SMP after the filtration test (Test #10 in Table 1). Conventional openhole sand-control techniques include standalone screens, expandable screens, and openhole gravel packing (OHGP). In some cases, the uniformity, size, and level of compressive strength of the formation dictate the use of an OHGP completion. However, OHGP is not always feasible or practical for some reservoirs and geographic locations. Shape-memory-polymer (SMP) technology can fill the gaps that exist with current OHGP techniques. This paper summarizes a technology using SMP to provide downhole sand control in openhole environments. The SMP conformable sand-control system consists of an engineered polymer material compacted onto a retainer cartridge (outer shroud, plain Dutch-weave mesh, and inner shroud). The assembly is then installed onto a perforated base pipe by mechanical means to provide a simple modular system for openhole sand-control applications. SMP Principle and Engineered Behaviors. The SMP typically has two different states: the glass state at low temperatures and the rubber state at higher temperatures. The point of change of state (the transition from the glass state to the rubber state), and the associated temperature, is referred to as the glass transit temperature (Tg). This article, written by Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper , “Advancement in Openhole Sand-Control Applications With Shape-Memory Polymer,” by and Baker Hughes, a GE company, prepared for the 2016 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dubai, 26–28 September. The paper has not been peer reviewed. ... This article is reserved for SPE members and JPT subscribers. If you would like to continue reading, please , or
Shape-memory-polymer (SMP) technology could provide a viable alternative sand-control technique in certain reservoirs and locales. It uses an engineered polymer material, attached to a retainer cartridge and installed on a perforated base pipe. The SMP is designed for use with the existing sand filter system of the reservoir or other water treatment facility.