David has worked as a Petroleum Engineer within the Well Services Team of BP in the North Sea since 2007. Prior to this he studied Aero-Mechanical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, including a research year at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan. He graduated with a Master’s degree in the summer of 2007.

Integrity Management of Offshore Production Well

Marnock W105 is a gas producing well in the ETAP field, North Sea. It was completed with downhole sand screens designed to prevent sand erosion of the tubing and the topside processing plant, by preventing solids ingression. In 2005 after an alteration to the flowing conditions of the well, the sand production rate and size of particles had increased, and subsequently the well was shut-in to avoid damage to the facilities. This suggests that a breach or erosion of the sand screens has occurred.

To determine the exact cause of the problem an extended well test has been planned that will make use of a sand filtration unit. The presentation details the selection process of the equipment, mitigations taken to avoid sand erosion and contingencies that have been formulated if the well fails to start. An economic assessment of the value of the work is also given.

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