Advances in Horizontal Openhole Gravel Packing

Abstract

Summary Technological advancement in horizontal drilling and openhole completing techniques for soft-rock formations finally has bridged the gap between the drilling and completion disciplines. The success achieved with openhole gravel packing has created a mainstay completion technique that has been used in deepwater developments in Brazil and West Africa to deliver reliable, high-rate well completions. The technology also has been an enabler for heavy-oil developments [American Petroleum Inst. (API) gravity < 20°, y > 0.934] in Brazil and the North Sea that otherwise would have been uneconomical. This article discusses where the industry started, how technology has evolved, and the lessons learned that are being applied to increase the application envelope and reliability of this completion method. The review covers advances in openhole-drilling techniques that eliminate hole tortuosity, gravel-pack fluids that can reduce rig time and enhance well productivity, and improvements in downhole tools that have, or potentially will, reduce risk while reducing completion cycle time. This review also will briefly examine a possible replacement technology.