The Impact of Real-Time Data in Improving the Efficiency, Safety and Productivity of Wells During the Installation of Lower Completion Assemblies in the Complex Deepwater Environment

Abstract

As wells have become deeper with more highly complex well trajectories and tighter mud weight windows, there has been an increase in the amount of Non Productive Time associated with installing lower completion assemblies. One of the key issues in safely and efficiently installing these complex assemblies is that, as these wells have become more complex, the traditional methods of utilizing surface measurements and extrapolating or modeling what is actually happening downhole has started to run into problems. Models for torque and drag and hydraulics that worked in shallower and less complex wells with large pressure windows often fail to actually predict what is happening downhole, leading to extreme inefficiencies and sub-optimal or in extreme cases complete failure of the installation. In certain circumstances surface data and models may indicate almost the exact opposite of what is actually occurring downhole. This paper will demonstrate through case histories in the complex deepwater environment the use of an easy to deploy acoustic telemetry and measurement network that can be run in conjunction with any lower completion assembly to minimize these risks and to optimize the workflows. Data will be shown from the full range of lower completion operations including TCP gun runs, displacement operations and throughout the actual fracing operation itself. This system is completely wireless and can send data through the wall of regular drillpipe without requiring any modification of surface or downhole equipment. Data can be provided back to surface irrespective of fluid, flow or formation type and also during tripping in and out of the hole. Downhole and along string measurement of weight, torque, internal and external pressures and temperatures provide the key data allowing real-time decision to be made on what is actually happening downhole. The case histories will show how material gains were made by using and acting on this real-time data leading to safer, more efficient and in some case enhanced productivity from these wells. This paper will show how this real-time downhole data is now readily available and how it has been used to solve problems and optimize the efficiency of operations throughout lower completion installation. Real-time downhole data, which has revolutionized the drilling of wells in the last couple of decades, is now for the first time available to solve the complex issues associated with lower completion operations. If this access to real-time downhole data provides even half of the gains in efficiency and safety seen in the drilling environment, moving forward huge gains may be realized throughout completion operations.