SPE Drilling & Completion
Volume 27, Number 2, June 2012, pp. 253-263

SPE-143204-PA

In-Situ Mechanical- and Functional-Behavior Characterization of a Shape-Memory Polymer for Sand-Control Applications

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DOI  More information 10.2118/143204-PA http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/143204-PA

Citation

  • Yuan, Y., Goodson, J., Johnson, M., and Gerrard, D. 2012. In-Situ Mechanical- and Functional-Behavior Characterization of a Shape-Memory Polymer for Sand-Control Applications. SPE Drill & Compl  27 (2): 253-263. SPE-143204-PA. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/143204-PA.

Summary

Pumping a gravel slurry between a downhole screen and the rock matrix has been used to prevent production of undesirable solids or sand from the formation in traditional oil and gas completions. Recently developed expandable technology attempts to eliminate this operation by expanding metallic sand-control screens against the wellbore. However, one problem with this process is borehole irregularity. It is desirable to have a smart downhole-screen structure that is capable of self-expanding and conforming to the borehole surfaces in certain downhole conditions. Use of an advanced shape-memory-polymer (SMP) structure offers breakthrough performance for sand-control applications. Proper characterization and full understanding of the thermal, mechanical and functional, behavior of the SMP structure in simulated downhole pressure, temperature, and fluid conditions are critical for successful applications.

This study used a high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) in-situ mechanical test system and test method to characterize the in-situ hot-wet mechanical and functional behavior of the SMP foam, including deployment and contact-pressure-development functional properties, compressive resistance, and time-dependent stress-relaxation and creep-mechanical properties. These properties were determined during immersion in a fluid environment at various temperatures under ambient pressure and 3,000- to 5,000-psi hydrostatic pressure. Effects of the test temperature, fluid condition, and the hydrostatic pressure on mechanical and functional properties of the SMP foam were identified. Study results were used to establish the operational window of the SMP screen as a sand-control solution.

© 2012. Society of Petroleum Engineers

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History

  • Original manuscript received: 18 March 2011
  • Meeting paper published: 15 June 2011
  • Revised manuscript received: 2 March 2012
  • Manuscript approved: 15 March 2012
  • Published online: 31 May 2012
  • Version of record: 11 June 2012