Holistic Approach of Well Completion in the First Dual Horizontal Lateral Oil Well Architecture with Full Wellbore Access

Abstract This paper describes a solution for leveraging cutting-edge multilateral technology innovations alongside smart completion and lower completion methods to drive substantial improvements in well productivity, flow control, and cost efficiency over a well's life span. This first-of-its-kind integrated approach takes well production optimization to higher horizons while providing effective down-hole water management at both the lateral and wellbore levels. Our approach overcomes technical complexities through innovative multilateral placement and precise well completion design planning. The well design process consists of a dual horizontal architecture with deployment of smart completions with inflow control valves (ICVs), sliding sleeve inflow control devices (ICDs) at lower completions, and full wellbore access, which enables access to each horizontal lateral. Such an integrated configuration enables flow control along each horizontal lateral by using the ICDs; and, more importantly, accessing these ICDs through a full wellbore enabler. The well completion requires careful design for aligning the multilateral window, guided mill, and latching mechanism. It starts from placing the mother bore into a competent formation just above the target zone of both laterals. Both laterals are branched out from the wellbore liner, leading to excellent placements into the targeted zones. In addition, the placement is guided by advanced geo-steering logging tools and real-time placement monitoring. Deployment of the completion with simulation inputs ensures the efficient transfer of system loads and forces, enabling the tools to function smoothly without complications. Moreover, the well is equipped with intelligent completion and permanent down-hole gage (PDHMS) capabilities to provide the necessary pressure measurements warranting a commingled production scheme with a fair-flow contribution for each lateral. The successful deployment of this holistic well completion approach has been proven in the target well, which achieved the objectives to enable wellbore access for future interventions. The effective deployment of this dual horizontal well and completion system underscored the considerable capabilities of multilateral well technology. In the future, such integrated completions will have a greater positive impact on well productivity. This will involve higher horizons of performance optimization, where flow by lateral and even by wellbore compartments for each lateral, will be controlled through utilizing the ICV and ICD well completion system. This paper focuses on the best practices, lessons learned, and value-added outcomes from implementing multilateral, lower completion, and smart completion technologies, which was done for the first time for such a well architecture. In particular, it highlights the benefits of taking a holistic approach to well completion design and well intervention management, which will ultimately result in more sustainable and profitable production over the life span of wells, while delaying and/or eliminating production down-time due to rig intervention pertaining to optimizing well performance.