A Case Study of the Factors that Impact Horizontal Oil Well Production Performance in the Niger Delta

Abstract

Abstract Various factors have an impact on the production performance of horizontal oil wells. Geological and reservoir factors such as environment of deposition and the thickness, permeability and reservoir drive mechanism, operational practices during the drilling of the horizontal drain hole such as the selection of the drill-in and completion fluids and the amount of overbalance pressure exerted on the production interval and technical design factors such as sand face completion types deployed and clean-up practice employed have significant impact on the production performance. This study was conducted to assess the impact of the various factors on the production performance of horizontal wells through the comprehensive analysis of 70 horizontal oil wells in the Niger Delta. The wells were drilled and put on production over a period from 1993 to 2007. The results from the study indicate that a combination of factors including shoreface facies type, minimum overbalance, oil-free mud system, brine completion fluid system, pre-drilled or slotted liner and clean up using nitrified hydrochloric acid circulated with coil tubing is required to optimise horizontal oil well production performance in the Niger Delta. Considerations of these factors when planning horizontal oil well development projects in the Niger Delta will ensure technical and operational excellence and improve overall project economics. Furthermore, the adaptation and application of the approach used in this study by the oil and gas industry worldwide will aid well performance monitoring under diverse technical and operational conditions and assist in optimal well design and performance optimisation.