Standalone Screen Selection Using Performance Mastercurves

Abstract

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractThe performance of stand alone screens can be predicted by developing master curves for individual screens based on the screen opening pore size and an effective formation particle size factor. Screen mesh designs and pore structures have unique performance curves which can be used with particle size analysis from whole or sidewall cores to aid in the selection of screens which will meet performance criteria for solids production and flow capacity for a specific wellbore. The paper describes the procedures for developing the performance master curves for screen laminates . Examples are given illustrating the predictive data for solids production and flow capacity for a series of well core samples.

Numerical Simulations of Screen Performance in Standalone Screen Applications for Sand Control

“…Sizing of sand control media for oilfield applications has been the subject of many laboratory studies dating back to the early 1900's (Coberly, 1937;Suman et al, 1985;Markestad et al, 1996;Tiffin et al, 1998;Malbrel et al, 1999;Ballard et al, 1999;Underdown et al, 1999;Gillespie et al, 2000;Hodge et al, 2002;Ballard and Beare, 2003;Constien and Skidmore, 2006;Williams et al, 2006;Ballard and Beare, 2006;Mathisen et al, 2007;Underdown and Hopkins, 2008). Coberly (1937) proposed guidelines for sizing slot openings and stated that the upper limit of the slot width on which a stable bridge can be formed is twice the diameter of the grain size at the ten percentile, i.e., w < 2d 10 .…”

“…Following up on the work by Hodge et al (2002), Constien and Skidmore (2006) developed performance master curves for individual screens based on the screen opening pore size and effective formation particle size, which they defined as the ratio of the median sand grain size (d 50 ) to the uniformity coefficient, i.e., d 50 /UC. The performance master curves were constructed for the produced solids, retained screen permeability and size (d 10 ) of the produced solids, and the following acceptance criteria for these parameters were proposed: Produced solids ≤ 0.12 lbm/ft 2 , retained screen permeability ≥ 50%, and d 10 of produced solids ≤ 50 µm.…”

“…The test setup and the experimental procedure used by them were the same as that described by Constien and Skidmore (2006). In the experiments, a Newtonian test oil of viscosity ~500 cp was flowed through a prepack of formation sand over wire-wrap screen at a pressure gradient of 4800 psi/ft.…”

Magnolia Deepwater Experience—Frac-Packing Long Perforated Intervals in Unconsolidated Silt Reservoirs

“…The screens were designed with 75 µm nominal opening size to allow effective retention of formation grains and to act as "standalone screen" completions in case any voids were left in the gravel pack. 2,3 To provide durability, buckling resistance, and comply with the requirement for 75 µm opening size, premium metal mesh laminate screens, instead of wire wrapped or pre-packed screens, were selected for the B25 and other completions.…”

“…U.S. 30/60 Mesh ceramic proppant was selected because it provided the best balance of sand bridging, retained permeability and low plugging characteristics ( Figure 2). 2,3 Attaching shunt tubes to the screen OD was included as part of the screen design to help meet the challenge associated with gravel packing the screen/casing annular sections of long intervals. 4 The goal was to propagate fractures across most/all of the reservoir height with high pump rates (27 to 40 bbl/min) and gravel-pack the entire screen / casing annulus with the help of shunt tubes.…”