Cemented Multientry Fracturing System Proves Effective for Deep Tight Gas Wells

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper IPTC 23680, “15,000-psi Multientry Cemented Multistage Fracturing System: Alternative Completion Method for Deep Tight Gas Wells,” by Rasim Serdar Rodoplu, SPE, and Awad Alenezi, SPE, Saudi Aramco, and Mohammed Dahlan, NOV, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Copyright 2024 International Petroleum Technology Conference. _ A cementable multientry (ME) multistage fracturing (MSF) completion technology with a true 15,000-psi pressure rating was developed for use in deep tight gas wells. The completion system brings operational and design improvements to MSF methods typically used in these types of wells. The complete paper provides details on the development of the novel system, considering the harsh well conditions, its ME design used for creating multiple fractures across each stage, and its advantages over traditional openhole (OH) MSF solutions. Cemented ME-MSF Completion System Overview A conventional OH-MSF completion system includes OH packers, OH anchors, hydraulic fracturing ports, and ball-actuated fracturing ports. The cemented ME-MSF completion system is similar, but no packer or anchor is required because zonal isolation is provided by the cement. Fracturing sleeves are activated by dropping a ball. Multiple stages can be configured in the wellbore; each stage might contain several sliding sleeves for fracture initiation in the ME configuration. More flex seats can be placed per stage. The system is installed as an integrated part of the lower completion string and can be used in horizontal or vertical wells. Once the completion reaches the total depth (TD) of the well, it is cemented in place and a wiper dart is pumped from the surface. The main purpose of the wiper dart is to ensure that the inside of the tubulars, fracturing sleeves, and ball seats are wiped free of cement to achieve a fully cemented MSF completion. The first stage of the cemented ME-MSF completion system is an exception in terms of a fracturing sleeve through a hydraulic port that is opened by pressuring up the completion. For the remaining stages, a fracturing ball is dropped and pumped from surface to operate the multiple sleeves in the corresponding stage so that the stimulation treatment can be carried out in a continuous pumping operation. Flexible cemented ME sleeves are installed. These expanding seats allow a single ball per stage to operate multiple sleeves before isolating the stage with a fixed seat. This allows the fracture treatment to be distributed throughout the stage instead of exiting at a single point. Thus, the stimulation treatments result in more-efficient distribution along that specific compartment of the well. This configuration allows continuous rigless pumping operations with no need for perforation or plug setting between stages. Compared with plug-and-perforation (P&P) operations in cemented liners, the presented completion system eliminates wireline and coiled tubing (CT) or milling operations. In addition, it reduces completion time, cost, and water consumption. For effective stimulation, stage isolation must be maintained by cement so that no communication exists between the stages because no OH packer is involved in this system. The cemented ME-MSF completion system is composed of fewer items compared with OH-MSF systems that may use OH packers and OH anchors.