Abstract
This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 175330, “Five Years’ Journey of Advanced Completions for the Kuwait Oil Company,” by Mohammed A. Siddiqui, SPE, Ahmad K. Al-Jasmi, SPE, Menwer M. Al-Rasheedi, and Hashem F. Al-Abdullah, Kuwait Oil Company, prepared for the 2015 SPE Kuwait Oil and Gas Show and Conference, Mishref, Kuwait, 11–14 October. The paper has not been peer reviewed. With the objective of increasing its production to 4.0 million BOPD, the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) is developing its fields with optimum technology solutions. One of these promising technologies is that of advanced completions—specifically, inflow-control devices (ICDs) and interval-control valves (ICVs). Application of this technology led to multifold increases in sustained production in horizontal wells in all reservoirs and a simultaneous reduction in water cut. Introduction The main reservoir objectives for applying advanced completions include decreasing the influence of heel-to-toe effects, controlling influx from high-permeability zones, delaying water/gas fronting, depleting the reservoir uniformly, and improving well cleanup and sweep efficiency. Advanced completions are applicable in both sandstone and carbonate reservoirs. The ICVs also provide the advantage of controlling production from multiple laterals in multilateral wells and controlling influx in layered reservoirs. KOC operates several prolific oil reservoirs with significant differences in geological and fluid characteristics (these are described in detail in the complete paper). ICDs (conventional or advanced) are passive flow-velocity restrictors and offer excellent regulation of flow through the constricted openings (Fig. 1). An optimal pressure drop can be achieved through this equipment in a comprehensive downhole completion design that includes ICD type, placement methodology, and well-thought-out and optimally planned reservoir segmentation with use of geological and petrophysical data. The compartmentalization of the lateral section can be achieved through swellable or mechanical packers. ICVs are intelligent well-equipment systems whose functions, in principle, are similar to those of the ICD in terms of reservoir management. Additionally, they allow operators to control flow into or out of a segmented reservoir interval wherever selective control over production or injection is required.
Published Version
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