Value Assurance in Field Development. A New Generation of MRC Wells Accelerating Reserves And Enhancing Reservoir Management Practice.

Abstract

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to demonstrate the application of MRC drilling for an increase of production demand and enhancing reservoir management strategy. A case study is presented herein for a layered carbonate reservoir, undergoing redevelopment plan with water injection scheme, where MRC strategy was deployed to tackle challenges of pressure maintenance and water breakthrough mechanism and limited wells productivity in tight area, Average porosity 20-23% and Average Permeability 2-30 md. Drilling and evaluation of 3 MRC wells was carried out in phases. The Planning phase included the reservoir modelling, selection criteria. Simulation modelling evaluated prospective performance in terms of oil sweep and cumulative production and effective well length range. The completion design assessment called for limited entry liner (LEL) completions to assure effective acid stimulation. In the execution phase, optimized well placement via Geosteering tools and the LEL completion set up is illustrated. Post commissioning, the technical evaluation for the MRC cases included a thorough surveillance monitoring base line of PLTS and MRT analysis pre and post stimulation.The evaluation results of MRC cases with conventional wells proved the value of MRC to accelerate production reserves and pressure support with higher wells deliverability.The three MRC wells deployed showed promising performance. Oil producer (OP-X1) was able to produce at almost double rate of nearby wells with lower drawdown, no Water breakthrough detected, and PI doubled post stimulation. Water injector (WI -X2) met the injection target and was scheduled for stimulation as the PLT showed that approximately 25% of the wells length was not contributing. One additional WI-X3 proved successful without stimulation. In overall first application of MRC led to: Well count optimization during the redevelopment phase (reduction of 20% total wells).Reactivating inactive elongating well life by minimizing inverse coning.Increasing and accelerating rates, +2 times and well PI/II enhancement by more than two folds.Water injection capacity enhancement and accelerated pressure support.Uniform profile across Horiz drain with Leff more than ~75% with LEL design.Estimated Capex saving of +24 MM drilling/surface tie in cost.The analysis presented helps to propose actions to improve and define the best production/injection scenario for efficient MRC deployment. The promising results can be a guidance to extend the implementation of the MRC for field development/re-development plans tackling pressure maintenance issues and tight reservoirs WBT mechanisms. The case studies presented capitalizes on Reservoir management best practices displaying systematic approach to screen and assess MRC well candidates (pre- and post-deployment) to maximize probability of success.