Challenge / Summary:

Well start-up at lower operating pressures, therefore increased velocity and erosion potential, thus the requirement for acoustic sand monitoring and sand management consultancy.

Prerequisite work involved flow assurance relating to erosional velocity / rate limitations based on industry best practice guidance.

The change of operations to MP compression resulted in an increased drawdown on the current producing wells. Thus, the wells are currently producing within the “sand potential” region. Support was required to optimise wells with respect to solids production.

Considerations:

The concern is mainly due to the issues relating to reducing the well bore pressures considerably, which will increase differential pressure across the reservoir sand face (increased drawdown), hence increasing sand production risk. Whilst at the same time, increasing flowrate (both actual and standard) and reducing the topside operating pressure.

The net effect of the above is that there will be increase in both sand production rates and well / flowline velocities.

A velocity limitation (20m/s) was introduced for flowlines upstream of separation as per DNV GL RP0501 managing sand production and erosion guidance.

Solutions:

SMS assisted in development of well operating guidelines which resulted in excellent flow step test data for each well. Thus, allowing the reservoir manager to gain valuable insights into her wells.

SMS have a proven track record in supporting operators during pressure reduction campaigns for the purposes of safe well optimisation; therefore, were able to offer bespoke solids management consultancy and flow assurance support for this Gas Storage application. 

SMS provided onshore consultancy support during multi-disciplininary risk assessments which extended to offshore support during critical phases of well start-up and at the initial pressure reduction phase to ensure a 24hrs coverage. 

Results:

Thirteen (13) wells successfully optimised, each well demonstrated initial liquids and transient solids; however, SMS support enabled the operator to have increased confidence to continue with the initial ramp-up.

Our unique approach to sand management involves an in-depth investigation into the real cause of your problem, helping our clients make the right decision for the future rather than simply resorting to short-term monitoring or removal.

Value to Client:

Our approach encourages collaboration between departments and facilitates bringing production, integrity, facilities and reservoir teams to work together to discuss the data and work out why the problems identified by the data are occurring to achieve the following:

• reduce integrity defects
• avoid filling a well with sand because it’s been produced too hard
• help departments collaborate so common problems are shared and costs are reduced.
• make better decisions - faster.
• achieve improved optimum production levels.

Contact:

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