Summary
A well equipped with intelligent components is considered “smart” only when
it maximizes its value over the life of the project. The definition of the
adequate level of intelligence is the outcome of a multidisciplinary discussion
that focuses on the well and reservoir management. To effectively realize
the value associated with these technologies, Shell set up a Global
Implementation Smart Wells Team at its E&P Technical Center. Jointly with
asset teams from around the world, it has reviewed more than 80 projects over
the last 3 years. The main result of this work is a faster and more-meaningful
implementation effectively realizing the value associated with these
technologies. An important byproduct of this work is a list of identified well
and reservoir opportunities in which smart completions can add significant
value. This paper reviews these opportunities and provides selected
examples.
Introduction
Smart wells include a battery of completion equipment designed to do the
following:
• Monitor well operating conditions downhole (e.g., flow, pressure,
temperature, phase composition, and water pH).
• Image the distribution of reservoir attributes away from the well (e.g.,
resistivity and acoustic impedance).
• Control the inflow and outflow rates of segregated segments of the
well.
Combined with quality readings at surface of total rates and other nonwell
mapping technologies, such as time-lapse seismic, smart wells also provide the
tools to manage wells, identify undrained oil, and make informed decisions that
optimize hydrocarbon recovery.1
The perceived added value associated with these technologies, their
complexity, and the need to satisfy reliability demands have driven service
companies and field operators to devote staff and resources to develop new and
improved products and to explore opportunities to deploy these well-completion
components worldwide.
Numerous papers and technical literature dealing with field applications and
completion specifications can be found elsewhere.2–10 This paper focuses
instead on the reservoir opportunities in which the added value can be readily
identified. As our industry struggles to improve ultimate recovery and to make
marginal projects feasible, wells must provide cost-effective means to gather
reservoir information and produce them efficiently. Intelligent completions
will become a standard practice in years to come. Currently, that vision is
slowly being realized, one well at a time.
© 2005. Society of Petroleum Engineers
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History
- Original manuscript received:
27 May 2004
- Revised manuscript received:
15 September 2005
- Manuscript approved:
15 September 2005
- Version of record:
15 December 2005
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