Sand Control 153

For 12-spf shot density, a perforation spacing of nearly 6 in. is still achievable at a
phasing angle of 1431, but if a standard (off the shelf) phasing angle of 451 was
chosen, for example, the perforation spacing would reduce to under 3.5 in. Some
perforating companies can provide these unusual phasing angles. In other cases,
producing a chart similar to Figure 3.18 should allow an informed choice between
phasing options. There is also a compromise between high shot densities for
productivity (and reduced drawdowns) and reduced overlap of adjacent shots.
A further consideration for perforating weak sands is that smaller perforation
hole sizes are more stable than wider ones. In general, this promotes deep
penetrating guns as opposed to big hole charges. Deep penetrating charges also
generally promote better productivity as discussed in Section 2.3.4 (Chapter 2).
Bearing in mind that perforation entrance hole sizes in the formation depend on
gun standoff from the casing, centralisation will produce more homogeneous hole
sizes and, in theory, a delay in sand production.

3.2.1.4. Screenless fracturing

The idea that fracturing can be used to reduce sand production is not new. In a
simple form of sand production mitigation, low strength intervals are not
perforated. The fracture is induced via perforating in neighbouring, stronger rocks
and the fracture propagates into the weaker intervals. This technique has two risks:

1. Assurance that there is adequate fracture conductivity between the perforations and
the low-strength, higher-productivity interval. Stronger intervals typically produce
thinner fractures due to a higher Young’s modulus (Section 2.4, Chapter 2).
2. Leaving a gap in the perforations risks multiple (smaller) fractures.

As an even more aggressive form of sand control, a horizontal well can be drilled
below or above a sand production–prone interval and multiple fractures initiated
into the sand-prone area.
Instead of avoiding weak intervals, it is possible to fracture stimulate and use the
proppant to prevent sand production. This is sometimes called a screenless frac pack.
The advantages of this technique over a frac pack with screen (as discussed in
Section 3.7.3) are

1. Increased productivity by avoidance of fully packed perforations and associated

pressure drops.
2. Significantly reduced rig time. Wise et al. (2007) report multiple case studies
from the Gulf of Mexico where the ability to fracture the wells without a rig (i.e.
through the upper completion rather than a work string) led to large cost savings.
3. Less complex downhole equipment (no screens, sump packer, etc.).
4. The ability to perform the treatment down the tubing with a packer or
packerless completion. A packerless completion has the advantage of allowing
the use of the annulus for pressure monitoring of the fracture treatment.
Alternatively, the upper completion may incorporate a permanent downhole
gauge.