1. The Evolution of Advanced Well Completions Results in Enhanced Well Productivity and Recovery in Saudi Aramco's Offshore Fields
- Author
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Drew E. Hembling, Ahmed Hassan Sunbul, Dia S. Qudaihy, Giovanni Salerno, and Nadir Abdullah Al-Harbi
- Subjects
Engineering ,Petroleum engineering ,business.industry ,Submarine pipeline ,business ,Productivity - Abstract
The Offshore sandstone reservoirs in Saudi Arabia are characterized by high production potential due to the nature of the reservoir, consisting of clean coarse sand with active bottom water aquifer and in some areas, a gas cap as drive mechanisms. In recent years, horizontal wells have replaced conventional wells due to their improved deliverability and recovery efficiency. The initial completion method selected by Saudi Aramco for the horizontal wells was mainly cased hole cemented with selective perforation strategy. This completion method was troubled by non-uniform flow profiles, which drastically shortened the well production life reducing the benefit associated with the planned horizontal wells. This paper will describe the concept of an innovative openhole completion strategy that has increased well productivity and recovery compared to past horizontal completion methods. The paper will show the evolution starting with the use of openhole completions completed with passive Inflow Control Devices (ICD) allowing production optimization by delivering uniform inflow along the entire horizontal section. The paper continues to discuss the benefits associated with the integration of the passive inflow control system with artificial lift (In situ gas lift and Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) and finally reveals plans to couple passive inflow control with active intelligent well completion technology for multilateral wells. Actual field data will be presented to validate findings and support conclusions.
- Published
- 2006
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