Completions
Three papers are highlighted as the primary contributions because of their broad industry relevance. They focus on improving formation particle-size characterization, expanding the application of openhole gravel packs in depleted and compartmentalized reservoirs, and advancing the understanding of capillary pressure in sand production.
By integrating experimental and mathematical modeling approaches, this work aims to advance the understanding of sand-detachment dynamics and formation instability under varying saturation conditions.
This paper aims to establish a set of best practices for generating particle-size-distribution data from core samples.
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A company known for being a pioneer in methods built on imaging ultratight rock at the core level has built a business testing drilling cuttings to help identify productive, fracturable rock to help operators design better completions. -
This paper describes experiences, challenges, and approaches to solving the problems related to creating an advanced early kick-detection system suitable for floating mobile offshore drilling units.
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Operators in the North Sea have been concerned about the ability of the cement sheath to maintain sealing integrity because of the increasing number of reported failures in mature wells. This paper presents results from a new laboratory setup to visualize the source of issues.
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One of the biggest ways to lower the cost of production from shale would be to identify zones that are productive, or not, before fracturing them.
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This paper identifies current development paradigms and discusses the future challenges in well planning, product development, and regulation.
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Achieving greater efficiency in perforation systems can help lower operating costs, particularly when completing long horizontal wellbores in unconventional plays.
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What is observed when an unconventional well is fractured is often at odds with what was expected by those who planned the job.
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When it comes to hydraulic fracturing, steadiness may not be a virtue. That was the conclusion of a test to see if rapid pump rate variations would lead to greater production than conventionally fractured stages when the pressure was held steady.
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Two places that illustrate the mounting challenges facing the shale business are the Bakken Shale in North Dakota, where the number of working rigs is one-third what it was a year ago, and the Fayetteville Shale in Arkansas, where there are no more working rigs.
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A refracturing campaign in the Permian yielded a production gain that allowed payback on the investment within 6–12 months.
