Overcoming Challenges in Congested Environment to Successfully Drill CO2 Injection Project Which Holds Immense Value in Terms of Sustainability and Reducing CO2 Emissions in ADNOC Onshore.

Abstract The SWAG (Simultaneous Water and Gas) injection project represents a significant milestone in enhancing oil recovery methods within the region. This project, the first of its kind in our area, faced numerous challenges, primarily concerning the selection of suitable drilling locations. The densities of managing both surface locations and subsurface targets added layers of complexity to usual drilling demanding operations. The drilling targets were confined to a specific reservoir area, imposing precise adherence to location constraints. This limitation established a considerable challenge as we attempted to find a suitable surface location amid a congested field in a specific location surrounded by multiple facilities and roads. The congestion in the area not only complicated the logistical planning but also threatened to delay the project's timeline significantly. Among the critical challenges were the difficulties in finding a surface location in a highly congested area, planning the well trajectory to ensure precise targeting of subsurface objectives, and mitigating collision risks with existing wells and the project wells. Additionally, the operation required drilling through multiple reservoirs, each characterized by significant pressure variations, which added to the complexity and risk of the drilling process. Despite these barriers, Drilling, Asset development and Production teams collaborated closely to devise an innovative solution. By slightly shifting the proposed surface locations and repositioned to be in a straight line at a new PAD location in alignment with the subsurface targets, we were able to circumvent the congestion issues. This strategic adjustment not only facilitated smoother operations but also resulted in significant time and cost savings during the location preparation phase and during production facilities preparation prior drilling the wells. This paper details the challenges encountered during the SWAG project's initial phase, the solutions implemented, and the lessons learned up to the current stage of the project. Our experience underscores the importance of flexibility and innovation in overcoming logistical barriers in complex drilling projects. Through these efforts, we aim to contribute valuable insights to the industry and pave the way for future projects in similarly constrained environments.