The downside of the conventional perforating method with explosive charges and guns is that it is risky. In addition to this, the method has a negative effect on the near wellbore permeability, and it creates mechanical damage. The impact stress associated with shaped charge and the outward travelling shock wave weakens the rock matrix, which increases the risk of sand production. Another negative impact of the shape charge is the creation of a low permeability zone, in which sand grains are forced toward the vicinity of the perforation chamber. For example, a perforation process with a 55% permeability reduction around the perforation tunnel led to 60% reduction in well productivity. An intended large underbalance differential pressure offers, to some extent, a solution to clean up the crushed zone. However, the de-bonded and weakened structure of the damaged zone is irreversible. The required surge pressure to clean up the perforations varies from 200 to 5,000 psi, because not all the perforations react the same way.On the other hand, built-in nozzles cause no damage to the formation, because no charge or shock is imposed to the formation. Furthermore, there is no longer an impact from underbalance or overbalance pressure differential between wellbore and formation. In this paper, we will introduce the engineering and mechanism of built-in casing (BIC) nozzles. With BIC, nozzles are activated from surface with deployment of specific activation tools. Once the tool engages with the targeted profile, the nozzles are opened and projected to the wellbore fluid. With circulation of cement-dissolving fluid, cement breaks and formation connection is initiated. Quantity and size of nozzles are engineered as per downhole production design criteria.In unconsolidated or poorly consolidated reservoirs, the strength of the rock structure should be evaluated to reduce the risk of sand production. Ultimately, the differential pressure shall be high enough to effectively clean the perforations, but not so high as to cause sand production.As mentioned above, there are a great deal of scenarios and variable parameters involved in perforation with shape charges that have to be taken into consideration to ensure an effectively performing set of perforations. Because such a study and remedial approaches are costly and not always guarantee results, an alternative method is to use BIC perforations.

In close cooperation with a major international operating company, the service company specialising in completion Sliding Sleeve technology has developed a completion system that facilitates efficient Multistage Stimulation, and allows production management and re-fracing/stimulation of individual zones. The field wide implementation of the system has yielded a step change for the operator in terms of operational efficiencies, production management and re-fracing/intervention capabilities. This paper will present the successful technology implementation on a giant North Sea chalk oilfield. A collaborative approach was taken, with close dialogue between the operating company and the service company, in defining the system requirements for the desired completion and stimulation methodology. Design criteria for tools were developed, validation testing and product qualification of the individual components followed by field trials were conducted. Throughout the process, a detailed focus on job preparation, execution and integration with the overall well construction and stimulation process was essential in ensuring the successful technology implementation. This paper will discuss the technology development and implementation project resulting in two reservoir completion systems being installed in more than 27 wells in the same field. One of the systems is a cemented multi entry ball drop system, the other is a cased hole single entry ball drop system. The process of technology implementation with focus on various case histories is presented. The installation and operational sequences and challenges that have been encountered will also be discussed. The paper will provide insight into how these systems provide unique benefits to the operator during the following phases of the wells life: Completion - Sleeve design and qualification grade significantly reduces completion steps and cost for the operator.Stimulation - stimulation efficiency provides dramatically reduced opex compared to alternative methods.Production Management - the system has built in features that allow management of unwanted production by cost efficient intervention method.Re-Stimulation - controlled re-stimulation of individual zones is possible. This paper will present the collaborative development and field wide implementation of cemented and uncemented Multistage Stimulation Technology that has rapidly gained operator acceptance and realized significant cost savings to the operator. Both the technology and methodology used and the results achieved should be of interest to the petroleum industry.

The liner shoe is a critical component of the lower completion architecture, allowing for auto-filling of the liner and enabling circulation during deployment, followed by closure to provide a closed system. Advancements in completion technologies have resulted in the development of an intelligent electronic liner shoe (ELS) that can be remotely operated without the need for intervention or pumping trigger devices downhole. The electronic liner shoe suited for deployment on 4½-in. liner was developed based on specific requirements from a major operator in the middle east. The electronic liner shoe was qualified per ISO 14998/API 19AC requirements up to 280°F. Additionally, the electronics module incorporated in the tool was vibration and shock tested at temperature. After an extensive qualification test program and thorough pre-job qualification and planning, candidate wells were chosen for the initial deployment of the ELS in Onshore wells. The ELS was first deployed in November 2020 in the Bab field in UAE. This paper highlights the excellent deployment performance using ELS for the onshore field development in UAE. This paper also presents the operational considerations for programming the remote activation mechanism, pre-job risk analysis, technology qualification, and post-job lessons from the first installation, resulting in the ELS’ successful deployment in six additional wells in the onshore fields. The paper also shares the unique benefits the ELS provided the operator towards enhancing operational efficiency, as well as reducing risk and costs associated with running liners.

A toe initiation sleeve is a tool installed in the toe of a completion liner and is used to establish a flowpath to the reservoir without the use of intervention. Conventional toe initiation sleeves require either intervention or increasing pressure to higher than the liner test pressure to activate. These methods have inherent cost and operational risks. This paper will present the development, qualification, and deployment of a multicycle, time-delay cementable toe initiation sleeve that allows for interventionless activation without exceeding the liner test pressure. This development greatly improves operational efficiency and eliminates risk associated with conventional toe initiation sleeves. A major operator in the North Sea required an ISO V0 rated toe initiation sleeve to be developed and qualified. Design criteria for the tool was identified, and the design was developed based on field-qualified seal technology. Individual component and full-scale validation testing was performed to complete the product qualification, followed by field trials in 2019. With its unique time-delay feature, the newly developed ATS (Advanced Toe Sleeve) allows for an unlimited number of pressure cycles to be performed while also keeping the well V0 barrier in place, and activates at below liner test pressure. This paper will discuss the technology development and implementation project, resulting in ISO 14998 V0-qualified cemented ATS being installed in nearly 40 wells in the same field. This paper will also provide insight into how the ATS provides unique benefits to the operator during various phases of the well's life. Cementing: One moving part and opening sleeve isolated from the inside diameter (ID) allow for pumping darts through the ATS without the risk of opening Setting liner/testing liner: Time-delay features allow for setting liner and testing the liner at higher pressures than ATS opening pressure. Well cleanup/displacing to lower density fluid: Time-delay function allows for opening the ATS at lower pressure than the well has seen during previous operations. Completion: ATS design and qualification grade reduce completion steps and costs for the operator. Stimulation: ATS eliminates the need for intervention, reducing the operational steps and costs for the operator. The advanced toe sleeve with built-in time-delay features maintains the liner integrity throughout the various well operations. The number of available pressure cycles can be predetermined, and the activation of the various cycles can be precisely controlled thereby also controlling when the tool is activated to achieve injectivity. This paper will present the development and field-wide implementation of the ATS technology, which has rapidly gained operator acceptance and resulted in significant time and cost savings.

To access a larger amount of pay zone, well trajectories are becoming longer and more complex, creating greater challenges for running completion liners. A liner shoe is a casing accessory tool that aids in the running of completion liners in long wells by allowing auto-filling of the liner and enabling pumping through the bottom of the liner. Upon reaching planned liner depth, the liner shoe is closed to allow for pressure testing and subsequent completion operations. Conventional methods used to close a liner shoe involve well intervention to set plugs or by dropping a ball, and there are inherent costs and risks associated with these operations. This paper presents the development and deployment of a remotely activated electronic liner shoe (ELS) for offshore applications that enables interventionless closing of the liner shoe, thereby improving operational efficiency, and reducing potential operational issues that could occur while closing the liner shoe conventionally. The ELS allows the operator to precisely control when the liner shoe closes – either based on pre-programmed pressure signals, a timer, or a combination of the two. A major operator in the Middle East required an ELS to be developed and qualified specifically for their offshore well conditions. A new technology qualification program was devised in collaboration with the operator to qualify both the electronic and mechanical functionalities of the tool. This paper documents the methods and results of the extensive qualification test program. The development and qualification process were successfully completed within 10 months at research and development facilities in Norway. Following qualification testing, the ELS was first deployed for the operator in an offshore well in Q4 of 2019. Operational considerations in programming the remote functionality of the tool is presented in this paper. After a successful field trial, the ELS has been run in more than 15 offshore wells and has become the standard option in the operator's completion program.