First Installation of Expandable Anchor System in ERD Multilateral Well for UAE

Abstract

The use of multilateral technology provides a major increase in recovery and economic viability of oil and gas reserves. This is provided by increasing reservoir exposure, optimizing production rates, reducing CAPEX by enabling more laterals per surface slots, and giving the ability to add branches to existing wells in mature fields. Multilateral technology provides two means for reliably placing a junction; the Latch Coupling which is run in new wells, and the Expandable Anchor Packer (XAP) which is installed in existing casing. The XAP has various benefits, such as retrofitting existing wells, reducing trips by deployment of lower completion on the anchor, and the ability to anchor multilateral equipment without rotation. The XAP system was first developed and deployed in 2019 with now 50 installations worldwide. This paper will aim to discuss the first installation of this system in a dual lateral well in the UAE. The well casing architecture presented the challenge of high free rotating torque due to the high junction depth, which caused challenges for the latch-in operations using the Latch Coupling option. A solution on short notice was needed to overcome this challenge, and the 9-5/8″ XAP was recognized as the best for the application and was globally sourced and procured in time for the operation. The completion design for the well required a means of isolating the lower drain while the upper drain was being drilled. A glass disk was installed in the tail of 9-5/8″ XAP, with ports above it to provide means for circulation while positioning the 9-5/8″ XAP. The ports were then isolated after the anchor was set. This successful installation provided the first XAP for the operator and the UAE, and the deepest multilateral junction in Middle East at 14,578 ft MD. Another innovative tool design was the utilization of a three-way cross-over adapter below the XAP to overcome the buckling effects of tubing movement during well injection load case. The well was safely completed with zero non-productive time (NPT) during multilateral operations. This multilateral well represents the use of an innovative dual string design, allowing for dual interventions in both legs. It has set the stage for future projects to implement lower completion on the XAP, thereby decreasing installation time.