Openhole completions are often selected as the preferred completion technique to maximize reservoir flow potential and provide reliable, high capacity, low skin completions. With the advances of Alternate Path® Technology (APT), a full gravel pack can be realized under challenging well conditions to provide increased long-term reliability. One drawback to openhole gravel packs has always been the inability to isolate water or gas, whether it is during the initial completion or during the production lifecycle of the well. ExxonMobil embarked on a multi-year initiative to develop, qualify, and successfully deploy Shunt Zonal Isolation (SZI) packer technology that, when combined with Internal Shunt Alternate Path Technology (ISAPT) screens, can provide true zonal isolation in an openhole gravel pack completion.
The new openhole technology enables greater extended drilling to capture additional pay, selective completions to isolate zones, and production flow control inside the screen basepipe similar to cased hole conditions. True zonal isolation in openhole gravel pack completions facilitates more flexible well planning and operational execution while maintaining reliable sand control. This paper will explore the range of application opportunities this new technology presents.