The patented Baker Hughes GeoFORM™ conformable sand management system mitigates workover risk by reducing the chance of plugging or sand control loss caused by production cycles and reservoir or wellbore compaction. This more efficient sand control system—an industry first—also reduces equipment, personnel, and rig time requirements.
With Baker Hughes GeoFORM ™ sand management system you can have open hole sand control that is equivalent to or better than gravel pack completions— without requiring pumping operations. Currently, GeoFORM technology can be used in wells with bottomhole temperatures up to 185°F (85°C).
Apply shape-memory polymer technology
The GeoFORM sand management system is the result of extensive research and development of shape memory materials. The mechanical properties, chemical stability, filtration characteristics, erosion resistance, and deployment characteristics of the GeoFORM system have been thoroughly tested with extremely positive results.
With a smaller installation footprint and better sand filtration efficiency, the GeoFORM system covers a wider range of sand grains. Our Morphic™ shape-memory polymer (SMP) technology offers total conformance to the borehole after placement downhole.
The GeoFORM system is based on our unique morphic shape memory polymer (SMP) technology, which acts as a filtration medium while totally conforming to the borehole. The SMP material’s original, permanent shape has an outside diameter (OD) that is slightly larger than the hole size. During the manufacturing process, the SMP is heated and compressed to a smaller diameter so it can be attached to the base pipe, resulting in joints that can easily be run into the hole. After GeoFORM joints are in place, bottomhole temperature and activation chemicals in the wellbore cleanup and displacement fluid trigger the SMP to return to its original shape. The SMP expands to fill the annulus between the base pipe and the formation and applies a residual stress to the sandface.
The SMP provides excellent filtration with a complex pore structure that handles a wide range of particle sizes while maintaining high permeability (~40 Darcy). By totally conforming to the borehole and applying stress to the formation face, the GeoFORM system keeps sand from resorting as pressure fluctuates during production. This residual stress prevents plugging and hot spots that can occur in wells completed with other sand control methods. In addition to providing superior sand control, the GeoFORM sand management system increases operational efficiency and simplifies logistics by eliminating the need to pump a gravel pack. A typical gravel pack job may require a crew of 10 engineers and field specialists and deployment of pumping and blending equipment along with the sand and fluids to be pumped. A GeoFORM system installation is conducted by a two-person crew and no special pumping equipment or sand needs to be mobilized. The small volume of chemicals needed to activate the SMP is added to the wellbore cleanup fluids, which are circulated using the rig’s mud or cementing pumps. By using the GeoFORM system in place of a conventional gravel pack, operators can save one to three days of rig time and significantly reduce logistics costs while lowering HSE exposure.
Expansion for ultimate sealing
Morphic SMP—manufactured to a desired shape and size—is placed on the outside of the base pipe similar to conventional screens. When placed downhole, the Morphic material expands back to its original shape, restrained only by the borehole. The system adds a positive stress to the borehole wall while ensuring sand control. And, this technology can withstand compaction over time without risking sand control loss.
Modular and flexible
The GeoFORM system is simple and modular, enabling customized system configuration. GeoFORM system joints can be assembled in-country with local personnel, resources, and base pipe.
Cost-effective
The GeoFORM system’s reduced environmental impact requires less equipment and fewer resources, takes less time to install and requires fewer personnel. For these reasons, GeoFORM with Morphic technology is the practical, cost-effective alternative to conventional gravel-packing technology.
Features and Benefits
1.No need for pumping gravel
– Simplifies logistics
– Reduces footprint on location
– Requires fewer people
– Reduces HSE risk
2.Filtration performance over a wide range of grain sizes
– Provides sand control equivalent to or better than gravel pack
3.Full conformance to the wellbore
– Enhances sand control
– Improves completion reliability
4.In situ formation stress
– Stabilizes near-wellbore formation
– Prevents resorting of formation sand
– Enhances long-term completion reliability
5.40 Darcy permeability
– Maximizes inflow performance
6.Simple modular design
– Requires no welding on base pipe
– Enables use of local personnel and materials
– Can be easily customized
Applications
-Openhole gravel pack replacement
-Horizontal wells
-Remedial sand control applications
-Slimhole applications
-Conventional oil and gas
– Heavy oil
An Adriatic Sea operator identified a target well and zone located below several other planned production intervals. The GeoFORM system offered a better approach with a simple cost-effective sand control solution in a very challenging environment.
The target gas zone was a low-permeable, mainly shale-and-silty gas zone with close water contact. Normally, this formation would be a candidate only for a frac-pack completion; because of the close water contact that was not possible in this case.
Our GeoFORM system ensured minimal fluid losses and minimized the risk of exposing the fluid-sensitive formation. The activated Morphic filtration technology enabled complete conformance to the borehole, allowing for successful production without plugging.