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Glossary of Technical Terms Used in Drilling & Well Completion: Barefoot Completion

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Barefoot Completion

Barefoot Completion: A Straightforward Approach to Oil & Gas Production

In the world of oil and gas production, "completion" refers to the process of preparing a well after drilling to allow for the extraction of hydrocarbons. Among the numerous completion methods, "barefoot completion" stands out for its simplicity and minimal equipment requirements.

What is Barefoot Completion?

As the name suggests, a barefoot completion is a very basic, "no frills" approach to accessing the pay zone (the layer of rock containing the desired oil or gas). It's characterized by:

  • Open Hole Pay Zone: The pay zone is left uncased, allowing for direct access to the reservoir.
  • Minimal Downhole Equipment: Only essential equipment, such as a production packer and tubing, is installed.
  • Casing Cemented Above Pay: The casing is typically run to the top of the pay zone and cemented above it, providing structural support and sealing off the wellbore.

Benefits of Barefoot Completion:

  • Cost-Effective: Minimal equipment and simpler operations translate to lower completion costs.
  • Faster Production: The open hole design allows for faster fluid flow and production initiation.
  • Suitable for Simple Reservoirs: Barefoot completions are well-suited for reservoirs with stable formations and straightforward flow characteristics.

Drawbacks of Barefoot Completion:

  • Limited Control: The lack of casing within the pay zone can lead to sand production and potential formation damage.
  • Not Ideal for Complex Formations: Barefoot completion might not be suitable for reservoirs with complex geology or unstable formations.
  • Limited Stimulation Options: The open hole design restricts the application of certain stimulation techniques like hydraulic fracturing.

When is Barefoot Completion a Good Choice?

Barefoot completion is most appropriate in situations where:

  • The reservoir is relatively simple and stable.
  • Cost-effectiveness is a primary concern.
  • Quick production initiation is desired.

Comparison to Other Completion Methods:

Barefoot completion stands in contrast to more elaborate completion methods like:

  • Cased Hole Completion: The entire pay zone is encased, providing greater control and stability.
  • Fractured Completion: This technique involves hydraulic fracturing to create pathways for increased production.

Conclusion:

Barefoot completion offers a straightforward and cost-effective approach to oil and gas production. While it may not be suitable for all situations, it provides a valuable option for simpler reservoirs where efficiency and minimal investment are key considerations.

Test Your Knowledge

Quiz: Barefoot Completion

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What is the main characteristic of a barefoot completion? a) It utilizes a complex system of downhole equipment. b) It involves extensive hydraulic fracturing. c) It leaves the pay zone open and uncased. d) It requires specialized tools for production.

Answer

c) It leaves the pay zone open and uncased.

2. What is a primary advantage of barefoot completion? a) High initial production rates. b) Excellent control over reservoir pressure. c) Extensive stimulation options available. d) Suitable for complex reservoir formations.

Answer

a) High initial production rates.

3. When is barefoot completion NOT recommended? a) For reservoirs with stable formations. b) When cost-effectiveness is a priority. c) For reservoirs with complex geology. d) When quick production initiation is desired.

Answer

c) For reservoirs with complex geology.

4. What is a potential drawback of barefoot completion? a) Increased wellbore stability. b) Reduced production costs. c) Potential for sand production. d) Limited environmental impact.

Answer

c) Potential for sand production.

5. Which of the following completion methods contrasts with barefoot completion? a) Horizontal drilling. b) Cased hole completion. c) Open-hole drilling. d) Hydraulic fracturing.

Answer

b) Cased hole completion.

Exercise:

Scenario:

You are an engineer evaluating a new oil well for completion. The reservoir is a simple sandstone formation with stable rock characteristics. Cost is a major concern for the project, and quick production initiation is essential.

Task:

Based on the provided information, would you recommend a barefoot completion for this well? Justify your decision by listing two benefits and one potential drawback of using a barefoot completion in this scenario.

Exercice Correction

Based on the scenario, a barefoot completion could be a good choice for this well. Here's the justification:

  • **Benefits:**
    • **Cost-effectiveness:** Barefoot completion is known for being less expensive than other methods due to its simplicity.
    • **Faster production:** The open hole design allows for quicker fluid flow and production initiation.
  • **Drawback:**
    • **Potential for sand production:** As the pay zone is uncased, there's a risk of sand entering the wellbore, which can damage equipment and hinder production.

However, since the reservoir is described as a simple sandstone formation with stable rock characteristics, the risk of sand production might be mitigated. You should further investigate the potential for sand production and assess if it outweighs the benefits of cost-effectiveness and faster production initiation.

Books

  • Petroleum Engineering Handbook: This comprehensive handbook provides information on various completion techniques, including barefoot completions, and their applications.
  • Modern Petroleum Production Engineering: This book covers various aspects of oil and gas production, including completion practices and technologies, offering detailed explanations of barefoot completions.
  • Well Completion Design and Practices: This book focuses specifically on well completion design and offers insights into barefoot completions, their advantages, and limitations.

Articles

  • "Barefoot Completions: A Straightforward Approach to Oil & Gas Production" (This document itself serves as a good starting point).
  • "Completion Techniques for Unconventional Reservoirs" by Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE): This article explores different completion strategies for unconventional reservoirs, including barefoot completions in specific contexts.
  • "A Review of Completion Techniques for Tight Gas Sands" by SPE: This article discusses various completion techniques for tight gas sands, with a section on barefoot completions and their applicability in such formations.

Online Resources

  • Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) website: SPE offers a wealth of technical information, including publications, conference proceedings, and online courses, covering barefoot completions and related topics.
  • Oil & Gas Journal: This industry publication regularly features articles and reports on completion technologies, including advancements and case studies on barefoot completions.
  • Schlumberger website: Schlumberger, a leading oilfield services company, provides technical information on various completion methods, including barefoot completions, on their website.

Search Tips

  • Use specific keywords: "barefoot completion," "open hole completion," "minimalist completion"
  • Combine keywords with relevant terms: "barefoot completion advantages," "barefoot completion disadvantages," "barefoot completion case studies," "barefoot completion applications"
  • Use advanced search operators:
    • "site:spe.org barefoot completion" to restrict search results to the SPE website.
    • "filetype:pdf barefoot completion" to find PDF documents on the topic.
    • "barefoot completion -fracturing" to exclude results related to hydraulic fracturing.
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