Abstract

This paper details the complete four-step Liquid Petroleum - Internal Corrosion Direct Assessment (LP-ICDA) for two operationally different liquid petroleum pipeline systems owned by Kuwait Oil Company. The internal corrosion pipeline wall metal losses were originally predicted using a uniform pitting factor and subsequently upgraded by a dynamic pitting factor. The first case evaluated three, 1959 vintage, non-piggable 40″/38″ telescopic export crude oil pipelines (CR102, CR103 and CR104) with individual corresponding parallel run lengths of 7.7km. All three pipelines run parallel to each other in a common corridor. They are gravity-fed from a storage tank farm resulting in a moderate fluid transit operating velocity. The second assessment was performed on a 6.5 year-old, piggable 36″ crude oil production pipeline (CR088) with an overall distance of 25 kilometers. During the Pre-assessment step, pipeline historical and operational data were collected. Limited historical data was avail

Abstract

More than 40 years of production has confirmed that the UG (MO) reservoir receives very little natural pressure support in some areas. The introduction of a new Production gathering center has increased the field production 6 folds. At current reservoir conditions and production strategy, the production will stay on plateau for only 3 years. This is mainly due to the rapidly falling reservoir pressure. The remedial plan is to initiate a full field water injection project to maintain reservoir pressure. The primary objective of this project was to extend production plateau as long as economically possible. The reservoir pressure for the field, as well as different areas within it, is declining rapidly. The most important cause of this reservoir pressure decline is the high off-take rate (compared with the aquifer influx rate) and the lack of a reservoir pressure support such as water injection. This suggests that the water injection option is needed to support the reservoir pressure and

Abstract

Cement quality is an important well integrity consideration to ensure proper hydraulic sealing. Traditionally, wireline cement bond logs have been used extensively in the Jurassic formation of North Kuwait. The case study well presented in this paper had an 80° inclination and 3,000 ft of a 6-in. open hole, which has remained opened for quite some time. Cement evaluation was required inside the 7 5/8-in liner to determine the cement quality behind the liner and integrity of liner shoe. This information is important for achieving a successful of multistage completion for the producing interval in the 6-in open hole. The target interval had a vertical depth greater than 14,000ft from mean-sea level with a well deviation more than 80°. Four operational days were required to run drill pipe conveyance of conventional cement evaluation wireline tools. This operation would have exposed the 2,500ft of open hole to potentially collapsing situation due to the time dependence of the wellbore stab

Abstract

Objective/Scope: The objective is to achieve improved productivity from an unconventional fractured reservoir using uncemented liner completion over the standard cemented liner completion. Method, Procedures, Process: Exploration and production of an unconventional fractured Najmah & Sargelu (NJSR) reservoir in Jurassic section has been a challenging task due to the presence of challenging reservoir quality like tight fractured limestone, very low matrix porosity, uncertainty on natural fractures, high stress, etc. NJSR reservoirs are considered as a secondary target. As the deeper primary reservoir needs to be evaluated, testing of NJSR reservoir takes considerable time after drilling which lead to permanent plugging of NJSR fracture network by invaded oil based mud (OBM). Mixed success has been observed on sustainable production from NJSR exploration wells. Production from fractured reservoir relies primarily on intersecting interconnected natural fractures, optimal drilling and spec

Abstract

Burgan Marrat, a deep carbonate reservoir was transferred from exploration to development team for an accelerated production of the newly discovered oil. This multi-billion barrel reservoir is spread over 450 km2, has more than 40 faults, 8 compartments with large variation in oil-water contact and reservoir/fluid characteristics. The objective of this work is to understand the key uncertainties and quantify their impact on the reservoir offtake rate and oil recovery by conducting uncertainty assessment. An interdisciplinary team identified the key uncertainty parameters expected to have significant impact on the reservoir development. The range and probability distribution law for each parameter was set considering the uncertainties due to limited measurements or variation in interpretations. A Response Surface Model (RSM) was created to evaluate the uncertainties by using a base dynamic model and applying an appropriate experimental design, which allowed to efficiently study the unce

Abstract

A peripheral waterflood is planned in the Minagish Oolite Reservoir, Burgan Field. This is a large carbonate reservoir which has been under limited primary production since 1965. There is considerable uncertainty in the waterflood oil forecast because of the minimal amount of data with which to characterize the reservoir. This study identifies key subsurface uncertainties impacting waterflood performance and quantifies uncertainty with P10/P50/P90 oil forecasts. Experimental design (ED) techniques were used to establish the minimum number of reservoir simulation runs needed to quantify uncertainty. Both traditional and ED techniques were used to preserve history matches for all simulations. Analysis of variance and multiple linear regressions were used to identify the most significant uncertainties and to create a proxy for the simulator. The proxy was used in Monte Carlo simulation to develop P10/P50/P90 oil forecasts. Uncertainty analyses have not often been conducted on producing re

Abstract

A peripheral waterflood is planned in the Minagish Oolite Reservoir, Burgan Field. This is a large carbonate reservoir which has been under limited primary production since 1965. There is considerable uncertainty in the waterflood oil forecast because of the minimal amount of data with which to characterize the reservoir. This study identifies key subsurface uncertainties impacting waterflood performance and quantifies uncertainty with P10/P50/P90 oil forecasts. Experimental design (ED) techniques were used to establish the minimum number of reservoir simulation runs needed to quantify uncertainty. Both traditional and ED techniques were used to preserve history matches for all simulations. Analysis of variance and multiple linear regressions were used to identify the most significant uncertainties and to create a proxy for the simulator. The proxy was used in Monte Carlo simulation to develop P10/P50/P90 oil forecasts. Uncertainty analyses have not often been conducted on producing re

Abstract

The severe worldwide oil and gas demand is causing the petroleum exploration and production industry to search for challenging energy resources. Moreover, the increasing interest in natural gas has provided an opportunity for the development, research and advancement of technology to access unconventional reservoirs such as sour gas.Although many natural gases containing CO2 and H2S have been discovered, reliable experimental data on the thermodynamic properties of these gases are very rare. There is practically no data existing on sour gas containing H2S because of its toxicity. This lack of information obviously affects estimations of transport properties such as viscosity.This study focuses on the estimation of sour gas properties such as gas compressibility and viscosity and evaluates the impact of viscosity, particularly on reservoir inflow performance and production forecasting.The well-known and industry-standard methods such as the Peng-Robinson (PR) and Soave-Redlich-Kwong (SR

Abstract

The State of Kuwait, one of the most prolific oil provinces of the world, has witnessed extensive exploration activity in the past seven decades. These efforts have culminated in the identification of most of the conventional hydrocarbon plays in this area. However, sizable potential still exists in the hitherto less explored unconventional reservoirs and one such play that is being pursued is the fracture associated Minagish-Makhul section of Lower Cretaceous. Key for identifying fracture plays is found in the ability to understand and map subtle faults and minor lineaments. The Lower Cretaceous section in Kuwait suffers from poor seismic resolution and is contaminated by multiples at a number of places. Subtlety of the faulting further compounds the problem of fault mapping in this section. To overcome the limitations posed by the data, unconventional workflows and multi-attribute 3-D volume techniques were employed for fault mapping. Seismic data were flattened to the nearest good r

Abstract

This article discusses the big volume top job of oil and gas wells, specifically wells A and B which were drilled in Kuwait. The process involves pumping a larger volume of mixture of cement, water, and other additives into the annulus to seal the wellbore, prevent fluid migration and provide structural support. The article highlights the need for precision and control to ensure proper placement. The conventional methods like two stage method and lightweight systems used for the wells A and B were not sufficient to get the good zonal isolation throughout the well bore due to the lower fracture gradient observed in this well. The successful zonal isolation was achieved due to pumping large volumes from the annulus. The wells were under losses before and during the primary cementing process, which was difficult to achieve the desired top of cement (up to surface). To overcome these challenges, the well was cemented in unique unconventional method which is pumping the bigger volumes from

Abstract

Despite being the first area for oil to be found in Kuwait in mid 1930's, Bahra's oil production remained largely unexploited until 2015, when a major development campaign targeting one of its tight carbonate reservoirs through horizontal drilling and multi-stage frack completions was commissioned. Nonetheless, with the development and exploration initiatives underway, surface congestion is the primary challenge. As the number of wells increased the need for unconventional well profiles became more demanding. The multi-lateral fishbone approach was designed to have a total of four laterals with approximately 3000 ft each. Lessons learned from previous level-1 multi-laterals drilled in North Kuwait indicated that the primary challenge remained to be the ability to drill a smooth bore hole profile across the junctions to successfully re-access and stimulate all the drilled legs with coil-tubing to maximize production. Kuwaiti Operator Reservoir and study team were looking for an alternat

Abstract

Abduliyah field is one of the major fields in the West Kuwait asset where the Najmah shale (Kerogen unit) is present. The Najmah shale is a high Kerogen content, calcareous mudstone and is considered the main source rock for shallower depth oil reservoirs in Kuwait, due to the shortage of data especially core data at reservoir condition there is enormous uncertainty in the determination of the unconditional reservoir properties that need to be evaluated to confirm both economic and operational success. An integrated logging approach was implemented using pressurized sidewall rotary coring, magnetic resonance, borehole image logs, conventional logs, and core analysis to assess the Najmah storage volume, and quantify the potential hydrocarbon fluids in place and provide a time and cost-efficient method of reservoir evaluation. Copyright © 2022, Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Abstract

An extended reach, record-breaking horizontal (NKJG-ERH) well, being appraised by the North Kuwait Jurassic Gas (NKJG) into the tight (unconventional) Middle Marrat reservoir flow zone sections. The objective of NKJG-ERH is beyond what's been implemented in the NKJG asset. A total along-hole depth is designed to exceed 20,000 ft with thousands of feet of tight Middle Marrat exposure which is designed to provide commercially attractive production rates from unconventional stimulation and fracturing options. Additionally, NKJG-ERH will provide several benefits which aim to overcome Sabriyah Middle Marrat well challenges, such as poor relative to the rest of the field reservoir quality, limited number of drilling locations, an underperformance of the vertical wells in the area. An extensive industry experience in delivering ERH wells in Unconventionals are applied with the plans to complete the well using 4 ½" liner across the reservoir section and 5" production tubing stabbed into a poli

Abstract

Summary: Understanding fracture corridors is the primary driver for successful development of fractured carbonate reservoirs. This assumes further significance if the carbonate reservoir is characterized by very low porosity and permeability; producibility of the reservoir is purely dependent on the presence of natural fractures. Distribution and type of natural fractures is a function of palaeo & present day stress, structural elements, regional tectonics and diagenetic history. Direct detection of fractures is below the resolution of conventional seismic data. However, through a combination of seismic derived attributes integrated with well data, it is possible to better understand the distribution of fracture swarms. Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) is currently engaged in an early phase of development of a tight fractured carbonate North Kuwait Jurassic gas play. Considering the limited well control, field development is heavily reliant on seismic data for fracture characterization. This p

Abstract

To understand the geophysical responses of shale oil/gas plays for identifying sweet spots, we use a rock physics relationship for calculating total organic carbon (TOC) from the Bulk density log (RHOB) and the ΔlogR separation techniques. The TOC values based on core/cuttings samples of wells are in the range of 7-10% and similar values are computed from the well log responses. Elastic properties of TOC-rich shale formation for computation of Young's modulus (YM), Poisson's ratio (PR) and brittleness from well-log-derived Vp,Vs and bulk density to understand the competency of the shale rock to frac for stimulation of reservoir. Average of absolute amplitude was extracted from P-impedance volume of 3D seismic data within the mapped “Hot Shale” pack to understand the relationship between acoustic impedance (AI) and the TOC at well locations and thus, use this analogy away from the structures in the basinal area. The impedance calculated directly from the relevant logs was cross checked

Abstract

Kuwait Oil Company is developing deep tight fractured carbonate and kerogen rich shale gas plays in northern part of Kuwait. Understanding the flow medium is important to resolve ingress of offending fluids such as water and salt during production history in the vertical/deviated wells of this play. These unconventional reservoirs have been established to be hydrocarbon producing in several prolific vertical producer wells, without having such early water breakthrough. The tight fractured limestone reservoir is sandwiched between salt-anhydride sequence above (Gotnia cap rock) and Kerogen rich carbonate below. A dedicated casing is set at the top of limestone reservoir with the main objective of isolating the Gotnia section prior to opening the reservoir, as some sequences of anhydrites with calcite stringers in Gotnia are high pressured and prone to high water, CO2 and H2S. Based on the current understanding, main source of offending fluids is suspected to be the overlying Gotnia form

Abstract

Carbon steel remains the most commonly used material in CO2 – containing oilfield, and other energy applications. Pitting corrosion is a prominent form of corrosion attack on carbon steel, and linked to the formation of non – protective iron carbonate (FeCO3) films and/or their breakdown. The conditions for local breakdown of FeCO3, and other fundamental aspects of pitting corrosion are still not clearly understood; particularly in relation to the evolution of the local chemistry within active pits. Local distribution of corrosion activities/species is likely to influence FeCO3 formation; evolution and properties to support and/or impede pit propagation. This study investigates the local corrosion environment within an artificially machined pits to understand the local pitting corrosion behaviour. It focuses on the local evolution of FeCO3 and pitting corrosion. Pits with specific geometry on X65 carbon steel samples are exposed to two different environments: pH of 4 and 5.9 for 168 h.

Abstract

The incidence of ectopic pregnancy (EP) is 1.3-2.4%. Suspicion of EP starts after a positive serum pregnancy test and failure to visualize the intrauterine gestational sac (GS) by transvaginal sonography (TVS). About 88% of tubal EPs are diagnosed by absent intrauterine GS and the presence of an adnexal mass during TVS. Medical treatment of EP using methotrexate (MTX) is cost-effective with a similar success rate to surgical treatment. The presence of fetal heart beats, β-human chorionic gonadotropin >5000 mIU/mL, and EP size >4 cm are relative contraindications for using MTX in the treatment of EP. © 2022 Mariam Obaid et al., published by Sciendo.

Abstract

Multilateral wells offer multiple benefits to oil and gas operators, including lowering the field development cost by minimizing wellsite construction work and increasing reservoir contact leading to enhanced reservoir production. They also present challenges, with each leg requiring separate intervention and uniform stimulation to gain full advantage of these complex wells. An operator in Kuwait drilled a 2-leg level 1 multilateral well to enhance production from the Mishref formation. Mishref is a fast-depleting reservoir requiring an extended contact area to drain the reservoir uniformly and efficiently. The main challenges with multilateral intervention include identifying the junction depths, gaining lateral entry, and confirming the correct lateral entry. To overcome these challenges, the operator identified the unique technology of utilizing Real-Time Hybrid Coiled Tubing (RTHCT) with an Electric Multilateral Tool (EMLT). Diagnostics using Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) w

Abstract

Hydrocarbon exploration and production in unconventional reservoir is under-developed in Middle East. Therefore, the understanding about this subject is still scanty which leads to conspicuous uncertainties in comprehensive reservoir evaluation and development. It plays a critical role to minimize the cost of exploration, drilling and operations. Detail plan for core acquisition and study is crucial to provide accurate and sufficient information to unlock the potential of Jurassic unconventional reservoirs in West Kuwait (WK). Hydraulic fracturing has proven to be a successful technique for increasing the productivity of unconventional reservoirs. However, before reaching that step, many factors should be intensively evaluated to minimize the risks. A potential area to place a MSF well should satisfy several criteria: high TOC, hydrocarbon maturity (oil, wet gas, or gas), less bitumen, proper containment to hold the vertical extension of fractures beyond the upper/lower boundary, etc…T

Abstract

The success of production from unconventionals in North America, encourage Kuwait to focus on Najmah Kerogen and unconventional resources that have value of significant hydrocarbon resource potential in North Kuwait Jurassic Area. Kuwait Oil Company has embarked on a journey to unlock these unconventional resources by screening the subsurface targets in the reservoirs which have potential to contribute to the gas production ambitions of the country. Unconventional field development team has evaluated these difficult reservoirs through an End To End (E2E) hydrocarbon maturation (HCM) framework, with a clear roadmap to appraise and develop these resources to sustain the required plateau of the unique Gas Asset in Kuwait. The reservoirs of focus are a mix of naturally fractured carbonates with conventional “Middle Marat (MM)" reservoirs and tight unconventional reservoirs (“Najmah/Sargelu”&“Kerogen”) at a depth of 15000+ ft in a HPHT setting. The E2E-HCM Modules have been used as key buil

Abstract

Despite its long production history (since 1958) and extensive reservoir stimulation by water injection, the Mauddud reservoir of the Sabiriyah field (SAMA) in northern Kuwait has been plagued by relatively disappointing oil production increase, low oil-by-water replacement ratios, and early water-breakthrough observations. The work described in this paper indicates that reservoir complexity and associated permeability heterogeneity are at the root cause of this and are the result of the interplay between sedimentology, diagenesis and the structural evolution of the area. A multi-disciplinary study involving structural geology, sedimentology, diagenesis, reservoir engineering and geomechanics identified the geological processes responsible for the development of principal high-permeability (High-K) elements in SAMA. Their 3D distribution has been characterized and reservoir property ranges have been established, based on integrated evaluation of static (e.g., seismic, core, borehole im

Abstract

Fracture systems play a significant role in production in the case of tight/low porosity complex reservoirs. Exploration well in North Kuwait that targets Middle Marrat formation is met with the challenge of lack of understanding of reservoir compartments in an under-explored field, with minimum offset wells to properly evaluate its potential. A multi-domain approach is proposed with various expertise to tackle the petrophysical and geomechanical aspects of the fracture system governing the carbonate layer, to assess its producibility and its qualification for stimulation through hydraulic fracturing. To address the exploration challenge, a novel comprehensive approach for fracture evaluation was implemented for the first time, starting at the wellbore stage, followed by an extensive analysis far away from the wellbore to evaluate their extent and their possible contribution to the flow, later combined with a geomechanical evaluation of their stress state, to come up with a confident e

Abstract

In Kuwait, drilling and deployment plans focus mainly on drilling vertical wells through a wide range of reservoirs consisting of high- and low-permeability sandstones and carbonates, with varying crude types from medium-heavy to condensate. Since 1935, Kuwait has produced mainly from the types of reservoirs that keep its daily production as high as possible to accommodate the country's economic needs. With the aging of these mature reservoirs, reservoir pressure reduction and water production become a major challenge, in addition to the limited access to drilling resources. Accordingly, exploring different reservoirs and unlocking the potential of the existing low- to mid-permeability reservoirs through advanced fracturing technologies are considered the alternative plan to compensate for production decreases and to improve oil production. However, implementing such technologies requires a customized design and candidate selection process. The plan involved a multidisciplinary well ca

Abstract

The Albian Mauddud Formation is a prolific reservoir in Kuwait and nearby countries such as Iraq and Iran but has received far less attention than the under- and overlying units (the Aptian Shu'aiba and Cenomanian Mishrif Formations). Detailed reservoir characterization studies of the formation are required to support field development and improved / enhanced oil recovery (EOR) programmes. In this study, 26 wells penetrating the Mauddud Formation within the Greater Burgan area of Kuwait (Burgan and neighbouring fields) were investigated, integrating the logging of 910 ft of core with petrographic investigations of 113 stained and impregnated thin sections. In the Greater Burgan area, the Mauddud Formation can be divided into a lower Clastic Member and an upper Carbonate Member which is the main focus of this paper. The primary objective of the study was to present a new characterization of this thin, heterogeneous carbonate reservoir by integrating facies analysis and sequence stratigr

Abstract

The giant Albian upper Burgan reservoir in northern Kuwait is a major productive interval in both the Raudhatain and Sabiriyah fields. It is planned to increase production from the upper Burgan by over 300 percent through the application of field-wide waterflood. Phase 1 of seawater injection was started in 1999. A comprehensive geological study of the upper Burgan has included reviews of all core data, biostratigraphic information, and geochemical and petrographic analyses. The results indicate that the reservoir sandstones were laid down in a complex series of paralic environments ranging from shallow-marine to valley-fill channels. The resultant layering scheme was integrated with all available dynamic data to best define the reservoir architecture and flow units, and to construct a fine-grid 3-D geological model. The geological analysis has had a significant impact on reservoir development, influencing waterflood strategy, pattern orientation and expected performance. In the Raudha

Abstract

[No abstract available]

Abstract

Nine multimillion-cell geostatistical earth models of the Marrat reservoir in Magwa field, Kuwait, were upscaled for streamline (SL) screening and finite-difference (FD) flow simulation. The scaleup strat egy consisted of (1) maintaining square areal blocks over the oil column, (2) upscaling to the largest areal-block size (200×200 m) compatible with 125-acre well spacing, (3) upscaling to less than 1 million gridblocks for SL screening, and (4) upscaling to less than 250,000 gridblocks for FD flow simulation. Chevron's in-house scaleup software program, SCP, was used for scaleup. SCP employs a single-phase flow-based process for upscaling nonuniform 3D grids. Several iterations of scaleup were made to optimize the result. Sensiti vity tests suggest that a uniform scaled-up grid over-estimates breakthrough time compared to the fine model, and the post-breakthrough fractional flow also remains higher than in the fine model. However, preserving high-flow-rate layers in a non-uniform scal

Abstract

Polymer flooding is a proven EOR/IOR process for viscous and light oil reservoirs alike. However, it results in the formation of two shocks front that require simulation models with fine grid blocks to represent field scale fluid movement. Therefore, upscaling is required to transfer such fluid behavior to coarser models. However, most upscaling methods are designed for waterflood only, while upscaling techniques for polymer flood are rarely discussed in the literature. In this paper, A new upscaling methodology specifically designed for polymer flooding is presented to address such impracticality. The methodology allows the average flow behavior to be captured, including the effects of small scale heterogeneity whilst compensating for the impact of increased numerical diffusion present in coarse grid models. The method is based on the pore volume weighted method for relative permeability pseudoization first derived by Emanuel and Cook (1974) for waterflooding but extends its implement

Abstract

The Northern part of Kuwait is a highly active development area for deeper gas, intermediate-depth conventional oil and shallow heavy oil. All these developments have overlapping footprints in an already congested area, requiring different development concepts for gas, water flood and steam respectively. Additionally, different Assets manage the respective reservoirs. Integrated Urban Planning across all Assets therefore becomes a vital requirement for realizing all concurrent future developments regarding land use, and enabling close collaboration to leverage synergies among the Assets, utilizing both organizational and new technology-based solutions, in order to maximize value for Kuwait Oil Company (KOC). In North Kuwait Urban Planning is a joint effort between KOC and Shell, with initial focus on establishing an agreement for work methods, effective communications, and protocols with all stakeholders. Next all "as-built" infrastructure and current plans were combined and reviewed.

Abstract

A mature field similar to the Greater Burgan field in Kuwait brings many challenges. The Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has determined that the production from the Burgan oilfield of South & East Kuwait required to be maintained as per the production plan. Often, the unavailability of suitable surface locations posed several challenges, and drilling was one of them. A new approach helped to address these issues which otherwise delayed production. The Lower Cretaceous Burgan sands are divided into five main reservoirs; two reservoirs consist of stacked, massive fluvial channels, while the remaining three mostly consist of deltaic distributary channels and bays in a tidal delta setting, grading to shallow marine. These three reservoirs are also discontinuous, both laterally and vertically. Every year in the Greater Burgan field, a large number of wells are drilled targeting the Cretaceous reservoirs. The Greater Burgan field has been producing for more than 60 years. Due to the unavailability

Abstract

Production logs (PL) are often run to diagnose unwanted water production before seeking remedial actions. The diagnosis, involving accurate estimation of slip velocity during two-phase oil-water flow, is a precursor to taking successful corrective measures. This study entails finding the most reliable holdup or slip-velocity model by examining 78 production logs, run in Kuwait's Greater Burgan field. We observed that most models provided the desired level of accuracy when the downhole results were compared with those measured at surface. The notion of direct use of flow-pattern maps in PL interpretation is introduced in this work.

Abstract

Hypotension in patients with heart failure is much more frequent in daily clinical practice than the 10–15% reported in clinical trials. In patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), hypotension frequently limits the initiation and up-titration of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT). Midodrine is a peripheral alpha-1 agonist and a vasopressor anti-hypotensive agent approved for the treatment of orthostatic hypotension. We describe two cases where midodrine was prescribed in patients with HFrEF and hypotension. European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine © EFIM 2022

Abstract

While drilling through a reservoir, a lot of valuable information can be obtained from mud logging to support formation evaluation. Field data will help wellsite geologists, petrophysicist and reservoir engineers to predict reservoir quality, fluid contacts and reservoir permeability based on formation gases detected while drilling. This study discusses some examples from exploratory wells that have recently been drilled in Kuwait. Gas readings were recorded while drilling through Cretaceous and deep Jurassic formations to evaluate hydrocarbon content using Advanced Gas Chromatography. The primary components of the system utilized are: A constant volume gas extractor, a gas sample flow control system, and a high resolution chromatographic system. To interpret the findings Gas readings are monitored by a complex system which provides real-time continuous measurements of the concentration of formation gases from very light components such as methane, to heavy components such as C6, C7 an

Abstract

A retrospective analysis is described to assess the effects of using recombinant activated factor VII to control bleeding in a series of patients who had failed to respond to conventional hemostatic measures. In all, 18 patients (aged 16-65 years) with a range of conditions resulting in bleeding refractory to conventional methods of control were treated with recombinant activated factor VII (60-120 μg/kg; 1-4 doses). The effects of recombinant activated factor VII on bleeding were noted together with the patients' transfusion requirements and hematological parameters. Administration of recombinant activated factor VII successfully stopped bleeding in 17 of the 18 patients. Therapy with recombinant activated factor VII significantly decreased transfusion requirements for packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitate compared with pretreatment values along with significant improvement in hemostasis. In various serious bleeding situations, treatment with reco

Abstract

The gas leak incidents that occurred in Al-Ahmadi, Kuwait, were considered to be unprecedented phenomena worldwide. Three gas explosions occurred between January 2010 and November 2010: two occurred at different houses that were connected to the Kuwait Oil Company natural gas network in north Al-Ahmadi, and one occurred at a house in south Al-Ahmadi that was not connected to the network. These explosion incidents triggered an immediate investigation. The fault tree analysis was used to identify the type and the source of the leaking gas and to determine how the leaking gas reached the surface. Four different source hypotheses were investigated: leaks from the natural gas network, leaks from the sewer network, leaks from wells and boreholes in and around the town of Al-Ahmadi, and leaks from underground geological formations. The study concluded that the leaking gas in the Al-Ahmadi incidents was natural gas and of geological origin. The natural gas gradually migrated from deep hydrocar

Abstract

Deep, unconventional tight carbonate reservoirs in northern part of the Middle-East present many challenges for field development. These challenges are due to the inherent very low porosity characteristics with an average 2 to 6% matrix porosity and 0.01 to 1.5 mD permeability. Natural fractures play a primary role in the producibility of these reservoirs. High angle well is being planned as a way to intersect as many fracture systems as possible for production improvement. To better visualize the subsurface structure while drilling, Ultra Deep reservoir mapping while drilling was deployed to map the whole reservoir boundaries in real time and know the formation dip and precise trajectory position from reservoir roof and base at any point in the lateral section. The 3D reservoir mapping gives precise geological geometry of the reservoir and enhances the placement of the well. The information from Reservoir Mapping While Drilling integrated to other downhole measurements such as Near bi

Abstract

The Kuwait Integrated Digital Field project for Gathering-Center 01 (KwIDF GC-01) at Burgan Field acquires real-time data from wells and processing facilities as input for its production-surveillance program. Live data from the field is fed into an integrated production model for analyzing and optimizing pump performance. An automated workflow process generates alarms for critical well and facility parameters to identify wells with potential scaling issues. KwIDF workflows are integrated with updated well models to visualize the effect of scale build up on the wellhead performance and thereby assist in quantifying the associated production losses caused by scale deposition. A sensitivity analysis is also performed to identify current and optimal pump operating conditions and prioritize scale cleaning jobs. The exception-based surveillance of key real-time parameters for wells utilizing electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) in Burgan field has significantly improved diagnostics of scale d

Abstract

Multimineral log analysis is a quantitative formation evaluation tool for geologic and petrophysical reservoir characterization. Rock composition can be estimated by solving equations that relate log measurements to the petrophysical endpoints of minerals and fluids. Due to errors in log data and uncertainties in petrophysical endpoints of constituents, we have used effective medium models from rock physics as additional independent information to validate or constrain the results. We examine the Voigt-Reuss (VR) bound model, self-consistent approximation (SCA), and differential effective medium (DEM). The VR bound model provides the first-order quality control of multimineral results. We first show a conventional carbonate reservoir study with intervals in which the predicted effective medium models from multimineral results are inconsistent with measured elastic properties. We use the VR bound model as an inequality constraint in multimineral analysis for plausible alternative soluti

Abstract

Fractured carbonate reservoirs constitute significant challenges in quantitative seismic reservoir characterization. The purpose of our study was twofold: 1) To investigate whether seismic attribute calibration could be used to develop and support the detailed 3D geologic modeling of the Kra Al-Maru discovery in Western Kuwait, and 2) To verify the applicability of ExxonMobil's proprietary seismic attribute technology and integration process in predicting the most economically relevant reservoir property: its producibility. We illustrate the key elements with the aid of a case study on the Jurassic-age Najmah and Sargelu Formations, an unconventional, naturally fractured, carbonate reservoir. The Minagish field was used as a producing analog of the Kra Al-Maru field. We used seismic forward modeling and well control from the Minagish, the Umm Gudair, and Kra Al-Maru fields to validate the results. © 2001 Society of Exploration Geophysicists.

Abstract

Three methods are proposed for quickly evaluating the history match of a numerical simulation to actual reservoir performance. All of the methods rely on computing a set of deviation values, each of which is defined to be a calculated simulator result minus the corresponding surveillance measurement value. For any particular type of surveillance data, such as rates, watercuts, or gas-oil ratios, the deviation values can be grouped by well, by area, or combining all measurements in the database. The first two proposed methods rely on simple graphical presentations of each group of deviation values to show how well the simulation results match the surveillance data. Plotting together the results from more than one simulation run allows a quick comparison of the match for each run, which is useful during the history match process. The third method converts each deviation value to a quantity called Match Factor, which is a relative measure of the confidence that the simulator actually repr

Abstract

Three methods are proposed for quickly evaluating the history match of a numerical simulation to actual reservoir performance. All of the methods rely on computing a set of deviation values, each of which is defined to be a calculated simulator result minus the corresponding surveillance measurement value. For any particular type of surveillance data, such as rates, watercuts, or gas-oil ratios, the deviation values can be grouped by well, by area, or combining all measurements in the database. The first two proposed methods rely on simple graphical presentations of each group of deviation values to show how well the simulation results match the surveillance data. Plotting together the results from more than one simulation run allows a quick comparison of the match for each run, which is useful during the history match process. The third method converts each deviation value to a quantity called Match Factor, which is a relative measure of the confidence that the simulator actually repr

Abstract

Removing mud from around the casing or liner and replacing it with drilling or cement fluid is fundamental to achieving zonal isolation. One significant parameter needed to achieve flow around the casing is proper casing centralization. Casing centralization is a function of many wellbore properties, such as fluid and centralizer data, which are obtained from the directional survey and caliper data. Computer simulations are used to optimize centralizer selection and placement prior to running the casing into the wellbore and the cementing operations. This paper presents the method and technology used to compare simulated vs. real centralization and the key lessons learned from a Kuwait project. To complete the continuous improvement cycle, it is important to confirm the casing standoff in a postcement operation to determine if the prejob assumptions and the simulations were accurate. Using standard cement evaluation logs, it is not possible to directly measure the casing standoff. Ther

Abstract

Wireline Formation Tester surveys are routinely performed for pressure profiling in all new wells. These surveys are being extensively used to identify contacts, cross communication etc. The information is updated and integrated for a full field perspective so that depletion trends, communication across faults, and presence of sub-layers within the main sand lobes are identified, validated and mapped. This data set is acquired over time, against a well laid out strategy and against all the sands. As a precursor for building a model in a multilayered mature oil field of Kuwait, the collected data were analyzed to draw interesting and operationally important conclusions. The study reinforced the sub-layering classification followed in the field on a broader scale; however in a few instances, marked anomalies were noted. The existing sand layering scheme was re-visited and corrections applied by adjusting the layer tops in those wells. Multiple pressure points across adjacent sub-layers w

Abstract

As the pursuit of oil and gas in Middle East Jurassic carbonates reservoirs grows, it is increasingly evident that horizontal wellbore placement, or targeting, plays a first-order role in the production capability of a well. Indeed, the percentage of a wellbore "in target" is a common metric used when evaluating the causes for good or poor production from any particular well. The most common process used for geosteering a horizontal wellbore into a chosen target is the correlation of logging-while-drilling (LWD) total gamma-ray (GR) to a vertical pilot-hole GR log or offset wells GR logs. However, limitations inherent to this procedure can reduce the ability to effectively use LWD GR data due to 4 ½" slim hole diameter and mud telemetry issues, the non-descript signal from LWD tools due to high pressure and high temperature and the possibility of lost signal from LWD tools. In addition, the thickness of MRW-F11 targeted reservoir is limited to plus or minus 22 ft and low GR contrast fr

Abstract

Introduction: The morbidly adherent placenta (MAP) is usually associated with maternal morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the uterine cavity after uterine preservation surgeries for MAP. Material and methods: The study group comprised women ≥ 28 weeks pregnant with confirmed MAP, with a desire for future fertility, and who agreed to uterine preservation surgery for MAP. The uterine preservation surgeries done for MAP include the following: uterine artery ligation, placental-myometrial en bloc excision, and/or internal iliac artery (IIA) ligation. Participants managed by uterine preservation surgeries for MAP were evaluated 3-6 months after the surgeries using office hysteroscopies to evaluate the uterine cavity after uterine preservation surgeries (primary outcome). The secondary outcome measures the pregnancy outcome after uterine preservation surgery. Results: The hysteroscopic examination of the uterine cavity after uterine preservation surgery for

Abstract

Understanding the fluid flow in the reservoir is one of the main factors affecting the success of waterflood projects. The level of reservoir heterogeneity and complexity of the structure are the main challenge factors to understand the fluid movement. Interwell water tracers is a significant approach especially in reservoirs that have high level of complexity to have better understanding of the injected water flow directions, flow units and reservoir geology. Raudhatain-Mauddud reservoir is highly heterogeneous layered reservoir, bearing different oil qualities. The waterflood started in year 2000 and within a short period the oil rate has increased significantly but with rapid increase in the water cut. The management of Mauddud waterflood project became more complex with increasing the number of injectors and establishing injection in all layers. Interwell Tracers have been utilized to understand the complex injected water movement in the reservoir to improve waterflood management p

Abstract

Objective/Scope: The extraction of Heavy Oil (HO) from the soon-to-be developed Lower Fares South Ratqa field requires steam injection to enhance HO recovery. The amount of water required for this facility is quite high, up to 210,000 barrels/day (in excess of 33 million liters per day), and the availability of suitable water is problematic, particularly in a dry country such as Kuwait. Enhancement of Heavy Oil (HO) recovery can be effected via cyclic steam stimulation and steam flood techniques. However, steam generation is highly dependent on the availability of sufficient quantities of suitable water. Potential water sources for steam generation include seawater, rivers, lakes or underground bodies of water. The last three are unavailable in sufficient quantities in Kuwait and specifically in North Kuwait. Methods /Procedures /Process: Seawater was initially considered as a source water option for the Lower Fares Heavy Oil (LFHO) project but further investigation identified another

Abstract

Drilling in thin reservoirs is challenging task. But with easy pockets gone the reservoirs left are less than 5 to 10 feet and it becomes difficult to steer well exclusively in the sweet spot or sand in thin payzone. It is this reservoir which offer task to drill horizontal well and produce maximum where otherwise it would be difficult to produce even 200-300bopd from this thin layer of silty shales. Moreover the thin beds are like appearing or vanishing as we drill ahead due to facies change. This needs complete attention till the well reaches Target Depth (TD). Even a small fault of sub-seismic nature of 2 feet throw can offset the well from the sweet zone. But with advanced logging tools used in two wells helps to understand the nature of lithology and its productivity. Best application of this tools are in silty shales in Burgan Sands Upper (BGSU) which generally show high GR and often this leads to misjudgment of well not being in sweet spot. Logging While Drilling (LWD) logs and

Abstract

With the goal of reducing non-productive time (NPT) and increasing operational efficiency, KOC decided to implement pilot projects to evaluate feasibility of intelligent digital oilfield (iDOF) concepts. The Kuwait integrated digital oil field in the Sabriyah field (KwIDF Sabriyah) pilot was implemented as a tool for real-time collaborative diagnosis and optimization of a water-flooded giant carbonate reservoir within the Sabriyah field. Initiated in 2011, KwIDF Sabriyah is currently extensively used for the monitoring and optimization of (a) waterflood, (b) electrical submersible pump (ESP), and (c) gas lift (GL) systems. KwIDF Sabriyah has increased the operational efficiency in many areas of daily engineering activities, including (a) reduction of excessive time spent on data acquisition and validation, (b) significant reduction of time on the identification of the root of failure of equipment, (c) collaborative decision-making with key stakeholders, (d) minimization of time between