Patent ID: 8316939
Filing Date: 2012-11-27
Classification: C09K,E21B

Abstract:
1. A method of installing a sand control screen assembly in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the wellbore comprising a cased section and an uncased section and containing a synthetic or an oil-based drilling fluid containing drilled solids, wherein the uncased section is liner-less, the method comprising: introducing a first water-based displacement fluid that contains a shale inhibitor into the wellbore to displace the synthetic or oil-based drilling fluids from the uncased, liner-less section of the wellbore; then introducing a second water-based displacement fluid into the wellbore to displace fluids within the cased section of the wellbore; and then running the sand control screen assembly to a selected depth within the uncased, liner-less section of the wellbore to facilitate a gravel packing operation.