Maximum Reservoir Contact Wells: Six Years of Performance-Lessons Learned and Best Practices

Abstract

Abstract This year marks the sixth year anniversary of the birth of the Maximum Reservoir Contact (MRC) wells in Saudi Aramco. The outstanding performance of 99 MRC wells drilled to date in different fields reflects the impact of MRC wells on improving well performance, enhancing recovery and reducing unit development costs. In view of this performance, the use of this technology will continue to be on the rise. This paper will highlight the drivers, selection criteria, and lessons-learned from the MRC wells. It will further highlight cases of how MRC wells became the cornerstone in optimizing the development of tight reservoirs and in re-engineering mature ones. In addition, the paper will highlight the impact of MRC wells on rate sustainability and on increasing off-take levels by up to five times when compared to vertical and single lateral well completions. MRC wells not only targeted new development wells, but also extended to workover programs where low performer and dead wells were converted to MRCs. Results were phenomenal in terms of improving well productivity and delaying water and gas breakthroughs-thereby improving sweep.