Application of Latest Generation Inflow Control Devices in Non-Horizontal Wells in India, Case Study

Abstract

Bhagyam is the second largest oilfield discovered to date in the Barmer Basin, India with more than 400mmb of viscous, waxy crude in place. This paper describes the evaluation, design and selection process for the use of the latest generation ICD in non-horizontal wells. Sandface completions comprise sand screens coupled with an ICD. Inflow control was highly desirable due to the oil viscosity variation, high permeability, heterogeneity and adverse mobility ratio and the fact the completions could not be easily accessed below a PCP. Oil viscosity ranges from 20 to 250cp varying with depth. The variation in reservoir thickness, produced fluid viscosity and well productivity required a field adjustable pressure drop capability in the ICD. The ICD had to perform at high viscosity and needed to be tolerant to wax and sand production. The operator's experience in nearby fields observed the benefits of ICDs for providing efficient sandface cleanup in horizontal wells. It was vital to model this system accurately however there were significant challenges as no previous examples of using these devices in non-horizontal wells could be found and the ICD completion had not been modeled in a dynamic simulator for this scale of field development. A dynamic simulation model which included the ICD completion was used to evaluate various completion options. A significant amount of work was performed to ensure the ICD was accurately modeled in the simulator. The simulations showed a long term benefit from using the ICD. To date 22 production wells have been completed with the ICD screen systems. This is one of the first applications of the latest generation ICD in non-horizontal wells particularly on a full field scale. It is also a case study of modeling the ICD completion with a dynamic simulator.

Case Study: Utilizing of Inflow Control Device To Control Oil Wells from Water Production and Regulate Waterfront Encroachment

“…Every field and every well have its own challenges, requirements, and limitations (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10) . Issues such as early water or gas breakthrough, unbalanced production influx, downhole cross-flow, fractured reservoir, or surface facility limitations are considered in the ICD completion design on a case by case basis.…”

“…In addition, ICD can be used as reservoir management tool to eliminate heel-to-toe effect, stop sand production and downhole cross-flow (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13) . In addition, ICD can be used as reservoir management tool to eliminate heel-to-toe effect, stop sand production and downhole cross-flow (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13) .…”

Modeling and Simulation of Autonomous Inflow Control Devices for Gas Exploitation

“…10 The interior flows of ICDs were simulated numerically, and it has been verified that ICDs had water control capability. 11 Autonomous inflow control devices (AICDs) have been applied in the industry due to their simple, low-cost, accurate, and automatic operation. 12 AICDs could delay the water coning into the wellbore, and they do not need any accessory such as a cable or infrared ray.…”

“…By incorporating terrane characteristics into the design of ICDs, horizontal wells could lower the cost of construction and boost well production . The interior flows of ICDs were simulated numerically, and it has been verified that ICDs had water control capability …”

“… 10 The interior flows of ICDs were simulated numerically, and it has been verified that ICDs had water control capability. 11 …”