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Collaborating Authors
Almasri, Abdulrakeeb
Abstract Effective well completion design is crucial to optimize well and field performance, with many operators utilizing different techniques to achieve this important objective. However, the conventional means of designating wells for reservoir monitoring and standalone wells for production presents challenges to cost-effective reservoir management. Vertical observation wells are usually drilled in different locations to monitor the reservoir and assist with planning and intervention decisions by running periodic logs to obtain subsurface information. However, these wells can be costly and occupy valuable space that could be utilized for production. An alternate technique is to drill a pilot hole, perform all the necessary logging, and obtain the required reservoir information. The pilot hole is then plugged and sidetracked to a producer well. Nevertheless, the collected data only remains valid for a limited period due to potential changes to the reservoir. The demand for cost-effective, optimized drilling of production and observation wells has led to a paradigm shift in multilateral well technology that achieves both production and monitoring objectives for both laterals at the same time. Using this enhanced technology, wells can be completed with a pilot hole (vertical) drilled for reservoir evaluation throughout the life of the well, with permanent downhole gauges (PDHGs) installed for pressure and temperature monitoring, while the horizontal lateral functions as an oil and gas producer. Combining the observation and producer wells into one well results in cost savings and enhanced reservoir production and surveillance programs. In addition, the capability to access the lateral allows for intervention in both the motherbore and lateral at any time. Well intervention operations for a well completed with this multilateral technology involve slickline runs to gain access to the horizontal lateral, retrieve an isolation sleeve, and install a tubing exit whipstock (TEW) for lateral re-entry. Later, coiled tubing (CT) or wireline tractor can be run through the window into the lateral to perform the logging and intervention necessary. Upon completion, the TEW is retrieved from the window, the isolation sleeve is reinstalled, and the well is returned to production. Well intervention through such 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 laterals, which includes real-time monitoring capabilities that provide more reliable data for optimum well and field performance.
- Asia > Middle East (0.48)
- North America > United States > Texas (0.29)
- Well Drilling > Drilling Operations > Directional drilling (1.00)
- Well Completion (1.00)
- Production and Well Operations (1.00)
Abstract Intelligent completions in multizone wells require hydraulic control lines connected to the surface to maintain functionality. To reduce capital expenditure (Capex) of failed equipment, such as an electrical submersible pump (ESP), the industry required a reliable method to remove the upper completion without the complexity and uncertainty of unsetting one or more packers and pulling out the entire completion. This paper will discuss the essential aspects of a new hydraulic wet-mate design, its qualification, and installation methods over numerous ESP wells combined with an intelligent completion that resulted in zero nonproductive time (NPT), with full control of the lower intelligent completion. Additionally, the future of this technology will be discussed, such as the addition of a direct-connect electrical wet mate that requires no orientation to the hydraulic wet-mate design for a complete two-trip intelligent completion. The downhole wet-mate connector success is directly related to the design simplicity. The tool is concentric and requires no specific orientation for a successful wet mate. It also has the ability to run in highly deviated wells with a wide range of casing sizes without modifications from 7 into 9 5/8 in. Another crucial design feature is the soft-release mechanism that allows for the removal of the upper portion of the wet mate (male) from the lower portion (receptacle), without excessive overpull, such as overcoming a shear ring or snap latch. This ability allows the wet mate to be separated without excessive overpull that could damage the tool permanently. The qualification process included multiple iterations of pressure and temperature testing around the performance envelope, debris testing, and for the electrical portion, a test with high-salinity brine while recording the downhole pressure and temperature gauges. De-completing an intelligent completion well can be complex, particularly when multiple packers require release. ESPs typically have a life span of approximately 5 years. The downhole wet-mate tool enables ESP replacement without disturbing the intelligent completion, which provides a significant advantage, especially in a multizone well equipped with multiple hydraulic-controlled interval control valves (ICVs). Cost savings: Overall risk reduced by removing the need to retrieve the entire intelligent completion from the well and the re-spooling of additional control lines and related clamps and accessories Stab in and stab out without rotation Efficiency improvements: Soft-release device reduces the risk of system damage This paper will discuss the aspects of a reliable wet-mate completion tool and highlight the concurrent successful installations that prove the design and deployment methods are sound.
- Asia > Middle East (0.29)
- North America > United States (0.28)
- Well Drilling > Drilling Operations > Directional drilling (1.00)
- Well Completion > Completion Selection and Design > Completion equipment (1.00)
- Well Completion > Completion Monitoring Systems/Intelligent Wells (1.00)
- Production and Well Operations > Artificial Lift Systems > Electric submersible pumps (1.00)
Abstract This paper discusses the added value of a new approach to exiting an existing wellbore, where the normal practice forces the plug and abandonment (P&A) of the existing lateral before cutting the window into a new lateral, particularly when an off-bottom cemented (OBC) liner is required. The new approach includes the construction of a Technology Advancement of Multilaterals Level 4 (TAML 4) junction to maintain well integrity and the successful development of a re-entry window that allows access to both the existing and the new slim wells. Not only has this technique unlocked massive potential, but it has also led to an enhancement in the utility and reduction in capital expenditure (CAPEX). The successful Level 4 sidetrack and re-entry window deployment is directly related to the robust system design. The application developed includes an anchor with a guide and high-torque capability, a TAML Level 4 junction created in a shape that will lead to smooth, repeatable access in the future, and a customized re-entry window system to further maximize the well potential. The true value is in allowing access to both the existing and the newly drilled lateral without using a rig or decompleting the well. Such operations use tubing exit whipstock (TEW) and pressure isolation sleeves, both of which can be run and retrieved in a rigless manner. The rigless access has allowed the existing lateral to be used as an observation well. Using permanent downhole gauges (PDHGs) enables real-time monitoring of the pressure and temperature and periodic logging to evaluate the reservoir. The newly drilled lateral can be the primary producing lateral; rigless access equally helps recover the well in case of any production challenges. The newly designed multilateral is a game changer for both mature and new developments because it maximizes reservoir production and helps reduce CAPEX by requiring fewer wells to be drilled. The improved well integrity minimizes well workover operations, which creates cost savings. This paper discusses the following aspects:A successful Level 4 junction construction from a slim re-entry existing/mature well. Repeatable accessibility to the lateral and motherbore. Meeting the motherbore objective as required. Delivering an OBC lateral liner and maintaining the well integrity.
- Well Drilling > Drilling Operations > Directional drilling (1.00)
- Well Completion (1.00)
- Production and Well Operations (1.00)
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.
- Well Drilling > Drilling Operations > Directional drilling (1.00)
- Well Completion (1.00)
- Reservoir Description and Dynamics (1.00)
- Production and Well Operations (1.00)