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Abstract Effective well completion design is crucial to maximize reservoir recovery rates, with many exploration and production (E&P) companies utilize multilateral technology to achieve this important objective. However, as fields mature and more wells are drilled, cost-effective reservoir management becomes more challenging. The E&P companies drill dedicated wells to collect important data for reservoir planning, with well logging conducted periodically to monitor the changes in the reservoir. Observation wells have been drilled in different locations to monitor the reservoir and assist with planning and intervention decisions. However, these wells can be costly and occupy valuable space that could be utilized for production. An alternate technique enables E&P companies to drill a pilot hole, perform all the necessary logging, and obtain the required reservoir information. The pilot hole is then plugged and abandoned. Even though this technique saves the space occupied by a dedicated observation well, the collected data only remains valid for a limited period due to potential changes to the reservoir. The production and completion engineers have further leveraged this solution and developed a new multilateral well technology that addresses these challenges. These enhanced technologies allow wells to be completed with a pilot hole (vertical) drilled for reservoir evaluation throughout the life of the well, with permanent downhole monitoring system (PDHMS) with permanent downhole monitoring gauges (PDHGs) installed for pressure and temperature monitoring, while the horizontal lateral functions as an oil/gas producer. Combining the observation and producer wells into one well results in cost savings and maximum reservoir recovery and management. In addition, the capability to access the lateral allows for intervention in both the motherbore and lateral at any time. A well completed with this multilateral technology recently required intervention for well logging and treatment to revive the well. Slickline runs were performed to gain access to the horizontal lateral, which included retrieval of an isolation sleeve and installation of a tubing exit whipstock (TEW) for lateral re-entry. Later, coiled tubing (CT) was run through the window into the lateral to perform intervention operations and revive the well. Upon completion of the intervention, the TEW was retrieved from the window, the isolation sleeve was reinstalled, and the revived well returned to production. Well intervention through this multilateral completion demonstrates the ease and efficiency of accessing both the vertical and horizontal lateral, without requiring a rig or completion retrieval. This paper will highlight the multilateral completion technology for accessing both the laterals, including real-time monitoring capabilities that provide more reliable data to maximize the recovery and management of the reservoir, as well as perform effective intervention.
acid, completion, Directional Drilling, drilling operation, enzyme, integrity, intervention, junction, lateral, multilateral completion window, packer, polymer, production control, production monitoring, reaction, real time system, Reservoir Surveillance, slickline, successful intervention, tEw, Upstream Oil & Gas, well-a, wellbore
SPE Disciplines:
Abstract Multilateral technology can provide a higher recovery factor by achieving a longer field life supported by the cumulative production of the multiple laterals, turning otherwise unviable reservoirs into economically sound targets, keeping construction costs down and minimizing risk. This paper will focus on TAML 5 systems that meet well integrity requirements by isolating the junction from reservoir pressure or stimulations and provide independent accessibility on both laterals during the life of the well. This capability eliminates the requirement to pull the completion should access be required to the lateral for cleaning, stimulation, zonal isolation, or data acquisition. Using this technology also leads to a reduction in the cost of well construction as well as intervention. This paper discusses challenges faced to provide accessibility to both laterals from surface without using a re-entry deflector as well as solutions including segregated and commingled flow installations. Discussion will also cover completion designs that tie new laterals into existing production casing. Case studies will include a discussion of workover operations, isolation methods, and lateral creation systems. In the Middle East, older TAML 4 wells have been converted to TAML 5 in order to prevent detected gas migrating into the mainbore at the junction. This conversion of a cemented junction well has enabled production to resume on the wells. This application has also been applied to the installation of new wells in the region. New and re-entry wells were completed with intelligent upper completions to enable flow control of each lateral. The paper focuses on the challenges, solutions, and successful case studies of multilateral wells constructed in the Middle East. The paper also provides insight as to methodology for continually improving reliability of multilateral installations to maximize efficiencies.
SPE Disciplines:
Abstract In the past, accessing laterals after a multipacker completion system installation in a multilateral well presented significant risks to drilling operations because certain crucial operations, such as acid stimulation, required a rig on location. Recently, a Middle East operator successfully installed an isolated multilateral completion system. The system was deployed in a well located in an onshore field in the Arabian Gulf region. The isolated multilateral system was customized for multilateral wells that require re-entry capability to access the lateral. The system provided a completion window equipped with landing profiles and sealbores that enable deflector settings for lateral access or isolation sleeves for lateral control. Additionally, a unique latch coupling allowed for installation at the optimum azimuth and depth of the system for lateral re-entry operations. Historically, in installations that required access to the lateral, a pilot hole had to be drilled and subsequently plugged and abandoned to avoid running a dual-packer completion, followed by running a single packer as an alternative to enable safe stimulation of the lateral. Using the new multilateral isolation system enabled the first combined observation and producer well with a dual-packer completion string. The well represented a technical milestone for the service company in the development of multiple reservoir fields. Using the isolated multilateral completion system allowed the operator to achieve the following results: Maintain accessibility to the observation bore for future monitoring and producing from the other laterals. Improve surface infrastructure by reducing the number of wells to be drilled. Save on drilling and completion costs with individual observation wells. Achieve accessibility through the completion on either lateral independently. Perform acid stimulation treatments using a rigless unit at any point during the life of the well through a multipacker completion. Risk reduction with drilling rigs because critical operations, such as acid stimulation and well testing, can be satisfactorily performed using a rigless unit instead of a rig on location. The identification of further benefits and lessons learned will be addressed in future work. In conclusion, the Middle East operator had achieved success in the deployment of newly acquired technology for the multilateral/single-bore completion with multipacker systems.
application, completion, completion window system, coupling, Directional Drilling, drilling operation, exit whipstock, installation, isolation sleeve, lateral, lateral access, multilateral completion system, objective, operator, pilot hole, pressure isolation sleeve, re-entry capability, reservoir, service company, successful deployment, Upstream Oil & Gas, Window System
Country:
- Asia > Middle East (0.89)
- Europe (0.89)
SPE Disciplines:
- Well Drilling > Drilling Operations > Directional drilling (1.00)
- Well Completion (1.00)
Using Proven Milling Technologies and New Methodologies to Create Simple Level 4 Multilateral Wells
Pasicznyk, Adam (Weatherford International Ltd.) | Redlinger, Thomas (Weatherford International Ltd.) | Saras, Ivan Jesus (PDVSA) | Martin, Renaldo (PDVSA) | Bruzual, Guillermo (PDVSA) | Nessier, Daniel (Weatherford International Ltd.)
Abstract Traditional Level 4 multilateral technology has focused on high-end applications with the intent of creating a foundation for conversion to Level 5 functionality. The Level 4 junctions are typically evaluated on three core capabilities: connectivity, isolation, and accessibility. As the evaluation criteria focuses on junction performance, little attention has been spent on reducing installation risks, junction hardware, and complexity. Recently, the effort to re-invent the Level 4 multilateral junction as a simple, low cost, low risk installation has been initiated. This new, back-to-basics approach to constructing a cemented junction has been developed by reverting to proven milling & completion techniques. This paper will introduce this new method for installing a Level 4 junction by detailing the lessons learned from a Venezuelan field trial. The paper will show how standard milling and completion techniques can be used innovatively and reliably to create simple multilateral junctions. In addition, it will explore the extensive testing and simulations needed to ensure consistent mainbore access creation while emphasizing installation simplicity. Lastly, the field trial will be compared to other Level 4 installations in the region. Introduction Definitions. As multilateral junction equipment and systems began to evolve, there was an increasing need to categorize multilateral systems industry-wide based on levels of functionality at the junction. An elaborate naming convention was developed by the consortium group: Technology Advancement of MultiLaterals (TAML), which identified the functionality level, flow control, lift mechanisms, and re-entry capability. There are essentially six functionality levels that are commonly used to describe all multilateral junctions. Only those levels discussed in this paper are defined below: Level 3. A junction where an open hole lateral is created from a cased and cemented mainbore. Screen, slotted pipe, or liner is placed in the open hole lateral and is anchored back to the mainbore by some means. This is the lowest level in which mechanical integrity at the junction may occur. Level 4.A junction in which both the lateral and the mainbore are cased and cemented. Level 5.A junction where both the lateral and the mainbore are usually cased and cemented, and the junction is hydraulically isolated using completion equipment. This is the lowest level in which pressure integrity at the junction may occur. The Focus The oil industry strategy has been to provide a wide variety of multilateral systems such as pre-milled windows, manufactured mainbore access windows, and completion based junction solutions. Junction construction technology has been driving the design of multilaterals industry-wide with complex hardware and methodologies. For Level 4 multilateral installations, the emphasis has been to convert the basic Level 4 to a Level 5 to provide completion based flow control and hydraulic isolation at the junction. The challenge is to provide only the functionality that is essential to meeting the minimum well requirements. In an effort to focus on simple, low cost, and low risk technology, Weatherford has adopted a "back-to-basics" approach to developing multilateral systems. Leveraging to their strengths as a milling company, Weatherford set out to develop a Level 4 multilateral junction using proven milling techniques and off-the-shelf components while minimizing costly completion hardware.
Country:
- North America > United States (0.46)
- South America > Venezuela (0.29)
- Europe > Netherlands (0.28)
Oilfield Places: South America > Venezuela > Eastern Venezuela Basin > Hamaca Area > Bare Field (0.99)
Embracing the Challenges - Installation of the Deepest Level 4 Multilateral Cemented Junction
Hua, An Wen (Tarim Oilfield Company) | Qing, Teng Xue (Tarim Oilfield Company) | Tong, Yang Xiang (Tarim Oilfield Company) | Xiang, Bai Deng (Tarim Oilfield Company) | Ponton, Calvin (Halliburton) | Durst, Doug (Halliburton)
Abstract To increase and optimize single well production performance, multilateral drilling and completion technology were implemented from a new single wellbore deep in the Tarim Desert of the Xinjiang Province in northwestern China. Although planning and preparation began in earnest in Tianjin months in advance of the actual installation, the on-site demands, distant logistics support, and the well depth operational demands of the project installation were the most challenging steps in the process. The remote location of the multilateral well in the Tarim Desert proved to be an operational and logistical challenge in terms of time (4- to 5-days travel time by vehicle) and distance (3600 kilometers) to the nearest repair and maintenance facilities in Tanggu, Tianjin Province in eastern China. The well design was based on a vertical pilot well, or motherbore, drilled and cased into the reservoir. The multilateral system was then installed to add another wellbore, thereby increasing reservoir exposure. The goals of this system were to accelerate production, increase ultimate recovery and, for this particular operator, qualify multilateral technology for application in this specific field. Because of the unprecedented depth of the proposed junction, thorough project management and planning were required throughout, from the feasibility phase through the execution phase, to mitigate risk and to promote a successful project installation. Strong collaboration between the operator and service supplier resulted in the world's deepest TAML Level 4 cemented multilateral installation at 5082 m TVD junction depth and 5889 m MD at the lateral toe. This was also the first multilateral installation by Tarim Oil Company and the first cemented Level 4 multilateral installation in China. This paper describes the objectives, challenges, best practices, contingencies, logistics issues, results, and lessons learned from the implementation of this deep-set multilateral technology.
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