To maintain profitability in the development of marginal fields, many new technologies and concepts have been exploited. One of the most promising technologies has been the "Intelligent Well Concept," which allows the operator to produce, monitor and control the production of hydrocarbons through remotely operated completion systems. These systems are developed with techniques that allow the well architecture to be reconfigured at will and real-time data to be acquired without any well intervention. This paper concerns a case history in the Gulf of Mexico in which an operator was able to justify completion of marginal wells based upon the cost savings generated from innovative technologies. The completion methods chosen for this development were successful because of careful preplanning for all phases of the completion scenario and proved that close interaction among all suppliers and parties involved in the actual equipment purchasing, interface issues, and all operational strategies is critical for project success. These topics will be discussed in depth. Detailed test programs were implemented during the design and manufacturing processes to eliminate field failures. In this case, testing revealed system issues that ultimately led to the use of an alternative design. Also shown is the importance of allowing the proper amount of time to adequately plan and test these systems for their specific applications in order to assure delivery of a design that can meet the functional requirements for that application. In this case, although the system design was changed, the original functional goals were met. Two wells in this field were completed in April and July 1999. An additional well may be completed in early 2000. Introduction This case history is the first in the Gulf of Mexico in which intelligent completion technology was used. The field is located offshore in approximately 3300 ft of water. Fig. 1 indicates field location. The field is comprised of sand units that are vertically and laterally discontinuous across the breadth of the field. With the need for multiple take points in the layered reservoir system, the operator had developed a depletion plan, which described the order in which the different zones would be accessed to maximize both reserves and upfront production. It had been recognized early on that there was a need for lower overall cost solutions to develop this field because of its marginal reserves. Many innovative techniques from the incorporation of a mini-TLP platform to unique pipeline systems were planned, and it was felt that the use of intelligent completion systems could maximize field development. Fig. 2 illustrates the intelligent well configuration used in this field. The wells were to be completed with stacked gravel packs to produce two independent zones. The intelligent completion would allow the operator to monitor pressure and temperature from either zone and to produce from the lower zone, the upper zone, both zones, or neither. The wells were also to be completed in different sands to optimize current well location and to maximize producing and sustainable production rates. The zones were completed simultaneously with the intelligent completion system run as part of the production tubing string. This was done to minimize and/or eliminate the need for future well interventions to initiate changes in production from either of the producing intervals. Pre-Planning As stated earlier, the use of intelligent completion technology requires a different and more involved type of pre-planning than "conventional" completion work.1 The intelligent completion directly affects the subsea interface, tubing hanger, the umbilical to the production vessel or platform, topsides, and the permanent completion itself. Thus, it is important to start in-depth planning early in the life of the project to effectively interface multiple systems.

To maintain profitability in the development of marginal fields, many new technologies and concepts have been exploited. One of the most promising technologies has been the "Intelligent Well Concept," which allows the operator to produce, monitor, and control the production of hydrocarbons through remotely operated completion systems. These systems are developed with techniques that allow the well architecture to be reconfigured at will and real-time data to be acquired without any well intervention. This paper concerns a case history in the Gulf of Mexico in which an operator was able to justify completion of marginal wells based on the cost savings generated from innovative technologies. from the master control station (MCS) to a control system subsea.Power (both electric and hydraulic) and communication are transmitted subsea via an electrohydraulic umbilical before being "split off" to individual wellheads or production manifolds.

To maintain profitability in the development of marginal fields, many new technologies and concepts have been exploited. One of the most promising technologies has been the "Intelligent Well Concept," which allows the operator to produce, monitor and control the production of hydrocarbons through remotely operated completion systems. These systems are developed with techniques that allow the well architecture to be reconfigured at will and real-time data to be acquired without any well intervention. This paper concerns a case history in the Gulf of Mexico in which an operator was able to justify completion of marginal wells based upon the cost savings generated from innovative technologies. The completion methods chosen for this development were successful because of careful preplanning for all phases of the completion scenario and proved that close interaction among all suppliers and parties involved in the actual equipment purchasing, interface issues, and all operational strategies is critical for project success. These topics will be discussed in depth. Detailed test programs were implemented during the design and manufacturing processes to eliminate field failures. In this case, testing revealed system issues that ultimately led to the use of an alternative design. Also shown is the importance of allowing the proper amount of time to adequately plan and test these systems for their specific applications in order to assure delivery of a design that can meet the functional requirements for that application. In this case, although the system design was changed, the original functional goals were met. Two wells in this field were completed in April and July 1999. An additional well may be completed in early 2000. Introduction This case history is the first in the Gulf of Mexico in which intelligent completion technology was used. The field is located offshore in approximately 3300 ft of water. Fig. 1 indicates field location. The field is comprised of sand units that are vertically and laterally discontinuous across the breadth of the field. With the need for multiple take points in the layered reservoir system, the operator had developed a depletion plan, which described the order in which the different zones would be accessed to maximize both reserves and upfront production. It had been recognized early on that there was a need for lower overall cost solutions to develop this field because of its marginal reserves. Many innovative techniques from the incorporation of a mini-TLP platform to unique pipeline systems were planned, and it was felt that the use of intelligent completion systems could maximize field development. Fig. 2 shows an intelligent well configuration used in this field. The wells were to be completed with stacked gravel packs to produce two independent zones. The intelligent completion would allow the operator to monitor pressure and temperature from either zone and to produce from the lower zone, the upper zone, both zones, or neither. The wells were also to be completed in different sands to optimize current well location and to maximize producing and sustainable production rates. The zones were completed simultaneously with the intelligent completion system run as part of the production tubing string. This was done to minimize and/or eliminate the need for future well interventions to initiate changes in production from either of the producing intervals. Pre-Planning As stated earlier, the use of intelligent completion technology requires a different and more involved type of pre-planning than "conventional" completion work.1 The intelligent completion directly affects the subsea interface, tubing hanger, the umbilical to the production vessel or platform, topsides, and the permanent completion itself. Thus, it is important to start in-depth planning early in the life of the project to effectively interface multiple systems.

For most of the ten years since market introduction, the majority of intelligent completion systems have been custom-designed and manufactured to meet the specific requirements of the customer. Customization was a natural step in the evolution of the technology, as operators tested usability and reliability in individual wells that reflected unique environments and challenges. Each situation was different, and the technology developed more or less in answer to those distinct demands (Figure 1); consequently, the experience base grew and the capabilities expanded. As intelligent completion technology has "crossed the chasm"1 from the early adopter stage to mainstream market acceptance - growing from its early usage almost entirely for intervention avoidance to its current use as a primary component in optimizing production - demands for customization have kept pace (Figure 2). Customers are looking today for the best well solutions available - not just the latest technology. Meeting this demand often means providing more holistic solutions, usually with some degree of customization factored in, and generally at the most cost-effective rate. But an interesting, and perhaps game-changing, trend has developed in parallel. Like users of most popular technologies, operators are now demanding that intelligent completion systems be designed more rapidly, manufactured more cheaply, and delivered sooner - all at lower prices. To these users, the technology has evolved from a costly customized solution to a commodity that can be cost-effectively and rapidly produced and delivered. This emerging theme of dual manufacturing models - one for customization, one for commodity - leaves suppliers of intelligent completion technology with a puzzle: how to satisfy a market that demands customization at a commodity price, while still delivering high-quality, innovative products that can support the industry in the future.