As smaller pockets of reserves are being developed in Gulf of Mexico shelf projects, it becomes critical to the success of these projects for the completion procedures to be efficient and cost effective. This has led to a change in the paradigm for performing these procedures. Conventional one-trip sand control systems utilize the workstring to convey the perforating and gravel pack system. After perforating, the tool system is converted to a crossover tool for the pumping operation. A new system is currently being developed which eliminates the workstring, crossover tool and washpipe. Since there are no service tools in the assembly, rig time and associated costs are significantly reduced.

The prototype of this new system has been successfully utilized on three Gulf of Mexico wells, effecting an average cost savings of approximately $250,000 and a time savings of almost 40%. The development status and early field applications of this system will be described in this presentation.