Comparison of Inflow Performance and Reliability of Open Hole Gravelpacks and Open Hole Stand-Alone Screen Completions

Abstract

Abstract Open Hole Gravelpacks and Open Hole Stand-Alone Screen Completions are used in many high rate oil and gas wells. Selection criteria for determining the applicability of these alternative completion techniques tends to be company specific with proponents of Open Hole Gravelpacks claiming significantly better productivity and reliability than Open Hole Stand-Alone Screens. Review of laboratory and field data in this study shows these claims to be erroneous. This paper presents results of well productivity studies from field and laboratory data comparing Open Hole Gravelpack and Open Hole Stand-Alone Screen flow performance. Key completion design and installation parameters driving performance for each completion type are indentified and discussed. Field well life and reliability data are also reviewed to show that properly designed and installed open hole completions have reliability statistics similar to those seen in cased hole gravelpacks and frac-packs. Design criteria using an integrated reservoir characterization, laboratory testing and field installation procedure are provided to allow better selection between Open Hole Gravelpacks and Open Hole StandAlone Screen completions.