Publications

Cased Hole Sand Control techniques have been applied in Indonesian fields for many years using simple stacked gravel-packs. While comporting limited technical risks, conventional techniques require considerable rig time for multiple zone sand control. Increased rig prices render lengthy multiple zone gravel-packs increasingly less economic, this challenges the operator's reservoir needs. Total E&P Indonesie' faced this challenge on both the Sisi-Nubi development and the Handil/Bekapai infill campaign where developments feature multiple zones with sand control. To reduce capital cost, Total E&P Indonesie' opted to employ single trip multiple zone gravel-packing (STMZ) techniques. The STMZ techniques combine multiple gravel-packs into a "single service string trip operation," significantly reducing the completion cost in exchange for increased complexity and risk. Since 2005, Total E&P Indonesie' has completed 14 wells with STMZ technology. Two different techniques have been applied with the new single wash pipe system delivering promising results. The STMZ technique was selected for the challenging Sisi-Nubi development at the preproject stage in 2003 because of the potential to improve economic performance. A dedicated task force, including service providers and gravel-pack technology experts, was formed to develop and implement the new STMZ technology at Sisi and Nubi. A step by step approach combined with detailed job preparation and supervision helped to manage risks. Up to five zones in single well, have been successfully frac-packed / gravel-packed in a single trip across a 380 m SSTMZ Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA). Up to 3 zones have been successfully treated in a single trip across a 610 m treating interval within a single BHA that was over 1,000 m long. The savings on the Sisi-Nubi field are estimated at 30 million US$ over 21 wells in the first project phase. Additional savings should be possible on the Sisi-Nubi project in future phases.