Summary
Gravel packing is increasingly used in long horizontal wells and challenging
environments. Key to executing the gravel-pack job successfully is selecting an
appropriate gravel-carrier fluid. Frictional pressure loss exhibited by
gravel-packing fluids is an important consideration in their selection. This
paper discusses the friction pressure performance of commonly used
gravel-packing fluids in the industry today, which include the viscoelastic
surfactant (VES) types of fluids, xanthan, and hydroxyethyl cellulose
(HEC).
In wells with a long horizontal section or narrow margin between pore
pressure and fracture gradients, the frictional pressure loss exhibited by
these fluids in the wash pipe and wash-pipe/base-pipe annulus governs whether
these wells can be gravel packed without fracturing the formation. In gravel
packs with alternative-path configuration (shunts), the frictional pressure
loss through the shunts controls the maximum length that can be gravel
packed.
This paper discusses in detail the fluid friction pressure performance while
pumping these fluids through various conduits including circular pipe,
eccentric annuli, and rectangular tubes (shunts). These data were generated in
field-scale yard tests under controlled conditions, for both ambient and
elevated temperatures. The paper also discusses the rheological properties of
these fluids at ambient and elevated temperatures. The effect of factors such
as surfactant/polymer concentration, addition of gravel, and temperature on the
frictional pressure loss of these fluids is presented, which will help in fluid
selection/optimization under different scenarios.
© 2011. Society of Petroleum Engineers
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History
- Original manuscript received:
8 July 2010
- Meeting paper published:
21 September 2010
- Revised manuscript received:
15 December 2010
- Manuscript approved:
30 December 2010
- Published online:
31 May 2011
- Version of record:
13 June 2011
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