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OUTLINEIntroductionWhat are well completions?Types of well completionsWhat is intelligent well completion?Reasons for Intelligent well completionAdvantages/Disadvantages of Intelligent well

completion over conventional completionsConclusion.

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INTRODUCTIONThrough the years different types of processes

have been used to complete and produce oil from reservoirs after drilling.

Demand for processes which maximize the recoverable reserves while reducing costs due to intervention has been on the increase which has brought about the latest well completion technique which is INTELLIGENT WELL COMPLETION (IWC).

This presentation therefore is to help acquaint us with this process.

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WHAT IS WELL COMPLETION?This is a process of making a well ready for

production or(injection), this principally involves preparing the bottom of the hole to the required specifications, running in the production tubing and its associated downhole tools, as well as perforating and stimulating as required.

Sometimes the process of running in and cementing the casing is also included.

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TYPES OF WELL COMPLETION There are different types of well completions

and these includeBarefoot completionOpen hole completionCased hole completionDual completionSurface completionIntelligent completion

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WHAT ARE INTELLIGENT WELL COMPLETIONS?

IWC can be explained as the type of completion that is based on the strategy of using REAL TIME well monitoring and closed loop capability to maximize the final recovery of reserves.

This is achieved by running gauges downhole to study REAL TIME data per zone in order to make pro active(preventive) rather than reactive(corrective) decisions.

There are different instances where IWC’s technology can be applied, and those are:

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APPLICATIONS OF IWC’S The instances in which IWC’s are suitable for are thus

COMMINGLED PRODUCTION Some fields have two or more reservoirs that could be

produced at the same time (usually at different depths) but these reservoirs could have different petro physical properties, fluid characteristics and/or different pressures.

Using an IWC lets the operator simultaneously produce from these reservoirs, reducing risks related to cross flow and differential depletion.

An IWC also accelerates production by taking advantage of Real-time monitoring and active control.

Figure 1 shows a possible reservoir example for this application.

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APPLICATIONS OF IWC’S

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APPLICATIONS OF IWC’S INJECTION PROFILE ISSUESDue to the subdivision by some Fluid units inside the same

reservoir with different petro physical properties, differential depletion occurs (some flow units deplete faster than others) during the production process or differential replacement occurs (some fluids units build up their pressure faster than others), when injecting fluids for pressure support.

In this case, IWC’s are the best solution for this typical problem. The idea is to produce or inject (through active control valves) the fluids that each flow unit requires, according to its petro physical properties or energy levels.

Figure 2 shows an example of injection and production profile issues

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APPLICATIONS OF IWC’S

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APPLICATIONS OF IWC’S DUMP FLOOD STRATEGIES Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) strategies are among the most

complex , successful but expensive methods for maximizing final recovery of reserves. Reducing costs in these projects is highly desirable.

In some fields, an aquifer or gas cap with enough energy and reserves (water or gas) could be used for providing Fluids with enough energy for injecting directly into some reservoirs or formations.

The idea is to install an IWC, proceed to produce a specific fluid with energy (water or gas), and injecting that fluid in a specific volume on each reservoir that requires it for maintaining the replacement factor in the values specified by the exploitation strategy, before that fluid arrives at surface. Obviously, adjustable control valves are the key factor for optimizing the replacement factor and, consequently, the recovery factor of the field.

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ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES OF IWC’S(CHOKING CAPABILITY)ADVANTAGES; Total control of production or injection profiles. No cross flow between different zones. Real-time monitoring of different zones.  Control valves can be activated remotely. Well test can be performed without intervention.  Operations associated with production or injection

optimization can be performed online (closed loop). Does not require maintenance.

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ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES OF IWC’S(CHOKING CAPABILITY)DISADVANTAGE; Completion cost is higher than mechanical

systems.

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CONCLUSIONIt is obvious that IWC offers flexibility and

reliability, but the most important aspect of this technology is its ability to adapt to changing well conditions, whether these changes are part of a planned reservoir exploitation strategy or an unplanned event.

It is important to note that an IWC is the key component of an exploitation strategy to maximize final recovery of reserves through maximum control, real time monitoring and closed loop capability.

Finally, IWC can help operators make the right decision at the right time by reducing uncertainty levels.   

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