Liner failure is one of the key risks in operation of SAGD producers and is often associated with erosion as a result of steam production (Burke, L. et al. 2018). Among various intervention methods, tubing deployed inflow control devices (ICDs) have been used to remediate wells. In this paper, two field examples of using tubing ICDs are discussed, one inside a wire wrapped screen liner and the other inside a liner deployed ICD system. Liner failures were diagnosed by analyzing the temperature data from fibre optics along with the performance indicators of the ESP pumps. Various remediation plans such as patching the failed intervals, using tubing ICDs or drilling a parallel lateral were considered. Using tubing deployed ICD systems along with blanked intervals was selected as the most practical solution to recover productivity from these wells. To size the ICDs and length of segments, a range of emulsion production volumes as well as estimated corresponding vapor and gas volumes were assumed. Furthermore, the risk of creating new hot points near the existing failed points or vapor producing intervals was considered. The well workovers involved detailed planning of operations and services to effectively achieve cleanouts, maintain adequate inner wellbore diameter to run the swell packers and correlate DTS data with workover findings. The workover involved gauge runs, a jet-vac clean-out, a multi-finger caliper log and mud circulation of the wellbore for final solid removal to ensure successful installation of the new ICD systems. The wells were put on production initially with low drawdown and slowly ramped up to let the packers set and sand to form bridges. After a few months of production, the wells were fully ramped up with production rate increasing 2 to 5 times the pre-workover rates. ESP pump performances is stable in both wells and the fibre optic temperature data show that failed liner intervals and hot points are well managed. The intent of this paper is to share the processes and factors considered in using remedial ICDs and the learnings from the workover operations and startup of the wells.

Excessive solids production and liner issues are familiar complications in maturing SAGD operations, potentially causing well integrity concerns. There are several factors that can occur, in isolation or in combination, to cause excessive solids production and/or liner failures in SAGD wells. Reservoir characteristics, well construction and known downhole conditions contribute to production results and potential liner degradation over time. The production strategy typically considers fluid mechanics, metallurgy, and thermal cycling to limit steam breakthrough, channeling, and/or low sub-cool events. Even with the best construction and production practices, the gradual accumulation of solids in a production well can limit optimal productivity. SAGD Operators may choose a downhole intervention to mitigate the potential of a future failure or require an intervention to prepare for liner remediation. The paper begins by outlining common cleanout methods used in SAGD wells. Then, it discusses a SAGD downhole intervention in three stages: (1) a jetting venturi cleanout, (2) a gauge mill run, and (3) installation of a remedial liner system. The jetting venturi cleanout is comprised of concentric coiled tubing coupled with an engineered jet pump. It is designed to artificially lift wellbore materials, cleaning the SAGD wellbore while recording the volume of solids returned from a specific location. The gauge mill run confirms an acceptable diameter for smooth liner installation. These first two stages ensure seamless installation of the remedial liner system to mitigate detrimental mechanisms that limit production or impact well integrity. Two case studies, in two heavy oil formations from two Operators, support the effectiveness of the SAGD liner intervention. The case summaries and results demonstrate the success of the SAGD liner intervention, corroborate its consistent and repeatable use and show its compatibility with remedial techniques in SAGD operations. The paper establishes the importance of effectively cleaning and clearing a SAGD wellbore in preparation for liner remediation and to provide insight into future well integrity operations.