Filter pack media – Influence of physical properties on well performance
Inadequate values for crushing strength, abrasive resistivity, roundness, gradation and chemical resistivity lead to insufficient hydraulics, increased well clogging and scaling, higher electrical energy demand, reduced life-cycle, and increased Operations & Maintenance costs. So looking for substitutes with superior features was mandatory.
In late 2007 high quality soda lime glass beads were first used as an alternative for gravel in the filter pack of a 400 ft. well in Germany. The promising results gave way to further tests.
Extensive comparative field and laboratory studies and discussions whether glass beads are a better choice also fostered the fundamental analysis and understanding of the role of filter packs and the influence of media properties on well performance. Bench tests proved how underrated features like sphericity and gradation so far were on well efficiency.
In this presentation a qualified and quantified selection of parameters from experiments will be outlined together with field results and cost benefit analysis from actual wells out of the experience of more than six years .
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