NESSE SBM#6
IWC - Intelligent Well Completions
Installation & Well Control Challenges
Benni Toldo - Completions Engineer
Woodside - Perth, Australia
Well Control during IWC installation
• IWCs are typically installed without a reservoir isolation barrier (eg FIV)
• String motion generated from rig heave can induce to a well influx
Pswab < Pres
risk of well influx
• Main parameters affecting the swabbing effect:
- Rig motion (heave and amplitude)
- Completion design: Flow paths across the completion
- Clearances: flow areas open to fluid movement
- Wellbore Fluid viscosity
Looking for other Operator’s experience
Slide 2
Well Control during IWC installation
Run In hole
9-5/8" Production
Packer
Wellbore
Influx
9-5/8" Production
Packer
Well Killing
9-5/8" Production
Packer
7" Isolation
Packer #4
7" Isolation
Packer #4
7" Isolation
Packer #4
7" Isolation
Packer #3
7" Isolation
Packer #3
7" Isolation
Packer #3
7" Isolation
Packer #2
7" Isolation
Packer #2
7" Isolation
Packer #2
Kill fluid
Upward string
movement can
swab the formation
gas
7" Isolation
Packer #1
Annulus isolation
with control lines
across could be
problematic
7" Isolation
Packer #1
7" Isolation
Packer #1
Can we kill all the
zones effectively and
proceed landing the
completion?
gas
gas
Slide 3
Well Control during IWC installation
• Swabbing effect is greater for 3+ zone completions
• Risk is higher for gas wells
Risk Mitigations:
95 psi
• Running Speed
• Increase overbalance
4 Zone SMART in Viscous polymer
• Packer Clearance
• Control fluid viscosity
• Impose rig heave restrictions
150 psi
How do we model this?
Any experience good/bad to share?
Slide 4