With an objective to increase the production to 4.0 MM BOPD, Kuwait Oil Company is developing its fields with optimum technology solution. Technological innovations in E&P sector are on growing trend, based on which, KOC included "Realize the value from Technology" in the frame of its strategic objectives. The Key Performance Measure (KPM) of this objective is to adopt new technologies at a scale that ideally addresses the identified challenges. In view of this objective and associated KPM, it was decided to implement the advanced completion technologies in various reservoirs of the Company. KOC has several prolific reservoirs spread all over Kuwait. These reservoirs have mild to severe differences in rock properties and fluid characteristics. Burgan is the major Cretaceous sandstone structure extended all over the Kuwait with varied properties. The permeability of Burgan in general is in multiple Darcy. Its fluid viscosity in NK and SEK is low, in the range of 0.5-3 cP, while in WK it is 28-30cP. Minagish Oolite in West and Maududd in North are major carbonate reservoirs with varying rock and fluid properties. Horizontal wells are considered superior over conventional vertical wells due to augmented production through increased reservoir contact. However, these wells pose severe production challenges due to variations in permeability, reservoir pressure as well as frictional pressure drop along horizontal length. Hence, equalizing inflow, delay water breakthrough, minimizing heel-to-toe effects and maximizing the ultimate recovery are the primary challenges to be addressed to gain advantages of horizontal wells. One of the promising technologies to address these challenges is the advanced completions: inflow control device (ICD) and Interval control valves (ICV). The campaign of application of advanced completions in KOC was started in 2009 under the umbrella of R&T. The completions include various types of ICVs and ICDs. The latter includes passive ICD, Advanced ICD with sliding sleeve, Autonomous ICD without moving parts and ICD with stimulation port. The technology application was based on its value addition and Company's commercial group policies, while maintaining the technical superiority. The technology was trialed successfully in series in various fields and reservoirs through best practices and multi-disciplinary team approach. The focus was made to avoid drawbacks in pilot stage to avoid disapproval of the technology by management. Application of this technology led to multifold increase in sustained production in horizontal wells in all reservoirs and simultaneous reduction in water cut. This paper covers the results of the advanced completion pilots, application methodology & novel practices and selection criteria that ultimately led to tremendous increase in production and full-scale field implementation of the technology.
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