Multizone Open Hole Gravel Pack Completion with Selective Production Capability in ACG Field – Azerbaijan

Abstract

Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) is a giant field located in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea. The major reservoir zones are multi layers sandstone formations and weakly consolidated where Open Hole Gravel Pack (OHGP) completions have become the standard design for production wells. To date more than 170 high rate OHGPs have been completed that are producing comingled from multi-layered sandstone formation. As the field matures, problems such as premature water and gas breakthrough are becoming increasingly common requiring the completion system to be inherently flexible to address such issues. The Multi Zone OHGP concept design has been developed to manage this increasing reservoir management complexity. Zonal isolation and selective production capability are achieved by installing combination of multiple Screen PBR and/or open hole packer in combination with seals unit and mechanical sliding sleeve in the inner string at the intermediate completion, and Inflow Control Valve (ICV) at the upper completion. To date, two Multizone OHGP wells have been completed successfully. The Screen PBR system has proved to provide effective zonal isolation or baffling. This system allows flexibility to deal with unexpected reservoir surprise (wet/gas zone) that requires zonal isolation on day-1 without major changes in completion design, thus reducing rig time & operational cost. This paper discusses design, execution, and result of the first two Multizone OHGP completions installed in the ACG Field. Installing multiple Screen PBR to provide baffling against crossflow is a novel concept. This technique does not compromise gravel pack quality or sand control integrity. The success seen with this technique makes a compelling case to further develop the concept on a larger scale in ACG and maximize field recovery.