New-Technology Application to Extend The Life of Horizontal Wells By Creating Uniform-Flow-Profiles: Production Completion System: Case Study

摘要

Horizontal wells have dominated the conventional wells due totheir increased production rates, improved recovery efficiency,increased reservoir drainage area, and delayed gas and waterconing. However, non-uniform flow profiles can result inpremature water / gas production, loss of production andreserves, and decrease in profitability, which will shorten thelife, and defeat the purpose of a horizontal well.This paper will describe a new production technologysystem that will optimize production, delay water / gas coning,eliminate / minimize annular flow, and ensure uniform inflowalong the lateral at the cost of a minute pressure drop in long,high-rate horizontal wells. Case history will be presented fromSaudi Aramco, where this production technology, combinedwith sand control technology, has resulted in significantsaving for the operator, and improved production in horizontaloffshore oil wells.