GULLFAKS SUBSEA WELLS: AN OPERATOR'S IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEW SAND PRODUCTION PREDICTION MODEL.

Early studies concerning the sand producing tendencies of the Gullfaks reservoirs concluded that wells should be completed with sand control measures from the start of production. Results from a newly developed Computer Based Sand Production Prediction Model indicated that the Rannoch sands could be produced sand-free through natural completions. Specific guidelines must be followed in the design of the completion and also included in the reservoir management programme. The production phase of Gullfaks commenced with 4 subsea production and one subsea injection well, completed by selective perforation with high completion efficiency. The model prediction of no sand production has been confirmed by results from all wells after 6 months of production. This paper reviews the field implementation of the guidelines from the model for the 4 subsea wells completed in the Rannoch sands.