World's First MRC Window Exits Out of Solid Expandable Open-hole Liner in the Shaybah Field, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractA well in the Shaybah Field was recently worked over by converting the existing 1-km horizontal section to MRC (maximum reservoir contact) well with a total reservoir contact of 18,443 ft. The objectives of the workover program were to improve well productivity by maximizing the reservoir contact as well as to install solid expandable liner as a conduit for downhole flow control system in the future.The original horizontal section was first extended by 6,462 ft, before running expandable liner. Installing a 1,008 ft 5-1/2" expandable liner in near horizontal section encountered considerable difficulties in this well, first with liner stuck, then experiencing stuck expansion cone during the final stage of liner expansion. After these problems were finally overcome, top of expanded liner was successfully pressure tested. Two laterals were sidetracked successfully out of the expandable liner (Lateral -1 = 4,615 ft and Lateral -2 = 7,366 ft) to access additional flow contribution from the reservoir. This paper describes the experiences and lessons learned from hole preparation, running and expanding expandable liner, window exits of expandable liner, and subsequently drilling two 5-1/2" laterals.

Radial Expansion of T5-6063 Aluminum Tubes: An Experimental Investigation and Numerical Simulation

“…This technology can also be used in different types of wells as in multiple fixing wells, high-angle and horizontal wells, and in deep and hot wells. Several field trials [2][3][4][5][6][7] proved the viability of this technology as a solution to aging wells. Other research work related to simulation of downhole solid tubular expansion field cases was performed by Pervez et al [8] and Seibi et al [9] to study the effect of the expansion ratio, cone angle, and friction coefficient on the expansion force and showed that the drawing force increases when the friction coefficient, mandrel angle, and expansion ratio increase.…”

Experimental Study of Expanded T5-6063 Aluminum Tubes With Transverse Holes

“…Moreover, this technology is used to increase the rate of production by enlarging the volume of the production tubing as well as sand control screens in open holes. Several studies related to SETT have been performed over the last two decades 2–5 and proved its viability in field applications 6–12 . However, very limited studies dealing with expansion of sand control screens have been conducted 11 …”

“…[6][7][8][9][10][11][12] However, very limited studies dealing with expansion of sand control screens have been conducted. 11 The challenge that remains facing field engineers in deep wells with corrosive environments is the selection of appropriate corrosion resistant alloys that can sustain large expansion ratios up to 25% without jeopardizing their strength especially in the presence of perforations at the base pipe of sand control screens. Expansion of sand control screens becomes very critical at large radial deformation where failure might take place around existing perforations which act as stress raisers during the expansion process.…”