Harding a field case study: Sand control strategy for ultra high productivity and injectivity wells

The Harding field is the first horizontal well development by BP and partne rs in the highly unconsolidated Balder Massive Sandstone. The field develop ment utilizes a TPG 500 Jack-up Drilling and Production Unit in conjunction with a concrete Gravity Base Tank (GBT), providing oil storage of 500,000 bbls. A combination of the highly permeable, unconsolidated formation with active water/gas drives and viscous oil creates a high coning potential. Th is means that achieving and maintaining sand free production through optima l completion design was critical to the overall success of the development. The first phase of horizontal wells was drilled and completed for sand free , ultra-high rate production, namely up to 30,000 BOPD per well with PIs in excess of 1,000 bbl/day/psi. High rate water injectors are required for vo idage replacement and pressure support. Initial injection water requirement s were provided by two dedicated aquifer source wells. This paper describes the strategy adopted and the factors considered in the development of the sandface completion design for Phase 1 of field life. T he experience gained on Phase 1 has contributed to the design enhancements required for the more complex and challenging aspects of Phase ii, which wi ll include extended reach horizontal wells to neighbouring satellite pools. These enhancements have been engineered taking into account the variations in reservoir quality, physical installation challenges, and production pro file requirements, in order to achieve continuing longevity and the high we ll PIs/IIs characteristic of the Harding Development.