Case Study: North Sea Oil Field Company saves USD 60 million with SLB OptiPac openhole gravel-pack service

Record Gravel-Pack Interval Saves USD 60 Million by Reducing Well Count, North Sea

SLB worked with North Sea Oil Field Company to gravel pack a 4,347-ft openhole interval in a shallow North Sea formation with unstable shale streaks and low fracture pressure. The long interval and pressure limitations made it difficult to complete the well without risking fluid loss, screenout, or formation damage.

SLB used the OptiPac openhole Alternate Path gravel-pack service with ClearPAC XD fluid, shale stabilizer, diverter valves, and controlled pumping to reduce friction and divide the interval into shorter zones. The full 4,347-ft section was successfully packed, setting a record for the world’s longest openhole gravel pack at the time and saving the operator USD 60 million by eliminating the need for a second well.