Saad M. Al-Driweesh

First Successful Application of an Environment Friendly Fracturing Fluid during On-The-Fly Proppant Fracturing

With the increasing demand for natural gas, fracturing fluid technology needs to develop to enable optimized well completion operations with minimum ecological impact. The recent development of environmentally friendly polymer-free fracturing fluids — with superior operational performance — represents a major technological advance in the petroleum industry. The use of these new fluids during fracturing operations has the following benefits: minimized environmental footprint and formation damage, operational efficiency and simplicity, and maximized fracture conductivity. This paper discusses the first successful deployment, of an environmentally friendly polymer-free fracturing fluid, during on-the-fly proppant fracturing in Saudi Arabia. Also, the paper discusses the optimum layout of the fracturing equipment used during the job execution. The fluid was used to fracture a gas zone located between two water zones. Therefore, one of the main objectives of the treatment was to control the height of the fracture to not break through and contaminate the water-bearing zones. In addition, the fluid exhibited a low friction pressure and excellent proppant-carrying capacity. Moreover, the overall cost of this fracturing operation is in line with conventional, polymer-based fluid fracturing approaches. Evaluation of the post-treatment results demonstrated the following: very positive well productivity, improved fracture geometry (longer fractures with better height containment), and faster fracture cleanup time.

A Smart Approach in Acid Stimulation Resulted in Successful Reviving of Horizontal Producers Equipped With ICD Completions: Saudi Arabia Case History

Th e objective of this article is to discuss Saudi Aramco’s drilling Real-Time Operating Center (RTOC) experience in developing personnel, establishing process workfl ow and acquiring technologies to deliver wells safely and eff ectively. Th e article starts by describing the IT infrastructure that facilitates rapid information fl ow from drilling sites to the RTOC. Th en it discusses the process workfl ow, which includes pre-drill collaborative planning, real time predictive modeling, and 24/7 monitoring services to provide accurate response to real time trends for successful management of drilling risks, and therefore reduction of nonproductive time (NPT). Finally, overall achievements of 2008-2009 and a case study of one monitored and optimized well are presented. Introduction In January 2008, Saudi Aramco opened the Drilling & Workover RTOC, a state-of-the-art well visualization and real-time monitoring command center, to plan, drill and complete wells in the safest, most effi cient and cost-eff ective manner. Th e RTOC involves three critical components: People, Process and Technology. We found that understanding each component role is crucial to develop a collaborative environment that helps to promote the RTOC values. Saudi Aramco’s RTOC was opened with a lot of challenging objectives. To meet the drilling management expectations, these phases were divided. Phase 1 Th e initial RTOC objective was to operate the center on critical wells, mainly off shore wells to reduce occurrence of tight hole, stuck pipe, borehole collapse, sidetracked bottom-hole assemblies (BHAs) and borehole instability problems. Phase 2 Th e next step was to improve drilling optimization and effi ciency for the monitored wells. One of the techniques used was to monitor and implement the “Mechanical Specifi c Energy (MSE)” to optimize drilling parameters. Another main goal at this phase was to reduce the NPT for the monitored wells by monitoring the rig activity. Phase 3 At this phase in the process, the RTOC might recommend the bit selection to increase rate of penetration (ROP). A main goal at this phase was to optimize hydraulics, hole cleaning and equivalent circulating density (ECD) for extended reach drilling (ERD) wells, BHA design, monitor drill string mechanics and BHAs to prevent damage and reduce well control incidents. Saudi Aramco RTOC Th e RTOC consists of a main room that is equipped with 10 main consoles; two of them are reserved for supervisors. Th ese computers are connected to large screens on the wall to display monitored wells’ real-time data. A collaborative room for day-to-day meetings is equipped with plasma screens and a PC. Another collabSaudi Aramco RTOC www.saudiarabiaoilandgas.com | SA O&G Issue 15 17

Assessment of Multistage Fracturing Technologies as Deployed in the Tight Gas Fields of Saudi Arabia

The increasing demand for oil and gas resources to support the worldwide development plans means that the petroleum industry is always actively engaged in exploring new frontiers in drilling and production, including tight multilayered reservoirs. It is becoming evident, more than ever, that producing the most oil and gas out of the drilled reservoirs is an absolute necessity. Accordingly, completion techniques have presented themselves as a crucial well construction parameter and a key to optimally producing wells. Several completion techniques have been exhaustively trial tested in Saudi Aramco to determine the most successful completion mode for each reservoir. Among those various techniques, open hole multistage stimulation has demonstrated superior performance in minimizing skin damage and maximizing reservoir contact through efficient propagation of fracture networks within the rock matrix. Overall, the production results from wells completed using open hole multistage stimulation systems — as deployed in the tight gas fields of Saudi Arabia — have been very positive. Of the approximately 40 wells here this new technology was utilized, the majority of the wells have met or exceeded the pre-stimulation expectations for gas production. Various multistage open hole completion systems were run over these 40 wells and the production results varied. This study highlights these systems and discusses their impact during the fracturing operation and the final stabilized well production. This study will also present some case studies in multistage fracturing operations and investigate the operational impact on productivity enhancement. Following the lessons learned and best practices from these experiences, with correct implementation, the findings from this study should increase the probability of having a more successful multistage stimulation job from a productivity standpoint.

Maximizing Coiled Tubing Reach during Logging Extended Horizontal Wells Using E-line Agitator

The implementation of extended reach horizontal wells in Saudi Arabia, in the southern area of the Ghawar field in particular, is being increased for production and cost optimization. Logging these wells is a challenge, as the production profile of a horizontal section cannot be entirely recorded with conventional coiled tubing (CT). This is mainly because of friction forces between the CT and the wellbore, which cause the CT to lockup significantly shallower than the total depth (TD). Even with the availability of a limited technique, such as a metal to metal friction reducer, it was found that the CT reach cannot be maximized effectively. This article will describe successful utilization of an agitator tool with a custom designed e-line bypass that helps the CT maximize the coverage of the horizontal section for logging purposes. The agitator tool was incorporated into the Production Logging Tool (PLT) and bottom-hole assembly (BHA). It was activated by pumping. It caused the CT string to vibrate and subsequently reduce the friction contact between the CT and the wellbore to allow the CT to run beyond the normal lockup depth. The tool was trial tested in an extended reach horizontal well, with a TD of 12,118 ft. The simulator showed a predicted lock at 10,400 ft while a dummy run locked up at 10,800 ft without activating the agitator. The e-line agitator was activated while the well was flowing at a restricted rate, which maximized the reach to the TD and reduced the friction coefficient by around 26%. Different conditions and parameters were applied to understand the best performance of the e-line agitator tool. The implementation of the e-line agitator resulted in extending the reach of the CT by an additional 1,300 ft and reaching TD. This additional reach was significant, as the last part of the horizontal section was contributing water. The production log has been reviewed and shows acceptable measurements. This article will cover the whole cycle of candidate selection, job design, execution, post job evaluation, lessons learned and conclusion.

Evaluation of Rotary Jetting Tool Application for Matrix Acid Stimulation of Carbonate Reservoir in Southern Area Field of Saudi Arabia

Stimulation of oil wells is becoming more and more challenging every year. Wells easy to select are fast diminishing. Today’s candidate for matrix acid stimulation have high water cut, close oil-water contact, marginal pay zone to stimulate and complex completion, raising more challenges. Combining coiled tubing pinpoint treatment placement with diversion method is crucial for such wells. Traditional chemical diversion like gelplug, VES, foam or nitrogen divert treatment fluid in the zone of broad permeability contrast.

New Stimulation Technologies in a Major Gas Field in the Middle East

In their natural state, most gas wells in the Middle East do not produce at their optimum level. This is mainly attributable to formation tightness or near-wellbore damage caused by drilling operations; however, a properly designed and executed stimulation program can enable more commercial gas production rates at higher flowing wellhead pressures (FWHPs). For this reason, and others, stimulation jobs (e.g., hydraulic fracturing and matrix acidizing) are common completion operations in the Middle East. In recent years, stimulation technologies have witnessed major advances, as their use has been the main driver for production from tight reservoirs worldwide. This paper outlines eight new stimulation technologies that have been recently deployed in a major gas field in the Middle East. In addition, the paper looks at candidate selection, the main characteristics and benefits of the technologies, and post-treatment results. Overall, the production results from the use of these technologies have been very positive and impressive, and the forecast is that their implementation will grow considerably over the coming years. The value of these new technologies will become even more significant as our industry accelerates the development of unconventional resources.