A multilateral (MLT) well with an advanced intelligent completion string was recently completed in the Middle East. The well was designed as a "stacked" dual producer in the upper and lower reservoir, and was drilled using the latest geo-steering techniques to accurately place the wellbore in a highly faulted and geologically complex structure. Rotary-steerable drilling systems (RSS) were used in several of the hole sections, along with advanced logging-while-drilling (LWD) tools including multi-pole acoustic, azimuthal deep resistivity, and resistivity at bit. Encounters with unstable shale and faults made the drilling difficult, but the decisions made in real-time to navigate the well resulted in a very high percentage of net pay in both laterals.This well combined TAML Level 4 multilateral (MLT) technology with passive inflow control devices in the laterals and an advanced intelligent completion system in the mainbore. The TAML Level 4 multilateral junction was cemented to isolate unstable shale above the reservoir and to provide zonal isolation from the lateral completions, which were compartmentalized into stages with proprietary swellable packers and inflow control devices (ICDs). The intelligent completion was run in the mainbore with two interval control valves (ICVs) and isolation ball valve (LV ICV) to manage the production from each of the two laterals independently. The ICVs and LV ICV are controlled hydraulically through four control lines to surface, which were run in a flat-pack with one electric line to control a downhole gauge package for each lateral. Finally, the well was configured to allow the installation of a large electric submersible pump (ESP) to be run inside the upper 9-5/8-in. production tubing.This project required intensive planning and coordination for more than a year in advance, which made the project successful despite the difficult drilling conditions and resulted in very little NPT for wellbore construction operations. This paper will focus on the planning, execution and lessons learned from the project.

Stage tools have been commonly used in North America for monobore completions to optimize economics. By cementing back the vertical and build sections of the wellbore, the requirement of the intermediate casing and liner hanger packer can be eliminated. An operator working in the K-1 carbonate formations of a massive field in eastern Saudi Arabia was examining a unique application of a stage tool to effectively cement and isolate a water-producing build section of a sidetracked lateral wellbore. The well incorporated a liner hanger packer with a multistage completion system. This paper will describe the distinct operational challenges encountered and how they were solved by redesigning an existing stage tool. The well profile and construction specified that the liner had to be hung above the sidetrack point. Therefore, it was critical that the sequential operation of running the lower completion string, setting the liner hanger, releasing the liner hanger running tool, setting the open hole packers, cementing the upper liner section and then setting the top packer be completed with tremendous accuracy for a successful job. The operator selected a stage tool with a secondary contingency closure mechanism that did not limit the inside diameter through the system. This mechanism would ensure that all stages could still be stimulated if the secondary closure option was required. The use of the stage tool with a liner hanger system required some design modifications; the typical single foam plug, used to displace cement and close the tool in the standard version of the stage tool, was not an option. Instead, the operator required that a separate drill pipe dart and wiper plug assembly be used to displace cement through the drill pipe and the liner. The stage tool was, therefore, redesigned to close with a wiper plug launched from below the liner hanger packer. After open hole conditioning, reaming and logging, the lower completion was run to setting depth and all equipment functioned without any issues. The problematic water producing zone was cemented and isolated and the stage tool was closed without the need to use the secondary closure mechanism. The stage tool was then milled out, leaving the well ready for stimulation. The redesigned tool enabled the operator to effectively cement the upper wellbore with no inside diameter restriction for stimulation. This paper highlights the first introduction of cementing stage tool technology in conjunction with a multistage completion system to an operator in Saudi Arabia and the tool redesign required for accommodating a liner hanger packer in the wellbore. This method could also be applied to any type of lower completion such as sand management screens, inflow control devices or in conjunction with slotted or solid liners as an off-bottom cementing application.

15K Open Hole Multi Stage Fracturing (OH MSF) completion was successfully implemented with the goal of hydrocarbon production at sustained rates from tight HPHT gas formation and to diversify technology portfolio to address similar challenges. OH MSF completion technology has been globally proven successful in enhancing the well design, stimulation efficiency and production. As more wells are being drilled deeper, longer and in more challenging formations, the OH MSF technology also evolved resulting in introduction of a HPHT – 15K psi working pressure - MSF system. The technology had to overcome many challenges before it could be deployed. Pre-deployment stages of this technology have two main components;Standard tool design including material selection, NACE compatibility, dimensions, API standard compliance, testing, and prototypingCompletion construction design, installation challenges & force analysis The candidate well was drilled horizontally to achieve enough formation contact in a tight HPHT formation. Wells with similar poor development have been seen to require upwards of current OH MSF completions reaching to their limits of 10K psi differential pressure downhole to successfully complete with proppant fracturing. Candidate well was planned to be trial tested with 15K OH MSF completion to solve the challenge of high breakdown pressures and to capitalize on the greater productivity of open hole completions across this tight HPHT formation. The proppant fracturing operations resulted in the successful completion of five stages of proppant fracturing in this formation. A total of more than 1.2 million lbs of proppant was placed during hydraulic fracturing operations exceeding 10K differential pressure across the MSF completion. The well showed an excellent post frac flowback results exceeding expectations. Previous wellbore completion pressure limitations in many instances acted as a constraint to reach job objectives has been surmounted. The implementation of 15K OH MSF completion system has helped pave the way to attend tighter formations in an efficient and cost effective manner. Engineering approach and design to develop this completion system and utilization in the right candidate confirmed the benefit of the completion for field development options. The implementation of this technology will improve and diversify the efforts in exploiting tight HPHT formations.