Application and design of passive inflow control devices on the Eni Goliat oil producer wells

Abstract

During the recent years installation of ICD completions has become more common in new wells. ICDs have proven to be an operationally simple and reliable completion solution. The primary benefits of installing ICDs are increased hydrocarbon production, reduced water production and balanced inflow from the entire reservoir section. Other benefits are a better cleanup, reduced annular velocity and thereby reduced risk of screen erosion. This thesis considers the application of ICDs on the Goliat field development. Two oil producer wells have been selected for detailed studies; KP7 and KP9. A number of sensitivities have been run for the two wells. Sensitivities on number and size of ICD nozzles, changes in GOR, WC and pressure depletion, changes in permeability and changes in well length has been done. Both wells have been studied using NEToolTM software, but only KP7 have been studied using EclipseTM. Several time steps in NEToolTM have been investigated to achieve the best understanding of the well behaviour. A recommended completion set up for the two wells have been put forward. In the recommended completion set up ICDs, open hole packers and blank pipe has been used. For KP7 the best result proved to be a uniform ICD solution (i.e. same ICD sizing along the well). In KP9 a tailor made ICD solution gave the best results (i.e. different ICD sizes along the well).