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Water-well turbidity reduction in a slotted screen

Water-well turbidity reduction in a slotted screen

Context

In a 1600ft well, a 4ft-long zone produced turbid water above a given pumping rate. Length of the stainless steel screen -1300ft- raised concerns on the possibility to efficiently treat this area. Indeed, turbidity could travel along the gravel pack and contaminate the main flow. 

Length of the patch was studied as to allow the maximum turbidity-free flow at an acceptable pumping rate, taking into account possible fluid-level change caused by patch-induced pressure losses. Also, the screen geometry (0.23in thick with 0.08in oblong slots) questioned the possibility of expanding and anchoring the patch without damaging the strainer.

Solution

Water-well turbidity reduction in a slotted screen

Water well repair with Saltel expandable steel patch.

It was decided to set a 40ft patch. The purpose was to steady the flow behind the patch. This would thus prevent the production of turbid water. Saltel Industries performed shop tests on an identical slotted screen. The team determined that the patch could be anchored to the slotted-casing without damage. The condition was to transmit less than 650psi to the casing.

The key points in order to avoid screen damage were:

  • an accurate positioning of the expansion packer when expanding (to avoid the contact of the inflated packer with the screen)
  • the pressure monitoring (to avoid applying too much pressure to the  screen through the patch).

Settings

Positioning of the patch was made by pipe tally since water was too trouble for video positioning. The patch has been expanded in 17 steps.

Result

turbidity vs flowrate

A video check confirmed the good setting of the patch. It was also observed that the screen had not been expanded above or below the patch.
The client was satisfied with this water well rehabilitation. The patch increased the turbidity threshold point. It enabled a production increase of 125 US barrels per hour, with no turbidity. Also, for a given pumping rate, no fluid level drop was observed compared to previously.