Saudi Arabia's Two World Records for Aided Coiled Tubing Reach and Real Time Logging in Extended Reach Well

Arukhe, James; Dhufairi, Mubarak; Ghamdi, Saleh Al; Duthie, Laurie; Yatem, Karam; Elsherif, Tamer; Ahmed, Danish

doi:10.2118/160764-ms

All Days 2012

DOI: 10.2118/160764-ms

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Saudi Arabia's Two World Records for Aided Coiled Tubing Reach and Real Time Logging in Extended Reach Well

James Arukhe

Mubarak Dhufairi

Saleh Al Ghamdi

et al.

Abstract: Two new records exist in one of current world's largest oil increment field development projects in Saudi Arabia. The records set while achieving a well's intervention objectives include; 1. Attaining the deepest coiled tubing (CT) reach for rigless well intervention at 29,897 ft (9.11 km) measured depth in an extended reach open hole horizontal power injector well using a CT tractor and; 2. The first application of real time logging enabled through a wired motor head assembly via the tractor. The intervention… Show more

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Cited by 6 publications

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Well Intervention Challenges in Mega-Reach Wells with Coiled Tubing and the Application of the Latest Technologies in Tackling These Challenges, Saudi Arabia

et al. 2013

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With the growing demand for oil production, and pressure maintenance for giant fields, more horizontal wells has been drilled as power water injectors and oil producers to increase the contact with the reservoirs. In M-field, many wells are drilled as mega-reach with a measured total depth up to 33,000 ft. This present a big challenge for coiled tubing intervention to reach TD and stimulate or perform logging. Even with the use of hydraulic tractors, CT Pipe Locks up before TD, and it has been difficult to understand the root cause as it is not possible to differentiate between a hydraulic tractor malfunction and downhole obstruction causing the CT to tag. Here in this paper we are going to illustrate the reach challenges, analysis performed on the un-anticipated lockups, and how could we utilize recent technologies in understanding the lockup occurrence, as well as quantifying the how can we improve the prejob tubing force model simulation to fine-tune well accessibility in real-time while on the job. With the implementation of the real-time tension-compression tool, it becomes possible to detect any malfunction of the hydraulic tractor. With the real-time reading of the tractor pull downhole, the coiled tubing force model simulation can be adjusted during the operating to match the real coiled tubing weight and have better estimation of the expected lockup depth. Real-time informed decisions can optimize the CT reach. Being in ultra heavy oil formation and barefoot completion, the following questions come to the scene: Are we tagging in tar? or it is just the excessive drag force that is causing an early lockup?; What if the tractor fails? and how to diagnose the failure?; Shall we use solvents? at what quantities if any?; Is it feasible to run more than once? or it is a challenge that we cannot overcome? All the above questions are answered in details in the paper with illustrated troubleshooting, and problem solving workflow that is aided by case studies, jobs results, and success stories from one of the biggest fields in the Middle East. Exploring more in this direction would successfully change the face of the tubing force model simulation algorithms and take the on-site operational excellence to a significantly advanced level.

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Well Intervention Challenges in Mega-Reach Wells with Coiled Tubing and the Application of the Latest Technologies in Tackling These Challenges, Saudi Arabia

et al. 2013

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The Evolution of Well Testing Practices From Conventional to Zero Flaring in a Saudi Aramco Oilfield Development

2015

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Increased concerns from well testing activities about the environmental impact have left several oil industry challenges. Some of these challenges include handling well effluents from flow back operations with sour crude; the challenges can be more severe to contend with H 2 S safety, pollution and spill risk. Limited deck space in offshore environments often restricts the footprint of flow back equipment. An optimized solution to cater specifically for offshore operations requires careful design to ensure a safe yet functional flow back system. The pollution risk from fall out could have serious consequences to the marine life and habitat. Given that offshore operations typically cost an order of magnitude in excess of land based operations, weather uncertainties could typically result in cost overruns, increasing total job costs.The scope of the paper is to examine the evolution of well deliverability testing -from conventional flaring practices to contemporary smokeless and zero flaring operations in a giant carbonate oil field in Saudi Arabia, surrounded by a world class environmentally protected marine and coastal ecosystem. The examination of 100 well testing candidates, with 39 of those using the zero flaring approach, allows a demonstration of the clear cost, technical and economic benefits over traditional flaring techniques.Before the production facilities and flow lines were operational, the previous clean up method required flaring of oil and gas. Although best practices were applied, an environmental and technical cost accompanied the approach. With the completion of the flow lines and production facilities, the application of the zero flaring option became possible. The possibility to conduct zero flaring provides several attractive benefits, with at least the equivalent of 4,000 barrels of oil not flared, pollution avoidance, 50% time saving and over 50% reduction in total job costs for the field development.

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Mega Reach Case Study, Saudi Arabia; The Application of Fluidic Oscillation Vibratory Tools in Tackling a Challenging Coiled Tubing Well Intervention

Duthie

Namlah

Abdulghani

et al. 2017

Day 2 Wed, March 22, 2017

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Every year, the complexity of horizontal wells grows, and matrix stimulation of these wells is key for maintaining production levels and improving the draw-down from producing formations. In the subject field, many wells are drilled as mega-reach with measured total depths up to 33,000 ft. The mega-reach represents a significant challenge for coiled tubing to reach the total depth (TD) and perform well interventions such as stimulation and logging. Coiled tubing (CT) may lock up before TD, and it can be challenging to understand the root cause. One difficulty is differentiating between lockups due to the well conditions and bottom-hole assembly (BHA) malfunctions. Electric submersible pump (ESP) completions contain bypass assemblies that impose an additional challenge introducing a restriction in tubing internal diameters. The restriction is less than 2.50" in the completion, increasing to 8-1/2" for the open hole, extending for at least 5,000 ft laterally in the producing formation. With the large variation in internal diameter (ID), the hydraulic tractor option is excluded from the mega-reach aid list, though it has proven reliable in extending the reach of CT for 6-1/8" openhole sizes in the same field. Therefore, the challenge here is to derive the maximum output possible from fluidic oscillation vibratory tools to achieve forces close enough to tractor forces and ultimately accomplishing the intervention objective. A combination of mechanical and chemical solutions was the designated approach to tackle the challenge. After reviewing all the possible solutions, tractors were excluded due to the extreme expansion ratio needed resulting in lower pulling forces. A fluidic oscillation tool inducing axial vibration of an absolute magnitude exceeding 1,600 lbf was yard tested and deployed as a solution in combination with a selection of friction and drag reducers. This paper will illustrate the reach challenges, analysis performed, and show how we could utilize the latest developments in fluidic oscillation vibratory tools. It will also include downhole real-time data acquisition assisting the understanding of lockup occurrence, as well as quantifying the improvements in the pre-job tubing force model simulation.

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Saudi Arabia's Two World Records for Aided Coiled Tubing Reach and Real Time Logging in Extended Reach Well

Cited by 6 publications

References 6 publications

Well Intervention Challenges in Mega-Reach Wells with Coiled Tubing and the Application of the Latest Technologies in Tackling These Challenges, Saudi Arabia

Well Intervention Challenges in Mega-Reach Wells with Coiled Tubing and the Application of the Latest Technologies in Tackling These Challenges, Saudi Arabia

The Evolution of Well Testing Practices From Conventional to Zero Flaring in a Saudi Aramco Oilfield Development

Mega Reach Case Study, Saudi Arabia; The Application of Fluidic Oscillation Vibratory Tools in Tackling a Challenging Coiled Tubing Well Intervention

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