Case Study: The Use of Downhole Control Valves To Sustain Oil Production From the First Maximum Reservoir Contact, Multilateral, and Smart Completion Well in Ghawar Field

Abstract

Summary This paper describes a case study that details the planning, completion, testing, and production of the first maximum reservoir contact (MRC), multilateral (ML), and smart completion (SC) deployment in Ghawar Field, Saudia Arabia. A well was drilled and completed as a proof of concept. It was set up as a trilateral and was equipped with an SC that encompassed a surface-remotely-controlled hydraulic-tubing-retrievable advanced system coupled with a pressure- and temperature-monitoring system. SC provides isolation and downhole control of commingled production from the laterals. The well was managed to improve and sustain oil production by eliminating water production by use of the variable-positions flow-control valve. Monitoring the rate and the flowing pressure in real time allowed for optimal well production. The appraisal and acceptance portions of the completion process were achieved when this well was completed, put on production, and tested. The concept was approved when the anticipated benefits were realized during monitoring of the performance of the well. Leveraged knowledge from this pilot has provided an insight into SC capabilities and implementation. Moreover, it has set the stage for other developments within Saudi Aramco.