Completion of Oil Wells

INTRODUCTION

The completion and/or termination of an oil well is an operational process that is

starts after the last casing pipe is cemented and is carried out in order to
to leave
the well producing hydrocarbon.

The primary objective of well completion is to obtain optimal production.

from hydrocarbons at the lowest cost. However, for this to happen, it must be done a
analysis
nodal to determine which production equipment, tools, and accessories must
to be employed
for the well to produce optimally, adapting to the characteristics of the
deposit
(type of formation, thrust mechanism, among others).

It should be noted that the choice of the termination system must take into account

information gathered, indirectly or directly, during drilling, from samples

of
canal, core sampling, formation testing, petrophysical analysis, PVT analysis and
the
geophysical exploitation records for the implementation of an operating program.

The operation program of a well is prepared and developed by the engineer.

project; and it is created based on the relevant information from the well drilling
a
intervene in case of being exploratory and neighboring wells, when dealing with wells at
development.
It consists of a planned order of operations that include record taking,
the
well cleaning, shot design, and production interval testing, in order to
of
explore the areas of interest for economic potential.

SCHEME
INTRODUCTION
SCHEME OF FIGURES

TABLE SCHEMA

Definition of Completion

Basic Completion Equipment

Pipe String

Shutter or packing

LAG Team

Settlement Nipples

Flow nipples

Bottles
 Circulation Manga

Completion accessories

Caps

Wellheads

Production or injection coating

Shirts and Hangers

Ribbed Shirts
Plain Shirts

Types of Well Completion

1. According to its characteristic on the face of the sand

1.1. Open Gap Completion

1.2. Completion to Lined Hole
According to the number of pipes
2.1. Simple Completion
2.2. Multiple Completion
3. Other types of Completions
3.1. Completion with Uncemented Slot Tube
3.2. Completion according to Geological Age

Completion to open or bare hole

Description
Types of completions for open or bare holes
 Completion to bare-free hole

Completion to bare hole - with slotted liner (without packing)

Naked hole - with ribbed lining and gravel packaging

Grooved covers or grilles

Grooved covers

Grills

Packaging with Gravel

Completing the Cased Hole Packed with Gravel

Completion of Open Hole Expanded with Packaged Gravel
Packaging with Type 'Top Set' Gravel

Completion with Set-Thru Type Gravel Pack

Packaging with Gravel 'Correctors'

CONCLUSION
4

SCHEME OF FIGURES

Figure No. 1. Simple completion with packing

Figure No. 2. Open Hole Completion
Figure No. 3. Completion of Cased Hole
Figure No. 4. Simple Completion without Packing
Figure No. 5. Simple Completion with Packing
Figure No. 6. Multiple Double Zone Completion with a String
Figure No. 7. Multiple Completion of two zones with two strings.
Figure No. 8. Multiple Completion of three zones with two strings.

Figure No. 9. Completion with Uncemented Slotted Pipe

Figure No. 10. Completion of well to open-hole-free and completion of well to hole
naked with ribbed cover and packed with gravel.
Figure No. 11. Completion to a bare-free hole
Figure No. 12. Completion to bare hole - with ribbed lining (without packing)

Figure No. 13. Bare hole - with corrugated lining and gravel packing

TABLE SCHEMA

Table No. 1. Pipe diameters according to Production.

Table No. 2. Working Series and Pressures
Table No. 3. Commercially Available Gravel Sizes
5
Completion

It is the preparation of a well to put it into economic production, it consists of

the design, selection, and installation of pipe fittings and other tools within
del
well, with the purpose of producing the well in a controlled manner, pumping crude out of the

same and inject some fluid into the formation. This stage is the result of
different
studies conducted on the well, starting from exploration to the evaluation of the well in
flow some time after being pierced.

Subsequently, after the well is cased and cemented, each productive horizon is
permanently in contact with the well, allowing the flow of fluids from the
reservoir
towards the surface through the production tubing and the appropriate equipment to control
the
flow rate. The contact with each horizon can be reached directly (to
hole
open) or by cannonading through the casing pipe.
6

Figure No. 1. Simple completion with packing

In the completion of the well, the following aspects must be taken into account:

Hole Lining: It refers to the way of protecting the hole with piping.
of
coating, according to the depth and types of producing formations.

Disposition of the Production Equipment: It consists of the design of the piping equipment,
gaskets, nipples, among others, that connected to each other, allow the production of areas
with hydrocarbons.

Number of Producing Zones: Refers to the number of productive lenses in

possibility of being open to production, which depends on its potential and depth.

Basic Completion Equipment

The selection of the components and parts of a completion depends on the

operational requirements of the field, well, or reservoir in order to achieve
efficiency
security and economic production. Their purpose is to transport the fluids from
the
producer training up to the wellhead safely, for the personnel
and the
installations. There are many types of components available and each one is
specific
due to its function or dimensional variations. The primary components of a
completion is:

Pipe Thread
It is the main conduit for transporting oil in a controlled manner from the
Deposit up to the surface (wellhead). The production tubing is assembled.
for the
general along with different accessories forming the framework of the completion.

Such configuration will depend on the conditions of the well and the mode of
production. These pipes can have different diameters and through this
maintains the
production or injection control; it also facilitates service operations
in the
well, such as fine wire jobs and circulation.

The selection and design of a pipe is a fundamental part of the completion of

a well, for this there is a set of acceptable practices, among which there are
they find
those established by the API:

Maximum and minimum values of yielding stresses.

Minimum values of yielding internal pressure.
Minimum percentage of elongation in two-inch long test sections.
Typical hardness values.
Recommended torque.
The maximum limit of yielding stresses and the minimum elongation are very important factors.

important and are taken very into account by manufacturers.

The steel grades recommended by the API establish the chemical composition,
physical and mechanical properties of the pipe. Each grade is assigned a letter.
and a
number that reflects the minimum yield strength of the material, such as N-80, J-55, C-95, C-75
y
P-105.

This effort may be sufficient to withstand forces in the pipe caused by

pressure and temperature changes at depth. The pipe must withstand stresses
significant of Tension, Collapse and Burst.

The diameter of the pipe is selected based on the flow or pumping rate.
Estimated for the well. The flow or pumping rate is determined with an analysis.
of
Curves based on the Inflow Behavior of the Reservoir and the Pipeline.

For producing wells (Considering Heavy Crude)

Up to 300 bppd
Diameter of 2-3/8”
From 300-800 bppd
Diameter of 2-7/8”
From 800-1500 bppd
Diameter of 3-1/2"
From 1500 bppd onwards
Diameter of 4-1/2"

Table No. 1. Pipe diameters according to Production.

Pipe connections are the mechanical device used to join sections.
of tubing, bottom equipment, and accessories to form a string of tubing with
characteristics
geométricas y funcionales específicas. Estas juegan un papel muy importante dentro
del
design of the production or injection string, due to the fact that more than 90% of the failures that

The pipe strings suffer from the connections, which account for about 10%.
of
the total length of the pipe.
There are 2 types of pipe connections:

- NU Connection: They have 10 turns of threads. They have a lower resistance than the
delete
body of the tube.

EUE Connection: They have 8 turns per thread and a resistance greater than that of the body.
tube. These are the most used because it provides a reliable service to the majority of the
wells.

Shutter or gasket

It is a backing tool used to provide a seal between the pipe of

production and the casing pipe in order to avoid vertical movement of
fluids
from the packing through the annular space upwards. Among its functions are:

Confining the pressures at the bottom of the well, preventing the formation pressure from between
the
annular pipe-liner.
Protect the casing pipe from bursting under high production conditions or
injection pressures and corrosive fluid pressures.

Keep the formation fluids away from the casing section that is about
on top of the packing.
Isolate perforations and production zones in multiple completions.
Allow the use of certain artificial lifting methods.

A typical gasket contains elements that attach it to the walls of the

covering
giving stability to the bottom of the string, these elements are called wedges, and
they present
differential arrangements depending on the stresses that the packer will undergo in
depth. Also, all the gaskets have sealing elements capable of
separate
sections of the casing with the pipe. The packing is classified according to its method
of
settlement, its grip type and its possibility of recovery at the surface.

According to their settlement pattern:

9

Mechanics: they are recoverable gaskets whose settling mechanism is

carry out
with manipulation of the tubing (rotation, weight, and/or tension). It is used in vertical wells

shallow wells. They resist pressures from 3000 to 6000 lpc.

- Hydraulic: they settle by applying fluid pressure through the pipe. It is used in
vertical and directional wells, also in selective completions. They resist pressures.
up to 7000lpc.

- Permanents: they are designed for high pressure and temperature wells, in
completions
where fracture work is anticipated in the future, in selective completions and
mainly in exploratory wells where the characteristics of the
deposit. They can be settled through two mechanisms with electric wire and with
working pipe. It is part of the liner as it is anchored and does not retract, and there is
that milling for its removal. They withstand pressures from 10000lpc.

According to its grip:

Simple Grip: they have wedges above or below the sealing element.
Resist
3000lpc pressures.

Double Grip: it has wedges above and below the sealing element. It resists
pressures of approximately 7000lpc.

LAG Team

They are equipment made up of mandrels that are part of the production tubing and
valves are installed in them that will be used for artificial lift by gas
a
the required depths allowing gas in the pipeline. Additionally, it
use in
selective completions to close and seal production controls in the pipeline
educator.
 Settlement Nips

It is a tubular device connected to the production pipeline that is placed at a

certain depth. Internally, they are designed to control production
in the
pipe. It measures 1 foot and serves to anchor tools such as valves
of
security, plugs or devices for monitoring production. They can
to be
Selective and Non-Selective, and they present different profiles: Niple S, N, X, R, XN, H, J, RRQ
y
F.

10

Flow nipples

It is used to reduce the turbulence that is created in the flow as a result of its
passing through some completion equipment. This relief is achieved through the use of
a
internal diameter greater than that of the equipment that creates turbulence. It is usually used
in
deep high-production and high-pressure wells, since in this type of completion
himself
they place several seating nipples that generate this turbulence, which is done
necessary
Place a flow nipple above the settlement nipples.

Bottles
They are nipples that serve the purpose of joining pipes of different diameters.

Circulation Mangas

It is a device that allows, just like the mandrels with circulation valves,
communicate the producing areas with the pipeline. It is designed with the purpose of allowing
o
restrict the circulation of fluid between the annulus of the casing and the production pipe or
vice versa; its internal profile allows for the placement of a Plug X.

Its main functions are:

In Selective Completion, it allows the selection of one or several areas to be produced.

Fluid Circular.
Circular Inhibitors.
Set the plugs X.

Completion accessories

There are tools that are not part of the completion string, but that
they place in it with the aim of fulfilling certain functions; normally these
tools
they are placed by means of wire. Among them, we can mention:

LAG Valves

11

They are placed in the pockets of baboons and their function is to regulate the entry of
artificial lifting gas from the production annulus to the pipe.

Safety valve

They are security devices that are placed on the settlement nipples and their
the function is to close the flow passage in case any is presented
abnormality
where a case of damage or inoperability of the surface valves or the
headboard
from the well; the aim of its installation is to protect personnel, the environment,
at the
crude reserves and surface facilities.

The safety valves can also be part of the production string, the
which are installed on a chuck that is screwed onto the same string (Not used extensively
scale).

There are different types of pipe Safety Valves, depending on whether it is operated
from the surface (surface control) or is activated automatically (control
subsuperficial
which will be closed or activated when there are variations in the
conditions
subsurface control valves are subdivided into pressure-operated and
in
differential security.

Caps

They are placed in the settlement nipples and their function is to isolate open areas.
production as well as securing the well, testing the piping, and allowing thermal insulations.

The plugs "X", "XN" and "H" are designed to block a pressure above and
inferior, which are placed with a Wire Line team. Each Plug profile is
designed to be seated on nipples that have the same profile as the plug
(Example:
the type "E" plug is seated in a "E" seat nipple.

Wellheads

It is a set of valves, hangers, and packing elements. Said equipment and its
accessories serve to produce the well safely. Their main functions are:

a. Control and direct the flow of fluids in and out using valves.
b. Hang the production pipe and the casings.

12

c. Sell spaces between pipes and casings at the surface level.

Parts of the Head

The head is made up of several sections which allow hanging for the different
pipes and lining and install the production facilities.

Lining head

The surface coating, at its top, is connected to the head of

coating, which has lateral valves that communicate with the surface annulus.

My headboard has a profile or bowl at its bottom, where the onion sits or
hanger of the production lining. This onion has some elastomers that serve as
sealing elements between both coverings that constitute the so-called primary seal.
This
the head section is known as section 'A'. In the case that there is a
coating
An additional header is necessary to place, which will also have two.
entries
lateral with its valves and a hanger on its upper part where it is suspended
to that
cladding.

Production pipe head

The production lining does not end in section A, but rather penetrates into the
mid part of the head, called production pipe head or section 'B'. This
headboard
It has two flanges, the lower one with a larger diameter than the upper one.

Additionally, it has two lateral entries with their valves, which serve to
allow the entry or exit of fluids through the annular space that exists between the
covering
and the pipe. At the bottom and inside of this head, there is a packing.
which
forms the secondary seal within which the coating is inserted.

This gasket expands horizontally and serves to seal any

communication between both coatings (surface and production) or between production
y
the outer part of the head. Inside the upper flange, the pipe hanger is placed
of
production (onion). This serves as a seal between the pipe and its annular space, which in this
level
13

it forms the inner wall of the headboard and down towards the inner wall of the
cladding of
production.

Adapter and master valve

The pipe does not end in the onion but continues upwards until it screws into
a piece called "Adapter", which is a double flange that is placed over the head.
of the
production pipeline. The master valve is placed on the upper flange of the adapter.
The
adapter, as its name suggests, is used to adapt the master valve to the
headboard of

pipe and this valve is used to control the flow through the pipe. The area of the
adapter
and the master valve is known as section C of the head.

Cruz del Pozo

From where the master valve ends, the last section of the header begins,
cross called the well or section D. It is formed by the flow cross, the two arms on each side
side of the cross with its respective valves, the bumpers at the end of each arm
and the

crown valve placed on top of the cross.

Series and Working Pressures

All the head equipment must be designed to withstand higher pressures.

than those in the deposits that are in contact with them through the linings and
of
the production pipeline.

Below is a list of the different series and their working pressures.

SERIES
WORK PRESSURE
600
2000Lpc
900
3000 Lpc
1500
5000 Lpc
3000
10,000 Lpc
4500
15,000 Lpc

Table No. 2. Series and Working Pressures.

14

This working pressure depends on the equipment series and can be calculated using
from the equation (working pressure = 10/3 * series).

To identify a head, the following has been agreed: The word Head is written.
and followed the series of sections with the diameters to which they correspond. When
the
The series of all sections is the same; it is written just once.

Production or injection coating

The final coating is the most important of all as it covers the area to be produced or
inject. Additionally, based on this, the completion equipment is designed, such
like:
production or injection pipeline, LAG equipment, plugs, etc.

This coating is intended to protect the producing layers of

hydrocarbons against landslides, also prevents communication between the oil interval
y
overlying gas-bearing strata or underlying aquifer strata. In wells of
double or triple termination, can be used as production tubing.

Shirts and Hangers

They are called sleeves for pipes that are not hung from the surface head but instead in
a team called hanger, which is attached to the main lining or the previous one, in total
There are 2 types of shirts, which are described below:

Ribbed Shirts

They are generally used in Miocene completions. They are packed with
Record 16-25 or 12-16 as sand control media to produce the fluids of
deposit
no problems. The criterion for selecting the diameter of the slotted sleeve is based on
that the
The minimum thickness to pack between this and the main lining must not be less than 1
inch

Plain Shirts

They are used in wells with lost circulation in the production zone. In this case the
the main lining is seated at the top of the interval, the hole is drilled with a
FDP in
formation pressure function, the casing is lowered and cemented over its entire length.
The
The hanger must be between 200 and 300 feet above the main liner's footing.
The most commonly used plain shirts are size 4.
1
/
2
and 5 inches.
15

Types of Well Completion

4. According to its characteristic on the face of the sand

4.1. Open Hole Completion

In the completion of Open Hole, the production casing is set above

from the producing area.

Figure No. 2. Completion to Open Hole

Advantages

The settlement of the lining at the top of the production area allows for the use
of special drilling techniques, which minimize damage to the formation.
The entire diameter of the hole is available for flow.
- Cannonading is generally not required. Sometimes cannonading is used in the
naked hole due to severe damage to the formation.
If the area is not going to be shelled, the interpretation of the hole profile is not critical.

The hole can be easily deepened or changed to a completion with lining and
pack with gravel.
16

Disadvantages

There is no way to regulate the flow to the hole.

Gas or water production cannot be effectively controlled.
It is difficult to selectively address the production intervals.
Periodic cleaning of the gap may be required.

4.2. Completion to Cased Hole

In the completion of cased and perforated holes, the casing is set through
the producer formation is cemented. Subsequently, it is blasted to establish
communication between the hole and the formation.
Figure No. 3. Completion to Lined Hole

Advantages

17

There are facilities for selective completion and for repairs at intervals.
producers.
Through selective cannons, gas production can be effectively controlled.
water.
The production of fluids in each area can be effectively controlled and monitored.
It is possible to make multiple completions
Selective stimulations can be performed.
The hole can be deepened, although with a smaller diameter.
Adaptations can be made for sand control using grooved jackets.
y
packaging with gravel.

Disadvantages
Precise analysis of the records is required and very good control of the depth.
del
hollow.
The cannoning of areas of great thickness can be costly.
One can incur in the reduction of the effective diameter of the hole and of productivity.
well.
A good cementing job is required through the producing intervals.

5. According to the number of pipes

5.1. Simple Completion

It is the one whose fundamental objective is to produce a single formation. For the
Design factors of this type of completion must consider the depth of
well
the diameters of the pipe and the casing, the differential pressures and the temperature
of
bottom.

Types

Without sealing

It is the one where gaskets are not placed to allow flow in the pipe.
production and the coating. This type of completion is applied to very high wells
productivity, whether of crude or gas.
18

Figure No. 4. Simple Completion without Packing

With gasket
It is where a seal is placed to prevent the flow through the space.
Anular. It is the type of completion that is most used in Venezuela.
19

Figure No. 5. Simple Completion with Packing

5.2. Completación Múltiple

It is one that has the fundamental objective of producing two or more deposits, in the
same well and without mixing the fluids from different reservoirs.

Advantages
Higher production rates and lower return times are obtained from
capital
inverted.
To separate areas that have different productivity indices, in order to prevent that
the high productivity zone injects oil into the low productivity zone.
To separate deposits with different production mechanisms, as it is
undesirable
produce reservoirs with water drive and one with gas drive.
To have appropriate control of the reservoir in order to avoid drained areas.
of
oil that is producing water or gas.
To produce oil zones below their critical rate.
To observe the behavior of the deposits.

Disadvantages

High initial investment for production pipes, packings, and fine wire equipment.
Possibilities of leaks through the production pipeline, from the seals and gaskets
the production gaskets.
Questions about carrying out stimulation and conversion treatments to lifting
artificial with gas.
Very high possibilities of fish originating during and after the
completion, which raises the costs for fishing equipment, services, and times
additional from cabria.

Types

Of double zone with a string

This type of completion uses a single pipe to produce one zone and leave another.
isolated zone. Generally uses two simple gaskets.
20

Figure No. 6. Multiple Completion of Dual Zone with a String

From two areas with two strands

This type of completion uses two production strings and two packers; one
simple, which is generally of a permanent type, and a hydraulic dual, which can be
conventional or selective settlement.
Figure No. 7. Multiple Completion of two zones with two strings.
21

Any of the areas can be adapted for production through artificial elevation.
This design can be completed with methods for sand control.

Of three zones with two strands

This type of completion uses two production tubing and three packers; one
simple and two hydraulic duals. Any of the areas can be adapted to produce
by artificial lift using gas.
Figure No. 8. Multiple Completion of three zones with two strings.
22

6. Other Types of Completions

6.1. Completion with Non-Cemented Slotted Liner

In the uncommunicated completion with slotted pipe, the production liner is

settled and cemented above the production area, and a slotted pipe is installed
to the
coating through a hanger. This method allows for packaging with sand.
Figure No. 9. Completion with Uncemented Grooved Pipe

Advantage

Decreased formation damage while drilling the producing zone.

Removal of the cannoning cost.
The interpretation of the records is not critical.
Possibility of using special sand control techniques.

Disadvantages

Difficulty in controlling gas or water production.

23

The production casing is set before drilling the target horizon.

Impossibility of selective stimulation.

3.2. Completion by Geological Age

It is determined by its geological age; Miocene, Eocene, and Cretaceous.

Completion to open or naked hole

It is a type of completion according to its characteristic on the surface of the sand.

Definition

In open hole completion, the production casing is set above

from the producing area.

Description

It involves running and cementing the liner to the top of the target area,
Subsequently, drilling continues with a fluid that does not cause damage to the area.
prospective
up to the base of the area, and the production hole is left free (without lining).

It is worth highlighting that this type of completion can only be carried out in reservoirs.

that are characterized by compact lithology, that is, strong formations suitable for
prevent
collapse. However, in our country this type of completion has been carried out
head in poorly consolidated formations corresponding to the geological age of
miocene
as long as a sand control technique is also used.

In addition, in this type of completions, there is no way to produce.

selectively or isolate intervals within the reservoir or the section of the hole
open.
As mentioned earlier, the production casing or liner is lowered and cemented by
on top
from the producing area, leaving the walls of the pit open for production.

However, it should be noted that the use of open hole completions is limited.
mainly to certain types of horizontal wells and to wells where the damage of
training
The fluids are severe. However, to prevent an unstable formation from collapsing
y
If blocked, slotted grates or perforated liners can be placed on the well walls.
to the
length of the entire section.
24

To conclude, in the case of non-consolidated formations or with some production of

arena, the gap in front of the production area is widened and packaging is done with gravel.

Figure No. 10. Completion of well to naked-free hole and completion of well to hole
naked-with ribbed lining and packed with gravel.

Types of completions for open or bare holes

There are three variants of completing a bare hole, which will depend on whether...
place
or a grooved cover in the target area and whether it is packed or not.

The following will describe each one:

Completion to bare-free hole.

Completion of naked hole with slotted lining (without packing).
Completion to open hole - with slotted lining and packing with gravel.

Completion to bare-free hole

The target area is left without any type of coating or grooved lining.

Advantages

Diameter of the hole.

25

Unrestricted flow.
Omission of the production lining and the casing.
Easy analysis of the records.
Easy future deepening.

Disadvantages

Does not control offensive fluids (water/gas).

It is not possible to complete/produce/stimulate selectively.
Irregular flow.
Limited to consolidated areas.
Periodic cleaning.

Figure No. 11. Completion to bare-free hole

Completion to bare hole - with slotted lining (without packing)

It consists of placing a slotted cover in front of the target area. This type of

Completion is commonly used to control the formation collapse in the reservoir.

of
poorly consolidated formations.

Advantages

Diameter of the hole.

26

Unrestricted flow.
Omission of the production liner and the casing.
Easy analysis of records.
Easy future deepening.
Control of sand production in unconsolidated formations.

Disadvantages

Does not control offensive fluids (water/gas).

It is not possible to complete/produce/selectively stimulate.
Irregular flow.
Periodic cleaning.

Figure No. 12. Completion to naked hole - with ribbed lining (without packing)

Naked hole - with ribbed lining and gravel packing

This practice is similar to that of the grooved sleeve without packing, the basic difference is that

This type of completion is used in Miocene age wells (loosely consolidated sands).
It consists of packing the gravel taking into account the granulometric analysis for selection.
del
size of it, as well as the expected final conductivity according to the design.

It should be noted that this type of completion aims to improve production.

oil by controlling sand production.
27

Advantages

Diameter of the hole.

Unrestricted flow.
Omission of the production liner and the perforation.
Easy analysis of the records.
Easy future deepening.
Control of sand production in unconsolidated formations.
It performs double filtration of the fluids from the reservoir and therefore there is a greater

control.

Disadvantages

Does not control offensive fluids (water/gas).

It is not possible to complete/produce/selectively stimulate.
Irregular flow.
Periodic cleaning.

Figure No. 13. Naked hole - with grooved lining and gravel packing
28

Grooved covers or grids

They are used in completions to prevent sand production. These liners and
Grilles are basically porous pipes, where the size of the pores, that is, the width
of
the slots or the size of the openings are strictly controlled in such a way that the
arena
It may become trapped in the openings of the pores.

The width of the slots and the size of the openings in the grid is what is called
caliber. The caliber of a slot or grid is nothing more than the width of the opening in inches.
divided by 1000. For example, a grid with a gauge of 12 has an opening of
0.012 in.

Grooved covers

They are made with the standard tubulars used in oil fields,
opening a series of longitudinal slots through the wall of the tube with blades of
hill or
laser cutters. The width of the slot is sized to be slightly less than the
grain of
the packing sand with gravel. However, the grooves can be straight or shaped like
trapezium.

On the other hand, the grooved liners can be manufactured in different geometries.
such as: horizontal grooves, simple grooves - straight rows, simple grooves - zigzag row.
zag and
multiple slots zig-zag.

The cost is the main advantage of the ribbed lining compared to the grid.
Regarding the disadvantage, the flow area is limited, which results in a low tolerance to
tamponade.

Grids
It consists of a stainless steel wire spiral around a structure of
support, forming a tube. The main advantage of the grids compared to the
forró
grooved, it is the largest flow area. The area of a typical sleeve will be 2 to 12 times
mayor
that a flanged cover depending on the caliber.

29

Packing with Gravel

From the unconsolidated deposits along with gas, oil, and water, one can...
to produce loose grains of sand and fine particles like silt. The installation
de
terminations to control sand production without sacrificing productivity, the control
Obtaining flow or recoverable reserves is difficult and costly; that is why operators
they need reliable measures to control sand production from the first
moment.
This sand production depends on the rocks, the efforts on site, the
fluids
produced and the flow rate concerning the drop in production.

The problems associated with sand production range from its handling and
removal on the surface up to the erosion of subsurface and surface equipment,
the
loss of well control, blockages that are reflected in the increase in costs
y
losses in production; in addition to generating risks of accidents due to irreparable damage
en
the safety valves. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to take into account when
complete the well if there is going to be sand production and what method will be
to be
applied for its mitigation.

The most common methods for sand control always include some type of
a mechanism that is installed at the bottom of the well, one of the most commonly used is the Packing
with
Record, this is an effective sand production control method, which consists of
to put
grains or gravel around mechanical filters or metal gravel filters inside
of the
open or cased wells with shots, which will serve to prevent production
no
desired formation sand.

The gravel is clean, round natural sand or synthetic material that is sufficiently
small to exclude grains and some fine particles from the produced fluids, but
the
large enough to stay in place by the gravel filters. With this
method, a transport-gravel fluid slurry is pumped into the blasts and in the
space
to annul that exists between the gravel filters and the open or cased well with shots. The
gravel
it is deposited as the transport fluid is lost in the formations or circulates from
return
to the surface through gravel filters.

In practice, the correct size of sand for the gravel pack is selected.
multiplying the average size of the formation sand grains by four and by
eight
30

in order to achieve a range of sand packing sizes with gravel whose average
sea
six times larger than the average size of the forming sand grains. Said
range
calculated is compared with the available commercial grades of packing sand with
gravel.
The available sand is chosen that corresponds to the calculated range of sand sizes.
of
packaging with gravel. In the case that this calculated range is located between the ranges
of
size of the packing sand with gravel available on the market will be selected by
lo
general packaging sand with smaller gravel.
Some Available Gravel Sizes
Commercially
Gravel size
(Malla U.S.)
Size range
(inches)

8/12
-0.094 to -0.066

12/20
.066 - .033

20/40
.033 - .017

40/60
.017 - .0098

50/70
.012 - .0083

Table No. 3. Sizes of Commercially Available Gravel

The main objective of carrying out a gravel packing job is to restrict

the sand production that comes from the formation without excessively reducing the
productivity, for this the most important thing is to make a good design of the packaging. During
the
in the design process, the selection of the packing sand must be taken into account, the
training
that is going to be packaged, the treatment fluids to be used, the grid device
and the

placement technique.

To determine the size of pack sand with gravel required, you must
evaluate samples of the formation sand, in order to determine the average diameter of the
grains and the distribution of their size. The quality of the sand used is
tan
important as its proper sizing.

31

The American Petroleum Institute (API) has established in its Practices

Recommended 58 (RP58) the minimum specifications that all sand must meet
of
packaging with gravel.

Completion to Cased Hole Packed with Gravel

This method uses a combination of grid and gravel to establish a process of
filtration at the bottom of the well. The grate is placed along the perforations and a
gravel packaging with an adequate distribution of sand is placed around the
grate
and in the drilling. After this, the gravel pack sand in the
drillings and
in the ring of the grid - coater filters the sand and/or fines from the formation while the
Grill filters the sand from the packing with gravel.

A variety of techniques are used to place the grid in front of the perforations and
control the placement of the gravel. The choice of the most suitable technique will depend on
the
particular characteristics of the well such as depth, thickness of the interval, pressure
of
Training, etc. The numerous fluid systems and tools are available.
for
improve the final production of the gravel-packed well. The different techniques
more
These are known: Reverse flow, Crossover flow, and Washdown Technique.

Completely fill the drilling tunnels with pack gravel is a

essential requirement for a successful completion in cased hole. Pack the
Perforations ensure the longevity of the completion by preventing formation sand.
I entered and plugged the tunnels and/or the packing with gravel in the annular space. While packing the

drillings, the material with the highest permeability is located in the critical area of linear flow,
a
through the drilling tunnel, which leads to a minimal pressure drop.

Advantages

There are facilities for selective completion and for repairs at intervals.
producers.
Through selective cannoning, the production of can be effectively controlled.
gas and water.

The fluid production of each area can be controlled and observed with

effectiveness.
It is possible to make multiple completions.

Disadvantages
36

A good cementing is essential, the casing pipe must be firm to

facilitate milling operations and maintain alignment between the upper and lower part
from the casing pipe.

Gravel Packs 'Handlers'

These gravel 'corrective' packagings are generally carried out in wells that
they were not originally packed, but they have started to produce sand from
way
uncontrollable. Questions often arise regarding the success of the packaging with
gravel, in formations that have already produced formation sand with packers with
gravel
placed in the initial completion.
37

CONCLUSION

The final completion of a well represents the result of many studies that
although they are carried out separately, they have a single goal, namely, the attainment of
oil
applying the best completion and production techniques at the lowest cost and from that
form
obtain better profitability.
To develop the completion planning, it will be necessary to have the
information about the well to be intervened and the neighboring wells; this will consist of
records
geofísicos, muestras de canal, corte de núcleos, gasificaciones, pérdida de circulación,
correlations, training tests. This information will be evaluated for the purpose
of
determine the areas of interest, and through a nodal analysis, the designs will be created.
shots,
production pipe diameters and choke diameters to improve the
production of the deposit.

The selection and appropriate design of well completion schemes

perforated, constitute a decisive part within operational, productive performance and
development of a field. The effectiveness and safety of the established link between
in
The deposit and the surface depend on the correct and strategic arrangement of all.
the
parameters that make it up, in this way we can talk about the productivity of the well
in
completion function, which includes an analysis of its mechanical conditions and of the
economic profitability that justifies their existence.