First Horizontal Deployment of Remedial Conformable Sand Control Technology in Colombia - Qualification and Case Study

Abstract Remedial sand control is challenging as the solution must pass through restrictions in the upper completion then ideally conform to the inner diameter of the zone requiring sand control. This paper describes the qualification of a multi-layer, open cell matrix polymer (OCMP) solution for the first horizontal deployment in an offshore gas well. Initial sand retention testing was conducted using a specially designed apparatus that allowed the OCMP to be evaluated at different levels of compression using formation sand suspended in water. The next set of tests were then conducted using equipment capable of replicating field gas flow rate through the optimized OCMP to evaluate sand retention, plugging and erosion. In this case, a sand pack was generated using commercially available sands and clays matched to the formation sand particle size distribution to replicate near wellbore conditions. It was observed in the initial tests when applying 50% compression, that the OCMP was effective at retaining sand with minimal additional pressure with only 0.026lb/ft2 sand passing throughout the duration of the test. Similar results were seen in the second set of tests where there was zero sand production and no indication of plugging observed neither during the retention tests or after pressure cycling. Erosion of the outer OCMP layer was observed but was filled with sand preventing further erosion of the inner layer. Compatibility with common oilfield fluids including oil, brine, solvents, hydrochloric acid, and hydrofluoric acid was also conducted with no material degradation being experienced. It was concluded that the system was suitable for the application, and it is the intention to deploy the OCMP system on all 3 wells. This paper introduces, for the first time, an innovative solution capable of being deployed remedially through tight tubing restrictions while providing conformant sand control in a horizontal wellbore without the need for gravel packing making the solution particularly valuable for scenarios where surface space is limited.