The industry has clearly embraced the role of intelligent well completions in improving reservoir management, optimizing production and recovery, and minimizing well intervention. The recent uptake of intelligent wells, both on land and in frontier offshore areas with varying degree of complexity, is a clear indication of a sustainable belief in the ability of the technology to deliver on its promises in an ever-challenging environment. The barrier to adoption is reduced, as operators, small and large, are now more confident in the technological advances made to improve systems reliability and economies.
Going forward, industry demands have not changed significantly. Firstly intelligent wells need to be truly intelligent, with increased requirements for dynamic information to enable the downhole control and reservoir management processes. This is particularly important for subsea wells where data flow is lower than dry-tree wells. Secondly, system and component reliability remains the primary concern, as more effort is directed towards reducing the rate of infant mortalities following installation. And thirdly the legitimate demand remains for component and system level pre-qualification processes to ensure a-life-of-well first time installation success.
The paper will provide a review of various intelligent well completions configurations summarizing these concepts for different production environments. It will present a combination of technologies and processes aiming at addressing the industry's most pressing concerns above. The combination of electrical and fiber-optic sensors, along with innovative connectors and downhole controls, has significantly contributed to flexibility, reliability, and improved well economies. The paper will also discuss the role of dedicated real-field drilling and completion facilities to aid engineering and operations efforts in the integrated testing and pre-qualification of complete intelligent completion systems.
The paper will conclude on the remaining challenges and future technologies offered to enhance reliability, minimize costly well interventions, and maximize asset value through reservoir and production management.
The definition of intelligent wells can be sought in numerous papers. A well should have certain characteristics to be considered intelligent:
Controlling flow from one or more intervals
Capable of gathering production information
Capable of using production information to make informed decisions that have a positive impact on a field's Net Present Value