First Applications of Inflow Control Devices (ICD) in Open Hole Horizontal Wells in Block 15, Ecuador

Resumen

Abstract Horizontal wells are superior in production and recovery to conventional wells, however they are subjected to early water coning towards the heel (water can breakthrough anywhere in the well not only at the heel, due to permeability (K) variation and proximity of water traps). Furthermore, conventional completions do not handle effectivley heterogeneity or permeability contrasts exposed along the sand face. The ICD controls and interrogates more optimally both rock and fluid properties in the reservoir, hence delaying early water breakthrough. This early water breakthrough causes reduction in potential hydrocarbon recovery; the operation of the ICD is minimizing reserves left behind. If water breaks through in a well without ICD, these hydrocarbons are lost and cannot be drained subsequently. This paper covers the design and application of new open hole sand face completion architectures equipped with Inflow Control Device technology (first in Ecuador) in Block 15. The design and well preparation prior to completion operations and results are presented for two types of formations e.g. consolidated and non-consolidated. Detailed simulation models were performed and discussed with the Client prior to the drilling operations. The models are run using nodal analysis software and include the reservoir simulation grid. A-priori simulations explored several scenarios to address and compare different uncertainty issues, flow conditions, well rates and pressure drawdowns both in the pre-planning and final installation of the completion. The final design incorporates a removable housing ICD hardware, this allows on-site nozzle changes to create relevant delta P, to enhance well performance just after the well has been drilled and uses the real time data from the final logging operations. The real time logs were then evaluated while the well was drilled and used to refine the final simulation model prior to completion installation in the ground. The ICD completion architecture was successfully installed in consolidated sandstone and non-consolidated formations, with permeability varying from 250 mD to about 1D. The hydrocarbons viscosities varied from 5 cP, 8 cP, to 12 cP (consolidated sandstone, Well 1) and between 19 cP to 21 cP (non-consolidated formation, Well 2). Well 1 in the consolidated formation is flowing with equipment ESP and its initial production was about 4000 BOPD dry oil, currently the water cut raised slowly from 1.5% about 24%. Well 2 required well conditioning and performing as expected. The key advantage of using ICD is that it balances the flow across the entire horizontal section; delays early water breakthrough and uniform areal drainage. It is concluded that Inflow Control Device proven technology is beneficial and successful in Bloque 15, Ecuador and its application will be considered in other fields.