Field Trial Results for New Sand Control Technology for Water Injectors

Abstract

In 2014, an R&D project was intitiated to develop an innovative technological solution to improve the performance and reliability of Deepwater Gulf of Mexico assets. The objective was to increase the life expectancy of Miocene and Lower Tertiary water injection (WI) wells, several of which had suffered a severe loss of injectivity within only a few years of completion. Before scoping out the project, an internal study was conducted to compile and analyse the available data. The root problem was identified as an accumulation of formation solids inside the lower completion; principally fine matrix sand that had been pulled in from the reservoir. These formation solids are normally stationary during steady injection, but can be mobilized during shut-ins (maintenance, pump problems, environmental conditions, etc.) due to powerful transient flow effects such as back-flow, cross-flow and even water-hammer. Eventually, enough solid fill can accumulate inside the lower completion as to diminish the injection rates. At this point the operator must consider some very expensive options such as to sidetrack or re-drill a new injector well. The obvious solution to this problem was to find a way to prevent the fine material from getting inside the completion. The challenge was to do so while sustaining high injection rates, with no loss of injection pressure or requirement for additional horsepower. Therefore, the goal of the project was to find a practical, efficient method of stopping the formation material from entering the lower completion during a shut-in cycle. To achieve this, a new flow control device (FCD) and completion system was developed with intrinsic non-return valves (NRV) that are designed to prevent any back-flow or cross-flow during the shut-ins. Also, depending on well conditions, the system will minimize the damaging effects of water-hammer: rapid, high-amplitude pressure cycles that can occur during a sudden stoppage of flow.