A New Multistage Fracturing Completion Approach for Sanding Formations: First Application in the Region

Abstract

Different approaches and techniques were utilized in the industry to overcome challenges in sanding formations, including frac-packs, indirect fracturing, and resin coated proppants. Due to complexities in the results achieved, open hole multistage fracturing (OH MSF) with a sand control completion system was introduced with the goal of expanding the technology portfolio for controlling sand production and proppant flowback. Offset wells drilled in a prolific gas-bearing unconsolidated sandstone formation showed high sand and proppant production restricting the potential from these wells. Therefore, it was necessary to develop a new OH MSF completion strategy to address sand/proppant control and combine it with proppant fracturing at the same time. This paper highlights OH MSF technology that utilizes screened port sleeves capable of withstanding fracturing pressures and harsh environments. The new completion system consists of a hydraulic frac port opened by applying pressure in the first stage. In addition, the fracturing ports for the next stages are opened by dropping activation balls. Each stage needs to be equipped with a sleeve fused with a screen for sand and/or proppant control. Stages are separated by open hole packers for zonal isolation in the open hole section. It is an innovative system that combines MSF completion with sand control components. Due to the complex nature of the completion, rigless well intervention operations must be well planned, discussed, and conducted with close monitoring during all the operations. In particular, frac port opening/closing, sand screened sleeves opening with coiled tubing (CT) well interventions, proppant fracturing operations, and e-line production logging tools (PLTs). Besides, if the transmissibility is high with a high leak off and quick closure of fracture, then frac operations should be performed with the objective of creating a tip screen out (TSO) scenario to achieve good proppant packing close to the wellbore area. Production rates after completing proppant fracturing, CT milling, and shifting interventions exceeded the expectations without any sand or proppant flowback. The candidate well's rate remained higher than offset wells and no sand nor proppant were observed on the surface. The new OH MSF with sand control completion technology will enable performing OH MSF treatments in gas formations with a high sanding tendency. In addition, it helps to diversify technologies utilized to enhance production without producing formation sand or proppant. Utilization in the right candidate in conjunction with an optimum engineering approach and optimized design will ensure obtaining the benefits of this new completion system to overcome similar challenges.