TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractAsphaltene deposits were obtained from three high gas/oil ratio (GOR) wells in an offshore field in the Arabian Gulf. The reservoir is saturated and there is a gas-cap present in the field. In many wells the gas cones into the producing wells and causes precipitation of asphaltenes from the crude by stripping. These asphaltenes deposit in the wellbore and have the potential to create plugging problems.This paper describes the results of an investigative study that was initiated to determine the precipitation mechanism and ways to alleviate the deposition problem. Asphaltene precipitation experiments were conducted at reservoir conditions in a special pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) apparatus. The effect of GOR on asphaltene precipitation was determined by titrating the reservoir oil with gas-cap gas. Bulk deposition tests were also performed at different GORs with reservoir fluids. The results demonstrate that the onset of asphaltene precipitation occurs at relatively low GOR values. The amount of asphaltene precipitated at the onset is small. Asphaltene precipitation and deposition increase with increasing GORs. Asphaltene deposition envelopes are provided for the reservoir oil as a function of pressure and temperature. Recommendations were made to alleviate the problem by controlling the maximum producing GORs to less than 1000 scf/stb. Recipes for solvent treatment including asphaltene dispersants are also described in the paper and are currently being considered for implementation in the field.

The purpose of this study is to ascertain customer satisfaction perception of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) adoption by mobile telecom companies in Saudi Arabia. This study surveys more than 440 mobile telecom customers to investigate their opinion about the quality of offered customer services by mobile telecom companies and its impact on customer satisfaction and hence customer. The study concentrates on the main three channels used by mobile companies to provide customer services (customer service offices, phone operator and web site services). Empirical findings present evidence that the quality of customer service significantly affect customer satisfaction and thus customer loyalty. It is found that the majority of customers preferred to use phone operator than office customer services.

As the offshore Saudi Arabia fields mature, more wells are becoming wet and consequently more wells are dying due to water encroachment. These dead wells and associated facilities are valuable assets that need to be effectively utilized throughout the producing life of the fields. Therefore, remedial actions to revive dead wells are vital strategies to maximize revenues. Rigless water shut-off techniques in conventional wells have been successful due to relatively simple wireline interventions. However, water shut-off jobs in horizontal wells are more complicated and are more challenging tasks for oil companies, including Saudi Aramco, due to their associated high cost and cement placement uncertainties. This paper is a study of six years of rigless water shut-off efforts to revive dead wells in Saudi Aramco's Northern Area offshore fields to extend the producing life of the wells and enhance oil recovery. During the study period, 46 rigless water shut-off jobs were executed with a 91% success rate. Of the 46 water shut-off jobs, three jobs were successfully implemented on dead horizontal cased hole wells using coiled tubing (CT). The job success is attributed to proper problem diagnosis, job design and execution, resulting in a significant production gain and workover cost avoidance.

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractIn an effort to improve well production performance targeting recent increases in oil demand, Saudi Aramco implemented several innovative technologies and practices in its offshore assets in the Arabian Gulf. The identified challenges which followed past practices were focused on enhancements to existing well completions, chemical treatments of damaged wells, implementation of Smart field technologies and early detection of casing leaks to enhance wellbore integrity and meet environmental standards. This paper describes the methodologies of four technologies which were tested and implemented in three major offshore fields in Saudi Aramco. These technologies are the use of passive inflow screens combined with swellable packers in horizontal sidetracked wells to prevent premature water or gas encroachment, smart in-situ gas lift completion which utilizes the reservoir gas cap for artificial lift of oil wells, the chemical treatment of wells which endured formation damage and the utilization of a modified ultrasonic tool for early casing leak detection in aged wells equipped with up-hole packers.

As the offshore Saudi Arabia fields mature, more wells are becoming wet and consequently more wells are dying due to water encroachment. These dead wells and associated facilities are valuable assets that need to be effectively utilized throughout the producing life of the fields. Therefore, remedial actions to revive dead wells are vital strategies to maximize revenues. Rigless water shut-off techniques in conventional wells have been successful due to relatively simple wireline interventions. However, water shut-off jobs in horizontal wells are more complicated and are more challenging tasks for oil companies, including Saudi Aramco, due to their associated high cost and cement placement uncertainties. This paper is a study of six years of rigless water shut-off efforts to revive dead wells in Saudi Aramco's Northern Area offshore fields to extend the producing life of the wells and enhance oil recovery. During the study period, 46 rigless water shut-off jobs were executed with a 91% success rate. Of the 46 water shut-off jobs, three jobs were successfully implemented on dead horizontal cased hole wells using coiled tubing (CT). The job success is attributed to proper problem diagnosis, job design and execution, resulting in a significant production gain and workover cost avoidance.