Unlocking Solutions in Oil Field Production: Innovative & Advanced Autonomous Flow Control Device application.

Abstract

Abstract As a result of Reservoir Monitoring Plan, a Non-uniform Saturation has been identified in the Southern part of the reservoir. High gas saturation, coming from gas injection in underlying units, was observed within the first 10 to 30 Ft. TVD of top-most section of the reservoir. Therefore, in order to mitigate the potential problems that this gas production can generate on the well production performance which could shorten the well productive life, a flow control strategy was implemented in the lower completion designs of six new drilled wells. Following the best practices as per ADNOC Standard Operating Procedure and after performing an opportunities screening, inflow control device ‘ICD’ was found as the technology to be used on these cases. A steady state modelling was performed for identifying the most suitable ICD design for the new wells drilled during 2021-2022. In order to consider the changes on the reservoir fluid conditions over time along the wellbore, a sensitivity analysis was conducted during the steady state modelling. Likewise, the final ICD design took into account that production profile should be adhered to reservoir management guidelines. The result of wellbore simulations provided insights about the optimum solution for the well completion. This called for both adequate well positioning along the reservoir section and the utilization of ICD technologies as a means for GOR control, making feasible a more efficient practice for well and reservoir management. A successful trial of installing the first Autonomous or self-regulating ICDs have been completed and deployed as an innovation in the field to optimize and balance downhole influx profile, which will allow to minimize the impact of the gas breakthrough GBT while maintaining wells productivity. Overdesigned ICDs was avoided since they not just increase the cost of well completion, but also will impact the well performance negatively. Most of wells with segmented completion with Autonomous Inflow control Device AICD pertaining to PAD drilling project, will be commissioning in Q2 2023. One out of the six wells is currently flowing and an evaluation program and results will be further discussed in this publication.