EFFICIENT COST SAVING THROUGH AN APPROPRIATE COMPLETION DESIGN

Well completion plays a critical role in the performance of a well in its entire life. More and more advanced well completion options are available for potential deployment in new wells, especially those in deep water and offshore; however, the cost could vary significantly from one completion type to the other. Considering the fact that completion takes a substantial stake in the whole CAPEX for a new well, the cost and the impact of well completion would be too significant to be ignored.

Two field case studies will be discussed in detail in the paper to demonstrate the possibility of cost saving through efficient completion designs. The first case study will be focused on a horizontal oil producer, and the second on a horizontal gas producer. The most popular completion options, including open hole, slotted liner, inflow control devices (ICD), intelligent well completions (DIACS), perforated cemented liner, wire wrapped screen, gravel pack, and frac pack, will be considered in the completion selection. Novel completion options that may slash completion cost without sacrifice of well performance will also be proposed and evaluated. Well performance will then be evaluated in details by assessing total well production, annular flow and flow inside the liner/tubing, pressure profiles along the annulus and along the liner, inflow from reservoir to annulus and fluid transfer between annulus and liner, and so on. Cost recovery, water shut off, formation damage, casing collapse, sand prevention issues associated with different completion options will be addressed.

A work flow aiming at optimizing well performance while maintaining completion cost at the minimum will be proposed.