Advanced Well Completions Result in Enhanced Well Productivity and Recovery in Saudi Aramco's Offshore Fields

Abstract

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 an active bottom water aquifer and in some areas, a gas cap as a drive mechanism. In recent years, horizontal wells have replaced conventional wells in Saudi Aramco due to their improved deliverability and recovery efficiency. The initial completion method selected by Saudi Aramco was open hole for horizontal wells completed in carbonate reservoirs and cased hole cemented with selective perforation strategy for horizontal wells completed in sandstone reservoirs. This completion method was troubled by nonuniform flow profiles resulting in less than optimal well performance. The main driver for advanced well completions (AWC) has been the increased demand for better performance from horizontal and MRC wells. In addition to Saudi Aramco strategy to minimize water and associated gas production, key performance indices (KPIs) such as: BBL oil per day (BOPD)/rig day, $/BOPD, and net to gross ratio are used to obtain an ultimate goal of reducing the unit development cost ($/BBL) and sustaining well deliverability. Selection criteria for AWC is linked to an integrated team approach where completion forums for new increments are used to review development requirements, KPIs and determine if AWC's can enhance well performance and reduce development costs. This paper will describe an innovative AWC strategy that has increased well productivity and recovery compared to previous horizontal well completion methods. The paper will show the evolution of AWC's in Saudi Aramco starting with the use of passive Inflow Control Devices (ICD) allowing production optimization by delivering uniform inflow along the entire horizontal section and active intelligent completion technology for lateral inflow control in MRC wells. The paper continues to discuss the benefits associated with the integration of AWC technologies such as mechanical and swell packers for zonal isolation, off-bottom cementing for sidetracks, combining active and passive inflow control in the same well, and the future use of adaptive ICD's for water and gas shut-off and advanced downhole monitoring systems with distributive temperature to allow real time production logging capabilities. Actual field data will be presented to validate findings and support conclusions.