A One-Trip Gravel Packing System (1974)

This paper was prepared for the Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME Symposium on Formation Damage Control, to be held in New Orleans, La., Feb. 7–8, 1974. Permission to copy is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words. Illustrations may not be copied. The abstract should contain conspicuous acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper is presented. Publication elsewhere after publication in the JOURNAL paper is presented. Publication elsewhere after publication in the JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY or the SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS JOURNAL is usually granted upon requested to the Editor of the appropriate journal, provided agreement to give proper credit is made. provided agreement to give proper credit is made. Discussion of this paper is invited. Three copies of any discussion should be sent to the Society of Petroleum Engineers office. Such discussion may be presented at the above meeting and, with the paper, may be considered for publication in one of the two SPE magazines. Abstract In the last few years, radical changes have been designed into gravel packing systems that have upgraded and modified both surface and subsurface methods of sand control completions. One of the most significant developments, a "One-Trip" Gravel Packing System, has been successfully field Packing System, has been successfully field tested on numerous wells in Louisiana Gulf Coast offshore fields. The system utilizes a new type of retrievable packer with seal bore assembly mated to a crossover tool that contains an extension assembly with failsafe valving and setting tool. The system is adaptable for use in single and dual gravel pack completions or multiple alternate zone completions. Field experience indicates that the new system is flexible, simple, and improves gravel packing methods and results. Its use has reduced rig time required to gravel pack wells and has decreased the possibility of damaging producing formations. The "One-Trip" Gravel Packing System is designed to be used with and take advantage of new and recently developed techniques for preventing and minimizing formation damage. preventing and minimizing formation damage. The gravel packing method utilizing the system starts with strict adherence to specifications for completely clean filtered work fluids. These fluids are spotted in the well prior to perforating and are utilized through prior to perforating and are utilized through final completion. Perforations are opened, completely cleaned and washed to create a cavity in the producing zone opposite the perforations. perforations. The first and second stage gravel pack is performed utilizing a clean work string, filtered fluids and the crossover by-pass features of the new system. The entire procedure requires only one trip to set packer procedure requires only one trip to set packer and a two-stage pack. The retrievable seal bore packer, tied into the top of the liner, is set during the "One-Trip" operation and remains in the hole to serve as the production packer as well as a liner packer. The retrievable packer will allow remedial operations such as washing the liner and screen or chemical treatment of producing zone. This packer allows for producing zone. This packer allows for complete retrieval of the screen, liner and packer with a minimum of time and trouble. packer with a minimum of time and trouble.