E-Journal of Drilling Engineering: Research
E-Journal of Drilling Engineering: Research
Research
Corresponding author
Abstract
Several operators have recently launched a new industry-wide initiative on sand control reliability. The aim of
the initiative is to gain a better understanding of Sand Control Completion (SCC) systems and equipment
performance and reliability in a variety of applications. It focuses on assisting the industry to improve SCC
performance and service life through sharing of failure information, operational practices, and other pertinent
data. One of the key challenges in this effort is how to achieve consistency in the data collected by several
operators.
This paper presents an approach to establish consistent practices for collecting, tracking and sharing SCC
reliability and failure information. The approach is based on two key elements: (1) a general and common data
set; and (2) a standard nomenclature for coding SCC failure information. The general data set contains basic
information on operating conditions, SCC systems and equipment, and the observed failures. While this data
set is not overly detailed, in that the information is typically already collected by most operators and relatively
easy to obtain, it is comprehensive enough so that meaningful analyses can be performed. The nomenclature
standard builds on the International Standard IS0 14224 that stipulates broad definitions and failure attributes
related to collection and exchange of reliability and maintenance data for equipment used in the petroleum
industry.
The paper also provides a review of past industry efforts to track SCC system reliability in terms of the types
of data collected, and the main types of analyses performed with the data. Comments are included on difficult
issues such as how to define failure of a sand control completion.
It is hoped that the paper will encourage discussion on the topic, and help the industry share SCC reliability
and failure data in a more consistent manner. The ultimate goals of this work are to assist the industry in
improving SCC service life; improving the basis for selecting sand control systems and equipment; and better
realizing the full potential of SCC technologies.
Introduction
Operators face a major challenge when trying to
determine which sand control completion method to
choose to provide the best economics over the life of a
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Data Quality
Confidence in the data collected for reliability studies,
and hence any analysis, is strongly dependent on the
quality of the data collected [4]. However, ensuring that
good quality data is collected is also one of the main
challenges in sharing failure data through a common,
industry-wide tracking system [5]. This was of particular
concern in this case because of the potentially large data
sets that would be required to account for influential
factors from: well and completion design; reservoir
characteristics; equipment and fluids selection; drilling
and completion operations; production and servicing
history, etc.
In this initiative, data consistency is promoted by
defining both the parameters (quantitative and
qualitative) that this common data set should consist of,
as well as how the SCC failures would be described.
A common data set is essential for establishing
meaningful relationships among the types of failures
observed; the equipment used; the produced fluids; the
operating practices; and other factors. Its primary role
is to enable operators to collect a common set of
parameters. To forestall the potential difficulty of
collecting and handling an excessively large data set, this
common data set is limited to parameters that: (1) will
have immediate or potential use in the analysis; and (2)
are readily available from the existing tracking systems,
databases and field records of most operators. At the
same time, the data set must be comprehensive enough
so that meaningful analyses can be performed. Hence,
defining the list of parameters is challenging because it
must satisfy these two, often-opposing, objectives.
A common terminology and format for classifying the
failures is also necessary; it ensures that all users have
similar interpretations of a failure event, and that data
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Item
Description
GP Packer
2
3
GP Extension with
sliding sleeve
Blank Liner
Upper tell-tale
Screen Assembly
Lower Tell-tale
Sump Packer
IGP System
4
10
11
6
12
Seal Assembly
13
10
Centralizer
14
11
Gravel Pack
12
Crushed zone
13
Perforations
14
Damaged formation
15
16
Sump
17
Cement
18
Casing
7
15
8
9
16
17
18
Formation
Stability
Prepack
Assembly
Formation
Cement/
Casing
Bridge sand
Permit fluid flow
Keep tunnel gravel in
place
Fluid Flow
Perforations
Gravel
Pack
Fines
Sand and
Fines Flow
Fluid Flow
Perforation
Guns
GP Service
Tool
Evaluation
Stimulation &
Remedial Work
GP
Assembly
Debris
Sump
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Comments
Sand Production
Observed at surface
Observed via sand monitoring devices
Productivity
Low productivity
Access
Impaired access
Other
Other
Unknown
Unknown
Perforations
Perforation
Associated Parts/Sub
Parts/Sub--Components
Tunnel
Gravel
Crushed Zone
GP Assembly
Gravel Pack
Gravel Pack
GP Packer
GP Extension sliding sleeve
Casing/ Cement
Cement
Casing
Failure Descriptors.
Descriptors. A Failure Descriptor is an apparent
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Comments
Bent
Loose/Spinning
Broken/Fractured
Low efficiency
torque
Buckled
Low head
Collapsed
Punctured
Cracked
Burst/Ruptured
Damaged
Scratched
Dented
Squashed/Flattened
Disconnected
Stuck
Torn
Twisted
Leaking
Unbalanced/Vibration
Brittle
Hardened
Burned
Melted
Corroded
Overheated
Discolored
Swollen
Worn
Contaminated
Stuck closed
Plugged
Stuck open
Coated - External
Coated - Internal
Missing
Maintenance Discard
Other
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Comments
Fabrication Related
Manufacturing problem
Design Related
Defective design
Operating procedure
Corroded screens
Improper installation
Increased volume of fines due to pore pressure decline
Installation Related
Operation Related
Production strategy
Reservoir or fluids
Reservoir conditions
related
Failure Effects.
Effects. Failure Effects are the consequences of a
Failure Mode on the operation, function, or status of an
item. One of the following Failure Effects (assessed at
the SCC system level) would be reported when a failure
is deemed to have occurred:
Curtailed production production rate is
reduced for that specific completion
interval.
Minor intervention typically throughtubing workover operations, e.g., using
coiled tubing, snubbing or slickline
equipment, conducted to complete
treatments or well service activities that
avoid a full workover where the tubing is
removed. The operation should save time
and expense compared to a full workover
within the operators field experience.
Major intervention a full workover, e.g.,
any well treatment or work that requires
the production tubing to be pulled
(including through tubing recompletions),
typically requiring the services of a
workover rig.
Plug and abandon the specific completion interval is
abandoned.
Applying the Nomenclature Standard.
Standard Most of the time,
in the existing industry systems, the various
components of a failure record or event (i.e., mode,
item, descriptors and cause) are erroneously lumped
into one or two failure classes; for instance reason for
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3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Nomenclature
ISO =International Organization for Standardization
IGP = Internal Gravel Pack
FMECA = Failure Modes Effects and Criticalities
Analysis
SCC = Sand Control Completion
SAS = Stand Alone Screens
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the Participants in C-FERs SCCRIFTS project (Shell, ConocoPhillips, BHP and Chevron)
for permission to publish this paper and the following
C-FER staff for their contribution to this work:
Francisco Alhanati, Todd Zahacy, Darren Worth, Cam
Matthews, Keith Hartman, and Marcia Jeremiah.
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References
1.
2.
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