SPE 166273

Application of Sand Control Modeling Software in a Deepwater Multizone

Frac Pack: A Case Study
Hong Zhu, Kevin Joseph, Peter Chok, Baker Hughes

Copyright 2013, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, 30 September2 October 2013.
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Abstract
This paper presents sand control software capabilities and modeling considerations for sand control operations. A case study
that captures the planning and execution challenges of predicting work string behavior in a two-zone Frac Pack operation in a
deepwater well in the Gulf of Mexico will be presented. The integrated sand control software was used to calculate a suitable
set-down weight before the main treatment, taking into account the combined effects of ballooning, thermal gradients,
buckling and piston effects unique to the single-trip multi-zone tool system deployed. The net weight at the packer as
predicted by the modeling software was compared to downhole gauge data collected during the operation. A summary of
lessons learned and future enhancements will be discussed as well.
Introduction
In many sandstone reservoirs, sand control is vital to reliable production where unexpected sand production can lead to
erosion, loss of integrity, and potential safety concerns. One way to control sand production is a Frac Pack completion
system. To ensure a successful Frac Pack operation, critical effects on the work string and packer must be taken in account
during the planning stages. This consideration is required because there are few direct feedbacks available during the
operation. The combined effects of ballooning, piston, cooling, buckling and pumping may cause large tool movement that
must be offset with a set-down weight on the packer to ensure the correct relative position between the work string and the
packer. During the entire sand control operation, it is critical to understand the set-down weight requirements and how that
requirement affects the integrity of the packer assembly.
Sand Control Software Capabilities
An integrated sand control modeling software has been developed to support the simulation for all sand control tools and
operations including single and multi-zone Frac Pack and Gravel Pack completions. The Frac Pack and Gravel Pack
simulations were integrated together because both use a crossover tool and share similar hydraulic modeling.

Integrated Sand
Control Modeling
Software

Guidance

Sand Control
Operations

Feedback

Frac
Pack
Gravel
Pack

Fig. 1 Sand Control Software Capabilities

Fig. 1 shows the sand control software capabilities. The integrated sand control modeling software is intended to provide prejob sand control simulations to support Frac Pack and Gravel Pack operations. It can simulate the key parameters during the
sand control job, such as weight on packer, buckling effect, maximum work string stress, etc. The field data collected from
sand control operations can be compared with the simulation results to verify and improve the sand control modeling. The
sand control software can be re-used in a post-job analysis to summarize lessons learned.