Special Events

Cajun Icebreaker

Tuesday, 14 February • 1830–2030

Sponsored by

Enjoy an evening with friends, hors d’oeuvres, and cocktails at the Lafayette Hilton.

Author’s Breakfast

Wednesday–Thursday, 15–16 February • 0700–0800

Sponsorsed by

Welcoming Luncheon

Wednesday, 15 February • 1200–1400

Sponsored by

Speaker: Sam Whitney, Technical Services Manager, Shell
"Industry, Technology, and Completions"

In this presentation, Whitney will highlight the industry’s pressing technological challenges and needs. The petroleum industry activities in new frontiers and unconventional areas demand new approaches to completions.

Poster Sessions

Wednesday, 15 February • 1600–1830
Thursday, 16 February • 1030–1400

Refreshments sponsored by

Sessions are held in the Oaklawn & Rosedown rooms. Network with colleagues and talk with authors while enjoying beer and peanuts (Wednesday poster session only).

Welcoming Reception

Wednesday, 15 February • 1830–2030

Sponsored by

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler! Come “pass a good time” with an evening crawfish boil at Lafayette’s River Oaks Event Center. Enjoy some of the best Cajun food in the world, friendly folks, and a great time. You won’t be disappointed! Shuttle bus transportation will be provided to/from the Hilton.

Closing Luncheon

Thursday, 16 February • 1130–1330

Sponsored by

Speaker: Jeff Spath, Vice President Industry and University Relations, Schlumberger
"Technology Development and Innovation in Upstream E&P"

This presentation will describe some of the trends in research and development in the upstream E&P sector. New technologies as a result of these trends will be described, touching on exploration, characterization, and drilling.

Social Dine and Dance

Thursday, 16 February • 1830–2200

Sponsored by

Come join us at Randol’s Restaurant and Cajun Dance Spot for Cajun food, music, and dancing. Attendance is limited to the first 50 reservations. Shuttle bus transportation will be provided to/from the Hilton.

Open Forum

Friday, 17 February • 0830–1130

So, You Think You Know How to Select Your Screen for Sand Control?

Join this lively and interactive forum to debate the controversial topic of screen selection for sand control. With the popularity of openhole horizontal completions in sanding environments, particularly in deepwater, completion technique selection has been a topic of great interest to our industry.

Although some guidelines have been proposed in the literature by various authors, many of these guidelines are outdated due to technological advancements as well as new understandings over the last several years. Completion technique selection is still a controversial topic, but even a subset of completion technique selection such as identifying the most appropriate screen type and sizing have been equally controversial whether it is for a standalone or a gravel pack application.

Screen selection is often based on some sort of laboratory testing for sand retention, although no standardized testing procedures are available, and depending on how the testing is done and how the results are interpreted, the same two screens tested with the same sand can result in opposite recommendations by different engineers. Furthermore, what is an appropriate collected sample(s) in order to decide the proper laboratory testing and eventually the screen type?

This session will raise these and many other related issues through operator and service company representatives’ presentations summarizing the current methodologies in sand retention testing. Their presentations will stimulate discussion and identify the gaps in our understanding. These efforts will hopefully plant the seeds towards a consensus and standardization for sand retention testing based on scientific grounds, as well as provide a stepping stone towards the important subject of selecting the most effective technique for openhole sand control completions.

Moderator: Mehmet Parlor, Schlumberger

Discussion Leaders: Andy Tallin, Shell; David Underdown, Chevron; Jean-Noel Furgier, Total;  Michael T. Hecker, ExxonMobil; Oddbjørn Larsen, Statoil; Richard Hodge, ConocoPhillips

Delta Screens On-Site Product Exhibit and Fried Catfish Lunch

Friday, 17 February • 1130–1400

Sponsored by

Delta Screens will have a display of their new sand control screen product line on-site at the Lafayette Hilton. This display will be following the Friday Forum. A fried catfish lunch will be served. Below is a diagram of the outdoor display and lunch location in the Hilton Hotel parking lot.

Live Broadcast

The technical sessions will be available by internet connection to SPE sections outside the US. For arrangements, contact Ali Ghalambor at aghalambor@gmail.com.