Case Study: Innovative Sand-Screen Technology Resolves Offshore Nigeria Water-Injection Issues
Authors: Moradi Mojtaba , Ngerebara Justus , Alawode Olusiji 
Published: April 2024

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During continuous injection, reservoir solids usually remain within the reservoir. However, prolonged or abrupt well shut ins can trigger intense transient flow phenomena like water hammer, backflow, and crossflow, causing fines and matrix sands to migrate and accumulate in the wellbore (SPE 187103). As a result, the accumulation of debris can markedly reduce structural integrity and the overall long-term viability of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) from the injection wells.

This issue had become particularly evident in an offshore field situated in the southern region of the Niger Delta. Over time, buildup in the well led to a substantial decrease in injection rates, which had significantly shortened the operational lifespan of the wells to just a few years at the anticipated injection rates. Various remediation technologies were attempted, such as tubing-installed valve and backflow-restrictor technology but both proved ineffective in resolving annular-flow and crossflow issues.

To prevent potentially expensive and complex interventions, sidetracking, or wellbore abandonment, further analyses by the operator, SNEPCo, concluded that an effective solution necessitated deployment as close to the sandface within the injector wells as possible. The Cascade system, a check-valve system developed by TAQA Well Completions (formerly Tendeka), was then successfully deployed in three wells to maintain the required injection volumes for efficient pressure maintenance and reservoir sweep.

Non-Return Valve Screen Technology

Establishing a reliable flow-control system for the lower completion requires engineering the check-valve components to seamlessly integrate within the sand-control screens for deployment across multiple zones of the injection tubing.

The non-return valve (NRV) employs a three-component design comprising a valve body, valve insert, and ball. Ball check valves are installed on the screen base pipe under a shroud that allows the injection of fluid into the reservoir and prevents any backflow from the reservoir during shut ins. The system features a flow-control check valve integrated within traditional sand screens that do not alter completion geometry (Fig. 1). With a metal-to-metal seal, it essentially isolates fluid in the completion annulus and locks injection water into the formation.

The NRV has been designed to handle a variety of well conditions including erosion, plugging, temperature, and repeated checking cycles. All flow-control device components are manufactured with high-alloy stainless steel and tungsten carbide components to resist tortuous downhole conditions for up to 15 years.

Developed in 2018, more than 2,000 of the valves have already been successfully installed in several wells globally. As this new sand-control technology can autonomously and immediately isolate the reservoir from the wellbore during shut ins, the technology offers additional benefits.

- Nonintrusive nature for intervention tools

- Unhindered access to the lower completion sandface during injection and intervention

- Durability throughout the well’s operational life

- Compatibility with openhole standalone screens, gravel- pack completions, direct wrap or metal mesh screens

- Cost-effectiveness compared to other options