The combination of two new technologies - a production equalizer system combined with in-situ gas lift or electric submersible pumps (ESP) _ have been successfully implemented in Saudi Aramco offshore oil fields to optimize well rate and recovery. Merging these technologies has allowed Saudi Aramco optimal completion methods to exploit the remaining reserves from both Khafji and Safaniyah sandstone reservoirs.

This paper describes the benefits of integrating production equalizer technology with artificial lift (In- situ gas lift or ESP) to optimize production, delay water /gas coning, ensure uniform inflow, and prolong well life. A case history from Saudi Aramco will be presented, where these integrated technologies resulted in significant saving for the operator, and improved production performance in horizontal offshore oil wells.

Keywords:
artificial lift system, Completion Installation and Operations, drilling fluid selection and formulation, drilling fluid chemistry, conformance improvement, enhanced recovery, Directional Drilling, Upstream Oil & Gas, formation damage, drilling fluids and materials
Subjects:
Drilling Operations, Formation Damage, Drilling Fluids and Materials, Artificial Lift Systems, Well & Reservoir Surveillance and Monitoring, Reservoir Characterization, Improved and Enhanced Recovery, Formation Evaluation & Management, Directional drilling, Drilling fluid selection and formulation (chemistry, properties)
Copyright 2006, Society of Petroleum Engineers
You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.