Inflow Profile Control in Horizontal Wells in a Fractured Carbonate Using Swellable Elastomers

Abstract

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractA fractured carbonate field is developed via Gas Oil Gravity Drainage in the upper layers and water flood in the deeper layers. Due to the injection of gas and water into this fractured reservoir, horizontal wells tend to gas or water out, impairing the matrix drainage process. Different well and reservoir management techniques are used to prevent this from happening or to control the inflow when it happens. One such technique is to segment the bare foot horizontal open hole section with swellable rubbers and create up to 6 discreet zones of inflow, separated by 3 1/2 " tubing. The inflow from each section is currently controlled by a coiled tubing operated sliding sleeve. In the future it is anticipated that control will be done using hydraulically operated sleeves.Up till November 2006 eight horizontal barefoot oil producers have been re-completed with swellable packers. This paper concentrates on water shut-off and addresses the design, installation risks and mitigation, the impact of zone shut-off on well production performance, and the actions taken to optimize the production of each well by logging the well and shifting the sleeves.

Spider Diagram for Tubular Expansion with Restraints

“…In order to avoid these problems, the down-hole closure of the fractures is developed using tubular expansion technologies with or without elastomer annular seals. This can be a non-invasive or invasive technique and, depending on the use of elastomers, has been applied in several wells with a water reduction rate of up to 40% and oil gains of up to 45 cubic meters per day per well (Welling et al 2007). The recent observation of the resultant irregular cross-section after tubular expansion has posed new challenges to drilling completion.…”