin 100} b~ the lwgth of the productioninterval. The
at through-tubinggravel packing for remedial. openingsh the screenwere predetermined. A
semd control. Laboratorytests run on this basic change.inthe through-tubinggravel-pack
:luid indicatedthat the fluid was not oti~ installationshas been a reductionof screen
capableof transportingheavy concentrations openingsfrom 0.035-in.and 0.020-in.gauge to
of =wavel,but also had good bleed-offor 0.012-in.gauge. This reductionin screen
fluid loss once the shrry (10 to 15 lb of openingswas made ‘inan attemptto keep any
~~avel/gelof fluid)reached. the formation. formationsand from enteringthe wellboresinc~
This ensuresgrain-to-graincontactof the i% is practicallyimpossibleto wash out or
gravel bound the screen end in the perforatio~ bail sand from these small concentricliners.
tunnels. Furthertests showedthe perforation
tunnels are cleanedof debris and that forma- Spacer Pipe
tion sand is pushed back out of the tunnels so
there is notitermiqling of gravelwith the The number of feet of spacerpipe to be
formationsand. The slow brsak back of the run above the gravel-packscreenis determined
viscouspolymerfluid aZlowsthe gravel to for ea:h installationand has run enlywherefron
continueto fall around the liner after reach- 6 f% to 60 ft. This is dependentupon the
ing a final gravel-packpressure. This helps Wellfs existingmechanicalhook-up.
to ensure that the gravelwill.not prematureY~
bridge over above the screenbefore a uniform ReceptacleSub
pack is obtained. This is an importantpoint
The gravel-packliner receptaclesub is ,
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run on top of the blank pipe above the screen. been mixed in the polymer fluid, the slurryis
The receptaclesub is of special. design and chemicallycross-linkedwith a nonsolid
has fo&* primary functionsin the gravel-pack materialand the viscosityis increasedto
hook-up. about l? ~,~cp at surfacetemperatures.
T
1. It serves as a top assemblyfor the The followingfluid propertiesof the
blank ~ine above the screen. The sub screws viscouspolymer fluid had to be checkedin the
into the blsnk pipe snd has fin-typec,entral- laboratorybefore the first tb!o h-ti~bing
izers to hold it in the center of the tubing ~avel pack could be performed:% 1 faJl rats
so that the receptaclenipple can be properly of gravel vs temperature,, (2) formationcore
installed. damage, (3) pressurepac;cing,and (L) viscosity
vs temperature. In addixim to the laboratory
2. It serves as a device to attach the tests, it was equallyimperativethat a field
runnimz tool. The runnimg tool slips over the test be performedto be sure that the high
receptaclesub and is attachedwith shear pins. concentrationsof gravel (10 lb/gal)could be
Once the screen is positionedin the well.,the pumped throughthe small l-in. conduitwithout
runningtool is releasedby jarring down. excessivefrictionpressureor withoutpl~gging
the pipe. The gravel.size (0,015-ti.x 0.030-
3. It supportslineliner Dlug. The plug in. gauge or Xl x 40 mesh) to be used in the
is placed in the polish’boresectionof the poor~~ consolidatedformationsands was
receptaclesub prior to running the gravel-pack selectedprior to runnh g sny of these tests.
a.ssemb~y.The liner plug seals off the spacer This was done so all laboratoryand field tests
pipe and the screen so that gravel cannot enter :totidbe run with the same ~aVel size. Sieve
and plug off the inside of the screenwhile anti~sisof the gravel had to be run to
the gravel-packjob is being performed. 1 determinethe etient of crushingwhile it was
Followingthe ~gravel-pack operation,a clean- I being pumped in the viscous fluid.
out trip is made and the plii~is retrieved.
Fall Rate cf Gravel
L. It supportsthe liner receptacle
FIDDIC? . The Ji.nerreceptaclenipple is run on Before attemptinga bullheadmethod of
the bottom of a wirelinepack-off assemb~y. pumping the avel down around the small (3/4
The nipple screwsinto the bottom of a pack-off in, or 1 in.7 concentricgrzvel-packliners
assemblyand stings into the polish bore of’the through eitherthe work strin$ (1 in.) or the
receptaclesub. With the aid of tne pack-off productiontub~ng (2 in. or & in.), the fall
assembly,the nipple seals off the annular area rate of the gravel ti the viscous fluid had to
of the spacerpipe, thus ensuringthat all be cnecked. A sl’owfail rate would help to
formationfluid will.come throughthe screen ensure that the gravel would not prematurely
inlets and not around the blank pipe. bridge over above the gravel-9ackscree~ before
a pack cculd.’oe obttied. Since the gravel
Pack-OffAssembl~ was goLm.gto “oepumped at high concentrations
(10 to 15 lbof .gravelper’ gallon of fluid),
A pack-offassemblyis set on top of the with vazyyingdepths and temperatures,a series
receptaclesuh and with the aid of the nipple of tests (Fig. 2) were run. These tests proved
seals off the annulsrarea around the gravel-- that the fluid would carry the high concentra-
pack assembk~. tions of 2U x 40 mesh (0.015-in.x 0.030-in.
gauge) gravel throughthe work stringor produc
SUP Stop Holddown tion tubtig and sround the concentricgravel-
pack screens,at low pump rates without
A slip stop holddownis placed on top of bridgingover above the screen.
the pack-offassemblyto keep it from
unseating. The pack-offassembly,I&ner FormationCore Dama~e
receptaclenipple snd slip stop holddowntake
the place of a packer and stingerin a conven- Consolidatedcore samples were prepared
tional gravel-pac~hook-up. from Z&azos River sand so tinatpermeability
.. damage of the polymer fluid could be checked
Fluid (this sand simulatesvery close~~ the formation
sands found in the Gulf Coast area). The corss
The selectedgravel-packfluid is a water- were cleaned,dried and saturatedwith 2 per-
base, highly viscous,cross-linkedpolymer cent KC1 solutionm,d initialpermeabilitywas
fluid, designed for carrying high concentra- deterti.edusing t$#2!s
solution. Two PV of the
tions of sand or gravel. The ’fluidis par- ‘iiscous polymer fluid were then injectedinto
tially complexedwith a synthetic‘TIE(Y the core and the cell was shut in for 2 hours
polymerto 2CK)ta 400 cp prior to adding the at 150W. The cores were then flushedvrith2
~ga~el to the fluid. After the gravel has percentKC1 and the retainedpermeability
determined..
 ●
1

NEW THRU-TUBINGGRAVEL-PACKTEIXNTCXIES
— ..— SP;
--- <&An
,---
,
Initial permeability 110.0 md 3. Three barrels of the viscous fluid
with no gravelwere pumped throughthe pipe
Retainedpermeability 103.3 md at 0.5 bbl/minwith 4,’700psi.

Permeabilityloss 6.7 percent 4. Ten barrels of the gravel-polymer

slurry (10 lb of 20 x 40 mesh Otta\iagravel per
A tackifieragent added to the fluid was gallon of fluid)were pumped throughthe coiled
responsiblefor about 4 percent of this loss. pipe at 0,5 bbl/minrate with hf@O psi.
The tackifieradditivewas not added to the
fluid pumped in any of the jobs performed. As noted, the polymer fluid and gravel
siurrywere pumped through the coiled pipe with
PressurePackiaq less frictionpressurethan water.

A laboratorytest was ccnductedto prove Sieve .inalysis

that a tight uniformpack could be obtained
with the fluid snd gravel when pumped against c While evaluatingths frictionloss,
formation. A metal cylindertest cell.was samplesof gravel pumped through the coiled
packed to one-thirdof its capacity~ith pipe were taken. Sieve anatiysis was run on
3razos River sand. The fluid, with 15 Xc/gal these samplessnd comparedwith gravel samples
of 20 x“40 mesh Cttawa gravel,was packed to that had not,gone through the pump. This was
300 psi againstthe Ilrazos Xiver sand. L’ter done to determinewhether or not the 20 x 40
‘~heSCreen-Outoccurred,tb.epress~~ Was ~.eld mesh Ottawa gravel would be crushedwhile
for 30 minutesbefore the cell was dis- pumpingwith this type of fluid. The two
assembledand examined. This test showed that sieve-enal.!rsis
curves indicatethat there vras
a uniform ~vavel~ack with .grsin-to-grti no crushingof the gravel,
contactwas obtainedwhen the slurrywas
screenedout under pressureagsinst a simulated
formation.
The work procedure,mechanicalhook-up
and the gravel-pack-hgprocess for a typical
through-tubinggravel-packinstal.lati:n am
Fllfidvi.scositiy
CI the cross-linked describedbelow.
polymerfluid vs temperature(Fig. 3) was
anotherof the Lnportut factors to be eval- ~ The first step in almost every job
uated before the fluid could be ‘~sedin is to’~ashout the 2- or 2&iR. production
through-tubtiggravel-packwork. The viscosity tubing to a predetermineddepth using a l-in.
was checkedin the laboratoryat temperatures work str~ing,(Eithera coiled tub~kg unit or
ranging from ilO”to 200°F,while the ratio of a jointedpipe workoverunit can be used.)
the nonsolidscross-linkmaterialwas increased
from 30 to 60 lo/l,CCOgal of polymer. These 2. After cleanti.g out to the desired
viscositieswerethen comparedwith gravel faiJ depth, displacethe hole with filteredsalt
rate far the varioustemperatures,and it was water and pump into the productionperforations
concludedthat through-tubingwork would be to be sure they are open before pullingthe
pm.sible. l-in.work string.

Field Test 3. Awi-rdim unit (slickline) is used

to run a gauge tool to the same desireddepth.
After evaluatingthe fall rate and gravel- Since slick line odometermeasurementsare not
pacldng characteristicsof the cross-linked reliable,it will.be necessaryto tie the slick
polymer fluid, a field test was conducted line measurementsinto electricline measure-
through 10,500ft of l-in. coiled tubing. This ments. This is accomplishedby tying into a
test was to determinefrictionpressure IOSS Q@ing nipple, stop ring, or the bottom of the
while pumpingviscouspolymer fluid with a higk productiontubing. At this point, the wireline
concentrationof gravel (10 lb/gal)through 1- shouldbe flaggedand the odometerreading
int pipe. ca’efti~ checkedto ensure that the liner
screenwill.be properlypositionedin the welJ.
Test Data before gravelpaclang. If none of the above
items sre presentin a particularwell, it may
1. City drinkingwater was pumped througk be necessaryto find some other means of corre-
the tubing and a pumpingrate of 0.55 bbl/min lating slick line measurementsto electricline
was establishedwith a pumpingpressureof measurements.
5,000 psi.
4. If additionalperforatingor logging
2. Three barrelsof 15-percentHC1 were operations”’
are required,this is the time
displacedthroughthe coiledpipe with water. before runningthe gravel-packher.
 ‘E+6’60 “ GLENN C. SHURTZ, WARREN Go IXNER and BOB G. COMEAUX 1
. I
.
. 5.
Again, pump into the formationbefore pressure. When it is reached,bleed off
startingin the kole with the gravel-pack slowly and repressurethe tubing. Continue
assembly. this process until no additionalfluid can be
pumped into the wellbore.
6. A typicalgravel-packliner assembly
from the botton up consistsof bull plug, 15. Allow the fltid sufficienttime to
screen, blank spacerpipe, receptaclesub and break down. Using the l-in. pipe, wash out
a receptacleplug. All of this equipmentis excess gravel to the top of the liner recep-
screwedtogetherwith the exceptionof the tacle plug. Circulatethe hole clean.
rece?t?cleplug. The receptacleplug shown
in Fig\ 1 is placed in the polish bore of the 16. After cticulaiingthe hole clean$
receptaclesub and pinned in place with an pressureup on the gravel pack to be sure ,a
aluminumsheer pin. The running tool is pack has been obtsimed. If the pack holds
‘,
slipped~ver the top of the liner plug sndthe pressure,pull,the,l-in. @pe out of the well.
receptaclesub and is pinned to the receptacle If the pack does not hold pressure,mix a
sub with two steel or brass pins. The batch of viscous fluid with 10 lb of 20 x 40
runningtool is screwedto the bottom of a mesh gravel per gallon of fluid and spot it
stringof conventionalwirehe tools (stem, down the l-b. work string. Then bullheadthe
spang jars, and a rope socket). gravel around the liner until the destiedpack
pressurehas been reached, Agakn, releasethe
7* The stick line unit is used to run the pressure and pressureup severaltimes to be
through-tubinggravel-packN.er assemblyto sure the pack will not take any additional
the predeterminedpoint. If necessary,thds fluid. Allow the fluid time to break and was!?
assemblycan be run in the well with l-in. out to the top of the liner plug, Pressure
tubing (eitherjointedor coiled pipe). How- test the pack before pulllng out of the hole
ever, h order to expediteoperationsand cut with the l-in. work stringor continueto pump
costs,‘theslick line “unitis used. This graveluntil the pack will hola pressure.
method minimizesthe possibiliti~ of screen
damage. After ?eac~g bottom with the liner 17* Rig up a slick line unit and pull the
hook-up,jar down to release the running tool, plug from the receptaclesub.
The stringof wirelinetools and the ruining
tool are then pulled out of tinehole. 16. Make up the ~ece?taclenippl~ m the
bottom of a pack-off assemblyand using a
8. The well is acidizedthroughthe vrh~elineunit, run it tito the hole and st-ing
productiontubing. Both the filteredwater in the nipple into the receptaclesub. The pac!<-
the tubing and the acid are bullheadedinto off assem.b~~is then set. T~~ seals .~ffthe
the productionperforations. top of the gravel-packhook-up so ail formatim
fl~d ;~ll come through the screenOpefi.gS.
9. Follow the acid with 10bbl ~f
filteredpotassiumchloride (KC1)“waterto 19. Using the wirelineW&t, set a slip
isolatethe acid from the ~niscous
fluid. stop’hoiddovmon to? of the pack-offassembly
to keep it from unseattig.
10. Follow the KCl water with 2 bbl of
the viscous iluid with no gravel. This fluid 20. Again, pump ‘intothe well to be suz-e
acts as a pad ahead of the gravel concentra- it is open. The well is now rea&y to be
tions and as a buffer, tobe sure the gravel placed on production.
does not outrun or fall out of the fluid w:hile
it is being pumped down the wellbore. ‘This APPLICATIONOF IKWI?MENTAND PROCESS
pad also helps to push formationsand out of
the perforationtunnelsbefore the gravel !?iththis new process,the through-tub~ag
reachesthe formation. gravel-packliner lends itself to +most any
situationwhere remedial sand control hi
11. Follow the pad ‘with10 bbl of 20 x needed. Each installationis slightfi~ differ-
LO mesh gravel-uolymerslurry at a concentra- ent and design considerationmust be given to
tion of 15 lb o? gravel to 1 gal of the - the mechanicalhook-upof each individualwell,
ViiSCOUSfluid. ‘ before a through-tubinggravel pack csn be
installed~
12. Follow the gravel with 1 bbl of the
viscous fluid with no ~=avel- Through-tubingscreensmay be installed
in sny of the followihgplaces (Fig. k): (I)
Dieplacethe gravel down tine2- or out the bottom of tke.productiontubing in a
.- 2&in~3&oduction tub<ingwith filteredsalt. single completion,or the long stringof a
water until a screen-outoccurs. I multiwellcomplet~cn,(2) out of the bottom
of the short string productiontubing OS a
X. Pack the llinerto the desired ~ dual completion,(3) ihside the productilsn
1-
.,,, i
 . ,
6 NEWTHRU-TUBINGGRAVEL-PACKTIXXNIQU’lB SPE 5660

tubing of a selectiveinterval,(1+)inside Well - Job No. 2. Long String

existinggravel-packinstallations,(5) inside Delta Farms Field. La.
existingprepack screens,(6) inside of produc-
tion tubing that has been cementedin place, Dual Completion- StrsiEhtHole

JOB HISTORIXSAND T?3SHNIQUIE5 Resume - Conventionall-in. workoverrig -

. inlsnd water.
In order to evaluatefully the new
through-tubinggravel-packtechnique,a variet~ Using this new process,a through-tubing
of well.candidateswere selected. It is gravel-packliner was installedout the bottom
believedthat these candidates,as shown in of the long stringof this dual.completionas
Fig. 4, includedalmost every type pf through- shown in Fig. 6. The gravel-polymerslurry
tubing sand-controlsituationthat might’arise. (15 lb/gal)waspump~d down the 2-3/8-in.
The followingjobs are listedin order of productiontubing.and tiound the liner.
completion.
Results - The well was gas lifted to
‘Nell- Job No. 1 (Fig. 5~ productionat a rate of 134 BOPD, cutting45
Cut Off Field, La.r percentwater (w BFPD). This wel..lis
currentlyproducingand has producedsand free
Sir@e SelectiveCompletion- StraightYoU since the”gravel-packinstallationon June 3,
1974.
!?esume- Conventionall-in.workoverrig -
‘blendwater. Comments - The f-inalgravel-packpressure
was 3,0C0 psi and 7+ sacks of gravelwere
Using this process,a through-tubing pumped into the formation. The excess gravel
gravel-packliner was installedin the selec- was washed out of the tubing, and the gravel
tive intervalof this completionas sho~m in pack was tested with 2,CC0 psi before
=!!9 5* The gravel-polymerslurry (10 lb/e@) completing. ‘
was pumped down the l-in.work string and
around th~ liner, Economics

35sults - Tke ~e~i was gas lifted to Cost of.this job $27,401
productionat a rate of L6 50PD, cutting 96
percent,water (IP1755FPD). This wellis Estimatedcost to pull both stringsof
currentYyproduc@g and has produced sand free tubing and gravelpack the lower zone $150,CC0
since the gravel-packinstallationon May 7,
:Q7&. Well - Job ?!fJ. 3 (Fig.7)
Bay March-ad?ield, La.
Cosrments- This ob was complicatedby the
2
fact that 200 ft of &in. x 2-in. casing Sirwle Conmletion- StraightHole
. annulushad to be filled with =mavel before
the through-tubinggravel-packliner could be Resume - Coiled tubing unit - offshork
ir%talled. platform.
‘ After fiW..ng the castng annulus,an Using this new process, a through-tubing
outcidepack was performedusing the vLscous gravel-packliner was installedinside of a
pack before running the gravel-packliner. conventionalgravel-packEner, as shown in
Fig. 7. The gravel-polymerslurry (13 lb/gal)
The final gravel-packpressurewas 3,CO0 wa,spumped down the 2-7/8-in.production
psi, and 16 sacks of gravelwere pumped into tubing and around the liner.
the formation. The excess grivelwas reversed
out of the well throughthe l-in.work string !lesults- The well was gas lifted to
snd the gravelpack was tested with 4,000 psi productionat a rate of 132 !30PD,cutting 5
before completing. percentwater through a 26/64-in.choke. This
well is current& producingand has produced
Economics send free since the gravel-packinstallationon
Oct. 7, 1974.
Cost of this job $60,1/+9
Comments- The original objectiveof this
.—
Esthated cost to pull the tubing and run workoverwas to install a through-,tubtig
gravel
a conventional&avel pack $120,000 pack liner inside the conventionalgravel-pack
●
Liner oppositethe 3650-ft W“ sand. The
gravel-packliner could not be cleenedout
throughthe 3650-i’tsand interval,and the well.
R whm - CT,ENNC. SHURTZ.WIRREN G. BREINER and BOB G. COMEAUX 7

was alternatelycompletedin the 3~600-ftssnd. satellitejack-upbsrge.

A final.gravel-packpressureof 2,000 psi Using this new process,a through-tubing

was obtainedand three sacks of gravel were gravel-packliner was installedinside of a
pumped into the formation. The excesswas prepack liner screen,as shown ti Fig. 9. The
gravel-polymerslurrywas pumped dotm the 1
washed out of the productiontubing, and the
~avel pack was tested with 1,0!)0psi before 2-7/8.,in.tubing end around the’liner.
completing.
Results -The well sandedup immediately
Economics follo-e completion.

Cost of this job $79,197 Comments- The existingprepack liner was

set o- a 2-3/8-in.fish adjacentto the
Estimatedcost to p~ the tubing and;im upper perforationsof the 7600-ft“L” send.
a conventional.
Wavel pack $150?~ The prepack was pe--forated
and the through-
tubtig gravel-packliner was installed.
Well - Job No..4 (Fig.$)
Bay N=chand Field, La. A final gravel-packpressme of 3,000
psi was obtainedand three sacks of gravel
Single Completion- DtiectionalHole were pumped into the formation. The excess
\ gravel was washed out of the productiontubing
Resume - Coiled tubing unit - offshore and the gravel pack was tested ~Ath 1~500psi
platform. before completfig.

TJsingthis new process;a t~ough-tubing This was a high-riskcandidatesince ther(

gravel-packliner was installedreside of a was no way to tell.whetheror not the 7-in.
prepack screen,as shown in Fig. 8. The casing snnulusor the 2-LI. tubtigwere sanded
gravel-polynerslurrywas pumped down the up below the prepack screen. The well ssnded
2-7/8-in.productiontubing and around the up immediatelywhen placed on production and
liner. it appesredas though the gravel fell ;own the
hole.
Results - The well was gas lifted to
produ-t a rate of 39 i30PD,cuttingclean, Economics
This well is currentlyproducingand has
produced sand free smincethe initial gravel- Cost Of this job $66,245
pack installationm Oct. 28, 1974.
Estimatedcost to pull the tubing and run
Comments- The top of the prepackwas a conventionalgravel pack $150,000
colla-dsmaged and it was impossibleto
clean out below this point. Thereforetad&- Well - Job No. 6 Fig. 10
tional productionperforationswere added io Eay Msrchand?ieid. La.
the 4600-ft‘Wffsand above the prepack,.and
the through-tubinggravel-packliner was set SiruzleComrOetion- DirectionalHole
on the dsmage’dportionof tiheprepack.
Resume - Snubber unit and jack-up%rg+—
A final gravel-packpressureof 2,000 psi offshore satellite.
was obtainedend three sacks of gravelwere
pumped into the formation. The excess gravel Using this new process, a lhrough-tubtig”
was washed out of the productiontubing and gravel-packliner was installedinside of a
the gravelpack was testedwith 1,000 psi conventional.gravel-packliner, as shown ‘=
before completi:lg. F;.g.10. The gravel-polymersluin’y(13 lb/g~
was pumped down the 2-7/8-in.productiontubhg
Economics
—— and around the liner.

~OSt of this $ob $52,967 Results - The well.was swabbedto produc-

tion and commencedflowing at a rate of 289
Lstimatedcost to pull the tubing and run EOPD with LOO psi FTP, cuttingclean on a
a cmventional gravel pack $170t~ 18/64-in.choke. This well.is currently
producingsnd has produced sand free since the
‘dell- Job No. 5 (FiR. gravel-packinstallationon Jan, 2, 1975.
Bay MarchandField, La.9)/
Comments- A fiml. gravel-packpressure
StiEleComrdetion-Directional Hole of 2,-was obtainedand l& sacksof
gravel were pumped outsideof the conventional
~&S34Y&-Coild/@+ingtit and offshore
$ NEW THRU-TUBINGGRAVEL-PACKTECHNIQUE+ APE %4n

gravel-packliner. The excess gravel was

rates do not appear to be a ‘majorproblem, and
‘tiashed
out of the productiontubing and the
this system is recommendedfor wells where
gravel pack was tested to 1,500psi before
productionrates,are expectedto reach 1,000
complethg.
B/D. Without such cost savingmeasures,many
Economics wells will never be returned~o production&d
will possiblybe prematurelyabandoned.
Cost of this job $42,326

Estimatedcost to pull the tubing and

I ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authorswish to acknowledgeV. L.

run a conventionalgravel pack $170,00C
Brown, Otis EngineeringCorp,,Belle Chasse,
COITCLUSICN La., for his assistancein developingrelated
tools for this process;M. A. Binford,Coiled
Tubing,Inc., Belle Chasse, La., for use of
The new through-t~bing&avel-pack tech-
coiled pipe to pilot test the gravel-polymer
nique is en economicalway of installingsand
slurry;and Chevron Oil Co. and Byron Jackson,
controlwhere formationsand contfiuesto be Inc.,f’ortheir permissionto publish the
a major operatimgproblem. Because of results of this development.
increasingremedialwell work costs, this new
process is particularlyadaptablefor wells
having limitedreserves. Fluid Withdrawa

20 M {SH\
.,
I “
40 MESH

I40

I ....
0 0.5 1.0
“1
1.5 2.0 2.5

FALL RATE-FT/MIN>

Fig. 2 - Gravel fall rate in viscous fluid.

 . .
.
.

..... ......-. .

7-suPsmP~
----

/& WCK-OFF ASSEWCf

5-RECEPTACLE NIPPLE \
*U \
o RINGS

—4- RECEPTACAL SW
\

.r
~

3- SR13CERPm

,,
CENTRALIZER

.—-
“’iii?
-.
--
-—-
.—.
—
.-
—
--
——
—
--
=.
—
-- ~2-GRAvEL mu SCREEN
.—-
—
--
—
.-
=.
r-
=-
--

~1- WLL PLUG

“J
t..

Fig. I - Gravel pack equipment.

 ~

/1.SCOSITY VS TEMPERATURE

\
—

\
’20-

\ %. OU%iE~M IN SELECTIVE
PROOUCTfONTBG --INTERVALS
(SINGLE m wALl (OWL COMPLETION)
\
3
\

\
— ,f=a (-&
\

WMSERS REFER TO \
XX&INTRATION OF CROSS LINK
UXIITIVS FfR 1000 GAL OF
OLYMER

.
INSIDE EXISTING
.“1”1—.. —. — GRAVEL PACK LINERS
100 m Ii 160 Zc
TEMPERAiJRE “F Fig. 4 - Thru-tubing gravei pack i i’ner instai iations.
Fig. 3 - Viscous cross linked polymer fluid.

.
 .
m
b’1 \\ a)
Y. I \ 1/
I

I-1,. -I?7 x ($
CJ
0
I

w
.
m
.-
LL

‘m
a
(u

.
v-

u)

.
al
.-
LL

L./
 \

5055 ‘1

u
o

.“
\
‘GLV

uwwNuG NIPPLE Fig. 7 - case39 cl \GLv

\M~D,NG~,~~~
Fig. 8 - Case 4.
 i-//7 \\ \
r7-7’ rrf-
.
.2718” Tu8iNG
‘2 7/8”’ TUINNG

THRU- TUBiNG GRAVEL

WCK UNER ASSEMBLY

THRU-TUGING GRAVEL
7- SLIP STOP NOLD-OOWN
PACK LINE ASSEMBLY
PACKER 8278’ 6- PACK-OFF ASSEMBLY

5-RECEPTACLE NIPPLE
\ { . f- WXEPTACLE SUB
\ 7- SliP STCP NOLO-COWN
3-SP,ICER PIPE
6-I%CK OFF &MM8LY
— 2-SCREEN PACKER -770J’
—
!HtECEPTACLE NIPPLE
,1- BULL PLUG \ —
{
F
4-RECEPTACLE Su8
‘DAMAGED 2 ?/8”’ FREI+iCK
2 7/a” PREPACK SCREEN
8292’- 8300’—

-2 7/a” Tu81NG FISN AT 8297’ TELL TALE ,

— ‘3-SPACER Pll%
i
8302’- 07’ 1..
# PLUG 837U’
k ..
0324’-3 ‘
7900’ SAND
Y #“’LINER-8350” ~:
,
/7’’ C8G-8378’
. 1 .“ +-SCREEN

PACKER 8542’-- . .

7777”- 7aol~ ,1-8ULL PLUG

“.

i [ ~~WlOlOL 271a”

LJ/’L’NER-’Oa”
l“.
PERFS-8565’-84 ‘1
\~D- 7ao~
-—

\ 7“ CSG - 8723
‘.

Fig. 9 - case 5.
D
\
\GLV

LANtXNG NIFPLE

Fig. 10 -Case 6.