SPE 86513

Differential Pressure Valve Incorporated With the Single-Trip Horizontal Gravel Pack
and Selective Stimulation System Improves Sand Control for Extended Reach Wells
Alvaro Vilela, SPE, BJ SERVICES; Chad Hightower, SPE, BJ SERVICES; Rodrigo Farias, SPE, BJ SERVICES; Luis
Neumann, SPE, PETROBRAS; Heleno Moura, PETROBRAS; Max Samuel, PETROBRAS; Jos Augusto, SPE,
PETROBRAS
Copyright 2004, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.
This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE International Symposium and Exhibition
on Formation Damage Control held in Lafayette, Louisiana, U.S.A., 1820 February 2004.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of
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presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to
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Proposal
Most of the reservoirs located in the Campos Basin, deepwater
and ultra-deepwater offshore Brazil are described as
unconsolidated sandstone that require sand control on both
producers and water injection wells. Horizontal Open Hole
Gravel Pack completions are the preferred method of
development. Due to the recent discoveries of heavy oil
reservoirs, there is a necessity of longer horizontal open hole
sections. Low fracture gradients may limit the length of gravel
pack in the open hole section because of the pressure increase
during the Beta wave proppant deposition phase.
This system allows the gravel pack assembly to be installed
and the gravel pack to be pumped during the alpha and beta
wave deposition phases without the limitation of high
pressures that could fracture the well. The benefits of the
Single Trip Horizontal Gravel Pack and Selective Stimulation
System (SHGPSS) using the differential valve include the
ability to complete longer horizontal intervals, valuable rigtime savings and, efficient mechanical diversion of the
stimulation fluid.
This paper outlines the first application of the SHGPSS system
using a differential valve to successfully complete a horizontal
well in the Campos Basin, offshore Brazil. The need for a
differential valve is primarily in horizontal gravel packing
operations when normal circulating rates and pressures around
the openhole would exceed formation break down pressure.
The valve is intended to be easily spaced out and run in the
washpipe. At a predetermined differential pressure the valve
opens and the return flow path distance around the bottom of

the tailpipe is shortened, thus reducing backpressure

preventing filter cake damage without slowing the pump rate.
Economic considerations along with completion efficiencies
are especially important on deepwater, subsea completions.
The utilization of differential valves allows completion of
extended-reach open hole wells and/or low fracture gradient
reservoirs insuring alpha and beta wave proppant deposition
phases yielding efficient completions with improved coverage.
Introduction
Most oil and gas reserves in Campos Basin (Figure 1) are
located in deepwater (300m 1000m) and ultra-deepwater
(greater than 1000m). Economics dictate field development
and planning is the key for successful return on investment.
Completion systems that can minimize rig time and future
interventions are particularly important for deepwater and
ultra-deepwater environments1. Economic development of
deepwater projects demands that a minimum number of wells
be drilled and still effectively drain the reservoir2.
The gravel packing of horizontal wells has been around for
many years, but recently as we push the boundaries of
economics, technology, and fracture gradients, the
mechanisms needed to perform these tasks grow more
complex. With an open hole gravel pack completion, the tool
string is placed in the well prior to any filter cake removal to
prevent fluid losses to the open hole section. This allows for
reduced leak off which acts like a closed system in order to
place proppant around sized screen to keep formation sand
from entering the wellbore. The gravel pack slurry is pumped
down the workstring and through the SHGPSS single trip
crossover tool in the normal circulation pattern (Figure 2).
Slurry is pumped down the work string and through the exit
ports then in the annulus of the open hole and screen and
returns of clean fluid are taken up the washpipe back to
surface. The washpipe is sized in order to maintain the
minimun accepted 0.803 ratio to allow for a small area
between the washpipe and screen, diverting fluid out of the
screen to avoid premature slurry dehydration, preventing a
premature sandout. Gravel packing with low viscosity fluids
allows for lower friction pressure in the system, which is a
must for wells with a low frac gradient. As wells become
longer and longer, the friction of circulating through the

system is becoming enough to break down the formation and

lose the filter cake. In extreme cases the friction of just
circulating will break down the formation and fluid losses will
occur, thus not achieving adequate proppant placement.
Prudently, many people have studied the fluid mechanics in
gravel packing horizontal wells and have validated the AlphaBeta wave process. In the Alpha-wave the sand is deposited
and when the slurry enters the open hole the velocity reduces
and a dune forms. Once the dune reaches a certain height, the
velocity carries the sand dune down the annulus until it
reaches the bottom of the well. The second stage of the AlphaBeta wave concept occurs when the slurry packs the well from
the toe to the heel, known as the Beta-wave. As this
propagation occurs, the Beta-wave pressure increases as the
return fluid has to travel longer in the small clearance between
the washpipe and screen to reach the end of the washpipe,
which could possibly break down the formation. The friction
pressure increases because the carrier fluid has to travel in the
annulus between the screen and washpipe with a tight
clearance. Before every open hole gravel pack, a computer
software simulator considers the frac gradient, among other
factors, in order to maximize the pump rate. The optimum
pump rate is desired to stay below frac pressure at all times.
Hydraulic Friction Concerns
Many considerations are essential for the successful gravel
pack of an open hole interval. The pump rate is computer
simulated from the geometry of the well, deviation, screen and
hole size, washpipe, density of the proppant and carrier fluid,
mix ratio and viscosity of the slurry. The amount of rate in vs.
rate out also plays a big part in the success of gravel
placement. In extended reach wells with long open hole
intervals, the friction of these components can be reduced by
placing differential valves in predetermined intervals of the
washpipe.
Once the Beta-wave reaches the valve, a differential pressure
opens the valve and the toe of the well that has been gravel
packed is no longer in the equation. By selectively reducing
the washpipe fricition, both on the outside and the inside,
longer intervals with lower frac gradients can effectively be
gravel packed.
Differential Valve Concept
Once circulating pressures become too high the formation can
break down and the gravel pack can no longer be placed in the
open hole section properly. In order to reduce the circulating
pressure, the friction pressure of the carrier fluid between the
washpipe and screen and also on the inside of the washpipe is
reduced by placing a differential valve in the washpipe string.
The valves seal off with slick joints in inverted seal subs
connected between screen joints to get a positive seal. Only
when the Beta-wave covers the inverted seal sub the pressure
becomes high enough to trip the valve allowing an alternate
circulating path reducing the length the carrier fluid has to
travel.

SPE 86513

By using multiple valves, friction pressures can be reduced

more than one time allowing longer open hole sections to be
drilled. The valve is forced open by a piston once the screen
directly above the valve is packed by the Beta wave. The
utilization of computer simulation software as well as slick
joints and seal subs eliminates the possibility of premature
shearing of valves in the washpipe string.
The SHGPSS system4
Equipment requirements: The main requirements for sand
control equipment (Figure 2) in Horizontal Gravel Packed
Injectors, are:
Maintain hydrostatic pressure on the formation
during all treatment phases, in order to prevent filter
cake lift off and cause undesirable fluid losses that
could result in incomplete proppant placement.
Improved flow areas through the sand control
equipment, in order to be able to circulate with higher
flow rates at lower pressures, thus avoiding reaching
fracture pressure, specially on long open hole
intervals with low fracture gradients.
Capability of converting the gravel packing service
tool into a stimulation tool, in order to save valuable
rig time plus efficient mechanical diversion of the
stimulation fluid, achieved by the use of polished
stingers plus inverted seal subs.
Isolation of the horizontal section after the
stimulation process, in order to avoid formation
damage due to fluid losses, achieved by using an
improved dual flapper valve design.
Well configuration: All the wells were drilled offshore and
consisted of 9 5/8 casing with a 8 horizontal open hole
section. This arrangement provides a large flow area and
became a preferable option for offshore wells were
applicable5. The 8 open hole horizontal sections are
desirable whenever casing design allows. The 5 base pipe
screens is the preferable size because, in case of a erosion
failure, it is possible to install a smaller screen assembly
inside, using coiled tubing in a light workover, thus reducing
workover costs in deep water wells5.
Screen selection criteria: Screen requirements were:
Stop sand production.
Withstand frictional drag forces.
Maintain gauge tolerances after installation.
High flow area5.
All of these requirements were meet by the use of
Premium Screens associated with 20/40 or 16/30 mesh
proppant.
Completion procedure: The SHGPSS system includes some
innovations to the service tool to perform the gravel packing
operations and reservoir stimulation in a single trip. After
reaching the desired setting depth, a ball is dropped on a
positive ball seat still maintaining hydrostatic pressure with no
pressure surges on the open hole formation at all times: setting
the packer, testing the annulus, gravel packing and

SPE 86513

stimulation. Once the packer is set and tested, both set down
circulating and squeeze positions are available in order to
complete sand control operations. Real time pressure
monitoring during treatment insures optimum sand placement
in circulating position. The fluid path during gravel packing
mode is the normal crossover type configuration. Slurry is
pumped down the workstring and out the MS Closing Sleeve
and down into the open hole section while returns are achieved
through the ported subs in the washpipe assembly to the
annulus above the packer. Once a sandout is achieved the
service tool is positioned in the reverse position changing the
fluid path direction. After excess slurry is reversed from the
workstring, a secondary ball is dropped and converts the tool
from gravel packing mode to stimulation mode. The
stimulation mode relies on the bullplugged washpipe
incorporating polished stingers and ported subs that seal
between screen sections to allow for selective stimulation
placement. The fluid path is changed from exiting the slurry
port to pumping down the workstring, through the annulus of
the tool and into the inside of the washpipe. The service tool
is then picked up in order to straddle polished stingers across
inverted molded seals placed between screen joints. Between
the polished stingers, at the end of the washpipe, the ported
subs that were used to take returns during the gravel pack
allows a flow path for the stimulation treatment to be squeezed
into selected intervals. Once the first screen joint/open hole
section have been stimulated, the service tool and washpipe
are picked up to straddle the next screen section and pumping
resumes. This can be repeated as many times as necessary to
selectively stimulate the entire open hole section. After
stimulating the well, the service tool is pulled from the
wellbore until the polished stinger trips the double type flapper
valve isolating the formation from fluid losses. This unique
double flapper valve type system is deployed only after the
end of the washpipe reaches the valve to prevent washpipe
contact, that has been proven to be hazardous to such valves,
during sand placement and stimulation. The use of this valve
is to stop the fluid losses by the use of rubber coated discs.
Summary of the completion running procedure:
1. Conduct a pre-job safety meeting on drill floor to
address assembly handling procedures.
2. Rig up screen running equipment.
3. Make up and run inside the hole with screens and
blank pipe assembly.
4. Make up and run inside the hole with wash pipe and
differential valves assembly, that includes:
Polished stinger assembly
Washpipe joints (flush joint with a 0.80 diameter
ratio)
Differential Valves (positioned as per computer
simulation)
5. Connect wash pipe adapter on crossover tool wash
pipe and packer assembly to screens and blank pipe.
6. Connect packer assembly to the workstring.
7. Go in the hole with assembly.
8. Run inside the hole with the assembly in the open
hole to desired depth.
9. Rig up flow head and surface lines for gravel packing
and testing.

10. Drop ball, circulate to seat.

11. Rig up the index line for the following steps.
12. Pressure up on tubing to set packer and bleed of all
pressure and pull test the packer to insure slip
engagement.
13. Close Blow Out Preventor (BOP) and pressure test
the annulus.
14. Place tool in the reverse circulating position. Mark
the work string to indicate reverse circulating position
and establish reverse circulating rates.
16. Move tool to circulating position, pump gravel pack
treatment, move to reverse position, close the BOP
and reverse out excess proppant.
17. Drop the secondary ball to convert to stimulation
tool.
18. Install injection valve.
19. Selectively stimulate by pumping acid or enzymes.
20. Close the flapper valve.
21. Pull out of the hole.
22. Run production seals with extension to break the
flapper valve.
Gravel Placement: The gravel placement process consists of
a primary of alpha wave that packs from the toe to the heel
of the completion, leaving an open void over the gravel dune.
Upon reaching the bottom of the completion, a subsequent
secondary or beta wave deposition proceeds in the opposite
direction of the alpha wave (towards the top of the well) until
the interval is completely packed6.
Gravel Packing pumping is comprised of five main phases:
Friction Test With the service tool in the reverse
position, pumping through the workstring and taking
returns through the annulus, various flow rates are
applied with the BOP closed (returns through choke
and kill line) and BOP opened (returns through the
flowline). Pressures obtained determine the friction
of the workstring.
Circulation Test With the service tool in the
circulating position, pumping through the workstring
and taking returns through the annulus, various flow
rates are applied with the BOP closed (returns
through choke and kill line). Pressures obtained are
going to determine the friction of the overall system.
Computer Simulation Based on the information
acquired during the friction test and the circulation
test, a pumping schedule is computer generated.
Pumping Pumping is performed based on the
computer simulation, which can be changed due to
modifications on original parameters (pumping flow
rate, return rate, fluid losses and pressure), during the
gravel placement.
Reverse out After a sand out is achieved, the
service tool is positioned in the reverse position
and excess sand is reversed out of the wellbore.
The success in the application of the alpha-beta gravel packing
technology in subsea wells, using dynamic positioning rigs,
has encourage Petrobras to quit barefoot completion for oil
producers and water injection horizontal wells in
unconsolidated sand5.

Acid Stimulation: After the horizontal gravel pack pumping,

by dropping a secondary ball, the gravel pack service tool is
converted to a stimulation tool. Using a polished stinger
assembly (end of the washpipe) and positioning it across the
screens with two inverted seal subs allows a selective acid
stimulation.
The service tool allows the acid stimulation to begin, right
after the horizontal gravel pack pumping by dropping a
secondary ball, without the need for another trip (conventional
systems), which saves valuable rig time. The main objective
of the acid stimulation treatment is to remove formation
damage caused by drilling and/or completion of the well.
To date, more than ten wells have been completed utilizing the
HST system in the Campos Basin. All the wells have been
completed in a single trip, saving valuable rig time as well as
stimulation vessel costs. The gravel pack assemblies used are
as follows:.
9 5/8 Sealbore Packer (rotationally locked)
MS Closing Sleeve with seal bore sub
Diverter sub
Disappearing Interference Collar
Dual Flapper Valve
5 Blank Pipe
5 Screen
4.38 Inverted Molded Seal Sub
5 Screen
4.38 Inverted Molded Seal Sub
5 Screen
4.38 Inverted Molded Seal Sub
5 Screen
4.38 Inverted Molded Seal Sub
5 Screen
4.38 Inverted Molded Seal Sub
5 Screen
4.38 Inverted Molded Seal Sub (as many as necessary)
Bullplug

SPE 86513

polished stingers and ported subs that seal between screen

sections to allow for selective stimulation placement. The fluid
path is changed from exiting the slurry port to pumping down
the workstring, through the annulus of the tool and into the
inside of the washpipe. The service tool is then picked up in
order to straddle polished OD slick joints across inverted
molded seals placed between screen joints. Between the slick
joints, at the end of the washpipe, the perforated subs that
were used to take returns during the gravel pack allows a flow
path for the stimulation treatment to be squeezed into selected
intervals. Once the first screen joint/open hole section have
been stimulated, the service tool and washpipe are picked up
to straddle the next screen section and pumping resumes.
During all phases of stimulation the differiental valve has a
piston area that keeps the valve closed. This unique
differential valve compliments the gravel packing as well as
the stimulation treatment (if necessary).
First Field Application
The 8-1/2 horizontal section was drilled from the last casing
shoe @ 2260m MD & 1808m TVD (9-5/8 casing) to TD
depth @ 2900m MD & 1827m TVD. Therefore, the total pay
zone was 640m of horizontal open hole @ 88 inclination. This
producing well is situated at 108m water depth and it belongs
to BC-042 block, in Campos Basin, Offshore Brazil. The
HGP assembly is made from 13Cr material and it was run as
follows: 9-5/8 x 6 Gravel Pack packer, packer extension
(seal bore sub, closing sleeve, dual flapper valve and
extensions), blank pipes (Blank: 5.5 OD, 4.892 ID, 13Cr,
17#, BTS), Premium Screens (Screens: 6.2 OD, 4.892 ID,
13Cr, 17#, BTS with bullplug).
After this gravel pack operation, the differential valve has
been qualified for extended reach well execution, with
excellent performance. Table 1 shows the well data.
Table 1 Candidate Well Data
WELL DATA

Screen and Inverted Seal Subs were placed across the open
hole section and treatments were pumped between six and ten
BPM. Packer placement was between 80 and 90 degrees
deviation.

WELL NAME

7-PMP-41HP-RJS (Producer)

FIELD NAME

Pampo, Campos Basin, Offshore Brazil

WATER DEPTH

108 m

Differential Valve Incorporated with the SHGPSS

System

RIG NAME

Jack-Up Rig, SM-12, RT-MSL = 53 m;

Dry BOP

HORIZONTAL SECTION (MD)

2.260m-2.900m (640m MD)

The fluid path during gravel packing mode is the normal

crossover type configuration. Slurry is pumped down the
workstring and out the MS Closing Sleeve and down into the
open hole section while returns are achieved through the
ported subs in the washpipe to the annulus above the packer
(Figure 2). Once the friction pressure from the circulation
path exceeds the predetermined shear value of the valve, the
valve opens and returns are achieved through the differential
valve (Figure 3). After the sandout has occurred the tool
assembly has the ability to stimulate the well. The stimulation
mode relies on the bullplugged washpipe incorporating

HORIZONTAL SECTION (TVD)

1.808m-1.827m (19m TVD)

WELL DEVIATION

88

FORMATION

Fm Carapebus / Arn Enchova-10

(sandstone)

RESERVOIR PRESSURE (psi)

2.140 psi

FRAC GRADIENTE (psi/ft)

0,58 psi/ft (LOT = 11,1 ppg @ 2260m

MD)

CARRIER FLUID (ppg)

9,0 ppg NaCl Brine

LAST CASING

9-5/8 @ 2.260m MD (1.808m TVD)

WORKSTRING

DrillPipe IPC 5 OD; 4,276 ID; 19.5#

SPE 86513

BLANK PIPE

Blank 5,5 OD; 4,892 ID; 13Cr, 17#,

BTS

SCREEN

Premium 6,2 OD; 4,892 ID; 13Cr, 17#,

BTS

Pump Rate / Return Rate (bpm)

WASH PIPE

4" Hydril 511 P-110 11.6# Washpipe;

3,428 ID

Expected Surface Pressure @ BOS-TOS

(psi)

630 - 625

WashPipe OD / Screen ID RATIO

0,818

Elapsed Time / Pack Time (min)

218 / 200

Circulating Rates (Circulating Position): Circulation rates

were taken in order to aid in the design of the gravel pack
treatment. Circulating rates were taken at 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 7.0 and
8.0 bpm. Fluid was pumped down the workstring, out service
tool, through washpipe, and then up the annulus, up choke/kill
lines with BOP closed. Table 2 shows the results of the
circulation test:
Table 2 Circulation Test Results
Time

Tubing
Press.
(psi)

Pump
Rate
(bpm)

Return
Rate
(bpm)

Stage
Volume
(bbl)

Total
Volume
(bbl)

Return
Ratio (%)

18:46

90

2.0

1.9

0.95

18:49

288

4.0

3.9

14

0.98

18:51

630

6.0

5.8

18

32

0.97

18:54

825

7.0

6.9

21

53

0.99

18:57

975

8.0

7.3

24

77

0.91

Horizontal Gravel Pack Design: Following the circulating

test, the job was designed to be pumped at 7.0 bpm with an
assumed return rate of 6.7 bpm. The design called for the
operator to pump at a proppant concentration of 1 ppa until
screenout. The design parameters are listed in table 3.
Table 3 Design Parameters
START PUMPING

BETA WAVE PROPAGATION

5.0 / 4.8 @ 95%

Proppant Pumped / Proppant Placed

(lbs)

53,850 / 48,700

Annulus Filled (%)

100

Surf. Frac Pressure @ Pump Rate (psi)

680

Elapsed Beta Wave Time @ Diff.

Valve (min)

10

HzGP Post Job Evaluation: With the crossover tool in the

circulating position, the slurry was pumped at 7.0 bpm with a
slurry concentration of 1ppa. A total of 62,470 lbm of 20/40
proppant was pumped during the gravel pack. A screenout
occurred with 57,095 lbm of sand past the crossover at 5.5
bpm and 1,530 psi STP. This total proppant placed would be
equivalent 9.4 wellbore diameter, or 17% excess into 9
wellbore. Table 4 lists the actual parameters after the job
execution.
Table 4 Actual Parameters
START PUMPING
Pump Rate / Return Rate (bpm)

7.0 / 6.5

Measured Surface Pressure (psi)

800

Elapsed Time / Pack Time (min)

17 / 0

Proppant Pumped / Proppant Placed

(lbs)

5,375

ALPHA WAVE PROPAGATION

Pump Rate / Return Rate (bpm)

7.0 / 6.7 @ 95%

Expected Surface Pressure (psi)

810

Elapsed Time / Pack Time (min)

Proppant Pumped / Proppant Placed
(lbs)

Pump Rate / Return Rate (bpm)

7.0 / 6.7

18 / 0

Measured Surface Pressure @ TOSBOS (psi)

680 - 740

5,150

Elapsed Time / Pack Time (min)

153 / 136

ALPHA WAVE PROPAGATION

Pump Rate / Return Rate (bpm)

Proppant Pumped / Proppant Placed

(lbs)

Expected Surface Pressure @ TOS-BOS

(psi)

640 - 630

Elapsed Time / Pack Time (min)

124 / 106

Proppant Pumped / Proppant Placed

(lbs)
Dune Ratio @ TOS-BOS (%)

43,375 / 38,000

7.0 / 6.7 @ 95%

Dune Ratio @ TOS-BOS (%)

75

Annulus Filled (%)

67

34,950 / 29,800
BETA WAVE PROPAGATION
73 75
Pump Rate / Return Rate (bpm)

Annulus Filled (%)

61

Surface Fracture Pressure @ Pump Rate

(psi)

980

Measured Surface Pressure @ BOSTOS (psi)

(7.0 - 6.6) & (5.5 5.2)

740 - 800

SPE 86513

Elapsed Time / Pack Time (min)

Proppant Pumped / Proppant
Placed (lbs)
Annulus Filled (%)
Elapsed Beta Wave Time @ Diff.
Valve (min)

223 / 206
62,470 / 57,095
100
8

The job was performed as planned, therefore it was considered

a success. The Figure 4 shows the Horizontal Gravel Pack
data obtained from the well. It shows the start pumping phase
(filling the workstring), followed by the Alpha wave and Beta
wave phases. The moment that the Diferential Valve opens is
clearly seen by a pressure increase and a sudden drop in the
return rate, and finally the screenout occurs. The Figure 5
shows the downhole data (Pressure and Temperature) obtained
from two downhole gauges. The first one was positioned close
to the x-over ports in the service tool and the second one was
positioned in the end of the washpipe assembly. The gauge
near the x-over port clearly shows the moment before the
Differential Valve opened, where a pressure increase shears
the valve and the circulation of the fluid constantally cools the
system. The gauge at the end of the washpipe shows a sharp
pressure decrease inside the washpipe due to the circulation
stopping in the last 100 meters of the open hole section. Also a
temperature increase at the end of the washpipe after the valve
opened shows that there is no flow through the end of the
washpipe. The Figure 6 shows in detail the data aquired from
the bottomhole pressure gauges.

stimulation for wells where low fracture gradients and/or

length could be a limitation.
Acknowledgments
The authors of this paper would like to thank BJ Services and
Petrobras for the permission to publish this technological
advance. We would also like to express the appreciation of the
members of the respective engineering/operations staff and the
Petrobras Ativo Sul Well Intervention Asset (Campos Basin),
without the combined efforts of these groups this
accomplishment would not be possible.
References
1.

2.

3.
4.

Results
The success of the Differential Pressure Valve Incorporated
With the SHGPSS System is measured by the following
results:
Differential Valve working properly Allowing
extended reach horizontal wells to be pumped
without the risk of fracturing the formation and not
completing the gravel pack placement.
Successful gravel pack placement Excess sand
pumped guarantees full screen coverage thus
providing a longer lifetime for the well.
Accurate computer simulation software The
horizontal gravel pack pumping process was
computer simulated with accuracy.

5.

6.

Leo E. Hill Jr., Gene Ratterman, Mike Lorenz, Sergio Fonseca,

Oswaldo Roreira, Fernando Machado and Ronaldo Izetti, The
Integration of Intelligent Well Systems into Sand Control
Completions for Selective Reservoir Flow Control in Brazils
Deepwater, SPE 78271, 13th SPE European Petroleum
Conference, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK, 29-31 October, 2002.
Mathis, S.P., Costa, L.A., de Sa, A.N., Tsuha, H., Calderon, A.,
Arango, J.C., MacDonald, K., Hebert, S.A., Horizontal Gravel
Packing Successfully Moved to Deepwater Floating Rig
Environment, SPE 56783, 1999 SPE Annual Technical
Conference and Exhibition held in Houston, Texas, 3-6 October
1999.
Gruesbeck C., Salathiel, W.M. and Echols, E.E., Design of
Gravel Packs in Deviated Wells, SPE Paper 6805, Journal of
Petroleum Technology (January 1979), 19-24.
Vilela, A., Calderon, A., Padilha, G., Germino, M., Novel
Single Trip Horizontal Gravel Pack and Selective Stimulation
System Improves Injectivity in Deepwater Wells, SPE Paper
84260, 2003 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition
held in Denver, Colorado, 5-8 October 2003.
Rovina, P.S. and Filho, E.L., Sand Control in Open Hole
Horizontal Wells Case Histories and Developments, SPE
53789, 1999 SPE Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum
Engineering Conference, Caracas Venezuela, 21-23 April 1999.
Penberthy Jr.,W.L., Bickham, K.L., Nguyen, H.T., and Paulley,
T.A., Gravel Placement in Horizontal Wells, SPE 31147, 1996
SPE International Symposium on Formation Damage Control,
Lafayette, Louisiana, 14-15 February 1996.

Conclusions
This paper demonstrates the efforts made in order to meet the
needs of a specific application for deep water and ultra-deep
water environments. Most of the new discoveries in the
Campos Basin are located deepwater and ultra-deepwater and
due to the recent discoveries of heavy oil reservoirs, there is a
necessity of longer horizontal open hole sections.
Based on laboratory tests, computer simulations and field
application results, the differential pressure valve was
validated to perform sand control treatment and post

Figure 1: Location of Campos Basin

SPE 86513

POOH, Isolate
Well

Stimulate
Well

Convert

Tool

Set Packer
Gravel Pack

RIH
Washdown

Fig 2: SHGPSS complete system

PORTS FOR PRESSURE TO SHEAR PINS

Fig 3: Differential Pressure Valve

SPE 86513

Horizontal Gravel Pack Chart / STP Data / 11-06-2003

Petrobras / SM-12 / Pampo / 7-PM-41HP-RJS / Arn Enchova-10
8

1800
Screenout @ 223 min, 1530 psi,
5.5 bpm, 5.2 bpm, 62470 lbm

1600

Pressure (psi)

1200

1000

Differencial Valve Openeing @ 161 min

(8 min into beta wave)
- Sudden drop in return rate;
- Sudden pressure increase @ X-Over;
- Sudden pressure decrease @ End WP; Less friction when resume beta wave;

Beta Wave @ 153 min, 740 psi,

7.0 bpm, 6.6 bpm, 43375 lbm

Alpha Wave @ 17 min, 630 psi,

7.0 bpm, 6.7 bpm, 5375 lbm

800

600

400

Rate (bpm) & Proppant Conc. (ppa)

Summary
Proppant Pumped: 62470 lbm
Proppant Reversed: 5375 lbm
Proppant in Formation: 57095 lbm
% Proppant through X-Over: 117%
Equivalent Welbore Diameter: 9.4"
Alpha Wave: 136 min, 38000 lbm, 67% annular, 75% dune
Beta Wave: 70 min, 19095 lbm, 33% annular, 25% dune
Total Packing Time: 206 min
Total Elapsed Time: 223 min, 1515 bbl slurry, 1448 bbl fluid
Differential Valve Opening @ 8 min into beta wave

1400

200
Start Pumping @ 0 min, 790
psi, 7.0 bpm, 6.5 bpm, 0 lbm

-1

11:06:03:19:43:21

11:06:03:21:03:21

11:06:03:22:23:21

Time (dd:hh:mm:ss)
TR_PRESS ________

SLUR_RATE _________

Fig 4: Horizontal Gravel Pack pumping chart

Fig 5: Downhole Gauges - Pressure and Temperature

PROP_CON ________

Return Rate

SPE 86513

Fig 6: Downhole Gauges with Pressure Data