Sand Control Fluids

Document : ATAC-SP2-S1-2012
Sand Control Fluids
Carlos Iver Saravia Vidal

Venezuela PE Sales Lead
Latin America Sand Control Support
September 2012
Villa Hermosa, Mexico
© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Document : ATAC-SP2-S1-2012 - Confidential HALLIBURTON use only.
Synopsis
 History of Gravel Packing

 Filtration
 Sand Control Fluids
 Fluid Choices
 Horizontal Gravel Packs
 Brine Based GP Carrier Fluids
 Oil Based GP Carrier Fluids
 Fluid Loss Control Systems
 Sand/Screen Sizing
 Resins
© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2

Document : ATAC-SP2-S1-2012 - Confidential HALLIBURTON use only.
History of Gravel Packing
 Water was originally the

primary carrier fluid for
gravel or sand for gravel
packs. Low sand
concentrations (½ - 1
lb/gal) are required
 The sand is typically
added using
Downstream Sand
Injector pots (3-ft3 each.
(later on the C.L.A.M.
Blender is used)

History of Gravel Packing
 The use of a viscous oil carrier fluid with high sand concentrations was patented by
Derry Sparlin with Continental Oil.
 In the late 1970’s the use of a viscous water based carrier fluid with high sand
concentration was the primary system being used. (80 lb/Mgal HEC (WG-17™) with
15 lb/gal sand concentration)
 The use of Xanthan (WG-24™) as a gravel pack carrier fluid peaked in the mid
1980’s.
 In the late 1980’s Baker Sand Control led the charge to going back to water or brine
as a carrier fluid via their Sand Infuser.
 Halliburton started using the C.L.A.M. in place of the Downstream Sand Injector for
water packs.
 Acid Prepacks followed by Water Packs were utilized extensively/successfully
 HRWP’s were tried for the longer intervals
 FracPacks became prevalent in the early 1990’s.
 Ex-Tension Pac™ was introduced for situations where the equipment, personnel,
space on location, etc were not available to the point where a FracPac could be
performed.
 Screen only completions were popular in the late 1990’s and Horizontal Open Hole
Gravel Packs became popular in the 2000’s.
Filtration of the fluids?
 Filtering the completion brine is the 1st step.

 The typical rules of thumb for estimating the average pore throat size in the rock
adjacent to the wellbore is to take the square root of the permeability (in mD)
and equate the result to the pore throat diameter (in microns).
 If the permeability of the formation is 300 mD then the average pore throat
diameter is the square root of 300 which is 17.3 microns.
– 17.3/3 = 5.8 microns --- need to filter to <5.8 to prevent bridging.
 Particles 1/5-1/7 the diameter of the pore throat will pass through but will
eventually bridge off
– 17.3/5 = 3.46 microns
– 17.3/7 = 2.47 microns – need to filter to 2.5-3.5 to prevent bridging
eventually
 Particles 1/10th to 1/13th the diameter of the pore throat will pass through freely.
– 17.3/10 = 1.7 microns
– 17.3/13 = 1.33 microns – need to filter to 1.3 – 1.7 microns to ensure no
bridging – hence the typical rule of thumb to filter to 2 microns.

Sand Control Fluids
Sand Control Fluids
 What are the requirements for the gravel pack carrier

fluid for the following types of sand control completions:
– Vertical gravel pack (cased and perforated)
– Vertical gravel pack (open hole)
– Deviated gravel pack (cased and perforated)
– Horizontal open hole gravel pack
– Horizontal Open Hole Gravel Pack with Shunts
– Horizontal Open Hole Gravel Pack with CAPS

Gravel Pack Fluid Choices
Water Based Fluids Oil Based Fluids

Filtered Completion Brine Kerosene/Diesel/Viscous Oil/LCA-1
HYDROPAC™ My-T-Oil™
Bi-O-Pac (VannPac™) HLX-W230-77
AquaLinear® Baroid’s Bromi-mul™
Crosslinked AquaLinear®
AquaLinear® HT
Liquid Sand™
BP-10™ is used in OmegaFrac® and Liquid Sand™.
WG-24™ was the original gelling agent for Liquid Sand™ and is
one of the two gelling agent choices for that process.

Vertical Gravel Pack
(Cased and Perforated)
 Brine can be used to pack the annulus
 Brine will not allow for efficient packing of the perforation
tunnels.
– Can rate be used to allow for packing of the
perforation tunnel (High Rate Water Pack)?

ICCI Calculation for HRWP’s
ICCI = International Completion Consultants, Inc.
Q = Velocity * Area * Number of Perforations or Q = V * A *

N
 Where:
– Q = Injection or fluid loss rate into the formation
(BPM)
– V = Fluid velocity (feet/minute)
– A = Cross sectional area of a perforation (ft2)
– N = Total number of perforations

ICCI Calculation for HRWP’s
ICCI = International Completion Consultants, Inc.
20 U.S. Mesh gravel in water is 26.4 feet per minute at room

temperature. Simple calculations, per the equation below, shows
what the minimum injection rate of 1 cp water must be to force
this gravel through the perforations of a 100 foot interval
perforated with 12 shots per foot of 0.8 inch diameter
perforations.
Q = Velocity (ft/min) * Area (ft2)* Number of Perforations

 If V = 26.4 ft/minute for 20 U.S. Mesh gravel (fall rate of water)
 A = (π/4/144) * (82) = 0.00349 ft2
 N = 12 shots per foot x 100 feet of perforations = 1200 perforations total
 Q = [(26.4 ft/min) * (0.00349 ft2) * (1200)] / (5.6 ft3/bbl) = 19.7 BPM for 20
U.S. Mesh gravel
 Can you pump into the formation at 19.7 bpm?

 A viscous gravel pack carrier fluid can be used to pack
the perforation tunnels
– Use Viscosity/Velocity to make the sand particles
make the turn into the perforation tunnels.
• HYDROPAC™, Bi-O-Pac™, AquaLinear®,
Crosslinked AquaLinear®, AquaLinear® HT
• Ex-Tension Pac™
• Acid Prepack followed by a Water Pack to pack the
casing/screen annulus

Fall Rate of Sand in Water
 Information on the fall rate of sand in water can be found

at the following locations:
– Sand Control Catalog Appendix
– http://www.halliburton.com/public/cps/contents/Books_and_Catalogs/web/SandControl/SandControlSolution
s.pdf
– HydraJet Data Manual – Section 5

– http://halworld.corp.halliburton.com/internal/global_ops/australia/pubsdata/related_docs/pinpoint/man-aust-
hal-ppnt-022f_hydrajet_sec05_hydjet_data_manual.pdf
– ICCI Manual

(Open Hole)
 No perforation tunnels to be packed.
 Brine for the Carrier Fluid?
– Sand will tend to fall to the bottom of the well and
build up in the annulus from the bottom coming up.
 Viscous Carrier Fluids?
– The sand will be transported along by the carrier fluid
with gravity helping get the sand to the bottom of the
well.

Deviated Wellbore
 Need to be able to efficiently transport the sand where it
is needed while gravity is trying to force the sand both to
the low side of the hole as well as to the bottom of the
well.
 Gravity forcing the sand to the low side of the well will
result in dunes forming on the upper side of the screen.
 Still need to be able to pack perforation tunnels (high
side and low side).

Deviated Gravel Pack

Horizontal Gravel Packs
Horizontal Open Hole Gravel Packs
 Brines are typically used (unless shunts or CAPS™ are

to be used).
 Gravity is trying to force the sand both to the low side of
the hole as well as to the bottom of the well.
 Rate rather than viscosity is the prime means of
transporting the sand.
 The required rate can be calculated by various means.

Rate Calculations for
 SPE 16931 – 1 to 3-ft/sec annular velocity will result in a

stable alpha wave. The area of the annulus is calculated
without sand being in that annulus.
 Example: 8-1/2” hole, 6.14” OD screen,
 Annular Area = (π/4/144) * (8.52-6.142) = 0.1884-ft2
– 1-ft/sec * 0.1884-ft2 = 0.1884-ft3/sec = 84.56 gal/min = 2.01 bbl/min

 HzGPSim.xls
 WAVE.exe
 JAYCOR’s GPS2001
 Critical Velocity executable on HalWorld.
 http://halworld.corp.halliburton.com/hes/Hesps/hespspe/hespspe_Sand/HESPSPE_Sand_Progra
ms.asp
 Reference for the critical velocity calculation can be

found in SPE 18994 – Hydraulic Fracturing Slurry
Transport in Horizontal Pipes by David Lord and
Subhash Shah

 The critical velocity and the user defined Alpha Wave

height are used to determine the pump rate.
 Typical critical velocities for sand and brine will be about
5 to 6-ft/sec.
 The 1-3 ft/sec rule of thumb is based on no sand fill in
the annulus.
 The critical velocity for the area open to flow above the
alpha wave method assumes that the bottom ½ to 2/3rd
of the wellbore (low side) is filled with sand and the
critical velocity is multiplied by only the area open to flow
above the top of the sand bed.

 1-3 ft/sec is matched with a large annular area.

 5-6 ft/sec is matched with a smaller annular area.
 The rates from both should be about the same.

 Can we use viscous fluids to gravel pack horizontal open

hole wellbores?
– Pros?
– Cons?

(with Shunt Screens)
 ExxonMobil Gravel Pack Fluid Requirements for Shunt
Screens
 Shear thinning fluid, suspends the sand, minimize friction
– Viscosity Profile
– Break Time at BHST
– Filtration of the base fluid
– Filtration of the gel
– Fluid Compatibility
– Sand Settling Test
– Regained Permeability Test
– Shunt Friction Test
Why do we need a viscous carrier fluid for jobs with
Shunt Screens?
 As the slurry passes by the open upper end of the shunt

some slurry can flow into the shunt until the friction
pressure penalty for placing slurry through the shunt
exceeds the pressure required to pump past the open end
of the shunt in the wellbore x screen annulus.
 The slurry in the upper end of the shunt goes static at that
point. The gel must hold the sand in more or less perfect
suspension for the remainder of the treatment up until sand
in the annulus reaches the upper screen and across the
lower end of the blank pipe.
 At that point in time the pressure will increase and at some
point the pressure increase (Sandout pressure) will exceed
the pressure required to force more slurry down the shunts.
 Thereafter additional slurry may be able to be pumped
through the shunts and fill in any voids in the annulus.

Viscosity Profile Requirement
Viscosity Profile Requirement
1000
Apparent Viscosity (cp)
Minimum
Maximum
100
10
1
10 100 1000 10000
Shear rate (sec-1)

Esso Sand Settling Test
 Sand Settling Test (Customer Specific)

 Pre-heat the water bath to the test temperature.
 Measure out 580 mL of the fluid being tested into a 1-L graduated cylinder, and then transfer that to a 1-L
polyethylene bottle. A preferred option (due to the potential for air entrainment in the fluid in the
graduated cylinder) would be to weigh the volume of fluid being tested and then transfer the contents into
a 1-L polyethylene bottle. The weight of the fluid in grams is determined using the following equation:

 Add 417.0 grams of 30/50-mesh EconoProp™ proppant.

– 417 grams proppant/580 mL fluid = 0.719 g/mL sand concentration or 6.00 lbm/gal
 Mix the EconoProp and test fluid together and place the polyethylene bottle in a water bath heated to the
test temperature.
 When the test fluid/proppant slurry has reached the test temperature, blend the slurry with an overhead
mixer until uniform.
 Add breaker to the fluid/proppant slurry at this time. The breaker will be based on the 580 mL of fluid in
the slurry.
 Pour 400 mL of the slurry into a 500-mL glass graduated cylinder that has 5-mL graduations and a total
measured height of 12 in.
 Immediately place the graduated cylinder with slurry into the water bath (which has been pre-heated to
the test temperature). Ensure that the water level in the bath is the same height as the height of the slurry
in the graduated cylinder.
 Start the stopwatch as soon as the graduated cylinder is placed in the water bath. Record the amount of
clear fluid at the top of the graduated cylinder at the 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, and 120 marks on the stopwatch.

Sand Settling Test Example
Table 9—Sand Settling Test per the ExxonMobil Procedure; Test Temperature: 175°F
Proppant- Proppant- Proppant-

Time (min) Proppant Proppant Proppant
Free Gel Free Gel Free Gel
60-lbm AquaLinear® 70-lbm AquaLinear 80-lbm AquaLinear
service gel service gel service gel
5 380 20 400 0 400 0
10 350 50 400 0 400 0
20 250 150 390 10 400 0
30 200 200 350 50 400 0
60 165 235 225 175 350 50
120 130 270 150 250 225 175
Acceptance Criteria
•1% or less free water at 100°F for 30 min.
•7 1/2% or less free water at 175°F for 30 min.
•Rule-of-thumb on sand settling is <10% in 30 min at BHST.

Brine Based Carrier Fluid Systems
HYDROPAC
 Gelling Agent = WG-17™ (HEC)

 pH concerns?
– Will hydrate at high pH AND low pH (<3) as well as at
neutral pH.
– Typically decrease the pH to 3-4 to slow down
• HYG-3™ or HCl
– hydration, add the gelling agent and let it disperse and
then increase the pH to 7 and allow the gel to hydrate.
• K-34™ or MO-67 ™
– Increasing the pH to a value higher than 7 will help
stabilize the gel.
• K-34™ or MO-67™
– pH of 7 is generally chosen for the internal breaker
http://halworld.corp.halliburton.com/hes/hesps/hespspe/hespspe_Sand/hespspe_Sand_ChemPScar
riers.asp
HYDROPAC™
Gel Loading (lb/Mgal) Sand Concentration (lb/gal)

80 15
60 10
30-40 3-4
• HYDROPAC™ was originally mixed with 2% NH4Cl or 2% KCl

•HYDROPAC™ can be mixed with a variety of brines.
• HYDROPAC™ can be mixed with methanol for water sensitive
formations
• HYDROPAC™ transports sand as well as Bi-O-Pac™ or
AquaLinear® in dynamic conditions but not as well at static
conditions.
•HYDROPAC™ can be broken with acid, enzymes and oxidizing
breakers.
• HYDROPAC™ is relatively damage free if the gel is sheared
and the gel is allowed to finish hydrating and then the resulting
gel is filtered.
Typical HEC Gel Properties
80 lb/Mgal HEC (WG-17™)™)
Conventional Mixed Sheared and Filtered
Viscosity at 0.7 sec-1 10,700 8,000
Fann 35 Data
600 RPM 193 191
300 RPM 160 158
200 RPM 141 140
100 RPM 119 117
Halliburton Sand Settling (cm/Min) 25.7 18.03
Fluid Loss (mL/min) 12.3 22.0
Regained Permeability with Breaker (%) 65 >95
Filter test is performed with Whatman #50 filter paper with 45 psi DP for 5 minutes.

AQUAPAC
 AquaPac was Shell’s version of HYDROPAC™

 The primary differences were Shell used HCl to reduce
the pH and MO-67™ (caustic) to increase the pH and
HCl to break the gel.

VannPac™ (later = Bi-O-Pac™)
 WG-24™ is the gelling agent.

– Clarified xanthan
 Originally the salts used with this system were either 2%
KCl or 2% NH4Cl.
 The salt was added only after the gel had been hydrated
in fresh water.
 The choice of the original breakers depended on the salt
being used.
– KCl – Lithium Hypochlorite (GBW-40™) internal
breaker
– NH4Cl – AP Breaker or Sodium Hypochlorite (bleach)

VannPac™
 Lithium Hypochlorite is not compatible with NH4Cl –

gives off large amounts of NH3 gas plus precipitates.

Sensitivity to Salts
Type Brine % Hydration Fluid Loss

(compared to Tap (mL/min)
Water)
Tap Water 100% 31.4
2% KCl 100% 25.9
2% NH4Cl 94.0% 17.5
2% CaCl2 43.0% 0.5
Sea Water 29.5% 1.1
API Brine 15.6% 4.5
This is prior to shearing and filtering the gel.

VannPac™
 When salt is added after the gel has been hydrated in

fresh water the hydration is better
– Tap Water – 100%
– 2% KCl – 94%
– 2% CaCl2 – 43%

Note for WG-24™ Xanthan gels
 When salt is added prior to hydration of the gel much of

the fluid loss characteristic is lost.
 Lower viscosity is also seen.
 Once the gel is sheared and filtered the viscosity will
increase and equal or exceed that of gel where the salt
is added after hydration of the polymer.
– More resistant to shear degradation than HEC.
 Fluid loss characteristic is not regained.

VannPac™
 HCl will break Xanthan but the rate depends on the

temperature
– Room temperature to 150 – 160°F the rate is very
slow
– >180°F the rate is very fast
 Xanthan will lose viscosity as the temperature increases.

VannPac™
 The addition of Na, Ca, Zn, etc. to a hydrated Xanthan

gel will cause the gel to become crosslinked (grainy
appearance).
– Zinc Bromide Brine
– Calcium Bromide Brine
– Saturated CaCl2 Brine
– Iron
 This will cause a loss of filterability.

VannPac™
 Iron (Fe) will also crosslink the gel.

 Need a clear brine.
 If the brine appears yellow then it probably has too much
iron.

VannPac™
 WG-24™ is similar to Kelco’s XC which is a clarified

xanthan.
 XCD (non clarified) should have a similar rheology to
XC.

Typical WG-24™ Properties
XX lb/Mgal Xanthan
36 lb/Mgal 48 lb/Mgal 60 lb/Mgal
Viscosity at 0.7 sec-1 25,000 cp 57,000 cp 80,000 cp
Fann 35 Data
600 RPM 29 31 35
300 RPM 23 26.5 30
200 RPM 20 23 26
100 RPM 17 20.5 24
Halliburton Sand Settling (cm/Min) 15.6 28.0 Infinity
Fluid Loss (mL/min) 44 35 23.1
Regained Permeability with Breaker 98-99 96-98 95-99

(%)
WG-24™ has better sand suspension characteristics at low shear rates compared to W
WG-24™ viscosity at 0.7 sec-1 is 25,000 to 80,000 cp
WG-17™ viscosity at 0.7 sec-1 (for an 80 lb/Mgal HEC) is 8000 cp (S&F) to 10,700 cp (n
Where can WG-24™ be Used
(circa 1985)
36 lb/Mgal WG-24™ 48 lb/Mgal WG-24™ 60 lb/Mgal WG-24™

1.5 lb/Bbl 2.0 lb/Bbl 2.5 lb/Bbl
Shallow straight holes Intermediate depth holes Deep hot holes that have
with temperatures not with temperatures not up to a 90° deviation and
exceeding 120°F exceeding 160°F circulating temperatures
up to 250°F.

36 lb/Mgal WG-24™ properties at 75°F
Brookfield Spindle Calculated Shear Rate Apparent Viscosity

Rotation (rpm) (sec-1) (cp)
0.3 0.69 27,600
0.6 0.127 16,650
1.5 0.318 8,340
3.0 0.636 4,780
6.0 1.217 2,725
12.0 2.520 1550
30.0 6.300 780
60.0 12.600 440

36 lb/Mgal WG-24™ properties at 75°F
Fann Model 35 Calculated Shear Rate Apparent Viscosity

(rpm) (sec-1) (cp)
100 170 46.5
200 340 31.5
300 511 22.0
600 1020 13.5

Shearing the WG-24™ (one pass only)
Gel Loading (lb/Mgal) Pressure (psi) through the 14/64”

choke
60 1200-1500
48 900-1100
36 600-800

VannPac™  Bi-O-Pac™
 VannPac™ became Bi-O-Pac™ when Halliburton’s Sand

Control fluids group was transferred to Otis Engineering
in 1986.
 This was a name change only.

AquaLinear®
 AquaLinear is made from WG-37™ gelling agent

 WG-37™ gelling agent is a different grade of Xanthan
compared to WG-24™.
– WG-37™ Does not transport sand quite as well as
WG-24™ (~10% less)
– WG-37™ filters much easier than WG-24™
– WG-37™ can be mixed in brines whereas WG-24™
should be mixed in fresh water and add the brine after
the gel has hydrated.
 Typical temperature range is up to 180°F.
 Typical gel loading is 60 lb/Mgal.

Crosslinked AquaLinear®
 Crosslinked AquaLinear® is AquaLinear® mixed in NaBr brine with

the addition of FDP-S881-07 crosslinker.
 It is meant to be used with temperatures from 210°F to 245°F.
 The AquaLinear™ gel will transport the sand up to 180°F and the
FDP-S881-07 will be activated at higher temperatures and help
transport the sand thereafter.
 Typical gel loading is 60 lb/Mgal.
 The crosslinker is relatively insoluble.
– The FDP-S881 crosslinked is added at 5% by weight into 95%
by weight water (5 grams FDP-S881 in 95 grams water).
• Even at this loading, it will take 30 minutes for the crosslinker
to dissolve in the water with constant stirring.
– This solution is then added at the rate of 7 gallons into each
1000 gallons of fluid.

AquaLinear® HT
 AquaLinear® HT utilizes a different gelling agent than

AquaLinear®.
– WG-38
 AquaLinear® HT is meant for high temperature
applications (180°F – 270°F)
 Typical gel loading is 60 lb/Mgal

Liquid Sand™
 Liquid Sand™ consists of a 60 lb/Mgal Xanthan (WG-

24™ or BP-10™) + 20-24 lb/gal sand concentration.
 WG-37™, WG-38™ cannot be used with Liquid Sand.
 It was originally to be used with Ex-Tension Pac™
 It is currently being used with the Texas 2 Step process

Invert Gravel Pack Carrier Fluids
HLX-W230-77
 HLX = Halliburton Experimental Product

 77 = 1977
 HLX-W230-77 is an invert gravel pack carrier fluid.
 It has only been used one time in the field and that was a
for a deep, hot gravel pack in the Vicksburg sand (water
sensitive sand) in South East Texas in 1982.

HLX-W230-77
 Invert Gravel Pack Carrier Fluid

 Inner dense completion brine phase
 Outer oil phase
 Surfactant/emulsifier to create the emulsion
 When the oil/brine ratio is optimized for sand transport
the friction pressure is high.
 Breaking the emulsion?

Baroid’s Bromi-mul™ Invert Fluid
 Baroid’s Bromi-mul™ Invert Fluid has been investigated

as an invert gravel pack carrier fluid.
– SPE 71669, Invert Gravel Pack Carrier Fluid, A.
Donaldson, SPE, Sanjay Vitthal, Ph.D., SPE, J.C.
Welch, SPE, and P.D. Nguyen, SPE, Halliburton
Energy Services, Inc.
– Offshore Magazine, February 2002, Donaldson
 It has been used to displace the mud in a screen only
completion for Elf’s Girrasol project in Angola – injector
well – early 2000’s
  60% outer oil phase and 40% inner brine phase
 It does not have an internal breaker.

My-T-Oil™
 My-T-Oil™ has been used as a gravel pack carrier fluid

in the past.
 Previous versions of My-T-Oil™ were considered to be
“dirty” from a sand control point of view and were difficult
to work with.
 Current versions may work better.

Fluid Loss Control Systems
Fluid Loss Control Systems
Linear Crosslinked Relative Particulate

Gel Gel Permeability Systems
Modifier
HEC (WG-17™) TEMBLOK™ 50 LO-Gard® Salt Pill
(uses HPT-1™)
Xanthan (WG- TEMBLOK™ 120 Calcium
24™, WG-37™) Carbonate Pill
BP-10™ K-MAX™ Plus Calcium
Carbonate pill
with BioVert®
H150
TEMBLOK™ 80 MAX SEAL®
TEMBLOK™ 100 Z-MAX™

HEC (WG-17™)
 HEC is a widely used fluid loss control pill.

 Typically requires large volumes (100-150 bbls)
 Typically is NOT sheared and filtered.
 Typical gel loading is 100 lb/MGal

Xanthan
 Xanthan has been proposed as a fluid loss pill due to it’s

extremely high viscosity at very low shear rates.
 Problems with mixing in a wide range of brine
types/densities?

LO GARD_RPM (Relative Permeability Modifier)

SPE-94583
SPE-114786
SPE-77905
SPE-90543

Case History Brazil

SandTrap® ABC
Aqueous Based Resin Systems
SandTrap® ABC
 Low viscosity aqueous based

carrier (ABC) system
– Accumulation at contact points for
high strength
 Nitrogen foam compatible

– Extends downhole volume and
improves placement
 BHT of 70º F to 220º F
ABC consolidated formation

Challenges with typical SandTrap® Product Resins
 Difficult to place in heterogeneous (or

varying perm) formations
 Applications are usually limited to short

Unconsolidated Formation
perforated intervals for bullhead
application or Coil Tubing placement
Solution to these Challenges –

SandTrap 225
SandTrap ABC
SandTrap ® ABC
Near-Wellbore Consolidation
Resin-treated region
3 to 6 wellbore diameter depth of consolidation

Basic Equipment Needed for Chemical Injection
 Pumping/Cementing Unit
 Storage Tanks
 Batch Mixer
 Sand Trap >50 K
 SandTrap ABC for OffShore
– K>300 md

Aqueous Based Consolidation (ABC)
 Improved Placement and

Handling
– Low viscosity
– 100% over displacement not
required
– Compatible with foam
– High flash point
– > 95% KCl brine simplifies
handling and clean up
 BHT – 70°F to 220°F

How does SandTrap® ABC work?
Self Assembling Layers

 Creates a thin coating with
concentration at contact points for high
strength
 Strength is developed with minimal
permeability loss
 Over displacement is not a
requirement
– Excess is displaced from the wellbore
– Material left in the wellbore will not set
up hard
– Pore space is filled with brine after
coating is complete
 Maximum USC is achieve after shut in
time based on BHT.

Cost Effective Solution
 No rig required
 No completion tools/screens required
 Production from marginal assets
 Reliable
 Short execution time
 Small equipment footprint
 Basic blending/pumping equipment
 Small crew size
 Depleted wells - post cleanup treatment

SandTrap® ABC Benefits
 Improved Placement and Handling

• Low viscosity
• 100% over displacement not required
• Nitrogen compatible
• High flash point
• Simple handling and clean up

SandTrap® ABC System UCS
UCS Before Curing Curing Time, UCS After

Sand Material
Treatment, psi Temperature, °F hr Treatment, psi
Castlegate 800 125 20 1,800
Castlegate 800 150 20 1,900
Castlegate 800 175 20 2,000
Salt Wash 400 180 48 1,300
Brazos River Sand 0 180 48 250
Sand Mixture (88% OK

No.1, 10% WAC-9TM
0 180 20 70
fluid-loss additive, 2%
Smectite clay)
90/10 Sand mixture
(90% US silica F-
0 180 40 250
110/10%
Sil-Co-Sil 75)

Applications for SandTrap® ABC
Thru Tubing
Sand Producing Cased Repair of Failed Screens Recovery of bypassed
& Perforated GP,FP, SAS, ESS reserves
SandTrap® ABC Candidate Selection
 Sandstone reservoir
 Candidate that recently started to produce sand (if the well produced appreciable amount
of sand, prepack is recommended)
 Moderate sand production rate – tubing is not filled with sand
 Interval
– Short preferred
– Long (>10ft) – foam treatment recommended for better placement of resin treatment
 Tubular integrity – intact wellbore, no casing damage, no tubing leaks
 Packer isolating zones
 Well without isolation string across the interval, end of tubing above perfs
 Good cement bond log adjacent to the perforated interval
 Clean wellbore and perforation: clear of sandfill in the perforated interval
 Low reservoir damage : acid treatment should be considered if any prior damage
 No paraffin, asphaltene accumulation in the wellbore
 Well with complete operations and production history
 Well-defined reservoir parameters
 Reservoir parameters needed for design
– No drastic permeability contrast (less than 10:1) throughout the interval
– Perm > 500md, but lower perm zones can be considered to minimum 100md
(requires lab testing)
– Injectivity > 2 bbl/min, P < 80% frac pressure
– Low fines, low clay content
– Temp < 230 F
 Well with core samples or offset well core samples
 Sufficient production rate

Candidate Selection
 Prepack voids
 Interval - Short preferred, Long (>10ft) - foam treatment
 Tubular/cement integrity
 Packer isolating zones
 Low reservoir damage
 Well-defined reservoir parameters
 No drastic permeability contrast
(less than 10:1), >500mD
 Injectivity
 Low fines, low clay content
 Core samples
Generic Treatment Procedure
 Cleanout sand inside the tubing with CT

 Isolate zone to be treated
 Perform injection test to determine fracture extension rate
and pressure
 Mix resin
 Pump SandTrap treatment at as high a rate as possible
without fracturing
 Shut-in well to allow resin to cure
 Put well back on production

SandTrap® ABC – Job Design & Procedure
 Recommended design:
- Pre-flush 1: 50:50 Musol:KCl (3% max) – 15 gal/ft
- Pre-flush 2: KCl brine (7% max) – 50 gal/ft
- Main treatment: SandTrap ABC – 50 gal/ft
- Post-flush: KCl brine (7% max) – 15 gal/ft
 Placement technique:
- < 20’: bull-head squeeze
- > 20’: CT + Pulsonix
 Foamed treatment:
– HC-2 foamer
– 50 – 70% foam quality

Applications for SandTrap® ABC System
Sand Producing Cased & Repair of Failed Screens Thru Tubing

Perforated GP,FP, SAS, ESS Recovery of bypassed reserves

CASE HISTORIES

SandTrap® ABC System – Case History
Global Application for Primary

and Remedial Sand Control Location No. Jobs
 20 SandTrap ABC system jobs
pumped to date GoM 12
– Jobs bullhead / CT – 6 nitrogen
foamed Alaska 1
– Completion types:
• Perf thru tubing, perforated Canada 2
casing
• Failed gravel pack, water Malaysia 2
injectors
• 5 - 61 ft net perforation interval UK 2
 Well Parameters:
– 70- 235 ºF BHST Ecuador 1
– 100 – 2,500 mD perm

SandTrap® ABC – Case History
Global application for primary and remedial sand control
 20 SandTrap ABC jobs pumped to date

– GoM Shell & Apache) - 12 wells, BP Canada - 2 wells, Shell
Malaysia - 2 wells, Shell UK – 2 wells, Ecuador – 1 well, BP
Alaska – 1 well
– 11 jobs in bullhead – 4 Nitrogen foamed, 2 jobs CT
 Completion types:
– Perf thru tubing, perforated casing, failed gravel pack, water
injectors
– 5 - 61 ft net perforation interval
 Well Parameters:
– 70- 230 ºF BHST
– 100 - 500mD Permeability
Formation Consolidation – Gulf of Mexico
 Operator needed to stop
formation sand production
through a damaged prepacked
screen wrapped sliding sleeve
 Applied 50 gpf SandTrap®
ABC resin consolidation, via a
simple bullhead application
treatment down production
tubing
Post Treatment Results

 Produced sand free at 1000
mscf/d

 Operator wanted a screenless
sand control solution for pay
interval left behind pipe.
 Applied 50 gpf of 70 quality

foamed SandTrap® ABC, via a
simple bullhead application
treatment down production
tubing.
Results
 Sand free at 1.4 mmscf/d

 CHALLENGE
 Operator needed to stop formation sand
production through a damaged prepacked
screen wrapped sliding sleeve
 Applied 50 gpf SandTrap® ABC resin
consolidation, via a simple bullhead
application treatment down production
tubing
 RESULTS
 Produced sand free at 1000 mscf/d

 CHALLENGE
 Operator wanted a screenless sand
control solution for pay interval left behind
pipe
 Applied 50 gpf of 70 quality foamed

SandTrap® ABC system, via a simple
bullhead application treatment down
production tubing
 RESULTS
 Sand free at 1.4 mmscf/d

SPE Papers / Other references
Conventional Solvent-based Resin
 SPE 127489 - Remedial Sand Consolidation: Case Study from
Mahakan Delta, Indonesia. 2010
 SPE 127829 – Particle Consolidation as a Means of Sand
Control: Gulf of Mexico Applications. 2010
 SPE 86559 - Stabilizing Wellbores in Unconsolidated, Clay-
Laden Formations. 2004
ABC Resin
 SPE 120901 - Sand Consolidation Testing in an API RP 19B
Section IV Perforation Flow Laboratory. 2009
 SPE 128025 - Development and Field Application of an
Aqueous-Based Consolidation System for Proppant Remedial
Treatments. 2010

Conclusions
 SandTrap® ABC applies in both primary and remedial sand control

treatments
 Failed gravel packs are good candidates for SandTrap® ABC

application
 Gaining acceptance with jobs executed so far with many

customers
 Longer interval consolidation now achieved - Foaming and Bull-

heading possible
 Treated wells have produced with promising longetivity

BP TT OffShore
Project
 BP Trinidad Project

Equipment: 1 Skid Pumping Unit (400 HHP only will need 240 HHP) +
Storage tanks (200 bbls) + Portable QA/QC lab kit.
1 Eng + 1 Supervisor/Operator + 1 Assistant

1st History Case Ecuador 2011. No sand production after Job Andes Petroleum Ecuador Ltd
Fanny 18B-21
& Increase Oil Production due ESP Workover # 6
 Total Depth - 8880 ft (MD)

 Liner – 7in. N-80/26 lb/ft GL (PIES):
K.B. (PIES):
KB - GL (PIES):
Inicio workover # 6:
744.91'
770.71'
25.80'
26-Jun-10
Fin workover # 6: 3-Jul-10
 Tubing - 3 1/2-in. N-80 9.3 lb/ft MAX. DESVIACION: 52.30° @ 8880' MD / 7788' TVD
1525' - - SURFACE CASING: 13-3/8"
K-55, 61 lbs/ft, BTC
COORDENADA SUPERFICIAL:

Longitud: 7620' 9.15" m W
Perforations:8720 ft - 8732 ft Latitud: 0° 11' 26.74" S
CABEZAL STREAMFLO:
Sección "A": 13-3/8" SOW x 13-5/8" x 3000 psi
-
-
Power Jet 4 ½” - 12 spf

Seccion "B": 13-5/8" x 11" x 3000 psi
Adapter Flange: 11" x 3-1/2" x 3000 psi
1/4" Capillary for chemical injection
 Wellbore Radius: 3.5 in 7661.09' -

- INTERMEDIATE CASING: 9-5/8", K-55, 47 lbs/ft, BTC ( set @ 7867.71' )
- CARDIUM LINER TOP PACKER
7853.65' - - 249 tubing joints, 3 1/2" N -80, 9.3 lbs/ft, EUE

7854.67' MD / 7067.46'TVD - - R Nipple Baker, 3-1/2" w/ 2.75" profile
BHST: 201 °F 7886.28' -

7890.09' -
7890.64' -
7905.04' -
-
-
-
-
1 joints; 3-1/2", 9.3 lbs/ft, N-80, EUE, used
1 pup joint, 3-1/2", 9.3 lbs/ft, N-80, EUE
Discharge Head, Centrilift, Model GPDIS, S-513, 3-1/2" 8RD EUE
Upper pump, Centrilift, P-47 / 62 stgs, Model PMSXDH6, S-538, S/N 01G-21283
7923.94' - - Lower pump, Centrilift, P-47 / 83 stgs, Model PMSSDH6, S-538, S/N 01G-21281

7924.96' MD / 7120.63' TVD - - Intake, Centrilift, Model GPINTAR H6 WC FERRITIC, S/N 41G-55221, S-513
BFPF: 3702 7931.26' -

7937.56' -
7962.96' -
7988.36' -
8017.86' MD / 7190.84' TVD -
-
-
-
-
-
Upper Protector, Centrilift, Model GSB3XFERHLH6PFS, S/N 31G-161446 S-513
Lower Protector, Centrilift, Model GSB3XFERSSCVH6AB, S/N 31G-161447 S-513
Upper Motor, Centrilift, 304 HP, 1900 V, 98 Amp, S/N 21K-89090, S- 562
Lower Motor, Centrilift, 304 HP, 1900 V, 98 Amp, S/N 21K-89089, S- 562
Sensor Centinel III, 5000 psi NEW, S-450, S/N 11658983
8019.42' - - Centrlizer 2" x 2" 8RD, EUE, 7" CSG, EC200248X
 BSWF: 86%
 ESP
 GRAVEL PACK
8616' - - BJ GPS-II Gravel Packer
8720'
Mitad de las perforaciones
8726' MD / 7691.60' TVD Arena "M-1"
8732'
8737' - - CIBP
8781' - - Cardium Landing collar 7"
8878' - - PRODUCTION LINER : 7"

© 2011 HALLIBURTON.
© 2011 ALLALL
HALLIBURTON. RIGHTS RESERVED.
RIGHTS RESERVED. 92 N-80, 26 lbs/ft, BTC
Document : ATAC-SP2-S1-2012 - Confidential HALLIBURTON use only. TD: 8880' MD / 7788.61' TVD
2nd Case History Ecuador 2012= Light oil, gravel pack failure (eroded screens),
Water Production, unconsolidated sandstone, On Shore, shallow Well No sand
after the job, decrease Water Production (RPM used as pre flush).

PEMEX. Combination of Water (Waterweb) + Sand Control (Sandtrap) in ONE run.
After the job NO sand produce and reduce 35% Water cut. Light Oil Sandstone On
Shore well.
SAMARIA 894
Control de arena a los intervalos 1325-1328 y 1335-1337 mts (SandTrap225)
Pres TP (psi) A Pres TP-TF (psi) A Pres TR-TP (psi) A
A Q UAP (bpm) D Profundidad (m) B Q TF (bpm) D D
5000 0 7
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 30
19 29 200 6
4000
400 5
3000
600 4
2000 800 3
1000 2
1000
1200 1
0 1400 0
16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00
5/11/2008 5/11/2008
Time
Desarrollo Operativo
ETAPA HTF TP TR ETAPA H TF TP TR
11 Bombea 7.5 m3 de Water Web 15:33:43 1336 2783 988.0 956.1 12 Bombea 2.5 m3 de Diesel 16:21:07 1336 3865 2141 2097
13 Bombea 3.65 m3 de ClayFix 16:32:26 1336 4142 2175 2134 14 Bombea 1.91 m3 de Musol A 16:54:55 1336 3949 2264 2208
15 Bombea 2.54 m3 de SandTrap 225 17:06:54 1336 4147 2282 2226 16 Bombea 1.91 m3 de Diesel 17:22:47 1336 4461 2370 2302
17 Bombea 3.65 m3 de ClayFix 17:35:00 1336 4289 2454 2377 18 Sube TF a 1326 mts. 17:56:32 1335 3931 2374 2291
19 Bombea 11.1 m3 de WaterWeb 17:57:45 1326 3979 2446 2366 20 Bombea 2.5 m3 de Diesel 19:05:28 1326 3878 2191 2098
21 Bombea 5.56 m3 de ClayFix 19:20:27 1326 3929 2197 2102 22 Bombea 2.86 m3 de Musol A 19:55:21 1326 4081 2314 2218
23 Bombea 3.66 m3 de SandTrap225 20:12:57 1326 4163 2280 2170 24 Bombea 2.86 m3 de Diesel 20:38:55 1326 4677 2434 2316
25 Bombea 5.56 m3 de ClayFix 20:53:29 1326 4321 2408 2290 26 Termina Operacion e inicia a sacar TF a Sup. 21:25:33 1326 4169 2429 2310 B
27 Bombea solucion lavadora. 21:51:54 712.9 1497 1252 1090 28 End Job 22:35:37 -1.529 991.6 1138 1154
29 Con TF en superficie Cierra Pozo. 22:38:41 -1.529 984.2 1129 50.14 30 Espera 24 hrs de consolidacion 22:44:28 -1.529 -16.11 181.2 63.46
Solvent Based Resin Systems
SandTrap 225, SandTrap 350, etc
Halliburton Resin Systems
Furan Epoxy Phenolic

SANFIX / Enriched SANFIX SandStop/Wellfix 3000 Supersand, etc from various
resin coated sand suppliers
such as Santrol, etc.
HYDROFIX SandStop EP
Expedite 550 PropLok 12/32/33
SandTrap 550 Expedite 225/350
PropStop 550 SandTrap 225/350
HYDROFIX with SandTrap 550 PropStop 225/350

resin
HYDROFIX with PropStop 550 SandTrap ABC
resin
PropStop ABC
Note: The cementing group also has several resin systems such as StrataLok, WellLock Resin, Epseal

SandTrap® Solvent Based
Resin Systems
SandTrap® SandTrap® SandTrap®

225 350 550
70F/21C 225F/107C 350F/177C 550F/288C
 225 and 350 systems utilize an epoxy resin

 550 system utilizes a furan resin
 >40 successful global applications for screen repair and formation
consolidation since 2005.
 Recent SPE papers – 127489 and 127829
Resin Properties
Resin Catalyzed or Reaction Softening Wets Sand in

Cured by Byproducts Temperature Presence of
(°F) Water
Epoxy Amines None 250 No
Furan Strong Acid H2O 300 Yes
Phenolic Strong Base H2O 300 Yes

Reference Papers
Conventional Solvent-based Resin

 SPE 127489 - Remedial Sand Consolidation: Case Study from
Mahakan Delta, Indonesia. 2010
 SPE 127829 – Particle Consolidation as a Means of Sand
Control: Gulf of Mexico Applications. 2010
 SPE 86559 - Stabilizing Wellbores in Unconsolidated, Clay-
Laden Formations. 2004
 SPE 5031 – Sand Consolidation Systems Placed with Water
ABC Resin
 SPE 120901 - Sand Consolidation Testing in an API RP 19B
Section IV Perforation Flow Laboratory. 2009
 SPE 128025 - Development and Field Application of an
Aqueous-Based Consolidation System for Proppant Remedial
Treatments. 2010

References

SandTrap 225
 70 – 225°F
 Typical volumes are as follows:
– 1st Preflush— 5% Clayfix™ Material plus 0.5% ES-5™
Surfactant (150 gal/ft of perforations)
– 2nd Preflush— Musol® Solvent (50 to 100 gal/ft of
perforations)
– SandTrap 225 Service Formation-Consolidation Fluid
(100 gal/ft of perforations)
– Spacer – 50 to 100 gal total
– Afterflush- 5% Clayfix™ Material containing 0.5% ES-5™
Surfactant (150 gal/ft of perforations)

SandTrap 350
 70 – 350°F
– Preflush — Kerosene or clean diesel (150 gal/ft of
perforations)
– SandTrap 350 service formation-consolidation fluid
(100 gal/ft of perforations)
– SandTrap service afterflush— Kerosene or clean diesel
(150-gal/ft of perforations)

SandTrap 550
 70 – greater than 300°F

– Preflush - 15% NaCl base fluid and 0.25% 19N surfactant (100
gal/ft)
– SandTrap 550 resin – 100 gal/ft
– Afterflush - 15% NaCl base fluid and 0.25% 19N – 150 gal/ft

Why?
 Stabilize the existing

perforations and near- Resin-treated
wellbore region. region
 Lock formation sand and fines

in place.
 Maintain as near original
formation permeability as
possible with proper treatment
design.

Challenges With Conventional
Solvent-Based Resins
 Difficult to place in heterogeneous formations

 Operational issues
– mixing and pumping low flash point resins
 Current applications are usually limited to short
perforated intervals

Chemical / Plastic / Resin Consolidation (contd.)
 The resin is internally catalyzed so that no post flush treatments are

required to initiate the curing process
 Uses a very low viscosity curable resin material which is pumped in a
trend of fluids
 Traditional systems are comprised of several stages including an external
catalyst, making uniform coverage a challenge.
Brine post
flush Brine
preflush
Internally
catalized
resin
Mutual solvent
preflush
Spacer

SandTrap® Formation Consolidation Service

Formation Consolidation - Indonesia
 3 Wells - 4.5” Monobore

completions
 3m Perf - Gas condensate
formations
 Initially produced until indications
of sand production
 Placed SandTrap® 350
treatments with CT
 Wells Producing Sand Free
– Up to 15 MMscf
– Avg - 1000 bfpd
SPE 127489

SandTrap® Case History – GoM Frac Pack Remediation
 Failed upper completion

– 40’ perforated interval
– Frac pack w/ pre-pack
screen
 Solution Treatment
– SandTrap® 350 resin
– Placed with coiled tubing
 Well producing sand free
SPE 127829


Sand Control Fluids

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Document : ATAC-SP2-S1-2012

Sand Control Fluids

Carlos Iver Saravia Vidal

 History of Gravel Packing

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2

 Water was originally the

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 3

 Filtering the completion brine is the 1st step.

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 5

Sand Control Fluids

 What are the requirements for the gravel pack carrier

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 7

Water Based Fluids Oil Based Fluids

BP-10™ is used in OmegaFrac® and Liquid Sand™.

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 8

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 9

Q = Velocity * Area * Number of Perforations or Q = V * A *

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 10

20 U.S. Mesh gravel in water is 26.4 feet per minute at room

Q = Velocity (ft/min) * Area (ft2)* Number of Perforations

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 11

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 12

 Information on the fall rate of sand in water can be found

– HydraJet Data Manual – Section 5

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 13

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 14

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 15

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 16

Horizontal Gravel Packs

 Brines are typically used (unless shunts or CAPS™ are

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 18

 SPE 16931 – 1 to 3-ft/sec annular velocity will result in a

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 19

 Reference for the critical velocity calculation can be

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 20

 The critical velocity and the user defined Alpha Wave

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 21

 1-3 ft/sec is matched with a large annular area.

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 22

 Can we use viscous fluids to gravel pack horizontal open

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 23

 As the slurry passes by the open upper end of the shunt

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 25

Viscosity Profile Requirement

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 26

 Sand Settling Test (Customer Specific)

 Add 417.0 grams of 30/50-mesh EconoProp™ proppant.

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 27

Proppant- Proppant- Proppant-

© 2011 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 28

Brine Based Carrier Fluid Systems

 Gelling Agent = WG-17™ (HEC)

Gel Loading (lb/Mgal) Sand Concentration (lb/gal)

• HYDROPAC™ was originally mixed with 2% NH4Cl or 2% KCl

80 lb/Mgal HEC (WG-17™)™)

Conventional Mixed Sheared and Filtered

Viscosity at 0.7 sec-1 10,700 8,000

600 RPM 193 191

300 RPM 160 158

200 RPM 141 140

100 RPM 119 117

Halliburton Sand Settling (cm/Min) 25.7 18.03

Fluid Loss (mL/min) 12.3 22.0

Regained Permeability with Breaker (%) 65 >95