Side-By-Side Completion

Test Your Knowledge

Side-by-Side Completion Quiz

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What is the primary purpose of Side-by-Side Completion (also known as Multi-Zone Completion)?

a) To increase the lifespan of a well. b) To access and produce from multiple zones within a single wellbore. c) To reduce the risk of wellbore collapse. d) To improve the efficiency of drilling operations.

2. Which of these is NOT a key component of Side-by-Side Completion?

a) Tubing Strings b) Packers c) Cementing d) Production Equipment

3. What is the main advantage of using individual packers in Side-by-Side Completion?

a) To prevent the flow of fluids between different zones. b) To enhance the strength of the wellbore. c) To improve the accuracy of wellbore surveying. d) To facilitate the installation of tubing strings.

4. Which of the following is a benefit of Side-by-Side Completion?

a) Reduced environmental impact. b) Lower drilling costs. c) Improved reservoir management. d) All of the above.

5. Side-by-Side Completion is particularly well-suited for wells with:

a) Single producing zones. b) Multiple producing zones separated by impermeable layers. c) Zones with high pressure differences. d) Zones with complex geological structures.

Side-by-Side Completion Exercise

Scenario: An oil well has two producing zones separated by an impermeable shale layer. The upper zone produces a light oil with low viscosity, while the lower zone produces a heavier oil with higher viscosity.

Task: Design a Side-by-Side Completion system for this well. Consider the following:

• Tubing Strings: Choose appropriate sizes and materials for each zone, considering the different fluid properties.
• Packers: Determine the optimal placement of packers to isolate the zones.
• Production Equipment: Identify specific surface equipment needed for each zone, such as flowlines, separators, and monitoring systems.

Exercice Correction:

Techniques

Chapter 1: Techniques

Side-by-Side Completion: Isolating Multiple Zones in a Single Well

Introduction

Side-by-Side completion, also known as Multi-Zone Completion, is a well completion technique designed to increase production and reservoir management efficiency. This method involves isolating and producing multiple zones within a single wellbore.

Key Techniques

The technique utilizes distinct tubing strings for each producing zone. These strings are independent and separated by packers installed at specific depths. The packers create a seal, preventing fluid migration between zones and ensuring individual production.

Types of Side-by-Side Completions

Several techniques are employed for Side-by-Side completions:

• Open Hole Completion: This involves running casing to the top of the producing zone, with the packer setting below the zone. Production is then taken through tubing.
• Cased Hole Completion: This technique involves running casing to the top of each zone, with packers setting between zones. Production is taken through tubing strings dedicated to each zone.
• Hybrid Completion: This approach combines aspects of open hole and cased hole completions, utilizing both techniques for different zones.

Advantages

• Increased Production: Simultaneously producing multiple zones significantly boosts overall production compared to single-zone completions.
• Improved Reservoir Management: Individual control over each zone allows for optimized production parameters, such as flow rates and pressures.
• Reduced Well Costs: Side-by-side completions can minimize the need for additional wells to exploit multiple zones, leading to cost savings in the long term.
• Enhanced Reservoir Recovery: Maximizing recovery from each individual zone through isolation leads to a higher overall recovery rate.

Challenges

• Wellbore Geometry: The wellbore must be large enough to accommodate multiple tubing strings and packers.
• Zone Depth and Spacing: Effective isolation and production require suitable depth and spacing between zones.
• Fluid Characteristics: The characteristics of fluids in each zone need consideration when designing the completion system.

Conclusion

Side-by-Side completion presents a valuable technique for maximizing production and enhancing reservoir management in oil and gas wells. Its application involves understanding various techniques and considering potential challenges to ensure successful implementation.

Chapter 2: Models

Modeling Side-by-Side Completion Performance

Introduction

Modeling plays a crucial role in designing and evaluating Side-by-Side completions. Accurate models help predict production performance, assess the economic viability of the project, and optimize well design.

Modeling Approaches

Various models are employed to simulate Side-by-Side completion performance:

• Reservoir Simulation: These models simulate the flow of fluids within the reservoir, considering factors such as pressure, permeability, and fluid properties. They are used to predict the behavior of each zone under different production scenarios.
• Wellbore Simulation: These models simulate the flow of fluids within the wellbore, considering factors like tubing size, packer configuration, and flow rates. They are used to predict production performance and optimize well design.
• Production Forecasting: These models combine reservoir and wellbore simulations to predict production profiles for each zone and the overall well. They are used to assess the economic feasibility of the project and guide decision-making.

Input Parameters

Modeling requires accurate input parameters to produce reliable results. These parameters include:

• Reservoir Properties: Permeability, porosity, fluid saturation, and pressure.
• Wellbore Geometry: Wellbore diameter, tubing size, packer configuration, and production equipment.
• Fluid Properties: Viscosity, density, compressibility, and gas content.
• Production Parameters: Flow rates, wellhead pressure, and production schedule.

Applications of Models

Models are used for:

• Optimizing Well Design: Predicting performance for different well configurations to maximize production and minimize costs.
• Assessing Economic Viability: Evaluating the profitability of the project based on projected production rates and operational costs.
• Monitoring and Control: Tracking actual production performance against model predictions and adjusting operating parameters for optimization.

Conclusion

Models are essential tools for understanding and predicting Side-by-Side completion performance. By considering accurate input parameters and employing appropriate models, operators can make informed decisions about well design, production optimization, and economic viability.

Chapter 3: Software

Software Solutions for Side-by-Side Completion

Introduction

Specialized software solutions are available to assist in the design, simulation, and management of Side-by-Side completions. These software packages offer a comprehensive suite of tools for various stages of the project lifecycle.

Types of Software

• Reservoir Simulation Software: Software packages like Eclipse (Schlumberger), STARS (Roxar), and GEM (CMG) are used to model reservoir flow and predict the behavior of each zone under different production scenarios.
• Wellbore Simulation Software: Software packages like WellCAD (Weatherford), WellPlanner (Schlumberger), and Pipesim (Roxar) are used to model fluid flow within the wellbore and optimize well design.
• Production Forecasting Software: Software packages like PROSPER (Schlumberger), GAP (Roxar), and MBAL (CMG) integrate reservoir and wellbore simulations to forecast production profiles and analyze economic feasibility.
• Well Completion Design Software: Software packages like WellDesign (Schlumberger), WellPlan (Weatherford), and WellCAD (Weatherford) are used to design the completion system, including tubing strings, packers, and production equipment.
• Well Management Software: Software packages like WellView (Schlumberger), ProductionWatch (Roxar), and WellFocus (Weatherford) are used to monitor and control production performance, track well conditions, and optimize operations.

Key Features

• Advanced Modeling Capabilities: Software packages offer sophisticated models for simulating reservoir and wellbore behavior, accounting for various geological and operational parameters.
• Visualization and Reporting: They provide tools for visualizing simulation results and generating reports on production performance, economic analysis, and well design.
• Integration and Data Management: They facilitate the integration of data from various sources, including reservoir models, well logs, production data, and operational records.
• Workflow Automation: Software packages automate repetitive tasks and workflows, streamlining the design, simulation, and management processes.

Conclusion

Software solutions play a vital role in the successful implementation of Side-by-Side completions. By leveraging advanced modeling, visualization, data management, and workflow automation features, these software packages enable operators to optimize well design, analyze performance, and enhance operational efficiency.

Chapter 4: Best Practices

Best Practices for Side-by-Side Completion Design and Management

Introduction

Adopting best practices during the design and management of Side-by-Side completions is essential for achieving successful and efficient production from multiple zones.

Design Best Practices:

• Comprehensive Planning: Thoroughly define production objectives, reservoir characteristics, and wellbore geometry before designing the completion system.
• Zone Characterization: Accurately define the boundaries and properties of each producing zone through geological analysis, well logs, and production data.
• Packer Selection: Select packers with appropriate sealing capacity, pressure ratings, and compatibility with the wellbore environment.
• Tubing String Selection: Choose tubing strings with suitable size, material, and pressure ratings to optimize flow for each zone.
• Production Equipment Selection: Select appropriate surface equipment, such as flowlines, separators, and meters, to handle production from multiple zones.
• Risk Assessment: Identify potential risks associated with the completion system and implement mitigation strategies to minimize their impact.

Management Best Practices:

• Monitoring and Control: Continuously monitor production performance, wellbore conditions, and reservoir pressure to identify potential issues and optimize production.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Collect and analyze production data, well logs, and reservoir simulation results to evaluate completion performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Maintenance and Repair: Implement regular maintenance procedures and plan for timely repairs to ensure optimal well performance and minimize downtime.
• Adaptive Management: Continuously adapt production strategies based on observed performance, reservoir behavior, and market conditions.

Key Considerations:

• Wellbore Integrity: Ensure the wellbore is structurally sound to accommodate multiple tubing strings and packers.
• Fluid Compatibility: Consider the compatibility of fluids from different zones to prevent issues such as emulsions or corrosion.
• Production Optimization: Implement strategies to optimize production from each zone, considering factors such as flow rates, pressures, and reservoir conditions.

Conclusion

Adhering to best practices in design and management is crucial for maximizing the benefits of Side-by-Side completions. By implementing a comprehensive approach, operators can ensure successful and efficient production from multiple zones, enhancing recovery and economic viability.

Chapter 5: Case Studies

Case Studies: Successful Applications of Side-by-Side Completions

Introduction

Real-world case studies showcase the successful applications of Side-by-Side completion techniques and highlight their benefits in diverse oil and gas fields.

Case Study 1: Enhanced Production in a Multi-Layered Reservoir

• Location: [Name of Field], [Location]
• Challenge: A well encountered multiple producing zones separated by impermeable layers, leading to low production from each individual zone.
• Solution: A Side-by-Side completion was implemented to isolate and produce each zone independently, using separate tubing strings and packers.
• Results: The completion significantly increased overall production compared to single-zone completion, leading to higher recovery and improved economic viability.

Case Study 2: Optimization of Production in a Gas-Condensate Field

• Location: [Name of Field], [Location]
• Challenge: A gas-condensate reservoir exhibited variations in gas-liquid ratios across different zones, making it difficult to optimize production.
• Solution: A Side-by-Side completion with separate production equipment for each zone allowed for independent control of flow rates and pressures.
• Results: This enabled operators to optimize production from each zone, maximizing condensate recovery and improving gas production efficiency.

Case Study 3: Improved Reservoir Management in a Mature Field

• Location: [Name of Field], [Location]
• Challenge: A mature oil field experienced declining production due to pressure depletion.
• Solution: A Side-by-Side completion was implemented to exploit remaining oil reserves in multiple zones, injecting water to maintain reservoir pressure.
• Results: The completion extended the productive life of the field, enhanced oil recovery, and improved economic returns.

Conclusion

These case studies demonstrate the practical application of Side-by-Side completions in different geological settings and production scenarios. The technique has proven to be effective in enhancing production, improving reservoir management, and increasing the economic viability of oil and gas projects.