Intelligent well completion

1. 1. 1
2. 2. OUTLINEIntroductionWhat are well completions?Types of well completionsWhat is
intelligent well completion?Reasons for Intelligent well
completionAdvantages/Disadvantages of Intelligent well completion over conventional
completionsConclusion. 2
3. 3. INTRODUCTIONThrough the years different types of processes have been used to
complete and produce oil from reservoirs after drilling.Demand for processes which
maximize the recoverable reserves while reducing costs due to intervention has been on the
increase which has brought about the latest well completion technique which is
INTELLIGENT WELL COMPLETION (IWC). This presentation therefore is to help acquaint
us with this process. 3
4. 4. WHAT IS WELL COMPLETION?This is a process of making a well ready for production
or(injection), this principally involves preparing the bottom of the hole to the required
specifications, running in the production tubing and its associated downhole tools, as well as
perforating and stimulating as required.Sometimes the process of running in and cementing
the casing is also included. 4
5. 5. TYPES OF WELL COMPLETION There are different types of well completions and these
includeBarefoot completionOpen hole completionCased hole completionDual
completionSurface completionIntelligent completion 5
6. 6. WHAT ARE INTELLIGENT WELL COMPLETIONS?IWC can be explained as the type of
completion that is based on the strategy of using REAL TIME well monitoring and closed
loop capability to maximize the final recovery of reserves.This is achieved by running
gauges downhole to study REAL TIME data per zone in order to make pro active(preventive)
rather than reactive(corrective) decisions. There are different instances where IWC’s
technology can be applied, and those are: 6
7. 7. APPLICATIONS OF IWC’S The instances in which IWC’s are suitable for are thus
COMMINGLED PRODUCTIONSome fields have two or more reservoirs that could be
produced at the same time (usually at different depths) but these reservoirs could have
different petro physical properties, fluid characteristics and/or different pressures. Using an
IWC lets the operator simultaneously produce from these reservoirs, reducing risks related to
cross flow and differential depletion. An IWC also accelerates production by taking
advantage of Real-time monitoring and active control.Figure 1 shows a possible reservoir
example for this application. 7
8. 8. APPLICATIONS OF IWC’S 8
9. 9. APPLICATIONS OF IWC’S INJECTION PROFILE ISSUES Due to the subdivision by
some Fluid units inside the same reservoir with different petro physical properties, differential
depletion occurs (some flow units deplete faster than others) during the production process
or differential replacement occurs (some fluids units build up their pressure faster than
others), when injecting fluids for pressure support. In this case, IWC’s are the best solution
for this typical problem. The idea is to produce or inject (through active control valves) the
fluids that each flow unit requires, according to its petro physical properties or energy
levels. Figure 2 shows an example of injection and production profile issues 9
10. 10. APPLICATIONS OF IWC’S 10
11. 11. APPLICATIONS OF IWC’S DUMP FLOOD STRATEGIES Enhanced Oil Recovery
(EOR) strategies are among the most complex , successful but expensive methods for
maximizing final recovery of reserves. Reducing costs in these projects is highly desirable.
In some fields, an aquifer or gas cap with enough energy and reserves (water or gas) could
be used for providing Fluids with enough energy for injecting directly into some reservoirs or
formations. The idea is to install an IWC, proceed to produce a specific fluid with energy
 (water or gas), and injecting that fluid in a specific volume on each reservoir that requires it
for maintaining the replacement factor in the values specified by the exploitation strategy,
before that fluid arrives at surface. Obviously, adjustable control valves are the key factor for
optimizing the replacement factor and, consequently, the recovery factor of the field. 11
12. 12. ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES OFIWC’S(CHOKING
CAPABILITY)ADVANTAGES; Total control of production or injection profiles. No cross
flow between different zones. Real-time monitoring of different zones. Control valves can
be activated remotely. Well test can be performed without intervention. Operations
associated with production or injection optimization can be performed online (closed loop).
Does not require maintenance. 12
13. 13. ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES OFIWC’S(CHOKING
CAPABILITY)DISADVANTAGE; Completion cost is higher than mechanical systems. 13
14. 14. CONCLUSIONIt is obvious that IWC offers flexibility and reliability, but the most
important aspect of this technology is its ability to adapt to changing well conditions, whether
these changes are part of a planned reservoir exploitation strategy or an unplanned event.It
is important to note that an IWC is the key component of an exploitation strategy to maximize
final recovery of reserves through maximum control, real time monitoring and closed loop
capability.Finally, IWC can help operators make the right decision at the right time by
reducing uncertainty levels. 14