Progressively, the oil and gas industry is producing from unconventional reservoirs with low permeability in numerous small pay zones that require close well spacing and multiple stimulations in each well. To effectively produce from such reservoirs and reduce the surface footprint, ExxonMobil has drilled multiple wells from single pads, and new technologies have been developed to efficiently stimulate the multiple pay zones in each well. ExxonMobil has developed and licensed Multi-Zone Stimulation Technologies (MZST), which are designed to efficiently stimulate wells with multiple pays zones. The technologies have been applied in fracturing tight gas reservoirs with numerous lenticular sands in the Rocky Mountains. We have also developed a technology that enables the simultaneous stimulation of multiple wells on the same or different well pads, and while drilling additional wells. The benefits of this technology include reduced environmental impact, time saving, and improved production rates. Most importantly we have demonstrated that these simultaneous operations can be conducted in a safe and responsible manner to ensure the highest standards of operations integrity. This paper introduces the method and apparatus for this technology and discusses the results from several years of field applications, including the Piceance Basin. Some specific elements of the simultaneous operations safety plan will also be provided. Introduction Worldwide, substantial oil and gas resources are contained in low permeability formations. Many of these resources are characterized by thick intervals and/or multiple reservoir targets. In addition, matrix or fracture stimulation treatments are typically required to effectively and optimally produce these resources. However, the increased geologic and reservoir heterogeneities present in these resources can lead to substantial challenges in the stimulation treatment operations and effectiveness. Over the last several decades, industry has invested substantial research in attempts to develop new drilling and completion technologies for application in tight gas sand reservoirs. Various government and industry studies indicate a vast amount of tight gas resources exist within the United States alone, with similar resources located outside the U.S. Examples of such resources are found widely distributed in the western United States, and include the Green River, Piceance, Wind River and Uinta Basins.

MazeFlo™ technology enables a sand control screen to self-mitigate mechanical damage and improve reliability in sand-prone well production. A self-mitigating screen uses redundant sand control screens and compartment baffles to restrict the effects of any mechanical screen failure to a local compartment. The hydrocarbon flow continues intact through the remaining undamaged screen compartments. This innovative, patented technology is being commercialized in collaboration with a selected service company. This paper reviews the initial design and development of the self-mitigating screen prototype. The screen design balances flow hydraulics, well performance, mechanical integrity, and manufacturing complexity all while maintaining practical screen dimensions. Successful self-mitigation, after failure of an outer screen, requires that the incoming sand packs a compartment to shut off the flow path before any significant erosion occurs along the flow path to the redundant inner screen. The baffles are configured to both redirect fluid momentum from any "hot spot" inflow at the outer screen and impose a minimal friction loss during production through undamaged compartments. Each component in a compartment is designed to sustain erosion from the incoming sand of a failed outer screen. The offset outer and redundant inner screens are sized to minimize the impact on productivity when compared to conventional screens. The mechanical strength of the self-mitigating sand screen is also targeted to be equivalent to conventional screens. Development of the self-mitigating screen prototype is proceeding and includes extensive qualification by multiple modeling techniques and physical testing. The innovative, self-mitigating capability expands the current operating limits of screens in sand control completions. In a broader view, the self-mitigating screen enhances overall reliability and longevity and can be integrated with other emerging technologies such as openhole zonal isolation, inflow control, and intelligent wells for enhanced production flexibility. MazeFlo sand screens will expand ExxonMobil's suite of innovative sand control solutions that include Alternate Path® technology, NAFPacSM process, openhole gravel packing with zonal isolation, and customizable sand control for extreme length completions and injection conformance.

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