In Well Assembly of Sand Screens Using Electric Line Deployed Power Mechanical Solution Provide Efficient, Cost-Effective Sand Control

Abstract An offshore well in East Malaysia that had been on production since 2016 had to be choked back in 2020 due to excessive sand production. Analysis from sand detection logging instruments indicated that the sand was coming from a specific zone in the multi zone producer, situated at a highly deviated section of the well. Mitigation by sand consolidation treatment was ruled out due to concerns of detrimental permeability impact that could occur, and the length of the zone interval. It was decided to address the issue with a mechanical sand control method, installing multiple through-tubing sand screens across the length of the sand producing zone. Mechanical sand control using sand screens is a common application. Deployment and in-well assembly of these screens is usually carried out using slickline for wells which are vertical or moderately deviated. For highly deviated wells, coiled tubing has historically been required. This however comes with the downside of a large footprint of equipment and personnel, and significant logistical hurdles. For efficiency, electric line conveyance with powered mechanical technology was selected. Due to the well trajectory, all electric line runs required a tractor for conveyance to task depth. Standard run-in-hole precautions also had to be taken to ensure clear passage for the electric line tools and screens through the well restrictions and completion components. Considering the target interval length and available rig up height, the sand screens would be deployed in several runs and assembled in-situ using an electro-hydraulic tractor combined with an Advanced Linear Actuator (Stroker). Aside from harnessing electrical power, these highly instrumented tools would also provide vital real-time data such as stroke force and distance. 1 mm resolution of stroke coupled with stroke force limit settings would ensure high precision manipulation throughout the operation, with overpull being used to further validate screen engagement. The screen assembly operation would require seven runs, each run deploying 5 meters long screens, ultimately installing a total screen length of 35 meters. The operation presented in this paper, which was a world first, demonstrates how exploiting advances in electro-hydraulic tractor and powered mechanical applications, coupled with a unique linear actuator design, enabled the efficient and cost effective in-well assembly of mechanical sand screens in a highly deviated well.