Iraqi Oil Fields Research Articles

Evaluation of the Mishrif Formation Using an Advanced Method of Interpretation

The Mishrif Formation is one of the most important geological formations in Iraq consisting of limestone, marl, and shale layers since it is one of the main oil producing reservoirs in the country, which contain a significant portion of Iraq's oil reserves. The formation has been extensively explored and developed by the Iraqi government and international oil companies, with many oil fields being developed within it. The accurate evaluation of the Mishrif formation is key to the successful exploitation of this field. However, its geological complexity poses significant challenges for oil production, requiring advanced techniques to accurately evaluate its petrophysical properties. This study used advanced well-logging analysis techniques, including mineralogical inversion with the Quanti-Elan model employed in Schlumberger's Techlog software to evaluate this formation. The lithology, clay volume, porosity, permeability, and hydrocarbon saturation data were obtained from the open hole logging of three wells in a southern Iraqi oil field. The environmental correction was applied for open-hole logging tools, and the primary mineral of the formation was determined using porosity log cross-plotting. Pickett plot technique was utilized to determine water resistivity and Archie's parameters, and the reconstruction log was generated based on volumetric and response parameters for each component. Based on thorough analysis, the clay volume of the Mishrif formation is estimated to be about 10%, which is a common value for this rock type. The porosity was computed based on the total fluid volume, ranging from 11% to 14%, and water saturation was determined using Archie's equation. The final results of the volume of each component for rock and fluid are presented using computer programming interpretation. The results of this study provide valuable insights into the petrophysical properties of the Mishrif formation and are expected to inform for better interpretation and evaluation of petrophysical properties of similar formations, which is essential for optimum field development planning as well as minimising the uncertainties.

New Correlation for Predicting Undersaturated Oil Compressibility for Mishrif Reservoir in the Southern Iraqi Oil Fields

Reservoir fluids properties are very important in reservoir engineering computations such as material balance calculations, well testing analyses, reserve estimates, and numerical reservoir simulations. Isothermal oil compressibility is required in fluid flow problems, extension of fluid properties from values at the bubble point pressure to higher pressures of interest and in material balance calculations (Ramey, Spivey, and McCain). Isothermal oil compressibility is a measure of the fractional change in volume as pressure is changed at constant temperature (McCain). The most accurate method for determining the Isothermal oil compressibility is a laboratory PVT analysis; however, the evaluation of exploratory wells often require an estimate of the fluid behavior prior to obtaining a representative reservoir sample. Also, experimental data is often unavailable.Empirical correlations are often used for these purposes.This paper developed a new mathematical model for calculating undersaturated oil compressibility using 129 experimentally obtained data points from the PVT analyses of 52 bottom hole fluid samples from Mishrif reservoirs in the southern Iraqi oil fields. The new undersaturated oil compressibility correlation developed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS) by applying nonlinear multiple regression method. It was found that the new correlation estimates undersaturated oil compressibility of Mishrif reservoir crudes in the southern Iraqi oil fields much better than the published ones. The average absolute relative error for the developed correlation is 7.16%.

Russian Corporations Implementation of State Policy in Cooperation with Republic of Iraq (Field Development Example)

Introduction. Oil fields in the Republic of Iraq have traditionally been the subject to intense scrutiny of international fuel and energy companies. Iraq is one of the world leaders in terms of oil reserves. According to the Organization of Petroleum ExportingCountries (OPEC), Iraq ranks 4th in 2021 (145,019 million barrels). Russian oil companies are firmly expanding their presence in the Iraqi oil fields. In condition of unprecedented sanctions against Russia from the collective West, our country has to look for ways to ensure its energy sovereignty. Oil development in Iraq can be an effective way for Russian companies to achieve their potential. This article examines the prospects for increasing the reach of Russian oil companies in the oil fields of Iraq taking into account the current geopolitical situation, and the global agenda includes the opportunity for Russia to promote interests both in the Middle East and beyond.Materials and methods. In this study, general and particular scientific methods are applied. The genetic method should be highlighted, as it allowed to trace the process of formation and development of the Russian-Iraqi interaction, and to draw conclusion on the prospects for its expansion. The study also analyzes the international legal framework of Russian-Iraqi cooperation, oil production statistics in Iraq, materials published in the media, official statements by the Russian and Iraqi authorities.The results of the study. The conducted research allowed to substantiate the conclusion that Iraq is the most promising area for extending the activities of Russian oil companies. Nowadays, Russia and Iraq are following the path of multifaceted cooperation, including the economic sphere. Also, the prerequisites that favor joint activities of Russia and Iraq in the fuel and energy field are the proximity of the countries in the scientific and technical sphere, the extreme economic feasibility of increasing the volume of joint economic operations and the compliance of Russian-Iraqi collaboration with the national interests of both states.Discussion and conclusions. Partnership with the Republic of Iraq is of strategic importance for Russia in the Middle East. This is almost a win-win direction of foreign economic activity, since it brings mutual political and economic benefits. Iraq may become a new springboard for the penetration of Russian business deep into the Middle East region. It is necessary to further develop this course in order to adapt Russian politics and economy to the new realities of the international geopolitical situation.

Estimation Pore and Fracture Pressure Based on Log Data; Case Study: Mishrif Formation/Buzurgan Oilfield at Iraq

Prediction of the formation of pore and fracture pressure before constructing a drilling wells program are a crucial since it helps to prevent several drilling operations issues including lost circulation, kick, pipe sticking, blowout, and other issues. IP (Interactive Petrophysics) software is used to calculate and measure pore and fracture pressure. Eaton method, Matthews and Kelly, Modified Eaton, and Barker and Wood equations are used to calculate fracture pressure, whereas only Eaton method is used to measure pore pressure. These approaches are based on log data obtained from six wells, three from the north dome; BUCN-52, BUCN-51, BUCN-43 and the other from the south dome; BUCS-49, BUCS-48, BUCS-47. Along with the overburden pressure gradient and clay volume, which were also established first, data such as gamma ray, density, resistivity, and sonic log data are also required. A key consideration in the design of certain wells is the forecasting of fracture pressure for wells drilled in the southern Iraqi oilfield of Buzurgan. The pressure abnormality is found in MA, MB21, MC1 and MC2 units by depending on pore pressures calculated from resistivity log. In these units, depths and its equivalent normal and abnormal pressure are detected for all sex selected wells; BUCS-47, BUCS-48, BUCS-49, BUCN-43, BUCN-51 and BBCN-52. For MA, MB21, MC1, and MC2 units, the highest difference in pore pressure values are 1698 psi @ 3750 m (BUCN-51), 3420 psi @ 3900 m (BUCN-51), 788 psi @ 3980 m (BUCS-49), and 5705 psi @ 4020 m (BUCN-52). On other hands, MB11 and MB12 units have normal pressure trend in all studied wells. Finally, the results show that the highest pore and fracture pressure values is existed in North dome, in comparison with that obtained in south dome of Mishrif reservoir at Buzurgan oilfield.

Developing a Geomechanical Model to Mitigate the Risks of Wellbore Instability in an Iraqi Oilfield

Developing a Geomechanical Model to Mitigate the Risks of Wellbore Instability in an Iraqi Oilfield

The Economic Feasibility of using Renewable Energy in Iraqi Oil Fields

This study included over all about competition of renewable energy to the conventional energy, and the economic growth on the demand for renewable energy technology especially solar energy, and the increasing on its annual cost decline. Also, highlight on the most important projects applied in the oil fields in the Middle East and America.
 In this study, a design and economic simulation of the solar energy system was conducted as a source for generating electricity with a capacity of 1 megawatt and a comparison of the capital and operation cost between the solar energy system, diesel generators, government and private sectors stations at the same operating time and the same energy. The economic simulation has shown that there is a big difference between the capital costs, as the cost of the solar energy system is about (40-37%) higher than the cost of diesel generators and investment stations, respectively, for a maximum operating capacity of 1 megawatt/hour, but on the other hand, it is characterized by The solar energy system has a depreciation factor of 0.75% compared to its counterparts, which reaches 10%, and the standard of its energy cost is low, reaching 0.22 $/ kilowatt compared to other sources of energy. In addition, Payback period of the solar energy system was 9 years by saving fuel cost and its low operating cost that reach to 0.0183 $/kWh, compared to its counterparts from government sector station, diesel generators, power stations. (Fuel from the investor), and private sector stations (fuel from the investor), whose operating costs are (0.1, 0.076, 0.038, 0.1) $/kWh, respectively. The results showed that the solar system economically feasible, with lifetime 25 years, while the generator lifetime ten years only. The solar radiation system limits carbon emissions, as the amount of carbon emissions per kilowatt of energy using conventional fuels is (185-265) grams of CO2 per kilowatt.

Selection of an Optimum Drilling Fluid Model to Enhance Mud Hydraulic System Using Neural Networks in Iraqi Oil Field

In drilling processes, the rheological properties pointed to the nature of the run-off and the composition of the drilling mud. Drilling mud performance can be assessed for solving the problems of the hole cleaning, fluid management, and hydraulics controls. The rheology factors are typically termed through the following parameters: Yield Point (Yp) and Plastic Viscosity (μp). The relation of (YP/ μp) is used for measuring of levelling for flow. High YP/ μp percentages are responsible for well cuttings transportation through laminar flow. The adequate values of (YP/ μp) are between 0 to 1 for the rheological models which used in drilling. This is what appeared in most of the models that were used in this study. The pressure loss is a gathering of numerous issues for example rheology of mud), flow regime and the well geometry. An artificial neural network (ANN) that used in this effort is an accurate or computational model stimulated by using JMP software. The aim of this study is to find out the effect of rheological models on the hydraulic system and to use the artificial neural network to simulate the parameters that were used as emotional parameters and then find an equation containing the parameters μp, Yp and P Yp/ μp to calculate the pressure losses in a hydraulic system. Data for 7 intermediate casing wells with 12.25" hole size and 95/8" intermediate casing size are taken from the southern Iraq field used for the above purpose. Then compare the result with common equations used to calculate pressure losses in a hydraulic system. Also, we calculate the optimum flow by the maximum impact force method and then offset in Equation obtained by (Joint Marketing Program) JMP software. Finally, the equation that was found to calculate pressure losses instead of using common hydraulic equations with long calculations gave very close results with less calculation.

Lost Circulation Prediction Using Decision Tree, Random Forest, and Extra Trees Algorithms for an Iraqi Oil Field

Drilling soft and fragile areas such as high permeable, cavernous, fractured, and sandy formations are often accompanied by many problems. One of the most important of these problems is the loss of drilling fluid into these formations in whole or in part. The loss of drilling fluid can lead to bigger and more complex problems, including pipe stucking or kicking and finally closing the well. The drilling muds are relatively expensive, especially the muds that contain oil-based mud or that contain special additives, so it is not economically beneficial to waste and lose these muds. The treatment of drilling fluid losses is also somewhat expensive as a result of the wasted time that it caused, as well as the high cost of materials used in the treatment such as heavy materials, cement, and others. The best way to deal with drilling fluid losses is to prevent them. Artificial intelligence through supervised machine learning provides the possibility of predicting these losses before they occur based on equivalent circulating density, yield point, plastic viscosity, rate of penetration, flow rate, and losses rate of wells suffered from losses problem located in the same area. In this paper, three supervised machine learning models, namely, decision tree, random forest, and extra trees, were built to predict drilling fluid losses in the Rumaila oil field in southern Iraq. The results show that the extra trees model with an R2 of 0.9681was able to predict the new lost circulation events with high accuracy.

Structural Geology Study of Tuba Oilfield, Southern Iraq

Tuba oilfield is one of the Iraqi oilfields located in southern Iraq within the Mesopotamian Plain. The main purpose of this study is to carry out a structural geology analysis of the Tuba oilfield. The structural analysis included geometric and genetic analyses of the study area. According to geometric and genetic analysis results, some formations folds are classified as Thickened folds and others as Supratenuous folds. Two folding mechanisms (bending and buckle) are characterized as responsible for folding the Tuba structure. The bending mechanism forms a Supratenuous fold, perhaps due to the vertical force of salt structure and/or basement faults, while the buckle produces Thickened fold because of the horizontal force of the collision between the Arabian Plate and Eurasian Plate. The correlation sections and contour maps show that the structural development of the Tuba oilfield may be less than adjacent oilfields (Zubair and Rumaila oilfields). The fold axis of the Tuba oilfield is NW-SE, and this is perhaps attributed to the anticlockwise motion of the Arabian Plate. The results of geometric and genetic analyses may be revealed that the Tuba oilfield was formed by tectonic activities (Hormuz salt, basement faults, and collision between Arabian and Eurasian Plates) with intensity less than surrounding oilfields.

Characterization of Structural Geology of Faihaa Oilfield, Southern Iraq

Faihaa Oilfield is a new exploration Iraqi Oilfield located in southern Iraq and within Mesopotamian Plain, including the Block 9 exploration area, along the Iraqi-Iranian border. The study area included Faihaa Oilfield (in Iraq) and Yadavaran Oilfield (in Iran). They belong to one anticline (Dome) structure separated by the Iraqi-Iranian border, without a geological boundary between the fields. The current study aims to achieve structural geology analysis to the study area (Faihaa/Yadavaran structure). The structural analysis included geometric and genetic analyses of the study area. According to geometric and genetic analyses results, the Faihaa/Yadavaran structure is classified as an anticline, gentle, upright, non-plunge, and asymmetrical. According to thickness variation, there are two types of formations’ folds are recognized, Thickened and Supratenuous fold generated by two folding mechanisms bending and buckle mechanisms. Bending form Supratenuous fold, perhaps due to the vertical uplift of salt structure and/or basement faults, while buckle produces Thickened fold because of the parallel tectonic movement causes collision between Arabian Plate and Eurasian Plate. Consequently, a special strain pattern was formed and the reservoir quality in the crest of Mishrif and Yamama Formations was the best. The fold axis of the Faihaa/Yadavaran structure has a Boomerang shape, whereas it is almost straight from south to the center of the structure, then tends to the NW with different deviations over the study area formations. This direction may be due to the anticlockwise rotation of the Arabian Plate motion. The results of geometric and genetic analyses revealed that may be Faihaa/Yadavaran structure is one structural trap formed by tectonic activities; Hormuz salt structures, reactivated Basement faults, and Collision between Arabian and Eurasian Plates. The intensity of the tectonic activities of the study area maybe be less than surrounding Oilfields, therefore, the Faihaa Oilfield formation's depth was deeper than adjacent Oilfields.

Study of sulfur content in crude oil, gasoline and kerosene in some Iraqi oil fields and refineries

Sulfur content in crude oil and petroleum products is a major problem, as the high content of sulfur in fuel leads to harmful emissions and leads to serious environmental and health risks as a result of emissions from sources that use gasoline as fuel for cars or kerosene as fuel for household heaters, causing serious emissions harmful to health. It is necessary to determine the sulfur content in crude oil, and to determine the type of crude oil (acid or sweet). comparing gasoline and kerosene sulphur content to international regulations to determine the extent to which oil refineries comply with internationally permitted limits and the extent to which sulphur content is linked to API Gravity sampling of several oil fields and refineries at varying intervals and distributed to nine provinces (Muthanna, Diwaniyah, Dhi Qar), Basra-Shuaiba, Maysan, Wasit, Baghdad-Dora refinery, Baiji refinery,The huss. It was concluded that Iraqi crude oil is sour, and laboratory tests showed that all refineries do not adhere to the limits allowed globally and domestically in terms of gasoline and kiros production, and the results showed a strong relationship between sulfur content and API Gravity.

Estimation of optimal lifting capacity in annulus

The optimum drilling of oil and gas wells are achieved by reduce costs and time, which will be accomplished with an optimal hydraulic cleaning program. Drilling fluid characteristics, drilling parameters, and well geometrics are regarded as major categories for achieving an optimal hydraulic program based on depth, penetration rate, and flow rate. This study was used a set of equations that related directly and indirectly to estimate the optimal cleaning efficiency in annulus. The procedure is applied here using actual data from an Iraqi oil field to determine the limitation of all parameters that affect the lifting capacity. Cutting transform was regarded as a major element of the well cleaning program as a result of constraints such as avoiding high surge pressure during lifting pipes, high swab pressure when downloading pipes, and fluid loss during rotation. An increase in annular space indicates a decrease in the capacity of drilling fluid to lift cuttings to the surface and an increase in dynamic shear stress. Also an increase in cutting size, which has a direct relationship with penetration rate that can be effect for cleaning efficacy in annulus.

Integrating Petrophysical and Geomechanical Rock Properties for Determination of Fracability of the Iraqi Tight Oil Reservoir

Tight oil reservoirs have been a concerned of the oil industry due to their substantial influence on oil production. Due to their poor permeability, numerous problems are encountered while producing from tight reservoirs. Petrophysical and geomechanical rock properties are essential for understanding and assessing the fracability of reservoirs, especially tight reservoirs, to enhance permeability. In this study, Saadi B reservoir in Halfaya Iraqi oil field is considered as the main tight reservoir. Petrophysical and geomechanical properties have been estimated using full-set well logs for a vertical well that penetrates Saadi reservoir and validated with support of diagnostic fracture injection test data employing standard equations and correlations. Subsequently, breakdown pressures are computed, and two fracturing models have been developed. The petrophysical analysis infers that the reservoir has poor properties, while the findings of the geomechanical properties indicate that the reservoir is brittle with ductile rock strata. These ductile strata underlay and overlay more brittle formations than the reservoir. The results from diagnostic fracture injection test DFIT are quite consistent with well logs results. The breakdown pressure reflects that this reservoir could easily be fractured by inserting pressure equal to 6250 psi. However, the fracturing model design parameters manipulates the fracture height confinement within Saadi Formation and its propagation to Hartha and/or Tanuma Formations. Therefore, the employment of petrophysical and geomechanical properties of the rocks assists in understanding the fracability of the formation and demonstrating the orientation and the fracture propagation direction.

Anti-collision Analysis of Pad Drilling and Optimization of Wellbore Trajectory: A Field Case Study

Errors can occur in the wellbore position according to the fact the survey tools are not completely accurate; therefore, prediction of well path position is imperative for safe and cost-effective drilling operation. The aim of this paper is an analysis of collision avoidance as well as assessment and optimization of wellbore trajectory for minimizing the risk of collision by applying different anti-collision and planning techniques. Thus, anti-collision analysis of pad drilling in the Iraqi oil field has been investigated using Industry Steering Committee for Wellbore Survey Accuracy (ISCWSA) error model to estimate the wellbores position and assess their separation using different techniques available in the industry. Three actual offset wells X1, X2, X3, and one proposed principal X4 well in a drilling pad have been used in the collision avoidance model. Separation factor, ladder, and travel cylinder plots revealed a high possibility of X4 proposed well colliding with X3 actual offset well. The separation factor of 0.75 and 7.5 m center to center prove that the current design of X4 principal design doesn’t meet the anti-collision standards, accordingly, a design revision must be highly considered. The field operator hasn’t revised the well design due to the lack in the assessment of anti-collision risks, thus, the survey service company has advised the operator to modify the predetermined well trajectory due to major risk of collision with X3 offset well and the well has been sidetracked. After reviewing and optimizing the well trajectory by using slant and optimum align (curve hold curve) planning methods, the anti-collision results have been greatly improved. The results showed that, through adopting an adequate anti-collision risk assessment and the modified well design, problems associated with the execution of the improper well design could be totally eliminated.

Utilizing Attapulgite as Anti-Spill Liners of Crude Oil

The efficiency of attapulgite liners as anti-seepage for crude oil is examined. Consideration is given to the potential use of raw attapulgite and mixture attapulgite with prairie hay and coconut husk as liners to prevent crude oil seepage. Attapulgite clay used in this study was brought from Injana formation /Western Desert of Iraq. Two types of Crude oil brought from Iraqi oil fields were used in experiments; heavy crude oil from East-Baghdad oil field and light crude oil from Nassiriya oil field. Initially the basic properties of attapulgite and crude oils were determined. The attapulgite clay was subjected to mineralogical, chemical and scanning electron microscope analyses. Raw Attapulgite 150µm, 75µm, and 53µm were tested as anti-seepage liners for heavy and light crude oil. Experiments showed that raw attapulgite liners 53µm and 75µm are good in terms of retention and prevention of seepage so they can be used as the main layer to impede the flow of heavy crude oil. Raw attapulgite150µm could not be used as a liner to impede the flow of crude oil. This type of liner is totally inefficient for heavy and light crude oil. Adding prairie hay to attapulgite 150µm gives a good barrier medium that retains heavy crude oil and prevents it from seepage as long as possible. Raw attapulgite liners failed to prevent light crude oil seepage whereas the partial substitution of attapulgite by prairie hay or coconut enhanced the performance of the liner. Moreover, the addition of prairie hay with coconut to attapulgite enhanced the performance of the liner to a greater extent compared to raw attapulgite liners and mixture liner attapulgite with prairie hay.

Matrix acidizing is a good stimulation process in which acid is introduced into the reservoir near the wellbore area via the wellbore or coil tubing. In the oil industry, formation damage is a prevalent problem. Bypassing wellbore damage by producing wormholes in carbonate reservoirs is the main purpose of acidizing the matrix of the formation. When doing lab tests, scientists

Matrix acidizing is a good stimulation process in which acid is introduced into the reservoir near the wellbore area via the wellbore or coil tubing. In the oil industry, formation damage is a prevalent problem. Bypassing wellbore damage by producing wormholes in carbonate reservoirs is the main purpose of acidizing the matrix of the formation. When doing lab tests, scientists are looking for a wormhole-inducing injection rate that can be used in the field. Meantime the ongoing works on the Ahdeb oil field's Mishrif reservoir, several reports have documented the difficulties encountered during stimulation operations, including high injection pressures that make it difficult to inject acid into the reservoir formation; and only a few acid jobs have been successful in Ahdeb oil wells, while the majority of the others have been failures; For this formation, there is a high incidence of oil well stimulation failed. This requires more study. Thus, in this work, we experimented to examine the effect of acid treatment on the petrophysical parameters of the Mishrif reservoir. The acid core-flood tests used seven core samples from a central Iraqi oil field.

Assessment of the Common PVT Correlations in Iraqi Oil Fields

Pressure volume temperature (PVT) analysis is the process of determining the fluid behaviors and properties of oil and gas samples from an existing well. Normally, PVT properties are experimentally measured in the laboratory. However, the absence of PVT measurement negatively impacts the application of many petroleum engineering calculations such as reserves estimation, material balance, reservoir simulation, production equipment design, and optimization of well performance.
 In this work, we developed a program using VBA and MS EXCEL to compare between the collected measurements of PVT properties that were collected from 41 Iraqi oil cruds and the values obtained from the correlations. After the comparison process, we chose the correlation that have the close values to the PVT measurements that were collected previously.
 This type of study, in which we compare the results of existing literature correlations to the measured value in a laboratory for a specific country or location, has been conducted in a number of countries, including Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt, but not in Iraq, which is where the value of this study lies.
 A total of 92 correlations were involved in this study including, (19) Bubble point pressure, (10) gas-oil ratio, (20) oil FVF, (10) saturated Viscosity, (3) density at bubble point, (7) undersaturated oil compressibility, (12) dead viscosity, (3) undersaturated oil FVF, (8) undersaturated viscosity.
 Over all, the best performance was obtained using the “Elsharkawy and Alikhan [1] “correlation for ( Pb, Rs, Bo) , “Standing [2]” correlation for Density at bubble point , “Almehaideb [3]” for below bubble point viscosity , “Labedi [4]” for Dead viscosity, “Al-Marhoun [5]” for above bubble point oil FVF, “Standing [2]” for above bubble point oil compressibility, “Petrosky and Farshad [6]” for above bubble point viscosity, based on consistently low values of (AAPE) and (RMS) and cross plot.

Using Smart Completion Technology to Control Water Coning Problems and Increase Oil Recovery in a Southern Iraqi Oilfield

This research describes the using of a new well completion technology system that enhance the homogeneous and heterogeneous reservoir deliverability and the production performance gained through a completion technique using Autonomous Inflow Control Valve (AICD) by self-decreasing/delaying water and gas progress and promoting increasing in oil production, therefore, equalizing the drawdown (∆P=Pi-Pwf) along the well and provide a dynamic water shut-off operation and significantly increasing the economic life of a well and therefore, reducing capital and operational expenditures for the field development.
 The research presents a production performance simulation results for a conventional and smart well completion technology in a horizontal well in a southern Iraqi oilfield for two stages during well life; early stage (till 2018) and late stage (till 2033). For early stage of well life, there was no significant difference in results when comparing between the conventional completion design and the smart completion design. In the contrast, the simulation results for the late life of the well showed that the well can produce for approximately 1056.7 barrel per day crude oil with a water-cut of 82 % at the year of 2033. The also revealed that the results showed that the cumulative oil production from the year of 2018 till 2050 will be 23 million barrel of crude oil and 44 million barrel of water when the well is completed with conventional completion design. When the completion design has been changed and equipped with autonomous inflow control devices (AICDs) technology and simulated the production performance by NETool Software. The simulation results showed that the oil production has been increased by 891 barrel per day (1947.3 barrel per day) and the water cut has reduced significantly in comparison with the conventional production completion by 17 % (65.4 %) at the year of 2033. The results revealed that the cumulative oil production from the year of 2018 till 2050 will be 31 million barrel of crude oil and 33 million barrel of water.
 It has been concluded, from the reservoir and production simulation, that the application of the technology is successful and showed a clear advantage of using Autonomous Inflow Control Device (AICD) that provides better water influx control profile.

Development of New Models to Determine the Rheological Parameters of Water-Based Drilling Fluid using Artificial Neural Networks

It is well known that drilling fluid is a key parameter for optimizing drilling operations, cleaning the hole, and managing the rig hydraulics and margins of surge and swab pressures. Although the experimental works represent valid and reliable results, they are expensive and time consuming. In contrast, continuous and regular determination of the rheological fluid properties can perform its essential functions during good construction. The aim of this study is to develop empirical models to estimate the drilling mud rheological properties of water-based fluids with less need for lab measurements. This study provides two predictive techniques, multiple regression analysis and artificial neural networks, to determine the rheological properties of water-based drilling fluid using other simple measurable properties. While mud density, marsh funnel, and solid% are key input parameters in this study, the output models are plastic viscosity, yield point, apparent viscosity and gel strength. The prediction methods have been applied on datasets taken from the final reports of two wells drilled in the Ahdeb oil field, eastern Iraq. To test the performance ability of the developed models, two error-based metrics (determination coefficient R2 and root mean square error have been used in this study. The current results support the evidence that MW, MF, and solid% are consistent indexes for the prediction of rheological mud properties. Both mud density and solid content have a relative-significant effect on increasing PV, YP, AV, and gel strength. The results also reveal that both MRA and ANN are conservative in estimating the fluid rheological properties, but ANN is more precise than MRA. Eight empirical mathematical models with high performance capacity have been developed in this study to determine the rheological fluid properties using simple and quick equipment such as mud balance and marsh funnel. This study presents cost-effective models to determine the rheological fluid properties for future well planning in Iraqi oil fields.

Development of Artificial Intelligence Models for Estimating Rate of Penetration in East Baghdad Field, Middle Iraq

It is well known that the rate of penetration is a key function for drilling engineers since it is directly related to the final well cost, thus reducing the non-productive time is a target of interest for all oil companies by optimizing the drilling processes or drilling parameters. These drilling parameters include mechanical (RPM, WOB, flow rate, SPP, torque and hook load) and travel transit time. The big challenge prediction is the complex interconnection between the drilling parameters so artificial intelligence techniques have been conducted in this study to predict ROP using operational drilling parameters and formation characteristics. In the current study, three AI techniques have been used which are neural network, fuzzy inference system and genetic algorithm. An offset field data was collected from mud logging and wire line log from East Baghdad oil field south region to build the AI models, including datasets of two wells: well 1 for AI modeling and well 2 for validation of the obtained results. The types of interesting formations are sandstone and shale (Nahr Umr and Zubair formations). Nahr Umr and Zubair formations are medium –harder. The prediction results obtained from this study showed that the ANN technique can predict the ROP with high efficiency as well as FIS technique could achieve reliable results in predicting ROP, but GA technique has shown a lower efficiency in predicting ROP. The correlation coefficient and RMSE were two criteria utilized to evaluate and estimate the performance ability of AI techniques in predicting ROP and comparing the obtained results. In the Nahr Umr and Zubair formations, the obtained correlation coefficient values for training processes of ANN, FIS and GA were 0.94, 0.93, and 0.76 respectively. Data sets from another well (well 2) in the same field of interest were utilized to validate of the developed models. Datasets of well 2 were conducted against sandstone and shale formations (Nahr Umr and Zubair formations). The results revealed a good matching between the actual rate of penetration values and the predicted ROP values using two artificial intelligence techniques (neural network, and fuzzy inference technique). In contrast, the genetic algorithm model showed overestimation/ underestimation of the rate of penetration against sandstone and shale formations. This means that the optimum prediction of rate of penetration can be obtained from neural network model rather than using genetic algorithm and genetic algorithm techniques. The developed model can be successfully used to predict the rate of penetration and optimize the drilling parameters, achieving reduce the cost and time of future wells that will be drilled in the East Baghdad Iraqi oil field.