Analyses of Fluids Used in Gravel Pack Placement in Sand Control Operations

Gravel pack fluids for proppant transport in sand control operations have been analyzed. The two fluids considered have been Xanthan and HEC. Laboratory experiment was conducted on the two fluids to determine their capabilities as carrier fluids. 30Lbs/Mgal and 40Lbs/Mgal of both fluids were considered using Trigonox A-W70 as breaker fluid. The result shows that Xanthan withstood more of the breaker fluid than HEC in terms of sand settling and breaker time. HEC broke at lesser time than Xanthan making Xanthan more capable to hold proppant at downhole conditions while transporting to target depth. The combined analyses of the breaking time, the sand settling capability, the plastic viscosity and pH makes Xanthan more preferable as a gravel pack fluid than Xanthan. However, HEC shows more ease of release of proppant once target depth is reached. Effect of proppant release and cost of proppant supports the choice of HEC as a gravel pack fluids. For optimized operation the combined use of HEC and Xanthan is recommended at calculated depth and downhole condition.