Publications

Sandstone formations in the Mamburungan Field of Tarakan Island, North Kalimantan have a history of sand production especially from shallow gas reservoirs. Gravel packs using third party services have been proven to extend production lifetime and increase cumulative production. However, the remote location of Tarakan Island and cost of the gravel pack job has limited application with third-party services which must be mobilized from far away. The Operator, PT. Medco E&P Indonesia, has developed its own gravel pack, nicknamed Do-It-Yourself or DIYGP, based on techniques and procedures which rely mostly locally-manufactured tools in order to reduce cost and so extend application of gravel packs to previously uneconomic candidates. So far the DIYGP has been applied per design in just one well with a cost reduction of over 90% compared to third party jobs. And, after five (5) months with cumulative production of 17.7 MMscf, the well continues to produce sand-free. Payout time for the DIYGP for this particular well is one and a half (1.5) months. However, testing indicates a significant positive skin, and efforts are underway to improve the technique and extend it to other candidates.