Summary
PDO has established a goal for well technology of being able to drill, evaluate, complete and service multilateral horizontal wells at balance or underbalanced. Reeled systems have a clear potential in this area. A project has been set in place to prove or develop technology to meet this goal. Separate trial programs are underway to investigate the drilling and completion elements required. These will be combined with the results of an underbalanced drilling trial to allow under or at balance operations during each phase of the well's life.
The Coiled Tubing Drilling, Evaluation and Completion (CTDEC) project began in 1993 with a feasibility study outlining the potential benefits of a CT operation. Technical trials to prove the feasibility of the activities began in 1994 with a sequence of 3 drilling trials, and a single CT completion. In 1995, eight 3-1/2" CT completions were run; 4 ESP completions and 4 gas lift completions. Further trials are planned, 2-7/8" slim dual water injectors and 6 velocity strings for gas lift wells. Results so far indicate that the CT operations can be carried out technically. The next phase of the project will be to demonstrate the commercial viability of the activities in both the Drilling and Completion areas before moving to at or underbalance operations. The Drilling Engineering part of the project is continuing with a 15 well sidetracking trial to confirm the economic benefits. The completion project is rounding off the technical trials before establishing further work scope.
This article focuses on the Completion phase of the project.
