Ultralightweight Proppants: An Effective
Approach To Address Problems in Long
Horizontal Gravel Packs Offshore Brazil
A.T. Jardim Neto, F.G.M. Prata, and J.R. Gomez, SPE, Baker Hughes; and C.A. Pedroso, SPE
M.O. Martins, and D.N. Silva, Petrobras
Summary
Operators developing reservoirs and producing them from deep
and ultradeepwater wells are pushing the technical limits regard-
ing horizontal extension. Deepwater wells completed in unconso-
lidated formations usually have low fracture gradients, severe
leakoff zones, and/or significant washouts. Long horizontal open
holes, therefore, may become technically difficult or economically
unfeasible to gravel-pack with the use of conventional fluids and
gravels.
Typical completions in offshore Brazil start from a 95=8- or
103=4-in. casing, in which a 51=2-in. premium screen and tubular
string is hung along an open hole drilled with an 81=2- or 91=2-in.
bit. Horizontal extensions range from 980 to 4,000 ft. A variety of
openhole gravel-pack techniques proved to be complex and
costly, but ultralightweight (ULW) proppants have enabled sim-
pler and more-cost-effective gravel packing in these longer hori-
zontal open holes. The reduced gravel density allows a significant
reduction in pumping rate that avoids fracturing the formation,
minimizes fluid loss, and eliminates the risk of premature screen-
out caused by excessive gravel settling.
ULW-proppant technology was introduced to Brazil in 2005
and has been applied successfully to gravel pack wells under
extreme conditions such as low fracture gradient, severe fluid loss,
and washed-out zones. ProppantULW-1.25 has proved to be effec-
tive for packing wells with narrow sections through the openhole
interval, frequently found in horizontal wells completed through
shale zones that are isolated by reactive packers and/or mechanical
external casing packers. ULW-1.75 was introduced in Brazil in
2007 and has largely replaced ULW-1.25 for gravel packing wells
in which an improvement in the operational pumping window is
required. A combined package comprising ULW-1.75 during the
alpha-wave phase and ULW-1.25 during the beta-wave phase is
also discussed. This paper summarizes the procedures and results
of almost 60 wells that have been gravel packed with the use of
ULW-proppant technology pumped for a local operator.
Introduction
Horizontal openhole gravel packs (HOHGPs) have become the
completion choice for many operators around the world, espe-
cially in permeable and unconsolidated formations. HOHGP has
become the preferred completions methodology applied by the
local operators to develop post-salt reserves in offshore Brazil,
especially in the Campos and Espirito Santo basins. The current
challenges for gravel packing include placing gravel in wells with
increasing horizontal extension, smaller operational pumping win-
dows, and deep to ultradeep water. To achieve an easier place-
ment of the gravel pack without risk of a premature screenout,
several techniques were used over time: multiple alpha waves to
place gravel; well flow return through the flowline (blowout pre-
venter open); rathole elimination; alternative-path screens, differ-
ential valves; use of frictional-pressure-loss reducer in the carrier
Copyright V
C 2012 Society of Petroleum Engineers
This paper (SPE 150581) was accepted for presentation at the North Africa Technical
Conference and Exhibition, Cairo, Egypt, 2022 February 2012, and revised for publication.
Original manuscript received for review 28 February 2012. Revised manuscript received for
review 3 September 2012. Paper peer approved 10 September 2012.
December 2012 SPE Drilling & Completion
fluid; and ULW proppants. The ULW-proppant technology repre-
sents a simple and cost-effective technique compared with rathole
elimination, differential valves, and alternative-path screens. In
wells under extreme conditions, the ULW proppants can be com-
bined with blowout preventer open, multiple alpha waves, and the
usage of frictional-pressure-loss reducer to achieve a most effec-
tive placement of the gravel.
Before the introduction of the ULW proppants, the most com-
mon gravels pumped to pack horizontal wells in offshore Brazil
were natural gravels and several mesh sizes of conventional ce-
ramic gravels. The density of these particles (from 2.65 to 2.73 g/
cm3) causes a high degree of difficulty with regard to proppant
transport; hence, increased dune height may lead to premature
screenout at low pump rates.
A lower-density proppant would be easier to transport with
unviscosified fluids such as completion brines, thus allowing
reduced pump rates to circulate proppant at the bottom of the
screen and successfully pack the entire horizontal open hole.
In this context, the ULW proppants can span the operational
pumping window to perform the HOHGP more easily and safely.
Two types of ULW proppants have been used for this purpose, one
with a specific gravity (SG) of 1.25 and or another with SG ranging
from 1.75 to 1.90 (ULW-1.25 and ULW-1.75, respectively).
With the use of these proppants, most of the problems faced
with conventional gravels have been overcome, and the difficul-
ties with extended-reach wells (ERWs), low fracture gradient,
washout zones, and fluid loss have been mitigated.
Mendez et al. (2005) and Pedroso et al. (2006) presented a set
of laboratory tests performed with ULW-1.25 and ULW-1.75 and
some case histories of wells packed with ULW-1.25. The present
paper demonstrates the continued development of ULW-proppant
technology and presents case histories of wells packed exclusively
with ULW-1.25 or ULW-1.75 and wells packed with both prop-
pant types in a combined package.
At the time of writing, the ULW proppants have been success-
fully used by the local operator in 57 wells in offshore Brazil with
horizontal extended-reach sections. Fig. 1 shows the percentage
of HOHGPs pumped with conventional ceramic and ULW prop-
pants during the last 7 years.
On the basis of these results, ULW proppant is a technology
that can be used in wells with the most stringent conditions for hor-
izontal gravel-pack placement: ultradeep water, low fracture gra-
dients, low-API-gravity oils, and horizontal extensions >4,000 ft.
Well Configuration and Completion
Fields in the Campos and Espirito Santo basins are usually devel-
oped with a minimum number of wells, some of them being
ERWs. To reduce the number of casings, a slender well is usually
drilled and completed. A 30-in. conductor pipe generally is jetted
first (three joints); a 171=2-in. riserless phase is then drilled with
seawater and cased with 133=8-in. (surface casing) to 1,000 to
1,200 ft below the mudline. Next, a 121=4-in. phase is drilled with
synthetic oil-based mud and then cased to the top of the reservoir
with 103=4- or 95=8-in. casing. The horizontal open hole is then
drilled at 90 to final depth with 81=2- or 91=2-in. casing and drill-in
fluid (DIF). Finally, the DIF is replaced by the completion brine
after the final horizontal extension is reached. In sequence, the
613
 Percent of HOHGP performed with ULW Proppants lower-completion assembly is driven down in the well. Fig. 2
shows a typical wellbore configuration.
100% 10 9 4 The lower completion comprises an isolation packer and 13Cr
90% premium screens. The gravel pack is executed with a special hori-
36
80% 47 50 zontal single-trip-tool (HST) system. The HST system, shown in
70% 62 Fig. 3, allows gravel packing and stimulation of the horizontal well
Percent

60% in a single trip to save rig time and reduce the potential for fluid loss
50% 90 91 96 to the formation. Available for a wide range of applications, the sys-
40% tem maintains well hydrostatic pressure, prevents pressure surges
64
30% 53 50 on the formation (positive ball seats), and allows selective stimula-
20% 38
tion or cleanup of the sand-controlled region. This tool has been
10% widely used by the local operator to complete horizontal wells,
0% especially when stimulation is needed and flowback is not available
2005 2006 20072008 2009 2010 2011
to break down the filter cake (Vilela et al. 2003; Farias et al. 2007).
Year
Other Proppant ULW Proppant
Lightweight-Proppant Technology
Fig. 1Percentage of HOHGPs performed by the local operator Horizontal gravel packs around the world typically use natural
with the use of ULW proppants through the past 7 years. gravels or conventional ceramic proppants, which are pumped by

General Wellbore Diagram

0

2000 2000 Offshore Deepwater Well

4000 4000 21" Riser @ 4500 ft

30" Conductor Pipe @ 4600 ft
TVD, ft

6000 6000

8000 8000
13-" Surface Casing @ 8500 ft
KOP @ 8600 ft
10000 9-" Production Casing @ 11,500 ft (90 Inc.)
10410 10000
8-" Open Hole @ 13,500 ft (90 Inc.)
12000 13500

0 2000 3910
Offset, ft

Fig. 2Typical wellbore diagram.

MS Closing Dual Flapper

Running in the Packer Sleeve Valve Premium Screen Bull Plug
Hole

Setting Packer & Set-Down GP Circulating

Gravel Packing Washpipe
Service Tool Valve

Convert Tool
Conversion Ball Setting Ball

Stimulate Well

POOH Isolate Well

Fig. 3HST-completion-system operation schematic.

614 December 2012 SPE Drilling & Completion

 Bottom Pressure and Alpha Wave Dune Height
Alpha P.
Beta P.
5300
Fracture P.
Alpha Dune
4900
Qmin Qmax
Pressure, psi
4500 Safe OHGP Zone
4100 Premature
Bridging Fracturing 84
Zone Zone
3700 77
3300
2900
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Rate, BPM
Fig. 4HOHGP-operation pumping window.
use of a viscosified fluid, such as a linear gel or crosslinked gel, or
unviscosified fluid, such as completion brines, to achieve the
well-known alpha/beta-wave sequence. As operators push the lim-
its of horizontal-openhole-interval lengths, especially in forma-
tions with low fracture gradients, it may become technically
difficult or economically unfeasible to perform the gravel pack
with conventional fluids and gravels. Longer horizontal-openhole
wells increase the pressure losses in the lower-completion assem-
bly and may require that the HOHGP operation be pumped at
lower rate; on the other hand, this can result in excessive settling
and, eventually, plugging. For this scenario, ULW-proppant tech-
nology was introduced to pack horizontal wells.
When using conventional proppants, the challenge involves
the large SG difference between the proppant and the completion
brine, which drags the gravel to settle on the lower side of the
hole. If too much gravel settles, the risk increases for generating a
gravel plug, which would leave a void in the completion from the
plug to the toe, resulting in failed sand control. This possibility
may be higher in deepwater wells because of extreme conditions
including longer horizontal intervals, low formation-fracture gra-
dients, washed-out zones, severe fluid leakoff, and the presence of
a rathole. One approach to address this challenge includes provid-
ing an alternative path for the proppant slurry flow if a gravel plug
is formed. However, this solution increases the completion cost
by adding special screens and reduces the completion internal
diameter to accommodate the alternative path through these
screens.
One of the most challenging fields in offshore Brazil is Alba-
cora East, in the Campos basin. This field is located at water depth
ranging from 1100 to 1700 m, producing from Oligocene-Mio-
cene turbidite with low rock sediments (from 700 to 1200 m).
Hence, the sandstones are completely unconsolidated, demanding
a sand-control method. The HOHGP completion was selected
because of the low uniformity of the granulometric distribution
and high amount (155%) of fines (particles <44 lm).
The turbidites in Albacora East field are characterized as amal-
gamated channel complexes. An increasing erosive character
upward causes erosive superimposed surfaces, including some
unconformities. These complex stratigraphic sequences were later
disturbed by normal faults. In this context, the wells that cross the
channels (strikes wells) are prone to induced fluid losses in the
interfaces during sand-control operations. In such a scenario, sev-
eral gravel-pack operations that used conventional ceramic prop-
pants failed.
An alternative approach to deal with extreme conditions that
has been applied in Albacora East and in other fields in offshore
Brazil is the ULW-proppant technology, which allows significant
reductions in pumping rate (to avoid fracturing the formation)
without risking premature settling and screenout (exceeding the
maximum dune ratio). As such, the ULW proppant technology
allows longer wells to be packed. Because the density difference
December 2012 SPE Drilling & Completion
Critical Point
Rat
Hole
105
Dune Height, (%)
98
91 Alpha
Wave
Fig. 5Alpha-wave development through the rathole.
70
between the ULW gravels and the completion brine is small, there
63 is little to no settling.
This new technology can economically overcome most of the
problems associated with HOHGPs in offshore operations, such
as ERWs, low fracture gradients, and deepwater operations.
Extending Operational Pumping Window
The operational pumping window (safe zone) for HOHGP is
defined as the gap between the minimum rate (rate that achieves
85% dune ratio) and maximum rate (rate when formation-fractur-
ing pressure is achieved) to perform the job. Fig. 4 shows a
generic operational pumping window for an HOHGP job.
The backpressures applied to the formation during HOHGP
execution are the pressure drop across the wash pipe, the cross-
over tool, and the casing annulus, and mainly the fluid filtration
through the screen/wash pipe. The first and instinctive way to
reduce pumping pressure is to reduce the pumping rate. Although
it appears to be a generic solution, reducing the pump rate also
reduces the proppant transport velocity, creating a higher alpha
wave. Reducing proppant transport velocity increases the chance
of a premature screenout, especially in offshore wells, because of
the rathole.
The rathole is a small section, normally 15 to 30 ft long, in
which the diameter is greater than the openhole diameter. The rat-
hole is located immediately after the last casing and has a diame-
ter equal to the bit size of the previous phase, generally 121=4 in.
for wells in offshore Brazil. During the alpha/beta process, for a
given rate, the slurry velocity in the rathole is smaller than the ve-
locity in the open hole because of the bigger diameter found in
that well section. The reduction in proppant transport velocity
increases the risk of premature screenout at the end of the rathole.
In addition, the eddy effect can cause a screenout inside the open
hole. After the turbulence of the rathole/openhole interface (sig-
nificant diameter change), a big dune is deposited. For that reason,
decreasing the rate to reduce the pumping pressure can danger-
ously increase the dune height, especially near or in the rathole.
Fig. 5 generically shows the risks faced by the alpha wave when
passing through the rathole.
The ULW proppants allow lower pump rates to achieve the
same dune height compared with conventional proppants. Because
the pressure drops are proportional to the square of the pump rate,
reducing the pump rate can significantly reduce the pressure drop.
The possibility of pumping HOHGPs at low rates increases the
length of the horizontal section that can be packed and allows
packing of wells with low fracture gradients, eliminating the need
for expensive mechanical devices.
ULW Proppants
ULW proppants have been used extensively for gravel packing
and hydraulic-fracturing jobs for a decade. Development of the
proppants was directly related to development of deformable par-
ticles for sand-flowback control in fracturing. Researchers efforts
yielded new materials with desirable properties such as signifi-
cantly lower density than conventional proppants and compres-
sive strength more than sufficient for most hydraulic-fracturing
and gravel-pack applications.
Two avenues of ULW-particle-development research were
traveled. The first avenue was a porous ceramic with novel resin
615
 TABLE 1CONDUCTIVITY AND PERMEABILITY OF
20/40-MESH ULW-1.25 PROPPANT AT 1 lbf/ft2

Effective Conductivity Permeability Width

Stress (psi) (md-ft) (darcies) (mm)

1,000 5,388 330 4.16

2,000 1,926 143 3.55
4,000 994 99 2.79
6,000 445 50 2.5

ULW-1.75. The ULW-1.75 is a porous ceramic particle with

Fig. 6Photograph showing the angularity of the ULW-1.25.
technology used to coat the particle without invading the poros-
ityeffectively encapsulating the air within the porosity of the
particle. Encapsulating the air preserves the ULW character of the
particles; the resin coating significantly increases their strength
and crush resistance (Rickards et al. 2003; Wood et al. 2003).
The second avenue traveled by researchers toward an even
lighter particle was to find a resin-impregnated, and then -coated,
cellulosic particle. The cellulosic substrate is sized, ground walnut
hull, which has near-neutral buoyancy in flowing streams of car-
rier brines. Resin impregnation and coating enhance the particles
strength beyond that afforded by the unaltered walnut hulls alone.
ULW-1.25. The ULW-1.25 is a resin-impregnated and -coated,
chemically modified walnut hull. Particle size and a somewhat
irregular shape work with the resin processing to enable permea-
ble proppant packs in stress environments as high as 8,000 psi
(Fig. 6). The bulk density of the particle is 0.85 g/cm3, and the
SG is 1.25.
The ULW-1.25 is a highly angular particle, which yields a
high permeability at low closure stresses and no fines produced as
stress increases. Conductivity at stress for 20/40-mesh ULW-1.25
is given in Table 1. The lightweight nature of the ULW-1.25
yields a 2:1 width advantage over standard proppants: Large par-
ticles result in better packing and conductivity.
The first offshore Brazil well gravel packed with ULW prop-
pant used ULW-1.25 and was packed in 2005. From 2005 through
2011, 11 more wells have been gravel packed with the ULW-1.25
exclusively.
roundness and sphericity common to conventional ceramic prop-
pants, as shown Fig. 7. Resin chemistry and processing technol-
ogy have been developed to coat the particles, protecting the
porosity from fluid invasion. If the resin coating or carrier fluids
penetrate the porosity of the particle, the density increases and the
particle loses its low-density properties. The bulk density of ULW-
1.75 ranges from 1.10 to 1.15 g/cm3, and the SG ranges from 1.75
to 1.90.
Conductivity at stress for 20/40-mesh ULW-1.75 is given in
Table 2. The increased sphericity and roundness provide high
proppant-pack porosity, translating to increased permeability at
higher stresses with minimal effects of temperature. The porosity
encapsulated by the resin coating yields 35% less weight than reg-
ular ceramic proppants, and the entrapped air within the pores
increases buoyancy.
Looking exclusively from the standpoint of the conductivity of
a gravel pack, the effective stress acting on the proppant is crucial
in choosing the best ULW technology to be applied. In a compari-
son of Tables 1 and 2, it is clear that to pack wells under low
effective stress (approximately 1,000 psi), the ULW-1.25 conduc-
tivity of 5,388 md-ft is the better choice. For wells under higher
effective stress (>2,000 psi), the ULW-1.75 package provides
higher conductivity and may be the better choice.
The first gravel pack pumped with the ULW-1.75 was per-
formed in late 2007. Because of its sphericity and roundness as
well as its better performance in the high effective stresses com-
monly found in reservoirs in offshore Brazil, the ULW-1.75 has
been pumped more than the ULW-1.25 over the last few years.
By the end of 2011, 40 more wells had been packed with ULW-
1.75 exclusively.
Combined Package
Because of the different frictions when pumping alpha and beta
waves, same-mesh proppants with different specific gravities can
be used to pack each wave. The beta wave sees higher friction
than the alpha wave, so a lighter proppant may provide some
advantage in the beta wave. The lighter proppant also has lower
tendency to settle and allows further reduction in the pump rate
during the beta wave, with minimal risk of generating a proppant
plug.
Fluid transport mechanisms show that lighter particles fall or
settle more slowly than heavier particles. Static particle-settling
evaluations were conducted in fresh water to determine the differ-
ences in settling rate between conventional proppants and the
ULW particles. Median-sized 20/40-mesh particles of each

TABLE 2CONDUCTIVITY AND PERMEABILITY OF

20/40-MESH ULW-1.75 PROPPANT AT 1 lbf/ft2

Effective Conductivity Permeability Width

Stress (psi) (md-ft) (darcies) (mm)

1,000 4,523 325 4.24

2,000 2,926 249 3.58
4,000 1,146 125 2.79
6,000 487 59 2.51
Fig. 7Photograph showing the sphericity of the ULW-1.75.

616 December 2012 SPE Drilling & Completion

 decided to use ULW-1.25, which expanded the operational pump-
TABLE 3STATIC SETTLING RATES FOR VARIOUS ing window, allowing a successful operation.
PROPPANTS AS DERIVED BY STOKES LAW The well was drilled to a total depth (TD) of 13,073 ft. The
horizontal section was 2,312 ft long, with an average inclination
Specific Settling Velocity of 90 . The openhole caliper estimate was 9.0 in., and water depth
20/40 Proppant Gravity (ft/min) was 4,327 ft. Reservoir permeability was approximately 2,000
md, and porosity was 30%.
Bauxite 3.65 23.2
Fracture gradient was 0.56 psi/ft, obtained from a leakoff test
Intermediate Strength Proppant 3.15 20.0
at the 95=8-in.-casing shoe. The reservoir pressure was 3,637 psi.
Carbolite 2.71 17.2 A 9.2-lbm/gal sodium chloride brine was used as a carrier fluid.
Ottawa sand 2.65 16.6 Table 4 presents the information for this well.
Resin Coated Sand 2.55 15.9 Circulation Test. A circulation test was performed before the
ULW-1.75 1.75 11.2 gravel pack to determine the frictional pressure loss and check the
ULW-1.25 1.25 4.3 fluid returns. The fluid returns were lower than the pumping rate
as the result of a severe fluid loss, as shown in Table 5. Because
the leakoff rate was increasing with pumping rate, performing the
proppant were used for the evaluation. Stokes-law (presented by
job at high rate would not significantly increase the equivalent
the following equation) calculations are presented in Table 3.
rate into the open hole. In this scenario, performing a gravel pack
v 1:15  103 d2prop =lfluid SGprop SGfluid ; . . . . . . . . . 1 with a conventional proppant was not feasible because of the high
settling at the low rate that would occur in the open hole.
where velocity (v) is in ft/min, diameter (d) is the average particle Simulation showed that for a fluid loss of 30%, the alpha-wave
diameter, and l is fluid viscosity in cp. dune height for regular ceramic proppant (SG 2.70) would be
As shown previously, the static settling velocity of ULW-1.25 approximately 92% if pumped at 4 bbl/min rate (i.e., above the
particles was 75% lower than the settling rate for the conventional 85% dune height assumed to be the maximum ratio to success-
ceramics and 62% lower than the settling rate for the ULW-1.75. fully perform the gravel pack). The alpha wave for the same leak-
Intuitively, pumping ULW-1.25 during the beta wave can dramat- off and pump rate with ULW-1.25 was below the 85% dune-
ically reduce the settling velocity, allowing lower rates to trans- height limit. Fig. 8 shows the simulated alpha-wave heights for
port the proppant without risk of plugging in the proppant path. regular ceramic (left) and ULW-1.25 (right).
The lower settling velocity of ULW proppant is especially val- HOHGP Pumping. The job was successfully pumped with
uable to avoid settling in some narrowing zones that may be pres- the use of the ULW-1.25 at surface concentration of 1.0 lbm of
ent in the proppant path. These narrow regions are frequently proppant added per gallon of fluid (ppa) of proppant concentration
found in wells with shale zones isolated by reactive packers and/ at surface. The slurry-pumping rate was 4.0 bbl/min, with a return
or mechanical external casing packers. In such scenarios, the rate of approximately 3.0 bbl/min. The surface pumping pressure
gravel pack should be pumped at the maximum possible rate to dropped from 260 to 190 psi from the beginning of the job until
avoid proppant settling in the narrowing regions. the proppant reached the crossover tool 63 minutes later, begin-
ning the alpha-wave propagation. During the alpha-wave propaga-
tion, the pressure slowly increased from 190 to 280 psi. The wave
Case Histories front reached the bottom of the screen at 168 minutes to start the
Case History 1 (ULW-1.25). One application of the ULW-1.25 beta wave. The return rate increased to 3.8 bbl/min, and the
in HOHGP is described in the first case history. The job was ini- pumping pressure increased from 280 to 560 psi over the next 37
tially planned to be performed with the use of a conventional ce- minutes. The increased return rate was attributed to the proppant
ramic proppant; however, during the circulation test, there was a pack covering the leakoff zone(s). After 205 minutes of elapsed
severe fluid loss. Performing the HOHGP in such a situation with time, the screenout occurred (4.2 bbl/min and 1,773 psi), ending
the use of the conventional proppant could compromise the opera- the operation. A total of 30,400 lbm of proppant was pumped, and
tion because the equivalent rate at the open hole was low as the 8,900 lbm was reversed out, leaving 21,500 lbm packed in the
result of the leakoff. To overcome this problem, the local operator openhole section, which is equivalent to a 9.1-in. openhole

TABLE 4WELL DATA, ULW-1.25 CASE HISTORY

Field Albacora Leste

Rig type Semisubmersible

Water depth 4,327 ft
Last casing 95=8 in. at 10,751/8,130 ft MD/TVD
Open hole 81=2 in. at 13,073 ft MD
Horizontal pay zone 10,75113,073 ft (2,312 ft MD)
Formation Unconsolidated sandstone
Reservoir permeability 2,000 md
Reservoir porosity 30%
Fracture gradient 0.56 psi/ft
Reservoir temperature 122 F
Gravel-pack fluid 9.2-lbm/gal NaCl brine
Work string Internal Plastic Coating (IPC) 5.5-in. OD; 4.778-in. ID; 21.90 lbm/ft
Blank pipe Blank 5.5-in. OD; 4.89-in. ID; 13Cr, 17 lbm/ft
Screen Premium 6.62-in. OD; 4.89-in. ID; 13Cr
Wash pipe 4-in. Hydril 511 P-110 11.6 lbm/ft; 3.380-in. ID
Wash-pipe-OD/screen-ID ratio 0.818
Average caliper simulated 9.0 in. (simulated)
ID inner diameter; MD measured depth; OD outer diameter; TVD true vertical depth.

December 2012 SPE Drilling & Completion 617

 premature screenouts occurred when completing wells in the
TABLE 5CIRCULATION TEST, ULW-1.25 CASE HISTORY Jubarte field; among other screenout-prevention tactics, the opera-
tor decided try lightweight-proppant technology in the field.
Surface Treating Rate In Rate Out Fluid-Loss The well was drilled to a TD of 12,674 ft. The horizontal sec-
Pressure (STP) (psi) (bbl/min) (bbl/min) Ratio (%) tion, with an average of 90 of inclination, consisted of 2,772 ft of
open hole from the last casing shoe. The openhole diameter was
91 2 1.7 15
estimated at 8.6 in. and the water depth at 4,382 ft. Reservoir per-
265 4 2.7 32
meability ranged from 100 to 1,500 md and porosity from 20 to
422 6 3.5 42 40%.
A leakoff test performed at the 103=4-in. shoe determined the
fracture gradient as 0.59 psi/ft. The reservoir pressure was 3,740
diameter. The total mass packed during the alpha wave was
psi. An 8.7-lbm/gal sodium chloride brine was used as the gravel-
15,450 lbm, with 6,050 lbm packed during the beta wave. Table 6
pack carrier fluid. The fluid in the well before the gravel pack was
and Fig. 9 show data from the operation.
a 9.2-lbm/gal sodium chloride brine.
A circulation test was performed before the job to determine
Case History 2 (ULW-1.75). The job selected to describe one the frictional pressure loss and verify fluid loss. At the planned
application of the ULW-1.75 was performed in the Jubarte field in pumping rate for the job, no leakoff was observed. On the basis of
the Espirito Santo basin. Before this well was completed, several well, reservoir, and circulation test results, a final simulation was

Alpha Wave Dune Height Alpha Wave Dune Height

Alpha Wave Dune Height, (%)

Alpha Wave Dune Height, (%)

100.0 100.0
Leakoff 5% Leakoff 5%
96.8 Leakoff 15% 95.2 Leakoff 15%
Leakoff 30% Leakoff 30%
93.7 Leakoff 50% 90.3 Leakoff 50%
Leakoff 70% Leakoff 70%
90.5 85.5
87.3 80.7
84.2 75.8
81.0 71.0
0.0 1.5 3.0 4.5 6.0 7.5 9.0 0.0 1.5 3.0 4.5 6.0 7.5 9.0
Pump Rate, bpm Pump Rate, bpm

Fig. 8Simulated alpha-wave dune heights for conventional ceramic proppant (left) and ULW-1.25 (right), at various leakoff
percentages.

TABLE 6HOHGP DESIGN VS. EXECUTED, ULW-1.25 CASE HISTORY

Design Performed

Beginning
Pump rate (bbl/min) 4.0 4.0
Return rate (bbl/min) 2.7 2.7
Surface pump pressure (psi) 270200 260190
Time to reach crossover tool (minutes) 63 63
Alpha Wave
Pump rate (bbl/min) 4.0 4.0
Return rate (bbl/min) 2.7 3.1
Surface pump pressure (psi) 200210 190280
Estimated surface fracturing pressure (psi) 700 N/A
Packing time (minutes) 70 105
Dune bed height (%) 6878 78
Effective downhole concentration (ppa) 1.52.0 1.75
Beta Wave
Pump rate (bbl/min) 4.0 4.2
Return rate (bbl/min) 2.7 3.8
Surface pump pressure (psi) 210290 280560
Estimated surface fracturing pressure (psi) 700 N/A
Packing time (minutes) 63 37
Effective downhole concentration (ppa) 1.52.0 1.75
Parameters of Operation
Total proppant pumped (lbm) 29,600 30,400
Proppant reversed out (lbm) 8,900 8,900
Proppant past crossover (lbm) 20,700 21,500
Packing efficiency N/A 104
Clean carrier fluid (bbl/min) 823 739
Slurry volume (bbl/min) 880 809
Total pumping time (minutes) 196 205
Equivalent wellbore OD (in.) 9.0 9.1

618 December 2012 SPE Drilling & Completion

 Horizontal Grave Pack
Chart ULW-1.25 Case History
2000 15
Begin: 0 min, 200
psi @ 4.1 bpm, no 14
Screen-Out: 205 min,
1750 proppant
1,773 psi @ 4.2 bpm, 13
30,429 lbm
12
1500
11

10

Rate, pbm/Density, psa

1250
9
Alpha Wave: 63 min, Beta Wave: 162 min,
193 psi @ 3.9 bpm, 291 psi @ 4.2 bpm, 8
1000 8,860 lbm 24,739 lbm
Pressure, psi

6
750
5

4
500
3

250 2

0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210
Time, min

STP Pressure (psi) Pump Rate (bpm) Proppant Concentration (psa) Return Rate (bpm)

Fig. 9HOHGP pumping/surface data, ULW-1.25 case history.

performed to determine maximum pump rate and pumping pres-
sure behavior. Table 7 presents the complete information for res-
ervoir and well completion.
HOHGP Pumping. The job was successfully pumped with 1
ppa of proppant concentration at the surface. The surface treat-
ment pressure dropped from 1,403 to 1,229 psi from the beginning
of the job until proppant reached the crossover tool after 17.7
minutes and the alpha wave began. During 44 minutes of alpha-
wave propagation, the pumping pressure was stable. When the
beta wave started at 62 minutes of elapsed time, the pumping rate
was 9.9 bbl/min, and the increased pressure forced a stepwise
reduction in rate to 7.1 bbl/min. During the 58 minutes of beta-
wave propagation, the pumping pressure increased from 1,252 to
1,574 psi. The screenout occurred after 120 minutes of elapsed
time at 7.1 bbl/min and 2,016 psi. A total of 47,997 lbm of prop-
pant was pumped, and 1,694 lbm was reversed out of the well. A
total of 46,303 lbm was packed in the openhole section (equiva-
lent to an 8.7-in. openhole diameter). The total mass packed dur-
ing the alpha wave was 25,240 lbm, with 21,063 lbm packed
during the beta wave. Table 8 and Fig. 10 show data from the
operation.
Case History 3 (Combined ULW-1.25 and ULW-1.75). The
job selected to describe one application of the combined

TABLE 7WELL DATA, ULW-1.75 CASE HISTORY

Field Jubarte

Rig type Semisubmersible

Water depth 4,382 ft
Last casing 103=4 in. at 9,902/9,263 ft MD/TVD
Open hole 81=2 in. at 12,674 ft MD
Horizontal pay zone 9,90212,674 ft (2,772 ft MD)
Formation Unconsolidated sandstone
Reservoir permeability 1001,500 md
Reservoir porosity 2040%
Fracture gradient 0.59 psi/ft
Reservoir temperature 169 F
Gravel-pack fluid 8.7 lbm/gal NaCl brine
Work string Drillpipe 5-in. OD; 4.276-in. ID; 19.50 lbm/ft
Blank pipe 5.5-in. blank pipe: 6.13-in. OD; 4.892-in. ID; 13Cr, 17 lbm/ft
Screen 5.5-in. premium screen: 6.13-in. OD; 4.892-in. ID; 13Cr, 17 lbm/ft
Wash pipe 4-in. Hydril 511; 3.43-in. ID
Wash-pipe-OD/screen-ID ratio 0.817
Average caliper simulated 8.6 in.

December 2012 SPE Drilling & Completion 619

 TABLE 8HOHGP DESIGN VS. EXECUTED, ULW-1.75 CASE HISTORY

Design Performed

Beginning
Pump rate (bbl/min) 10.0 9.7
Return rate (bbl/min) 10.0 9.7
Surface pump pressure (psi) 1,232 1,403
Time to reach crossover tool (minutes) 16.6 17.7
Alpha Wave
Pump rate (bbl/min) 10.0 9.9
Return rate (bbl/min) 10.0 9.5
Surface pump pressure (psi) 1,024 1,229
Estimated surface fracturing pressure (psi) 1,769 N/A
Packing time (minutes) 47.7 62
Mass placed during alpha wave (lbm) 20,040 25,240
Beta Wave
Pump rate (bbl/min) 10.0 9.9
Return rate (bbl/min) 10.0 9.5
Surface pump pressure (psi) 1,0241,702 1,2521,574
Estimated surface frac pressure (psi) 1,769 N/A
Packing time (minutes) 65.1 57.7
Mass placed during alpha wave (lbm) 23,811 21,063
Parameters of Operation
Total proppant pumped (lbm) 50,780 47,997
Proppant past crossover (lbm) 43,850 46,303
Clean carrier fluid (bbl) 1,209 1,232
Slurry volume (bbl) 1,273 1,304
Total pumping time (minutes) 129,3 119,6
Equivalent wellbore OD (in.) 8.6 8.7

lightweight-proppant package was performed in the Albacora
field, Campos basin. The job execution combined ULW-1.75,
pumped during the alpha-wave propagation, and ULW-1.25,
pumped immediately after the beginning of beta-wave pro-
pagation.
The well was drilled to a TD of 11,352 ft. The horizontal sec-
tion was 2,608 ft long, with an average of 90 of inclination. The
openhole diameter was estimated at 9.0 in. and water depth at
1,237 ft. Reservoir permeability was approximately 1,500 md,
and porosity was 25%.

Horizontal Gravel Pack Chart

ULW-1.75 Case History
2200 30

Screen-Out: 120 min, 2,016 psi @

2000 7.1 bpm, 6.6 bpm, 46,303 lbm,
Begin: 17.7 min, 1,403 psi @
9.7 bpm, 9.7 bpm return, 0 lbm 1,304/1,232 bbl slurry/clean

1800 25
Alpha Wave: 62 min, 1,229 Beta Wave: 57.7 min, 1,252
psi @ 9.9 bpm, 9.5 bpm psi @ 9.9 bpm, 9.5 bpm
1600 return, 21,063 lbm, 703/669
return, 25,240 lbm, 601/563
bbl slurry/clean bbl slurry/clean
20
Rate, pbm/Density, psa
1400
Pressure, psi

1200
15
1000

800
10
600

400 5

200

0 0
65 75 85 95 105 115 125 135 145 155 165 175 185 195 205 215
Time, min
STP Pressure (psi) Pump Rate (bpm) Proppant Concentration (psa) Return Rate (bpm)

Fig. 10HOHGP pumping/surface data, ULW-1.75 case history.

620 December 2012 SPE Drilling & Completion


TABLE 9CIRCULATION TEST, ULW-1.75 CASE HISTORY
STP Rate In Rate Out
(psi) (bbl/min) (bbl/min)
300 6.1 6.1
450 8.1 8.1
1,230 9.0 8.6
1,480 10.0 9.5
A leakoff test performed at the 95=8-in. shoe determined that
the fracture gradient was 0.60 psi/ft. The reservoir pressure was
3,065 psi. An 8.9-lbm/gal sodium chloride brine was used as the
carrier fluid, replacing a 9.3-lbm/gal sodium chloride brine.
To isolate a shale zone, one reactive packer and two mechani-
cal external casing packers (ECPs) were placed in the lower com-
pletion through the interval from 9,923 to 9,963 ft. Table 9
presents complete information for reservoir and well completion.
The reactive packer and mechanical ECPs narrow the pathway
of the proppant. The external diameter of the lower completion in
that zone was approximately 81=8 in. To avoid proppant settling in
the narrow region, which could result in a premature screenout or
impair the zone isolation, the job was planned to be pumped at the
maximum possible rate without fracturing the formation, with
the use of ULW-1.75. Finally, the operator decided to pump the
ULW-1.25 during the beta wave to further improve performance.
The lower SG of ULW-1.25 results in a lighter slurry, reducing
the hydrostatic pressure acting on the open hole. In an 8.9-lbm/gal
sodium chloride brine, the slurry density is approximately 9.0
lbm/gal for ULW-1.25 and 9.3 lbm/gal for ULW-1.75. Lower
hydrostatic pressure allows higher rates during the beta-wave
propagation, or at least delays the need to reduce the pump rate.
Maintaining the higher rate reduces the settling velocitywhich
is already lower for the ULW-1.25 because of its nearly neutral
buoyancy in the brine stream.
Circulation Test. A circulation test was performed before the
gravel pack to determine the frictional pressure loss and check the
fluid returns. At pumping rates >9.0 bbl/min, a small leakoff was
Fluid Loss observed, as shown in Table 9. On the basis of well, reservoir,
Ratio (%) and circulation-test results, a final simulation was performed to
0
determine the maximum pumping rate and pressure behavior dur-
ing the job. The maximum pumping rate was fixed in 9.0 bbl/min,
0
on the basis of the simulation of a job completed with the use of
4.4 ULW-1.75, which represents the critical situation.
5 HOHGP Pumping. The job was successfully pumped with 1
ppa of proppant concentration at the surface. The surface pumping
pressure dropped from 1,202 to 835 psi from the beginning of the
job until the proppant reached the crossover tool after 33 minutes
and the alpha wave began. During the 47 minutes of alpha-wave
propagation, the pumping pressure decreased from 835 to 684 psi.
The pressure reduction during the alpha wave can be attributed to
the density difference between the fluid in the well and the carrier
fluid. When the beta wave began at 80 minutes of elapsed time,
the pumping rate was 8.9 bbl/min. When the pumping pressure
began to increase rapidly, the rate was reduced to 8.5 bbl/min,
which was maintained until the screenout. During the 38 minutes
of beta-wave propagation, pumping pressure rose from 684 to
1,080 psi. The screenout occurred at 118 minutes of elapsed time
(8.5 bbl/min and 1,482 psi). A total of 36,521 lbm of proppant
was pumped, with 7,310 lbm reversed out of the well. A total of
29,211 lbm was placed in the openhole section: 22,496 lbm of
ULW-1.75 pumped during alpha wave and 6,725 lbm of ULW-
1.25 pumped after the beginning of the beta-wave propagation.
Fig. 11 shows data from the operation.
Discussion, Lessons Learned, and
Recommended Best Practices
In Case History 1, the use of ULW-1.25 enabled the operation even
in the face of a severe fluid leakoff. Because of the difficulty in
locating the fluid-loss zone in the horizontal section, assuming the
pumping rate minus the leakoff rate as the equivalent rate through

Horizontal Gravel Pack Chart

ULW-1.25 and ULW-1.75 Combined/ Case History
1800 30
Begin: 33 min, 1,202
Screen-Out: 118 min,
psi @8.9 bpm, no
1600 1,482 psi @8.5 bpm,
proppant
48,999 lbm, 1,028/965
bbl slurry/clean 25
1400

Alpha Wave: 47 min, 835

1200 psi @8.9 bpm, 22,496 Beta Wave: 38 min, 20

Rate, pbm/Density, psa

lbm of ULW-1.75 684 psi @8.9 bpm,
6,725 lbm of ULW-1.25
Pressure, psi

1000
15
800

600 10

400
5
200

0 0
14 24 34 44 54 64 74 84 94 104 114 124 134
Time, min
STP Pressure (psi) Pump Rate (bpm) Proppant Concentration (psa) Return Rate (bpm)

Fig. 11HOHGP pumping/surface data, combined ULW-1.25/ULW-1.75 case history.

December 2012 SPE Drilling & Completion 621

 TABLE 10WELL DATA, COMBINED ULW-1.25/ULW-1.75 CASE HISTORY
Field
Rig type
Water depth
Last casing
Open hole
Horizontal pay zone
Formation
Reservoir permeability
Reservoir porosity
Fracture gradient
Reservoir temperature
Gravel-pack fluid
Work string
Blank pipe
Perforated liner
Wash pipe
Wash-pipe-OD/screen-ID ratio
Average caliper simulated
the open hole (a worst-case scenario) is a good approach. With the
use of such criteria, the equivalent rate in the open hole is insuffi-
cient to transport a regular ceramic proppant, resulting in a dune ra-
tio >85%. Performing this job with the regular ceramic proppant
represented a risk and probably would have resulted in a premature
screenout, leaving the horizontal section partially packed.
Most of the time, the job presented in Case History 1 was
pumped at approximately 4 bbl/min, with a return rate of 3 bbl/min.
A few minutes after the beginning of the beta-wave propagation,
the return rate increased to approximately 4 bbl/min; the pump rate
was approximately 4.2 bbl/min. It seems probable that the proppant
partially blocked the leakoff zone. This behavior was observed in
other jobs performed on wells presenting severe fluid loss.
Because of its low SG, the ULW-1.25 shows small differences
in density compared with most of the completion brines typically
used as carrier fluids in offshore Brazil, which results in low to no
proppant settling. These important properties of ULW-1.25 make
it ideal for HOHGP wells under extreme conditions such as:
 Wells presenting severe fluid leakoff, which results in low
equivalent rate through the openhole and inefficient proppant
transport.
 Wells drilled in reservoirs with low fracture gradients: The
ULW-1.25 allows pumping at lower rates, expanding the opera-
tional pumping window without resulting in dune ratio >85%.
 Wells presenting washed-out zones, especially in the rathole:
Because of the large diameter, the flow velocity in washed-out
zones is lower than through zones without such features, which
results in higher proppant settling. Because the settling velocity
depends on the proppant SG, ULW-1.25 presents settling velocity
much lower than that of regular ceramic proppant.
 Wells with narrow regions through the openhole interval:
These regions are frequently found in horizontal wells completed
through shale zones that are isolated by reactive packers and/
or mechanical ECPs. In such scenarios, operations should be
pumped at the maximum rate possible to avoid proppant settling
in the narrow regions. Because the ULW-1.25 presents lower set-
tling velocity, the likelihood of proppant deposition in the narrow
zones is less than for regular ceramic proppant.
In comparing the ULW-1.25 and ULW-1.75, the major differ-
ence is the SG. The ULW-1.25 is >30% lighter than the ULW-
1.75. This characteristic makes the ULW-1.25 the better choice
for wells under extreme conditions, whereas the ULW-1.75 is
ideal for improving the operational pumping window in wells
under somewhat better conditions.
Another obvious difference between ULW-1.25 and ULW-1.75
is the proppant shape. Whereas the ULW-1.25 is a resin-impreg-
622
Albacora
Semisubmersible
1,237 ft
95=8 in. at 9,879/8,734 ft MD/TVD
9 in. at 11,352/9,879 ft MD/TVD
9,87911,352 ft (2,608 ft MD)
Unconsolidated sandstone
1,500 md
25%
0.60 psi/ft
183 F
8.9 lbm/gal NaCl brine
IPC 5-in. OD; 4.276-in. ID; 19.5 lbm/ft
5.978-in. OD; 4.892-in. ID; Alloy 625; 17 lbm/ft
4.961-in. OD; 3.92-in. ID; 13.5 lbm/ft, alloy 625
4-in. Hydril 511; 3.476-in. ID; L-80; 11 lbm/ft
27=8-in. Hydril 511; 3.476-in. ID; L-80; 11 lbm/ft
0.730
9 in.
nated and coated, chemically modified walnut hull that presents
irregular shape, the ULW-1.75 is a resin-coated, porous, ceramic
particle with roundness and sphericity common to conventional ce-
ramic proppants. The increased sphericity and roundness improves
proppant-pack porosity, which translates to increased pack conduc-
tivity. Because of this characteristic, the local operators prefer to
use the ULW-1.75 to gravel pack wells when only an improvement
in operational pumping window is required.
To evaluate the package conductivity under closure stress, lab-
oratory tests were performed with ULW-1.25 and ULW-1.75, as
presented in Tables 1 and 2, respectively. In comparing these
tables, it is clear that for wells under low effective stress (approxi-
mately 1,000 psi), the ULW-1.25 shows higher conductivity. For
wells under higher effective stress (more than 2,000 psi), the
ULW-1.75 pack provides higher conductivity. Tables 1 and 2 pro-
vide a useful guide for ULW-proppant choice to pack wells in
which the main concern is the effective stress acting on the prop-
pant pack.
In Case History 2, the well does not present an extreme condi-
tion such as fluid leakoff or small operational pumping window.
However, because of several premature screenouts in other wells
drilled in the same field, the local operators decided to use the
ULW-1.75. Some advantages of use the ULW-1.75 are
 It expands the operational pumping window by enabling suc-
cessful operations at lower pump rates without the risk of a pre-
mature screenout. The ULW-1.75 presents 35% less weight than
regular ceramic proppants, which translates to lower settling ve-
locity and represents a good choice to expand the operational
pumping window when packing wells drilled in reservoirs with
medium-to-high fracture gradients.
 Sphericity and roundness common to conventional ceramic
proppants provide high pack porosity, which translates to in-
creased conductivity.
 Proppant-pack conductivity is higher than that of ULW-1.25
under effective stress of more than 2,000 psi.
 Settling velocity is lower than that of regular ceramic prop-
pants, which makes it a good choice to pack wells with diameter
anomalies (wider or narrower zones than openhole median diame-
ter). The lower settling velocity reduces the proppant deposition,
which reduces the risk of a premature screenout caused by the
plugging of the anomalous-diameter region.
Case History 3 describes one HOHGP job that combined
ULW-1.75, pumped during the alpha wave, and ULW-1.25,
pumped during the beta wave. Because the frictional pressure loss
during beta-wave propagation is higher than during the alpha
wave, the use of a lighter proppant during the beta wave allows
December 2012 SPE Drilling & Completion
reduced pump rates without the increased risk of plugging.
Through the openhole region, the risk of plugging caused by lower
pump rate is especially present when packing wells with some nar-
rowing zones, as in the case of completion through shale zones
that are isolated by reactive packers and/or mechanical ECPs.
Decreasing the pump rate may promote the deposition of proppant
in the narrow region, which prevents proppant transport beyond
that region. Another concern regarding reduction in the pumping
rate during the beta wave is creating a plug of proppant inside the
pumping lines. The lower pumping rate may increase the proppant
deposition inside the pumping lines, creating a plug. However, if a
lighter proppant, such as ULW-1.25, is pumped during the beta-
wave propagation, its lower settling velocity significantly reduces
the risk of proppant deposition inside pumping lines.
Conclusions
The use of ULW proppants has proved to be an effective
approach to packing long horizontal openhole sections in more
than 50 wells completed in offshore Brazil.
The ULW-1.25 was introduced in Brazil in 2005 and has been
applied successfully to gravel-pack wells under extreme
conditions.
Because the ULW-1.25 settling velocity is 75% lower than reg-
ular ceramic proppant, it is an effective option for packing wells
with low fracture gradients, severe fluid loss, and/or washed-out
zones.
The ULW-1.25 is also effective for packing wells with narrow
regions through the openhole interval, as frequently found in
horizontal wells completed through shale zones that are isolated
by reactive packers and/or mechanical ECPs. Because of its
lower settling velocity, ULW-1.25 decreases the likelihood of
proppant deposition in the narrow region.
The ULW-1.75 was introduced in Brazil in 2007 and has
largely replaced ULW-1.25 in recent years for gravel-packing
wells in which an improvement in the operational pumping
window is required.
If the major concern in packing a well is the effective stress act-
ing on the proppant pack, the ULW-1.25 may be the best choice
to pack wells under low effective stress (approximately 1,000
psi), whereas the ULW-1.75 may be the better choice for wells
under higher effective stress (>2,000 psi).
A combined package comprising ULW-1.75 during the alpha
wave and ULW-1.25 during the beta wave is an advantage
because the lighter proppant reduces the settling velocity during
the beta wave, allowing lower rates.
The ULW proppants are the preferred technology of the local
operators in offshore Brazil and have become a trend to over-
come most of the problems associated with HOHGP in offshore
operations.
Although there are several approaches to provide a successful
HOHGP execution, the ULW proppant is the simplest and most
cost-effective.
Nomenclature
d average particle diameter, inches
v velocity, ft/min
SG specific gravity, dimensionless
l fluid viscosity, cp
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the management of Petrobras and
Baker Hughes for permission to publish this paper.
References
Farias, R., Li, J., Vilela, A. et al. 2007. Openhole Horizontal Gravel Pack-
ing Offshore Brazil: Best Practices and Lessons Learned From 72
Operations. SPE paper 107190 presented at the Latin American and
December 2012 SPE Drilling & Completion
Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference, Buenos Aires, Argen-
tina, 1518 April. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/107190-MS.
Mendez, A., Curtis, J., Evans, B. et al. 2005. A Quantum Leap in Horizon-
tal Gravel Pack Technology. SPE paper 94945 presented at the SPE
Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference,
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2023 June. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/94945-
MS.
Pedroso, C.A., Sanches, E., Oliveira, N. et al. 2006. Lightweight Prop-
pants: Solution for Gravel Packing Horizontal Wells Under Extreme
Conditions. SPE paper 98298 presented at the SPE International Sym-
posium and Exhibition on Formation Damage Control, Lafayette, Lou-
isiana, 1517 February. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/98298-MS.
Rickards, A.R., Brannon, H.D., Wood, W.D. et al. 2003. High Strength,
Ultra-Lightweight Proppant Lends New Dimensions to Hydraulic
Fracturing Applications. SPE paper 84308 presented at the SPE An-
nual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Denver, Colorado, 58
October. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/84308-MS.
Vilela, A., Calderon, A., Gesus, P. et al. 2003. Novel Single Trip Horizon-
tal Gravel Pack and Selectivity in Deepwater Wells. SPE paper 84260
presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition,
Denver, Colorado, 58 October. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/84260-MS.
Wood, W.D., Brannon, H.D., Rickards, A.R. et al. 2003. Ultra-Light-
weight Proppant Development Yield Exciting New Opportunities in
Hydraulic Fracturing Design. SPE paper 84309 presented at SPE An-
nual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Denver, Colorado, 58
October. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/84309-MS.
SI Metric Conversion Factors
bbl  1.589 873 E01 m3
cp  1.0* E03 Pas
lbm  4.535 E01 kg
md  9.869 233 E04 m2
ft  3.048* E02 m
in.  2.54* E012 mm
psi  6.894 757 E00 kPa
*Conversions factor is exact.
Abrahao Jardim Neto became a petroleum engineer at Norte
Fluminense State University in 2008 and joined BJ Services,
acquired by Baker Hughes in 2009. During the past 5 years, he
has worked as field engineer, planning and executing stimula-
tion and sand-control jobs. Author of three SPE papers, Jardim
Neto has worked to help introduce new stimulation technolo-
gies in offshore Brazil.
Fernando Gaspar Prata is a Stimulation Vessel Manager for
Baker Hughes in Brazil. He earned a BS degree in petroleum
engineering, and a Masters degree in petroleum engineering
with honors from the North Fluminense State University. For the
past 12 years, Prata has held various positions in petroleum en-
gineering (stimulation, sand control, and completions).
Julio Gomez holds a BS degree in petroleum engineering. He
has held different positions in pressure pumping services in
several countries in Latin America and currently is Technical
Training Manager for Baker Hughes, based in Dubai. Gomez
has managed technical and operational projects involving
cementing, stimulation, sand control, and coiled-tubing serv-
ices. Previously, he was Region Technical Manager for pressure
pumping services, based in Rio de Janeiro.
Carlos Alberto Pedroso became a chemical engineer in 1986
and petroleum engineer in 1987, when he joined Petrobras.
He worked in Reconcavo basin (Onshore Northeast Brazil) until
1995, when he started a Masters degree in petroleum engi-
neering at Campinas University for hydraulic fracturing. In
1997, Pedroso joined Campos Basin Stimulation Team and
since then has focused his efforts to develop Sand Control
and Stimulation (SC&S) solutions for deepwater environments.
In 2003, he became a Technical Advisor for SC&S. In 2006,
Pedroso was an SPE Distinguished Lecturer, discussing Frac
623
Packs in Ultradeepwaters. In 2009, he was recognized with the
national prize, The 2009 Petroleum and Gas Brazilian National
Industry Personality: Technical Excellence. In 2010, Pedroso
was recognized with the 2010 SPE South American and Carib-
bean Production and Operations Award. Currently, he is the
Manager for SC&S for all offshore Brazil operations. Pedroso is
the Chair of the SPE Macae Section. Author of more than 20
SPE papers (and 43 Petrobras papers), he made substantial
contributions to the SC&S development, introducing or creat-
ing new technologies.
624
Ma rcio Martins earned an MS degree in physical chemistry
from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. He specializes in
acidizing, sand-control operations, and completion and has
been working at Petrobras since 2002.
Dayana Silva graduated with a degree in petroleum engi-
neering from North Fluminense State University and joined
Schlumberger as field engineer for stimulation and sand con-
trol. In 2006, she joined Petrobras and has worked on planning
and executing stimulation and sand-control jobs.
December 2012 SPE Drilling & Completion