Innovative Use of Horizontal Wells in Mature Fields Boosts Production/Reserves

Abstract

ABSTRACT Many Gulf of Suez fields operated by the Gulf of Suez Petroleum Co. (GUPCO) were discovered in the early 1970’s and are in the mature stages of depletion, requiring application of advanced technology and multi-discipline focused teams to identify bypassed oil. These fields are structurally and geologically complex, with bypassed oil potentially underlying faults or gas caps in highly stratified reservoirs of varying rock properties. Significant vertical well development often precludes conventional application of horizontal well technology. Non-conventional application of horizontal drilling in the late stages of depletion has aided development of resources where vertical wells are not viable. Several field examples are discussed and illustrate the innovative use of horizontal wells to boost production and reserves. Horizontal wells are used to drill under faults to intersect multiple layers of thick reservoirs and to explore areal extension of reservoirs. Horizontal wells are also used to intersect appropriate reservoir layers in gravity drainage and gas cap reservoirs to improve rate and recovery. In each of these cases, multi-discipline teams identified the development potential, planned wells to meet objectives, and used real time data to ensure objectives were met. The concepts used in the these field cases are being applied to other GUPCO fields as multi-discipline teams are assigned to study them. Success in these applications of horizontal wells along with conventional application of horizontal wells is helping GUPCO to boost production and increase reserves from mature fields.