By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Mar. 3 -- Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) has awarded Weatherford International Ltd.'s completion systems division (WCS) a 2-year contract valued at more than $34 million for supply of expandable sand screens (ESS) in Brazil. Petrobras already is using the technology in an offshore production well in Marlim field in the Campos basin.
The 5½-in. ESS initially will be installed in an 8½-in., openhole horizontal well, where it will replace the standard gravel pack solution. Marlim Sul and Roncador fields in the Campos Basin are producing from semisubmersible rigs in deepwater wells in more than 1000 m of water, with 8½-in. horizontal sections 500-800 m long.
Expandable technology applies to tools that can be expanded after installation downhole and are used for sand control as an alternative to the standard gravel pack and as drilling and completion tools.
"Brazil is a natural candidate for expandable applications, as there is a prevalence of clean, unconsolidated, high-permeability reservoir sands...," said WCS Pres. Stuart Ferguson.