Standalone Screens in Angola's Girassol Field
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Raed fouadStandalone Screens in Angola's Girassol Field
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Powered by AIStandalone screen tests simulate bridging against a screen, plugging of the natural sand pack or screen, and solids production through the screen, allowing for the appropriate selection of screens. Such tests are advantageous because they enable comparison between dissimilar screen types, like wire-wrapped versus woven screens, despite the uniqueness of formation sand which affects screen performance in varying sand particle ranges. These tests highlight the mechanical reliability of the screen by using real screen and formation samples, creating a practical basis for decision making .
Wire-wrapped screens in the Girassol field offer a design that promotes self-cleanliness without requiring the expansive inflow area provided by premium screens, which testing found unnecessary. This advantage is particularly important in handling the often complex nature of the formation sands and ensuring efficient sand control and long-term reliability, contributing to reduced operational costs and maintenance needs .
In the Girassol field, mud conditioning (using 210 mesh, with finer solids mud of 310 mesh spotted across the open hole) is critical to prevent clogging and ensure efficient operation of wire-wrapped standalone screens. This thorough conditioning process minimizes the inclusion of large particles that could block the screens, thereby maintaining effective filtration and sand control .
A uniform inflow profile minimizes screen erosion in high-rate wells of the Girassol field by ensuring even flow distribution along the well. This balance reduces localized high flow velocities that can cause erosion. Stable arches that form at lower rates help maintain these uniform profiles by providing structural support to the formation, thus protecting screens from wear induced by excessive flow turbulence and velocity variations .
In the Girassol field, the use of ECPs was abandoned because rock testing indicated that the shale intervals would creep and self-isolate without generating excess fines. This natural ability to isolate effectively negated the need for ECPs, optimizing the process by removing this step .
A slurry test is appropriate for the selection of standalone screens because it effectively simulates conditions where the formation rock fails and is transported to the screen. Unlike gravel packs or compliantly expanded screens, standalone screens must handle entire solids and formation fragments. Slurry tests provide insights into how screens will perform under realistic flow conditions, offering a reliable method for assessing their capability to manage physical loads and sand production .
Wire-wrapped standalone screens are more suitable for high-angle wells in the Girassol field due to their self-cleaning design that efficiently manages the flow and prevents screen erosion. The systematic clean-up approach with step rates of 2000 bpd ensures the formation of stable arches at low rates, minimizing flow velocities and erosion. Additionally, the use of wire-wrapped screens was preferred over premium screens because testing identified no advantage in the higher inflow area provided by premium screens .
Comparing different filtration technologies presents challenges due to the uniqueness of formation sand and the diverse responses of screens to various sand particle ranges. This uniqueness makes it difficult to establish standardized comparison criteria, thus complicating decision-making. The variances in sand composition and behavior necessitate customized testing and evaluation for each specific setting, limiting broad applicability of comparative results and requiring detailed case studies for accurate assessments .
Pressure build-up analyses offer a cost-effective alternative to Performing Production Logging Tests (PLTs), allowing the prediction of effective percentage contribution along the well length. In the Girassol field, this method ensures continuous monitoring and management of inflow profiles without incurring the expenses associated with frequent PLTs, enhancing the understanding of production dynamics and optimizing well management .
The continuous production of fine sand through screen gaps implies that surface or subsea facilities must be designed to handle this persistent presence of fines. This requires robust separation and handling systems to effectively manage the sand, ensuring that equipment wear and maintenance burdens are minimized. It is crucial to communicate this characteristic to engineering teams involved in designing the infrastructure to prevent operational issues .