A Different Approach to Offloading a Newly Drilled Deviated Well
Authors
Abid Ur Rehman (Weatherford International) | Marwan Abdelbary (Weatherford International)
Publisher
OTC - Offshore Technology Conference
Publication Date
November 2, 2020
Source
Offshore Technology Conference Asia, 2-6 November, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Paper ID
OTC-30325-MS
Abstract
As the industry rebounds from recent pricing challenges, operators are searching for methods during each stage of their well—from drilling to production—to make the field more economical without compromising safety, health and quality. This paper describes a different method for offloading a newly drilled well.
In 2017, a well drilled in north Iraq targeted five productive zones. This directional well had a good potential to flow from upper zones which were producing around 3,000 BPD cumulative production. To get production from the upper four zones, conventional coiled tubing (CT) was utilized, and the well started to flow after lifting the drilling fluids. After testing the upper zones, the operator planned to evaluate the lower zone for the production. The well completion had sliding sleeve doors (SSD) and was installed for every zone separately. This well used a jet pump for offloading fluids from the last zone.
The upper four zones were plugged using the SSD, so only the last zone was open for flow. A jet pump was designed using jet evaluation and modelling software (JEMS). The design was based on the optimum size of the nozzle and throat selected for the lowest zone. A downhole jet pump was modified, based on the existing SSD, and installed in the well using slickline. High-pressure power fluid was injected into the well from the annulus and returns were taken from the tubing. The well was successfully offloaded using the jet pump. The well was then tested for production using the same jet pump system, which resulted in around 1,300 BPD production. Jet pump systems require critical observation and proper understanding of the system for this kind of application.
The well was economically offloaded using a jet pump system. This method saved a significant amount of time and money for the operator. Additionally, the jet pump system can be easily installed, designed and modified as per well and completion specifications. The nozzle throat combination can be changed on-site, depending on production results. The installation and operation procedure will be explained in detail for a comprehensive understanding of the system.