1 MB pdf - Saudi Aramco

THE RESERVES CHALLENGEBlock A: LUKOIL Saudi Arabia Energy Ltd. (Luksar)Block B: Sino Saudi Gas Ltd. (SSGL)Block C: EniRepSa Gas Ltd. (ERS)Contract Area 1:South Rub’ al-Khali Company Ltd. (SRAK)Contract Area 2:Drilling Sites:MULEIHA-1HADIDAH-2UBAYLAH-2TUKHMAN-3SHEEH-2ISHARAT-1Oil fields Gas fieldsUPSTREAM GAS JOINT VENTURESWe expanded the use of batch drilling to areas ofhigher geological uncertainty. Batch drilling involvesdrilling in succession the same hole section in each wellon a given platform, rather than drilling each wellindividually. Once the same section is drilled in everywell on the platform, then the next section is drilled oneach well in succession. As each section is drilled, therig crew learns the characteristics of that section fromthe first well and applies this knowledge when drillingthe same section on subsequent wells.Batch drilling allows the rig to use the same mud system,bit sizes, drilling tools and casing size for all the wells atone time. This improves drilling efficiency, equipmenthandling and logistics, saving time and money onexpensive offshore drilling operations. Two platformswere batch drilled in the Marjan and Safaniyah offshorefields, with a savings of 36 and 28 days, respectively,per platform. Batch drilling eight platforms in these sameareas will result in an estimated savings of $51 million.We improved the placement of horizontal and multilateralwells in difficult geologic environments throughgeosteering, using the latest technologies in directionaldrilling such as Logging-While-Drilling (LWD). Prudentapplication of this technology is increasing the netfootage of wells placed in the reservoir and improvingproductivity and sweep efficiency. Company geologistsand engineers based in our Geosteering OperationsCenter (GOC) remotely guide drilling activities in realtime around the clock to optimize well placement.We successfully geosteered a water injector well in theSouth Dome of the Qatif field. The well was drilled toa depth of 27,200 feet (82,910 m) and is consideredthe longest single horizontal well we have ever drilled.Additionally, 10,500 feet (3,200 m) of slanted horizontalsection were drilled — a company record for the longestsingle horizontal section.Recent improvements in logging technology enhancedour ability to monitor changes in reservoir saturation. Anew generation of slim resistivity logging tools can berun through small tubulars and cased wells. In addition,new Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) tools andapplications improved our ability to monitor oil saturationin carbonate reservoirs.We completed a pilot study to investigate the feasibilityof using micropaleontology as a tool for biosteeringcoiled-tube wells. In this process, during drilling, weanalyze sub-surface samples for micro-fossils to identifystratigraphic layers in the reservoir. Micropaleontologicalbiosteering will be applied in 2007 for horizontaldevelopment wells where drilling techniques preventuse of conventional geosteering.Older fields pose unique challenges — and also offerample opportunities. A wide range of techniques nowhelp us prolong production and increase recovery fromsuch fields. All appropriate technologies are being broughtto bear, such as production equalizing, and expandabletubular and sand-screen technologies to prolong welllife, enhance well productivity, optimize drilling andcompletion, and ensure large-scale and cost-effectivedeployment.18 SAUDI ARAMCO