Abstract

Artificial lift is widely used by Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) to both accelerate and increase oil production. The electrical submersible pump (ESP) is one of the most commonly used artificial lift systems in oil and water wells. The ESP is a multistage centrifugal pump placed down in the wellbore, capable of delivering high pressure increments for large oil rates. Reservoir oil is always saturated with natural gas, which will be separated from the oil as the pressure is decreased below the bubble point pressure. Since oil production is based on pressure drawdown, ESPs are likely to experience free gas in the suction fluid. Due to free gas present, several gas locking and ESP trips are observed. This technology is taken into consideration to minimize the free gas produced into the pump. Application of this technology can lead to more stable flow, less ESP trips and increased its run life of ESP. More over, suitable cooling mechanism has to be set up for the motor protection. © Copyright 20

Abstract

The massive seismic data growth is a typical exponential function. The current size is tens of PB's and it hardly can be managed. As per the acquisition plan, the expected size in few years is a zettabyte (ZB). The team studied many technologies and solutions. The Online and/or the Offline systems will not meet our end users requirements. The Near Line Robotic Tape Library is the comprehensive solution for such issues that fulfill the needs. The first step was defining the current issues versus the business needs of the users. Next we studied the available technologies in the market e.g. Online RTL, Offline RTL, Near Line in addition to other similar cases in IOC's and NOC's. The Near Line RTL with enhanced workflows and data standards, was the best in our case. It depends on a very strong naming system. The Barcode system insures that no errors occurred. The interactive data allocation exchange between Fast Disk, Slow Disk and Taps are very effective. The loading/exporting are very qu

Abstract

The Lower Cretaceous Minagish formations in Umm Gudair field is a prolific conventional oil reservoir located in onshore West Kuwait. The primary reservoir units are located in thick Oolitic Middle Minagish Member. The long-term field development plan for Umm Gudair field is focused on enhancing hydrocarbon production and extending the plateau rate for its large and matured carbonate reservoirs. Multiple horizontal wells are currently being used to improve well production from the Minagish Oolitic limestone reservoir. The success of these horizontal wells has led to the development of a reactive geosteering technique that allows for optimized placement of horizontal wellbores within the target Oolitic limestones. The geosteering technique is designed to utilize the reservoir character of the Oolitic limestones which in turn requires the implementation of a bottom hole assembly (BHA) configuration that positions the density/porosity logging while drilling (LWD) tool sensors close to the

Abstract

Introduction: Necrotizing fasciitis is a recognized rare complication of gastrostomy tube replacement, but if it occurs and is not discovered early, a lethal outcome is possible. Case presentation: We present a woman in her 80s who was known to have chronic atrial fibrillation with ischemic heart disease. She was fed through percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy after brain injury. Erythema was observed around the stoma of the gastrostomy tube, which was later removed, and erythema extended to the left anterior abdomen. The patient was diagnosed with cellulitis. Point-of-care ultrasound examination suspected necrotizing fasciitis and, confirmed later by computerized tomography of the abdomen. The case was managed surgically. Discussion: Patients with a high clinical suspicion of necrotizing fasciitis should undergo early surgical debridement with antibiotic administration. Necrotizing fasciitis starts with a clinical picture indistinguishable from other skin infections, such as celluliti

Abstract

Within North Kuwait heavy oil fields, integrated reservoir modelling is challenged by inherent reservoir heterogeneities, regional non-stationarity (i.e. trends), asymmetrical well and seismic distributions, and the need to maintain alignment between various the model scales required and multiple purposes for which the models will be used. This paper presents a number of customized workflows adapted to characterize these reservoir architectures and heterogeneities within one field, appropriately at all model scales and in regions with variable well control. A reliable new rock type classification scheme was derived from cross plot analyses of Gamma Ray and Bulk Density (GR-DENS) logs. Within an initial production area containing over 900 regularly spaced wells, 3D variograms for these lithotypes were estimated, calibrated with 3D seismic and reservoir equivalent surface outcrops. The lithotypes were distributed into full field static models using these variograms and the Sequential Ind

Abstract

[No abstract available]

Abstract

The 9 1/4-in. polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bit is a unique size necessary for long-interval deep-drilling casing programs in Kuwait. Drilling the section is a major challenge because the long interval consists of nonuniform lithology with variations in compressive strengths, and it contains an abrasive ultra-hard sandstone, a compact hard shale with a low rate of penetration (ROP) performance, and carbonates with shale, oolite, and sand traces. The interval is commonly drilled using either two or three new PDC bits, and extra trips are expected. Efforts were made to substitute the numerous PDC bit runs with one customized and reliable design that can overcome formation hardness and variations in compressive strength and maintain the same ROP to total depth (TD) with limited success, even though the idea of backup cutters has existed for decades. A new, durable PDC design was implemented with the objective of helping improve the ROPs across all intervals. The innovative

Abstract

Heterogeneity across the producing interval is typical in oil and gas wells; it is rare to find uniform production distribution or fluid injection across a substantially long interval. Hence, diversion during matrix acidizing is critical, especially if the downhole pressure and/or temperature are high. In two Kuwait Jurassic fields, two wells were completed in an over 100 ft producing interval across a carbonate reservoir. Reservoir temperature is 280°F, and the estimated reservoir pressure is 11,000 psi. Multiple matrix acidizing trials to enhance well productivity have been performed with conventional diversion techniques and, as indicated by the surface pressure response, were not effective. This requires an adequately engineered near wellbore diversion system that can overcome the challenge of these bottomhole conditions and form a uniform production distribution across a substantially long heterogeneous interval. A new methodology was applied in two Jurassic wells that combined a

Abstract

This paper will discuss the deployment of the concentric dual diameter fixed cutter bit technology which was introduced in January 2015. The bit was deployed and tested four times in a vertical application and S-shape wells in Burgan Field, South of Kuwait and achieved the fastest penetration rate in the application. The concentric dual diameter bit is composed of a smaller pilot and a larger reamer section, where the reamer section dictates the final drill size. Conventional fixed cutter bits take very little advantage of stress relieving the rock, as it only affects the borehole wall. Concentric dual diameter technology bits are able to initially drill with a leading smaller pilot section efficiently to relieve the stress of the rocks. Subsequently, the reamer section removes the stress relieved rock with lower mechanical specific energy compared to regular fixed cutter bits, giving it the advantage to generate higher penetration rates. Another advantage of the concentric dual diamet

Abstract

This paper will discuss the deployment of the concentric dual diameter fixed cutter bit technology which was introduced in January 2015. The bit was deployed and tested several times in a tangent, directional application and J-shap wells in Burgan Field, South of Kuwait and achieved the fastest penetration rate in the application. The concentric dual diameter bit is composed of a smaller pilot and a larger reamer section, where the reamer section dictates the final drill size. Conventional fixed cutter bits take very little advantage of stress relieving the rock, as it only affects the borehole wall. Concentric dual diameter technology bits are able to initially drill with a leading smaller pilot section efficiently to relieve the stress of the rocks. Subsequently, the reamer section removes the stress-relieved rock with lower mechanical specific energy compared to regular fixed cutter bits, giving it the advantage to generate higher penetration rates. Another advantage of the concentr

Abstract

This paper will discuss the deployment of the concentric dual-diameter fixed-cutter bit technology, which was introduced in January 2015. The bit was deployed and tested twice in a vertical application in Burgan Field south of Kuwait and achieved the fastest penetration rate in the application. The concentric dual-diameter bit is composed of a smaller pilot and a larger reamer section, where the reamer section dictates the final drill size. Conventional fixed-cutter bits take very little advantage of stress-relieving the rock, as it only affects the borehole wall. Concentric dual-diameter technology bits are able to initially drill with a leading smaller pilot section efficiently to relieve the stress of the rocks. Subsequently, the reamer section removes the stress-relieved rock with lower mechanical specific energy compared to regular fixed-cutter bits, giving it the advantage to generate higher penetration rates. Another advantage of the concentric dual-diameter technology bits is t

Abstract

[No abstract available]

Abstract

It has always been a challenge to accurately detect downhole sand producing zones. Older generation acoustic based sand detecting technologies were subject to error due to background noise related to the fluid production. Due to the common false detections with the legacy measurements, remedial workover plans were compromised (Adil, 2020) A new technology that can differentiate between sand production and background fluid related noise has been developed. This technology can quantify the sand grain count through a piezo-electric sensor. In this paper, a unique comprehensive study was conducted across a sector of the Greater Burgan field to better understand the variables contributing to sand production through integrating the static model along with the dynamic production profile which included the new, state-of-art downhole sand detection technology. Based on the results, a guideline was formulated to predict the future sand producing wells. This helps to proactively anticipate and th

Abstract

Efficiently drilling the abrasive Zubair sandstone is one of the Middle East's most daunting challenges. Adding to application complexity, the pyritic formation is also interbedded with hard shale streaks and has a compressive strength that ranges between 3-10kpsi. In Kuwait, the formation is first encountered at a depth of approximately 9000ft and been drilled with mixed performance results based on bit diameter. Generally, the large diameter PDC bits are still struggling to achieve the durability objective with some wells requiring more than two PDCs to complete the short 1400ft hole section. In the smaller hole sections, technological advances have overcome the cutter/bit durability issue but with no significant improvement in ROP. The objective of an intensive bit optimization effort has focused on increasing penetration rates while striving to improve overall bit life/cutter durability. To accomplish the operator driven objectives without time-consuming field trails, the drilling

Abstract

Access to develop new drill bit technologies are increasing the capabilities to improve performance in the most challenging directional applications, where the focus is to reduce any type of disfunctions that will be generated due to the interaction between the drill bit, drill string and formation compressive strength. A case study is presented to demonstrate the liability and consistency of this new technology. This paper discusses the sensing at the bit technology that has different capabilities that can be used to improve drilling performance, combining the new cutting structure in the drill bit that keeps in series the shearing and breaking actions generated by the new cutting elements, at the same time those actions are recorded by the drill bit sensor. The generated information is used to compare standard drill bits with modified designs where the advantages can be seen clearly, and at the same time new engineered technologies can be put in place to have further improvements in

Abstract

Mauddud Formation in the Burgan field is composed of complex carbonate formation ranges from 10-25 feet. Porosity is high, permeability is low, fracture existence is rare and associated with faults. Typical Mauddud well production is characterized by drop in pressure, oil rate and increase in GOR over a period of time. Exploiting the reservoir through horizontal drilling was best approach, campaign started in 1990's. A lot of information was acquired and natural fracture density was mapped from seismic data. This led to the innovative field trial of new stimulation technique in high natural fracture density wells. This technique utilizes the Bernoulli's principle to create a very low pressure zone at the nozzle of the tool, which is in contact with formation wall, in open-hole well bore by pumping HCL acid. Through another pumping system, leak-off control fluid is pumped in the outer area of tool to utilize the low pressure zone to create near well bore fractures First job yielded very

Abstract

Mishrif is a tight naturally fractured carbonate oil reservoir in Minagish field of west Kuwait, developed over an asymmetrical anticline having wide variation in porosity ranging from 10% to 25% and a matrix permeability ranging from 0.1 mD to 4 mD. The reservoir is composed of multiple layers with a calcareous shale cap. It is exclusively being produced from the upper layers, with intensive focus being on a more porous M9 layer at 5,000 ft true vertical depth subsea (TVDSS). Given the limited permeability anisotropy (kv/kh) and lack of aquifer support, the drop in reservoir pressure can be severe. Even though there is large remaining reserves, the amount of oil actually participating in production could be limited. Most openhole producers are located in the north of the field where potential north/south and northeast/southwest faults associated with different types of fractures exist. In a successful development plan in Mishrif field 15 years ago, only a few wells were drilled. Then,

Abstract

The successful recovery of pressurized core samples from an unconventional HPHT reservoir is presented. Optimized methods and technologies such as implementation of Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) technique as well as coring technology customization and adaptation are discussed. Results from offset wells are compared and a best practice method is described how to recover pressurized cores from the organic rich Najmah Kerogen in West Kuwait. A coring BHA was configured using a modified version of the LPC Core Barrel hence allowing for the first time to consider recovering pressurized core samples from a well with a very challenging operating envelope. Furthermore, the provided methodology ensures that well conditions are maintained to allow for a pressurized core recovery in most stable wellbore environment avoiding any unwanted subsurface problems. With three consecutive runs planned on for the pressurized coring using MPD each 10 ft., the results obtained showed a successful coring op

Abstract

Before 2001, the overall potential and viability of long-term development of the lower Burgan sandstone (LBS) reservoir in the Sabiriyah field in northern Kuwait were uncertain. Earlier evaluations often compromised production and potential by focusing on other waterflooded reservoirs and treating this one as a swing producer. It lacked a proper reservoir definition before commitment as a swing producer with no infill opportunities. It is important to develop an accurate reservoir description, a realistic and flexible development plan, and comprehensive management through the joint efforts of the geologists and engineers.

Abstract

The deployment of a new positive displacement motor (PDM) technology as a solution to improve drilling performance in deep vertical exploration wells in northern Kuwait. The new technology of the positive displacement motor was developed within the framework of new capabilities in motor optimization modeling, a holistic approach to configuring motor components as an integrated unit, and new engineering advances in the material and design of motor components. The engineering advances and innovations can be distinctly categorized into two major components, the power section and the lower end. The power section components went under extensive empirical and experience-based failure analysis to refine the design of the subcomponents. The refined designs were then scrutinized with the industry-first motor optimization modeling that simulates both the performance and fatigue of the power section by analyzing eight influential variables of down-hole conditions, and components material and geom

Abstract

Drilling of the 12 1/4-in. hole in northern Kuwait usually involves drilling interbedded limestone and shale layers. The unconfined compressive strength varies from 3,000 to 10,000 psi, with some layers having stringers of approximately 21,000-psi rock strength. Drilling through the highly interbedded formations with varying rock strengths becomes a challenge because of the susceptibility of cutters to impact damage that can induce chippage or breakage on the cutters and thus limit cutter durability. The bit types typically used in this section are six-bladed PDC bits with 16-mm cutters. The sections in this application are usually directional and are run with a drive-type rotary steerable system (RSS). Because reduced cutting structure effectiveness further affects the steerability of the bit and the drive system, maintaining sharpness in the cutting structure is critical. The objective was set to design a solution to drill the section at the best rate of penetration (ROP) while maint

Abstract

Each year, oil companies experience declining production rates and face challenges in terms of sustaining production targets, diagnosing well problems, and designing solutions to address such production decline. Identifying problems and opportunities at the correct moment, without losing time, is critical to the success of a digital oil field's (DOFs) intelligent solutions. Traditional industry solutions involve using historical data for surveillance. In DOFs, tools are available to assist engineers with diagnosing fields made up of thousands of wells using instantaneous real-time data. With multiple reservoirs and thousands of wells in a field, it can be extremely challenging to diagnose, identify the opportunity and make right decisions collaboratively to optimize the well without losing time. This paper describes a multidimensional surveillance (MDS) approach using real-time and historical data, which can handle thousands of wells more effectively for problem identification and opti

Abstract

Per recent analyses, in the near future, over half amount of the oil extracted globally will require some form of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technique. Existing literature and historical investigations suggest that in oil reservoirs having viscosities between 10 - 150 m. Pa.s, there is a substantial prospective for tertiary recovery through the implementation of polymer flooding. For reservoir oil viscosities above 150 mPa.s, the polymer pumping efficiency goes down as polymer injectivity reduces significantly with increasing injection water viscosity that is used to attain a favorable mobility ratio at such high oil viscosities. To overcome this limiting factor, in this study, we propose the use of supramolecular assemblies (SMA) that have adjustable viscosity properties. Complex long-chain amino-amides and maleic acid are used to make these assemblies, which allow it to have reversible viscosity depending on the solution pH level. To maintain high injection efficiency, during pumpin

Abstract

An elusive goal of reservoir simulation has been the ability to accurately model multiple reservoirs producing through a common surface facility. In the past, loosely coupled techniques have often been used which did not fully converge the overall solution of the simulation. This led to instabilities at worst or to inaccuracies in the solution at best because it did not properly account for the complete interaction of the reservoir. In the following paper, we discuss the application of a fully implicit, tightly coupled surface-subsurface simulation with a next-generation reservoir simulation of the north Kuwait Raudhatain multireservoir complex with common surface facilities using actual field data. In addition to surface-subsurface simulation, the reservoir simulator provides a parallel unstructured grid capability and significant computational efficiency from a improved model formulation. For the simulations of this study, four stacked reservoir horizons form the subsurface portion o

Abstract

This paper outlines the visualization and collaboration attributes of an automated workflow that integrates the computer-assisted history matching (AHM), quantification of inherent model uncertainty, and optimization on production-forecast decisions. The workflow belongs to the group of smart flows for integrated asset management installed at the North Kuwait Integrated Digital Field (KwIDF) collaboration center. The workflow is facilitated through four interactive user interfaces: • Dashboard: displays history-match indices for water cut and visualizes maps of permeability, porosity, water and oil saturation, reservoir quality index, and reservoir pressure. • Field and Well History Matching: displays well-level history matching and forecasting results filtered by water cut, bottomhole pressure (BHP), and liquid rate and visualizes the distributions of corresponding errors per simulated scenario. • Dynamic Ranking: categorizes and ranks trends of forecasted oil recovery for history-mat

Abstract

Kuwait Oil Company embarked on an ambitious project to look for gaseous Hydrocarbons in a hitherto un-proven formation in the North Kuwait Field. As the target formation was extremely depleted and usually was drilled through under-total-loss conditions, these wells were designed to be Under-Balanced-Drilling (UBD) wells. The design conditions for an Under-balance or drawdown of 10% below formation pressure of the target zone called for Nitrified water as the fluid medium. Design simulations showed a normal Nitrogen pumping rate of around 1100 scfm for maintaining the UB conditions. Further testing of the target formation called for a huge drawdown of a maximum of 30%. This led to extreme conditions of pumping Nitrogen at the rate of 2000 scfm. The normal operating conditions with membrane NPU resulted in 5% Oxygen being pumped in with Nitrogen. This resulted in a highly corrosive environment under Bottom-hole conditions, especially when we started producing highly saline formation wate

Abstract

The effect of mud filtrate and eventually fine migrations in high quality rocks considerably influence the reading of NMR and conventional logs. It poses a challenge in extracting useful information that can contribute to the petrophysical evaluation of the virgin zone, e.g.The rock quality index. This is critical for determining the permeability index and the saturation exponent n, required for accurate determination of the water saturation. Copyright © 2020 SPWLA 61st Annual Logging Symposium. All rights reserved.

Abstract

The effect of mud filtrate and eventually fine migrations in high quality rocks considerably influence the reading of NMR and conventional logs. It poses a challenge in extracting useful information that can contribute to the petrophysical evaluation of the virgin zone, e.g. the rock quality index. This is critical for determining the permeability index and the saturation exponent n, required for accurate determination of the water saturation. The rock quality index is understood as the ratio between free fluid volume (FFV) and bound fluid volume (BFV). This is equivalent to the pore-throat radius, which dominates fluid flow, that is negatively affected by the fine migration. This is reflected in a reduction of the porosity filled by free fluid. The free fluid porosity undercall is corrected with the help of a deeper reading Neutron/Density data. After this correction, the NMR derived permeability in the flushed zone, probably damaged by migrated fines, is used to calculate the permeab

Abstract

The noise attenuation aspects of single-sensor acquisition are discussed in this paper. The paper shows examples from 3D seismic data acquired in West Kuwait in 2006. It is often difficult to make direct comparisons between single-sensor and existing conventional data because of the differences in acquisition geometry and processing sequence. In an attempt to get a more direct comparison and a better understanding of the uplift in quality of the recently acquired single-sensor data, this data set was used to simulate conventional acquisition geometries. Equivalent data processing sequences were used to make such comparisons.

Abstract

Raudhatain Field North Kuwait is produced with approximately 500 oil wells of which over 200 use Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESP). The ESP is used as a production mechanism to supplement the natural reservoir drive of the wells. Downhole monitoring of the ESP system is one of the most important aspects in maximizing ESP performance with the final objective of increasing in ESP run life and maximize oil production. An old ESP Monitoring system was introduced few years back, however the application and utilization did not fully support the concept of ESP Real Time Monitoring. The new ESP Real Time Monitoring system has been recently introduced to complement the old system. This new system has more significant improvement over the old system. A SCADA system has been utilized to transmit ESP data from well site to the server in the office that allows the engineers to retrieve real time data, monitor the parameters and perform analysis and take necessary actions in the well. Advances in m

Abstract

North Kuwait Jurassic Gas asset has strategic importance for Kuwait production strategy as the only non-associated gas producing fields in Kuwait. This paper demonstrates the added value, experience, challenges and lessons learned of recent paradigm shift in Jurassic tight gas wells' completion strategy from cemented liner to multistage completion. A successful expansion of Multi-Stage Completion (MSC) technology has been achieved on field level led by integrated team efforts since early 2020 to date. This helps to enhance overall well production potential, selective stimulation, overcome reservoir and intervention operations challenges, and early production delivery. The Jurassic gas asset produces mainly from deep high pressure and temperature, conventional and unconventional tight carbonate reservoirs. The recovery from such complex heterogeneous reservoirs is extremely challenging if conventional development strategies are applied. Due to the high reservoir tightness, permeability

Abstract

North Kuwait Jurassic Gas asset has strategic importance for Kuwait production strategy as the only non-associated gas producing fields in Kuwait. This paper demonstrates the added value, experience, challenges and lessons learned of recent paradigm shift in Jurassic tight gas wells' completion strategy from cemented liner to multistage completion. A successful expansion of Multi-Stage Completion (MSC) technology has been achieved on field level led by integrated team efforts since early 2020 to date. This helps to enhance overall well production potential, selective stimulation, overcome reservoir and intervention operations challenges, and early production delivery. The Jurassic gas asset produces mainly from deep high pressure and temperature, conventional and unconventional tight carbonate reservoirs. The recovery from such complex heterogeneous reservoirs is extremely challenging if conventional development strategies are applied. Due to the high reservoir tightness, permeability

Abstract

This study falls under the context of the Upper Cretaceous hydrocarbon exploration along the Arabian Plate. An in-depth integrated G&G workflow was conducted to highlight the vertical and lateral variations in carbonate depositional environments and associated sedimentological facies along the State of Kuwait. A thorough seismic stratigraphic assessment of the Upper Cretaceous Mishrif Formation was conducted followed by 3D seismic acoustic inversion and reservoir characterization. The integration of the 1D, 2D and modern 3D results allowed us to generate for the first time gross depositional environment (GDE) maps of the Mishrif reservoir, enabling us to better quantify its porosity and net thickness. The extrapolation of those results along Kuwait and the Eastern Arabian Plate permit a better assessment of the carbonate depositional systems of the Upper Cretaceous Formations as well as their associated structural and stratigraphic trapping mechanisms. This effort resulted in identifyi

Abstract

This study falls under the context of the Upper Cretaceous hydrocarbon exploration along the Arabian Plate. An in-depth integrated G&G workflow was conducted to highlight the vertical and lateral variations in carbonate depositional environments and associated sedimentological facies along the State of Kuwait. A thorough seismic stratigraphic assessment of the Upper Cretaceous Mishrif Formation was conducted followed by 3D seismic acoustic inversion and reservoir characterization. The integration of the 1D, 2D and modern 3D results allowed us to generate for the first time gross depositional environment (GDE) maps of the Mishrif reservoir, enabling us to better quantify its porosity and net thickness. The extrapolation of those results along Kuwait and the Eastern Arabian Plate permit a better assessment of the carbonate depositional systems of the Upper Cretaceous Formations as well as their associated structural and stratigraphic trapping mechanisms. This effort resulted in identifyi

Abstract

Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) is actively recovering hydrocarbons from Heavy-oil reservoirs located in the Northern Kuwait (NK) Fields. NK Heavy Oil (NKHO) reserves are mainly located in two major fields: Field -1 (cold well) and Field - 2 (thermal well). Currently this heavy oil field is in development phase and KOC plans to add additional wells yearly. Filed -2 is a thermal field producing with a water cut of approximately 45%. Typically, water coning is a major challenge hindering thermal recovery in a heavy oil reservoir with a bottom or boundary aquifer. This situation typically occurs when the production zone is near an aquifer or a water-bearing formation with a permeable connection, based on the ratio of horizontal to vertical permeability between the oil production zone and water formation. Coning occurs with pressure drawdown, causing water to migrate from the bottom to the wellbore. This is strictly a near-wellbore phenomenon that occurs only once the pressure forces drawing flui

Abstract

Globally, significant numbers of wells are impaired by poor cement quality in well annuli leading to inadequate sealing of zones and reduced well integrity. Subsequent undesired flow in well annuli such as from connected water sources can result in both significant "locked in" production potential and environmental risk. Downhole Annular Barrier (DAB) (or Downhole Annular Repair (DAR)) systems can be employed via well intervention to correct integrity and conformance control issues and extend the productive life of wells in a safe and cost-effective manner. New and emergent DAB technologies can provide novel solutions to difficult well annuli problems, where traditional remediation solutions such as annular remedial cementing would not be appropriate, efficient, or otherwise have a low chance of success. This paper will review the planning and successful execution of one such novel DAB intervention by Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) for Water Shut Off (WSO) in an onshore conventional oil well

Abstract

Biomarker fingerprints of oils and source-rock extracts have proven extremely valuable for oil to source-rock correlations. These correlations are necessary for defining Petroleum Systems and deriving accurate basin models. One family of biomarkers which have proven to be especially valuable is composed of those which indicate source rocks deposited in anoxic depositional environments associated with elevated salinities. Such biomarkers are used to define Petroleum Systems in the Middle East. One major limitation of the use of conventional biomarkers for correlations is their relatively low thermal stability, i.e. they tend to be absent or in very low concentrations in highly-mature oils and condensates. To solve the stability problem, we recently developed an oil fingerprinting technique based on distributions of highly thermally stable diamondoids. This new methodology, Quantitative Extended Diamondoid Analysis, or QEDA, makes use of differences in the concentrations of the higher di

Abstract

Asphaltene precipitation and subsequent deposition are challenging problems that hinder continuous crude oil production worldwide. Although this is a long-standing and complex problem and many efforts have been devoted to its mitigation, there is no commercial "one size fits all"type of product to reduce asphaltene deposition to date. In this work, a systematic investigation was conducted to assess the performance of commercial asphaltene inhibitors that are commonly used to disperse asphaltenes upon precipitation. In addition to their dispersion performance, each chemical was also tested by use of a packed bed column apparatus to evaluate its ability to reduce asphaltene deposition on carbon steel at high temperatures and under dynamic conditions. It was observed that the best dispersant performed very poorly on the deposition tests and the worst dispersant was a more effective deposition inhibitor. This observation highlights the limitation of dispersion tests for asphaltene depositi

Abstract

Optimized perforation and stimulation approach was developed to maximize production and overcome heavy oil based mud (OBM) associated damage for HPHT condensate wells (matrix-dominated flow) from Jurassic formation in Kuwait. This paper shares the challenges, approach and results of this novel methodology that led to significant production enhancement. Heavy OBM is the drilling and completion fluid for deep carbonate formation of Jurassic era reservoirs in Kuwait. Conventional tubing conveyed perforation (TCP)/Wireline perforation requires well killing to run final completion. Production tests carried out before and after running final completion showed significant drop in production of hydrocarbon. Conventional coil tubing acid jobs was performed to bypass the damage but still production was well below expectations. After analyzing pros and cons of multiple perforation and completion methodologies, finally gun hanger shoot and drop perforation system was re-introduced for Jurassic wel

Abstract

Various wells completed nowadays can be classified as short-life or harvest wells. Some of these would not be economically feasible using high-end completion components and methods. Monobore wells can be a solution to this dilemma. Meanwhile the strategy of Kuwait is in growth direction and demand increasing of oil and natural gas production. Consequently, the company will eliminate the requirement of the workover rigs, while enabling the selective stimulation. A 4 ½" monobore completion well was first implemented in Kuwait in Jurassic fields. In the direction of maximizing the production while enabling the vast majority of rigless intervention operations including the plug and perf technique, full drift cleanouts and high rate stimulation. Plug and perf technique provides the ability of carrying out the selective stimulation and testing for each individual zone independently. Treatment can be tailored for each zone whether it is a matrix stimulation or hydraulic fracturing which maxim

Abstract

The "Smear Effect" during Casing Drilling can help to increase the fracture gradient, mitigate lost circulation problem and reduce Non Productive Time (NPT) in drilling operations specifically narrow pore-fracture pressure sedimentary basins and deep offshore applications. This is due to plastering of cuttings to the wellbore wall which may enhance wellbore hoop stress by wedging created fractures or increase fracture propagation pressure. Although some field applications have increased wellbore integrity, uncertainties remain regarding the mechanisms by which this occurs and how to operationally capture the maximum attainable wellbore pressure. More importantly, the "Smear Effect" has never been quantified scientifically. The uncertainties include the optimum ratio of the casing to the open hole size, casing rotation, contact between the casing and the mud cake, type of drilling fluid, casing eccentricity and the fluid's hydraulic complexities. This paper provides new insights on "Sme

Abstract

Waterflood (WF) is the main drive mechanism of North Kuwait reservoirs. Different development strategies has been adopted to develop a giant carbonate reservoir in the asset. Irregular scheme of WF has been implemented in the last 5 years which made it challenging to properly evaluate the WF performance. This paper presents both numerical and analytical approaches to assess the current performance of the waterflood in this reservoir. The first method uses actual production and injection data to generate traditional waterflood plots such WOR vs. Np, injection throughput, VRR and other diagnostics. The second approach uses the numerical model to understand the fluid movements in terms of production and water injection. A high resolution model is used to know about the horizontal producers and injectors WF scheme. Streamline model tool is used to understand how the injectors impact their surrounding producers. Injector's efficiency, allocation factors and reservoir sweep efficiency are ca

Abstract

The objective of this study is to assess any opportunities to improve field recovery or thermal efficiency by evaluating different steam quality scenarios and their impact on the performance of the cyclic steam stimulation and steam flood in Lower Fars reservoir. In this study, simulation history matching of the dynamic test data from the ongoing thermal pilots was used to validate the static and dynamic description. The process results in an improved dynamic model to be used specifically for the steam quality scenarios evaluation, which was then used in the prediction mode for deciding on an optimum steam quality percentage for the upcoming steam flood operation. Different bottom-hole steam quality scenarios are defined using different steam quality output values at the steam generator and a fixed amount of surface network heat loss. The wellbore heat losses are explicitly modelled to arrive at bottom hole steam quality corresponding to a boiler steam quality. The impact of the steam

Abstract

This numerical study investigates the potential of mutually fulfilling EOR and sequestration objectives of carbon dioxide (CO2) injection into a 3D template, light-oil, carbonate reservoir. The template reservoir was built using open-source data emulating the upstream and downstream activities in the reservoir's geographic area, including atmospheric emissions from refineries and steam boilers operating in nearby fields, as the potential sources of CO2. Therefore, the example case is intended to explore sequestration and recovery potential of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) by CO2 injection (CO2-EOR) - not in isolation but as part of regular oil-field operations. The light oil carbonate reservoir meets the EOR screening criteria for miscible CO2 flood. An equation of state was used to characterize the reservoir hydrocarbon system to generate phase envelope and minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) via a 'mixing cell method' and benchmarked against published correlations. Compositional numeric

Abstract

Monitoring water movement toward production wells through downhole measurements of self-potential (SP) was a promising new technology. However, there were uncertainties about its applicability in heterogeneous, multilayered reservoirs. Using numerical modeling, we investigated the likely magnitude and behavior of SP during oil production supported by water injection in two different models of such reservoirs. We found that the magnitude of the SP signal that would be measured along a production well increased as water approached the well, exceeding an assumed noise level of 0.1 mV before water breakthrough. We also found that, in the reservoir models tested, the maximum value of SP at the well skewed toward the fastest waterfront before water breakthrough. The trend of SP increasing at the well with time, together with the shape of the SP profile, were the prime indicators used to investigate water movement. In the reservoir models tested, before water breakthrough the fastest approach

Abstract

We report a new, open-source, MATLAB-based 3D code for numerically simulating the self-potential (SP) in subsurface reservoirs. The code works as a post-processor, using outputs from existing reservoir flow and transport simulators at a selected timestep to calculate the SP throughout the reservoir model. The material properties required to calculate the SP are user defined and may be constant or vary in each cell. The code solves the equations governing flow and transport of electrical charge and global charge conservation using a control-volume-finite-difference scheme. Electrical currents associated with the SP may spread beyond the reservoir model domain, and the code allows for the domain to be extended vertically and laterally to account for this. Here, we present the governing equations and the numerical method used and demonstrate application of the code using an example in which we predict the SP signals associated with oil production from a subsurface reservoir supported by w

Abstract

interbeddedAnalytical methods of pressure transient analysis are based on idealized well and reservoir configurations. As such, they have a limited scope in describing the reality. In practice, there is a need to interpret pressure transient tests with complex well completions, reservoir shapes, layering and complex reservoir structures. This is facilitated by the high precision modern pressure gauges, which can reveal details. Numerical simulation becomes a necessity in such complex cases as shaly interbedded reservoirs of Greater Burgan Field with moderate to high heterogeneity. In the present work, two cases of pressure transient tests in an interbedded reservoir have been discussed. The first case is that of multiple perforations in multiple permeability zones having variable cross-flow. The second case is also that of well completed in an interbedded reservoir but with the presence of a fault and nearby oil-water contact (OWC). The analysis has been attempted using analytical meth

Abstract

The Wara Sandstones formation is one of the main reservoirs of Greater Burgan field in Kuwait, producing under primary depletion since the late 1940s. A major water flood has recently begun and prior to this, a large-scale pilot (Early Wara Pressure Maintenance Project - EWPMP), has been initiated. As part of the scope of this study, representative geological models have been built to improve reservoir characterization to capture reservoir heterogeneities in the EWPMP area, which is crucial in building a dependable simulation model. An innovative workflow combining geological (cores), petrophysical (RCAL, Rock-Types) and dynamic data (pressures), has been developed to generate a range of geological models, that will be later on screened and selected for dynamic simulation. For a better representation of the sedimentological settings, five cored wells have been reviewed, to establish the main markers used for the geological modeling and to define core-based depositional environments. Si

Abstract

Forward modeling forms the basis of survey planning and design nowadays. Modeling based on numerical solutions of the wave equation or ray tracing depending on the subsurface complexity typically leads to better understanding of the quality of the seismic image with different acquisition geometries. Hence, facilitate important decisions related to quality versus cost for seismic operations. Surface geometry, source bandwidth and subsurface complexity are major factors impacting the quality of image at target. The purpose of our study is to assess the impact of surface geometry, and in particular, the maximum offset on imaging. © 2016 SEG.

Abstract

Egypt is located in the Northeast of Africa where oil and gas (O&G) are produced offshore from the Gulf of Suez and the Southeast part of the Mediterranean. The O&G production in Egypt is distributed as follows: 70% Gulf of Suez, 16% Western desert, 8% Sinai Peninsula and 6% Eastern desert. Past O&G activities, refining and transport have resulted in chronic pollution in Egyptian offshore, and numerous environmental programs have been initiated to protect new development areas from the environmental impacts. The offshore drilling process uses drilling fluids (muds) and generates waste fluids and cuttings, which could be the largest discharges going into the receiving water bodies. Water-based drilling fluids are commonly employed for drilling in Egyptian offshore because of their expected environmental benign behavior in the marine environment. The main objective of this paper is to highlight relevant Egyptian environmental regulations and explain several options to manage offshore dri