By setting sand-control screens for openhole completions in the same fluid
that is used for drilling into the reservoir, considerable cost savings can
be realized through the elimination of the need for displacing to a specia
lized completion fluid. The control of the particle composition of fluids i
s beneficial in preventing the plugging of the sand-control screens. Condit
ioning the fluid with fine grade shaker screens for removing the larger flu
id particles is sufficient to decrease the amount of screen plugging when b
ack-producing the drilling fluid in the annulus between the screen and form
ation. Fluids with a lower solids loading are also beneficial for reducing
screen plugging. In comparison with direct laboratory evaluations of the sc
reens, particle-size distribution measurements have been found to be insuff
icient at predicting sand screen plugging.