News | October 8, 2019

Halliburton Awarded License For Gravel Pack Completions

  • Field-proven gravel packing technique helps install screens in reservoirs with water-sensitive shales
  • Highly effective in eliminating risk of "stuck screens"
  • Developed and licensed by ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company

Halliburton announced recently that it was awarded an international license for ExxonMobil’s patented Non-Aqueous Fluid Gravel Packing (NAFPac) technique for gravel pack completions.

Hole stability and shale inhibition are keys to successful installation of openhole completions. Non-aqueous fluid (NAF) is often selected to optimize the drilling process, but hole stability issues can occur when displacement to brine is done prior to screen running operations.

The NAFPac process is a gravel packing technique that enables an operator to run the gravel-pack screens in NAF, gravel pack the well, and then subsequently displace the casing to completion brine, all in a single trip. Running the screens in NAF significantly increases the probability of successful screen installation and a complete gravel pack.

"As the global completions leader, Halliburton is pleased to collaborate with ExxonMobil to expand the use of the NAFPac solution to our customer base to help them maximize asset value,” said Mark Dawson, vice president of Completion Tools for Halliburton. “This field proven technique further enhances our leading sand control portfolio."

"The NAFPac technique has consistently delivered reliable, cost-effective and highly productive completions in more than 150 applications across our global portfolio,” said Tristan Aspray, vice president of ExxonMobil Upstream Research and Technology Development. "ExxonMobil continues to pioneer completion technologies that increase reliability and reduce the overall cost of well work. NAFPac ensures successful sand screen installation and reliable gravel packing."

About Halliburton
Founded in 1919, Halliburton celebrates its 100 years of service as one of the world's largest providers of products and services to the energy industry. With 60,000 employees, representing 140 nationalities in more than 80 countries, the company helps its customers maximize value throughout the lifecycle of the reservoir — from locating hydrocarbons and managing geological data, to drilling and formation evaluation, well construction and completion, and optimizing production throughout the life of the asset. For more information, visit www.halliburton.com.

Source: Halliburton