Recently Saudi Aramco completed the first multi-lateral / dual completion well with permanent segregated access and segregated production in one of its offshore fields in the Arabian Gulf region. The well presents a technical milestone to the company in the development of multiple reservoir fields. Also it demonstrated how new technological tools could be deployed effectively in an ideal situation to meet both reservoir and production requirements in a very cost-effective manner. Several systems were considered for this particular application which were thoroughly evaluated based on company requirements, cost, and immediate availability. Other considerations such as service company experience, number of jobs performed by service company and technical support were also part of the screening criteria.

This paper presents Saudi Aramco's first and successful experience in the deployment of new acquired technology for the multi-lateral / dual completion systems. The screening criteria for selecting the system as well as the benefits realized and lessons learned from this experience are also discussed.

Keywords:
lateral, multilateral dual completion well, retrieve, well integrity, completion system, packer, pre-milled window, zonal isolation, upstream oil & gas, lower lateral
Subjects:
Drilling Operations, Casing and Cementing, Directional drilling, Casing design, Completion Selection and Design, Well Integrity, Completion equipment, Zonal isolation
Copyright 2000, IADC/SPE Asia Pacific Drilling Technology
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