Production Optimization of Multilateral Wells Using ... - Saudi Aramco

ICD MODELINGA mathematical model was developed, based on Eqn. 1, tocalculate the pressure drop across a “nozzle type” ICD. FlowLoop test data was used to adjust and verify the model 1 , Fig. 5.The total pressure drop across a system is given by:Where(1)(Potential Energy Term) (2)(Kinetic Energy Term) (3)(Frictional Loss Term) (4)For “nozzle” type ICDs, the most dominant term is thekinetic energy, Eqn. 3.WELL MODELINGSimulation runs were made using the wellbore hydraulicsimulator to match both flow and pressure profiles.Total DP (psi)Total DP across ICD System vs. Flow Rate200180Model ResultsTest Results1601401201008060402000 100 200 300 400 500 600Flow Rate (BPD)Fig. 5. A comparison plot between the flow loop test data and the mathematical model.Figure 6a illustrates both the simulated and the measuredPLT survey inflow profiles along the reservoir interval.Overall, the simulated profile compares very well with theactual profile. Figure 6b shows the match between thesimulated data and the measured flowing bottom-holepressure (FBHP) obtained from the PLT survey. Again, thesimulated profile compares well with the actual profile.The sudden drops and recovery in the pressure profile aredue to the completion ID effects as observed in the flowrate profile.Production DataA rate of 4.1 thousand barrels per day (MBD) oil with 0%water cut has been realized since the well was put inproduction after workover operations, compared to 1.5 MBDoil at a 42% water cut prior to the workover operation. Thewell was kept at 4 MBD as per well production strategy. APLT was run to evaluate the effectiveness of the completion.The flow profile compared favorably with the predictedprofile as per design of the completion at the same rate, withproportionate inflow along the length of the well andcontrolled influx from all the laterals, with no cross flow orpacker leaks.CONCLUSIONS1. Sidetracking from 4 1 ⁄2” liners and drilling top-down style,3 7 ⁄8” open hole laterals proved optimal in this application.2. Deployment of the 2 7 ⁄8” ICD completion was successful.3. A good match was obtained between NETool and rawPLT data for oil rate and FBHP with zero skin.4. With a minimum amount of pre-completion data, thecomparison between the initial NETool model and thePLT data was excellent.700060005000PLT vs. Simulated FlowSimulated DataPLT Data2650264026302620PLT vs. Simulated Pressure ProfilesOil Rate (STB/d)4000300020001000Depth (ft)06500 6700 6900 7100 7300 7500Pressure (Psi)2610260025902580PLT Data2570Simulated Data2560Depth (ft)25506500 6700 6900 7100 7300 7500Figs. 6a and 6b. Comparison of PLT and NETool simulated data.SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY SPRING 2010 5

BIOGRAPHIESDrew E. Hembling is a CompletionTeam Leader working in the PetroleumEngineering Support Division of SaudiAramco’s Producing FacilitiesDevelopment Department. He workedfor Conoco Inc. from 1983 to 1997and ARCO in Anchorage, AK from1997 to 2000. Drew joined Saudi Aramco in 2000 as aCompletion Specialist.In 1983, he graduated from West Virginia University,Mogantown, WV with a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering.Garabed (Garo) M. Berberian is theSupervisor of the Hawiyah ReservoirManagement Unit in Dhahran, SaudiArabia, and has been with SaudiAramco since 1998. Garo has 30 yearsof industry experience; he previouslyworked as a Special Technical Adviserin Production and Reservoir Engineering for the Ministryof Oil in Yemen, was a Reservoir Engineering Consultantfor Sonatrach in Algeria, and was a Senior Production/Analytical Engineer for ARCO.Garo received his B.S. degree in 1979 and his M.S.degree in 1982, both in Petroleum Engineering fromLouisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA. In 1988, hereceived an MBA from Louisiana State University, BatonRouge, LA.He is a registered Professional Engineer in Texas and amember of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).Dr. Sam Simonian is the TechnicalDirector for FloTech Ltd. Beforejoining FloTech Ltd. in 2006, heworked for Schlumberger Wireline,Anadrill, and finally, Well Completionsand Productivity for 15 years.Thereafter, Sam joined EclipsePetroleum Technology as a Reservoir Engineer/ProductionTechnologist for 3 years. He worked with various oil andgas operators (e.g., Shell, BHP, BG and BP) worldwide,specializing in production optimization, field developmentplanning, reservoir simulation and well testing.Sam received a M.E. degree in Aeronautical Engineeringfrom The City University, London, UK in 1988 andreceived a Ph.D. in Multiphase Fluid Dynamics in 1993.Giovanni Salerno is the CEO ofFloTech Holding Ltd. He has morethan 14 years experience instimulation, production optimization,well construction, sand control andcompletion operations for bothonshore and offshore fields. Giovanniworked for 6 years with ENI as a Drilling and CompletionEngineer with primary sand control focus, andsubsequently 7 years with Baker Oil Tools. He has workedin Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Far East.Giovanni received his B.S. degree in Environmental andPetroleum Engineering from the University of Bologna,Bologna, Italy in 1995.He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers(SPE).Adib A. Al-Mumen is currently theGeneral Supervisor of the TechnicalSupport Services Division of theDrilling Technical Department. Hejoined Saudi Aramco in 1991 and hasheld various supervisory positions inthe Drilling & Workover organization.Adib’s expertise includes workover optimization, complexwells, short radius re-entry sidetracks and well integritymanagement.He received both his B.S. degree and M.S. degree inPetroleum Engineering from King Fahd University ofPetroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.Adib is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers(SPE).SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY SPRING 2010 7