--> Deeper Re-completions Exploited Bypassed Oil in Massive Heavy Oil Reservoir: Case Study

AAPG/SPE Africa Energy and Technology Conference

Datapages, Inc.Print this page

Deeper Re-completions Exploited Bypassed Oil in Massive Heavy Oil Reservoir: Case Study

Abstract

Fula field at Block 6, Sudan contains crude of 16.8 to 19 °API with in-situ viscosity of 497 cp in Bentiu formation. It was on production in March, 2004 and has produced 14% of original oil in place. Massive and unconsolidated sandstones inter-bedded with thin (3 to 13 ft) and discontinuous shales possess high horizontal and vertical permeabilities (2 to 9.53 Darcies). Lateral dimensions of shale bodies range from 1,000 to 2,000 ft. To extend oil production life with water-free, initial development strategy was to perforate the upper and more permeable zones (Perforations are 30% of entire zones) to obtain profitable productivity. After fieldwide water breakthrough, based on the studies of bypassed oil distribution, the following innovative deeper re-completions have been applied in high-water-cut wells (water cut more than 80%) to exploit the bypassed oil zones and new pay zones that have been missed below the existing productive zones. (1). squeeze cement into the existing high-water-cut zones, located at the upper portion of entire pay zones. Those long wormholes communicating with aquifer caused by deep sanding should be cemented. (2). perforate partially the lower portion of pay zones with optimal shot density. 30 to 40% of entire pay zones and shot density of 5 shots per foot are recommended. Perforation tunnel optimization can be run for concrete well conditions. (3). Progressing Cavity Pumps operate at low frequencies less than 30 Hz to regulate proper pressure drawdown less than observed critical value of sanding from field tests and water coning. Field production data indicate that this workover campaign has achieved more than 2-fold oil gain and reducing water cut by 30 to 50% compared to previous water cuts of over 80%, also, water cut plus dynamic fluid level remain relatively stable over 6 months.