Shaelyn Gordon, Adriana Hightower, SPE
Nadine Macklin, Baker Hughes
Copyright 2014, Society of Petroleum Engineers. Reprinted from the Journal of Petroleum Technology with permission.
This deals with Boiler feed pumps used in power plants .
contains details about the KHI and FK series pumps , technical parameters and maintenance prctices followed for these pumps
This presentation is a talk given at the 14 November Philadelphia area AIChE meeting. Chemical engineers, especially those in the US, are increasingly being asked to develop incremental increases in plant capacity, say up to 20%. Many plants are now running at maximum capacity, yet tight capital funding and requirements for short payback periods make it difficult to have large investment for new, grassroots facilities. In some cases, engineers need to meet demand increments much less than the capacity of a new plant, while further demand growth is uncertain. The manufacturer must then choose the appropriate capacity increment, instead of overdesigning Debottlenecking projects are undertaken to deliver these capacity increases, by implementing select changes to specific parts of a plant to relieve restrictions. In this session, we will discuss tools and analyses for assessing the process bottlenecks. We will address means of debottlenecking numerous unit operations, while listing points often forgotten in such projects. Finally we will discuss how debottlenecking projects are different from conventional grass roots projects, while treating the practical aspects of how to manage such projects. A list of references is included for further, deeper study. Many of the facts and figures presented in the talk were taken from these references.
Key words:
capacity, debottlenecking, process engineering, chemical projects optimization, asset utilization, theory of constraints, TOC, revamp, distillation, fouling, throughput, practical
Intelligent well completion is emerging technology in E&P sector. It helps to reduce well interventions thus to save project cost. This technology has shown enormous potential in subsea development and marginal field developments.
This deals with Boiler feed pumps used in power plants .
contains details about the KHI and FK series pumps , technical parameters and maintenance prctices followed for these pumps
This presentation is a talk given at the 14 November Philadelphia area AIChE meeting. Chemical engineers, especially those in the US, are increasingly being asked to develop incremental increases in plant capacity, say up to 20%. Many plants are now running at maximum capacity, yet tight capital funding and requirements for short payback periods make it difficult to have large investment for new, grassroots facilities. In some cases, engineers need to meet demand increments much less than the capacity of a new plant, while further demand growth is uncertain. The manufacturer must then choose the appropriate capacity increment, instead of overdesigning Debottlenecking projects are undertaken to deliver these capacity increases, by implementing select changes to specific parts of a plant to relieve restrictions. In this session, we will discuss tools and analyses for assessing the process bottlenecks. We will address means of debottlenecking numerous unit operations, while listing points often forgotten in such projects. Finally we will discuss how debottlenecking projects are different from conventional grass roots projects, while treating the practical aspects of how to manage such projects. A list of references is included for further, deeper study. Many of the facts and figures presented in the talk were taken from these references.
Key words:
capacity, debottlenecking, process engineering, chemical projects optimization, asset utilization, theory of constraints, TOC, revamp, distillation, fouling, throughput, practical
Intelligent well completion is emerging technology in E&P sector. It helps to reduce well interventions thus to save project cost. This technology has shown enormous potential in subsea development and marginal field developments.
The problem of water and gas coning has plagued the petroleum industry for decades. Water or gas encroachment in oil zone and thus simultaneous production of oil & water or oil & gas is a major technical, environmental and economic problems associated with oil and gas production. This can limit the productive life of the oil and gas wells and can cause severe problems including corrosion of tubulars, fine migration, hydrostatic loading etc. The environmental impact of handling, treating and disposing of the produced water can seriously affect the economics of the production. Commonly, the reservoirs have an aquifer beneath the zone of hydrocarbon. While producing from oil zone, there develops a low pressure zone as a result of which the water zone starts coning upwards and gas zone cones down towards the production perforation in oil zone and thus reducing the oil production. Pressure enhanced capillary transition zone enlargement around the wellbore is responsible for the concurrent production. This also results in the loss of water drive and gas drive to a certain extent.
Numerous technologies have been developed to control unwanted water and gas coning. In order to design an effective strategy to control the coning of oil or gas, it is important to understand the mechanism of coning of oil and gas in reservoirs by developing a model of it. Non-Darcy flow effect (NDFE), vertical permeability, aquifer size, density of well perforation, and flow behind casing increase water coning/inflow to wells in homogeneous gas reservoirs with bottom water are important factors to consider. There are several methods to slow down coning of water and/or gas such as producing at a certain critical rate, polymer injection, Downhole Water Sink (DWS) technology etc.
Shubham Saxena
B.Tech. petroleum Engineering
IIT (ISM) Dhanbad
Field Experience from a Biotechnology Approach to Water Flood ImprovementBill-NewAERO
Abstract
This paper is based on a field implementation in the United States of a biological process for improving waterflood performance. The Activated Environment for Recovery Optimization (“AERO™”) System is being developed by Glori in collaboration with Statoil and derives its roots from a microbial enhanced oil recovery technology developed and successfully implemented by Statoil offshore Norway. Unique among IOR technologies, AERO implementation requires virtually no capital investment and achieves high performance efficiencies at low operational cost. The simplicity of setup allows pilot project implementation creating a very low risk entry point for the operator.
A pilot project was selected for a controlled investigation of the performance and impact. Robust testing was done in both water and oil phases prior to treatment, confirming the potential for improved sweep and conformance from the project. Subsequent implementation resulted in decreased water cut and increased oil recovery observable both at the wellhead and allocated pilot levels.
This paper summarizes a rigorous analysis of the pilot project‟s performance to date, concluding that the production improvement should be credited to the implementation of the AERO™ System.
New AERO Technology (www.new-aero.com) is a green biotech company focusing on the recovery of oil more efficiently and effectively as well as wastewater treatment, contaminated soil/mud remediation and related data science. The AERO™ (Activated Environment for Recovery of Oil) technology was a recipient of 10 prestigious innovation awards since 2013. Earlier this year, the technology was named the top technology breakthroughs by CNPC and passed technical and projects evaluating phases for a $149 million US DOE LPO for Advanced Fossil Fuels.
The AERO™ is a low-cost, low-risk, easy to deploy bio-technology that builds on successful projects by Statoil and Glori Energy since the 1990s and has proven to be effective in enhancing the recovery of residual oil from active reservoirs that are undergoing waterflood in North Sea, USA, Canada and Brazil oilfields.
Company details
Website
http://www.new-aero.com
Email:bill.chang@new-aero.com
4315 South Dr. Houston, TX, 77053
Specialties
EOR, biotech, Wax removal, Produced water management, clean tech, production enhancement, low-cost EOR, scale removal, Lithium, microbe, and MEOR
Air / Steam Regeneration Procedure for Primary Reforming CcatalystGerard B. Hawkins
VULCAN Series VSG-Z101 Primary Reforming
Air steam regeneration procedures can be used either on start-up of a reformer after it has cooled, or can be done in the shut down process.
AIR STEAM REGENERATION ON SHUT DOWN
AIR STEAM REGENERATION ON START-UP
HPHT Casing and Tubing: Standards and Specifications – Presented by Stuart Co...Jj HanXue
Key topics presented include:
• HPHT wells are now being developed by a larger number of operators
• Casing and connections provide the barriers to maintain well integrity. Material and Connection Selection depend on the risk profile
• The optimum value is defined by the operator following the assessment of the risks
This presentation gives a brief overview of the selection, qualification and manufacturing of both the pipe and connections, including additional aspects that should be included for HPHT wells.
For the complete presentation, visit http://bit.ly/M4I0Pa.
For more information, please visit http://www.hphtwells.com/ss-brochure.
Intelligent Fields: A New Era for Oil and Gas Field Developmentfhmutairi
This presentation was given to the faculty of The College of Engineering and Petroleum in Kuwait University on 3rd December 2008. It\'s a bit general since it was given to the whole faculty and students not just Petroleum professionals.
This presentation was given at the Philadelphia AiChE continuing education meeting of 23 April 2018. HiGee (high gravity) technology for gas-liquid mass transfer is discussed, as one means of process intensification. The history of its development is treated, along explanation of the technology and the evolution of the equipment designs. Literature examples of applications are listed, with some data for a few of these, comparing to conventional distillation and mass-transfer technologies. An evaluation of the technology is given. While fouling services may be a challenge, this technology would have a place in certain applications in US industry.
LOADING AND START-UP: ADSORBENTS AND ADSORPTION UNITS
PHILOSOPHY
PACKAGING AND INSPECTION
LOADING
1.1 Vessel Inspection
1.2 Loading of Bottom Support Material
1.3 Loading of Sieve
1.4 Special Precautions in the Case of PSA and VPSA Applications
1.5 Loading of Top Support Material
1.6 The vessel should then be closed in ready for process start-up.
2. START-UP
2.1 Check list before Commencing Start-up
3. INITIAL REGENERATION
3.1 Regeneration Gas Availability
3.2 Initial Regeneration Procedure
4. PROCESS START-UP
Key Process Considerations for Pipeline Design BasisVijay Sarathy
Prior to venturing into an oil & gas pipeline project, the project team would require a design basis, based on which the project is to proceed. Oil & Gas Pipeline design begins with a route survey including engineering & environmental assessments. The following document provides a few key considerations for process engineers to keep in mind, the factors that matter when preparing a pipeline design basis from a process standpoint.
The problem of water and gas coning has plagued the petroleum industry for decades. Water or gas encroachment in oil zone and thus simultaneous production of oil & water or oil & gas is a major technical, environmental and economic problems associated with oil and gas production. This can limit the productive life of the oil and gas wells and can cause severe problems including corrosion of tubulars, fine migration, hydrostatic loading etc. The environmental impact of handling, treating and disposing of the produced water can seriously affect the economics of the production. Commonly, the reservoirs have an aquifer beneath the zone of hydrocarbon. While producing from oil zone, there develops a low pressure zone as a result of which the water zone starts coning upwards and gas zone cones down towards the production perforation in oil zone and thus reducing the oil production. Pressure enhanced capillary transition zone enlargement around the wellbore is responsible for the concurrent production. This also results in the loss of water drive and gas drive to a certain extent.
Numerous technologies have been developed to control unwanted water and gas coning. In order to design an effective strategy to control the coning of oil or gas, it is important to understand the mechanism of coning of oil and gas in reservoirs by developing a model of it. Non-Darcy flow effect (NDFE), vertical permeability, aquifer size, density of well perforation, and flow behind casing increase water coning/inflow to wells in homogeneous gas reservoirs with bottom water are important factors to consider. There are several methods to slow down coning of water and/or gas such as producing at a certain critical rate, polymer injection, Downhole Water Sink (DWS) technology etc.
Shubham Saxena
B.Tech. petroleum Engineering
IIT (ISM) Dhanbad
Field Experience from a Biotechnology Approach to Water Flood ImprovementBill-NewAERO
Abstract
This paper is based on a field implementation in the United States of a biological process for improving waterflood performance. The Activated Environment for Recovery Optimization (“AERO™”) System is being developed by Glori in collaboration with Statoil and derives its roots from a microbial enhanced oil recovery technology developed and successfully implemented by Statoil offshore Norway. Unique among IOR technologies, AERO implementation requires virtually no capital investment and achieves high performance efficiencies at low operational cost. The simplicity of setup allows pilot project implementation creating a very low risk entry point for the operator.
A pilot project was selected for a controlled investigation of the performance and impact. Robust testing was done in both water and oil phases prior to treatment, confirming the potential for improved sweep and conformance from the project. Subsequent implementation resulted in decreased water cut and increased oil recovery observable both at the wellhead and allocated pilot levels.
This paper summarizes a rigorous analysis of the pilot project‟s performance to date, concluding that the production improvement should be credited to the implementation of the AERO™ System.
New AERO Technology (www.new-aero.com) is a green biotech company focusing on the recovery of oil more efficiently and effectively as well as wastewater treatment, contaminated soil/mud remediation and related data science. The AERO™ (Activated Environment for Recovery of Oil) technology was a recipient of 10 prestigious innovation awards since 2013. Earlier this year, the technology was named the top technology breakthroughs by CNPC and passed technical and projects evaluating phases for a $149 million US DOE LPO for Advanced Fossil Fuels.
The AERO™ is a low-cost, low-risk, easy to deploy bio-technology that builds on successful projects by Statoil and Glori Energy since the 1990s and has proven to be effective in enhancing the recovery of residual oil from active reservoirs that are undergoing waterflood in North Sea, USA, Canada and Brazil oilfields.
Company details
Website
http://www.new-aero.com
Email:bill.chang@new-aero.com
4315 South Dr. Houston, TX, 77053
Specialties
EOR, biotech, Wax removal, Produced water management, clean tech, production enhancement, low-cost EOR, scale removal, Lithium, microbe, and MEOR
Air / Steam Regeneration Procedure for Primary Reforming CcatalystGerard B. Hawkins
VULCAN Series VSG-Z101 Primary Reforming
Air steam regeneration procedures can be used either on start-up of a reformer after it has cooled, or can be done in the shut down process.
AIR STEAM REGENERATION ON SHUT DOWN
AIR STEAM REGENERATION ON START-UP
HPHT Casing and Tubing: Standards and Specifications – Presented by Stuart Co...Jj HanXue
Key topics presented include:
• HPHT wells are now being developed by a larger number of operators
• Casing and connections provide the barriers to maintain well integrity. Material and Connection Selection depend on the risk profile
• The optimum value is defined by the operator following the assessment of the risks
This presentation gives a brief overview of the selection, qualification and manufacturing of both the pipe and connections, including additional aspects that should be included for HPHT wells.
For the complete presentation, visit http://bit.ly/M4I0Pa.
For more information, please visit http://www.hphtwells.com/ss-brochure.
Intelligent Fields: A New Era for Oil and Gas Field Developmentfhmutairi
This presentation was given to the faculty of The College of Engineering and Petroleum in Kuwait University on 3rd December 2008. It\'s a bit general since it was given to the whole faculty and students not just Petroleum professionals.
This presentation was given at the Philadelphia AiChE continuing education meeting of 23 April 2018. HiGee (high gravity) technology for gas-liquid mass transfer is discussed, as one means of process intensification. The history of its development is treated, along explanation of the technology and the evolution of the equipment designs. Literature examples of applications are listed, with some data for a few of these, comparing to conventional distillation and mass-transfer technologies. An evaluation of the technology is given. While fouling services may be a challenge, this technology would have a place in certain applications in US industry.
LOADING AND START-UP: ADSORBENTS AND ADSORPTION UNITS
PHILOSOPHY
PACKAGING AND INSPECTION
LOADING
1.1 Vessel Inspection
1.2 Loading of Bottom Support Material
1.3 Loading of Sieve
1.4 Special Precautions in the Case of PSA and VPSA Applications
1.5 Loading of Top Support Material
1.6 The vessel should then be closed in ready for process start-up.
2. START-UP
2.1 Check list before Commencing Start-up
3. INITIAL REGENERATION
3.1 Regeneration Gas Availability
3.2 Initial Regeneration Procedure
4. PROCESS START-UP
Key Process Considerations for Pipeline Design BasisVijay Sarathy
Prior to venturing into an oil & gas pipeline project, the project team would require a design basis, based on which the project is to proceed. Oil & Gas Pipeline design begins with a route survey including engineering & environmental assessments. The following document provides a few key considerations for process engineers to keep in mind, the factors that matter when preparing a pipeline design basis from a process standpoint.
Valudor DAF, dissolved air flotation, and SHURE technology combine with proce...William Toomey
FLUID PROCESS OPTIMIZATION with Fine Solids Removal through SHURE Advanced Cavitation Management Technology
and Valudor Process Performance Chemicals Process Water Reuse
Industries like chemical, power, metalworking and oil & gas have all been having an increasing demand for innovative valves that meet the sectors’ requirements. In order to fulfill these demands, the valve production sector needs to substantially lower the costs of fabrication and the development time, while keeping up with the industrial innovations. And to help you in that course, here are the valve design trends that shouldn’t be missed.
To know more : http://valvulasfevisa.com/
Engineering Practice Magazine - January 2020Karl Kolmetz
How to Design and Optimize Sieve Trays
Key Process Considerations for Pipeline Design Basis
How Does Cycles Increase in Cooling Towers Save Money?
Chernobyl Lessons in Process Safety
Adding Value to the Crude Oil –
Distillation Process Unit
Analyzing Multi-zone completion using multilayer by IPR (PROSPER) Arez Luqman
The primary objective of any well drilled and completed is to produce Hydrocarbons; by loading the Hydrocarbon (i.e. Oil and Gas) contained within the well through a conduit of the well and start separating it with surface facilities depending on type and composition of the Hydrocarbon.
Producing oil is simultaneously contained with problems depending on the type and properties of the reservoir.
Furthermore, what makes the problems much more; is when oil and/or gas is produced from multi-zones at the same time, when accumulated problems from all the producer zones occurring at the same time.
To help analyze this problems we are going to use PROSPER software package IPR multilayer, in which helps in identifying the relationship between Flow rate and Reservoir pressure.
Ultra-HPHT perforating system opens access to untapped reservoirs Baker Hughes
By Charlie McClean, Bill Myers, Didhiti
Talapatra, Mark Sloan and Stephen
Zuklic, Baker Hughes
Originally appeared in World Oil® SEPTEMBER 2014 issue, pgs 45-49. Posted with permission.
Chris Carpenter, JPT Technology Editor
JPT, October 2014 Issue
Copyright 2014, Society of Petroleum Engineers. Reprinted from the Journal of Petroleum Technology with permission.
Baker Hughes introduces the Cut-and-Pull Spear technology as featured in the ...Baker Hughes
Baker Hughes introduces the Harpoon Cut-and-Pull Spear technology as featured in the Technology Applications section of JPT’s April issue. The Cut-and-Pull Spear eliminates multiple trips and has added safety features.
Baker Hughes introduces the Hughes Christensen IRev infinite-revolution bit a...Baker Hughes
The new Hughes Christensen IRev infinite-revolution bit improves run life while minimizing trips and the number of bits required when drilling in hard and abrasive intervals, including sandstones or complex sections interbedded with softer shales. Learn more: http://bit.ly/IRevBits
January 2014 Journal of Petroleum Technology Article: Electrical Submersible ...Baker Hughes
Read Chris Carpenter's, JPT Technology Editor, article on our new ProductionWave solution that provides flexible production alternatives for unconventional oil plays.
March 2014 World Oil: Greener completions advance in the MarcellusBaker Hughes
Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, a Baker Hughes customer operating in the Marcellus shale play in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, wanted to improve the overall efficiency of its hydraulic fracturing operations while minimizing air emissions; reducing road traffic; and lowering health, safety, and environmental (HSE) risks. Baker Hughes proposed a Bifuel fracturing service, using the company's Rhino™ Bifuel frac pumps. Visit our website to learn more: http://www.bakerhughes.com/bifuel.
Hybrid optimization of pumped hydro system and solar- Engr. Abdul-Azeez.pdffxintegritypublishin
Advancements in technology unveil a myriad of electrical and electronic breakthroughs geared towards efficiently harnessing limited resources to meet human energy demands. The optimization of hybrid solar PV panels and pumped hydro energy supply systems plays a pivotal role in utilizing natural resources effectively. This initiative not only benefits humanity but also fosters environmental sustainability. The study investigated the design optimization of these hybrid systems, focusing on understanding solar radiation patterns, identifying geographical influences on solar radiation, formulating a mathematical model for system optimization, and determining the optimal configuration of PV panels and pumped hydro storage. Through a comparative analysis approach and eight weeks of data collection, the study addressed key research questions related to solar radiation patterns and optimal system design. The findings highlighted regions with heightened solar radiation levels, showcasing substantial potential for power generation and emphasizing the system's efficiency. Optimizing system design significantly boosted power generation, promoted renewable energy utilization, and enhanced energy storage capacity. The study underscored the benefits of optimizing hybrid solar PV panels and pumped hydro energy supply systems for sustainable energy usage. Optimizing the design of solar PV panels and pumped hydro energy supply systems as examined across diverse climatic conditions in a developing country, not only enhances power generation but also improves the integration of renewable energy sources and boosts energy storage capacities, particularly beneficial for less economically prosperous regions. Additionally, the study provides valuable insights for advancing energy research in economically viable areas. Recommendations included conducting site-specific assessments, utilizing advanced modeling tools, implementing regular maintenance protocols, and enhancing communication among system components.
TECHNICAL TRAINING MANUAL GENERAL FAMILIARIZATION COURSEDuvanRamosGarzon1
AIRCRAFT GENERAL
The Single Aisle is the most advanced family aircraft in service today, with fly-by-wire flight controls.
The A318, A319, A320 and A321 are twin-engine subsonic medium range aircraft.
The family offers a choice of engines
COLLEGE BUS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PROJECT REPORT.pdfKamal Acharya
The College Bus Management system is completely developed by Visual Basic .NET Version. The application is connect with most secured database language MS SQL Server. The application is develop by using best combination of front-end and back-end languages. The application is totally design like flat user interface. This flat user interface is more attractive user interface in 2017. The application is gives more important to the system functionality. The application is to manage the student’s details, driver’s details, bus details, bus route details, bus fees details and more. The application has only one unit for admin. The admin can manage the entire application. The admin can login into the application by using username and password of the admin. The application is develop for big and small colleges. It is more user friendly for non-computer person. Even they can easily learn how to manage the application within hours. The application is more secure by the admin. The system will give an effective output for the VB.Net and SQL Server given as input to the system. The compiled java program given as input to the system, after scanning the program will generate different reports. The application generates the report for users. The admin can view and download the report of the data. The application deliver the excel format reports. Because, excel formatted reports is very easy to understand the income and expense of the college bus. This application is mainly develop for windows operating system users. In 2017, 73% of people enterprises are using windows operating system. So the application will easily install for all the windows operating system users. The application-developed size is very low. The application consumes very low space in disk. Therefore, the user can allocate very minimum local disk space for this application.
Event Management System Vb Net Project Report.pdfKamal Acharya
In present era, the scopes of information technology growing with a very fast .We do not see any are untouched from this industry. The scope of information technology has become wider includes: Business and industry. Household Business, Communication, Education, Entertainment, Science, Medicine, Engineering, Distance Learning, Weather Forecasting. Carrier Searching and so on.
My project named “Event Management System” is software that store and maintained all events coordinated in college. It also helpful to print related reports. My project will help to record the events coordinated by faculties with their Name, Event subject, date & details in an efficient & effective ways.
In my system we have to make a system by which a user can record all events coordinated by a particular faculty. In our proposed system some more featured are added which differs it from the existing system such as security.
Quality defects in TMT Bars, Possible causes and Potential Solutions.PrashantGoswami42
Maintaining high-quality standards in the production of TMT bars is crucial for ensuring structural integrity in construction. Addressing common defects through careful monitoring, standardized processes, and advanced technology can significantly improve the quality of TMT bars. Continuous training and adherence to quality control measures will also play a pivotal role in minimizing these defects.
Explore the innovative world of trenchless pipe repair with our comprehensive guide, "The Benefits and Techniques of Trenchless Pipe Repair." This document delves into the modern methods of repairing underground pipes without the need for extensive excavation, highlighting the numerous advantages and the latest techniques used in the industry.
Learn about the cost savings, reduced environmental impact, and minimal disruption associated with trenchless technology. Discover detailed explanations of popular techniques such as pipe bursting, cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining, and directional drilling. Understand how these methods can be applied to various types of infrastructure, from residential plumbing to large-scale municipal systems.
Ideal for homeowners, contractors, engineers, and anyone interested in modern plumbing solutions, this guide provides valuable insights into why trenchless pipe repair is becoming the preferred choice for pipe rehabilitation. Stay informed about the latest advancements and best practices in the field.
Controlling Post-Completion Flow in Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage Wells
1. TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
Controlling Post-Completion Flow
in Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage Wells
Shaelyn Gordon, Adriana Hightower, SPE, and Nadine Macklin, Baker Hughes
The rapid growth of unconventional oil
and gas production in the past decade is
largely a result of advances in horizon-tal
drilling techniques that allow longer
laterals to reach deeper into the forma-tion.
While this well design is attractive
because of the contact it affords between
the wellbore and the formation, it does
not come without production challenges.
For example, rather than achieving
consistent or near-uniform production
across the entire lateral, certain sections
might be favored for production over
others. This undesirable outcome arises
from several factors, including the influ-ence
of frictional pressure drop in the
completion string, reservoir heterogene-ities,
changes to fluid composition and
mobility, breakthrough of undesired flu-ids
(i.e., water or steam), and variations
in reservoir pressure along the wellbore.
This results in an unbalanced inflow pro-file,
diminished production, and subeco-nomic
well performance.
Historically, operators were left
with limited options to address these
issues, short of the costly decisions to
recomplete the well or drill a new one.
Over the past 15 years, operators have
increasingly installed inflow/injection
control devices (ICDs) during well con-struction
to avoid the problems. These
devices are placed strategically along the
lateral to balance the production/injec-tion
profiles across the entire length and
to compensate for variations in perme-ability.
Recovery and injection perfor-mance
have improved as a result.
A Retrofit Device
However, until recently, ICDs could only
be effective when installed as part of the
initial completion. To address uneven
production in existing wells without
flow control systems, Baker Hughes has
developed the Equalizer retrofit (RF)
device, the industry’s first ICD designed
to be installed post-completion. The RF
ICD is able to equalize production flow
across the entire lateral and restore a
well to its desired performance level.
While the retrofit system is appli-cable
to most production scenarios,
it has found the most applications to
date in steam-assisted gravity drainage
(SAGD) wells (Fig. 1). Common prob-lems
in SAGD wells include inadequate
fluid production control in the comple-tion,
which leads to uneven steam con-formance,
lower sweep and thermal
efficiencies along some sections of the
lateral, adverse heel-to-toe effects, and
the risk of live steam entering the pro-ducing
well.
The RF ICD system allows opera-tors
to install one or more flow control
devices inside the existing completion
(whether executed with a slotted liner or
a screen) by means of tubing to equalize
the inflow of hydrocarbons. This gives
operators the flexibility to install inflow/
injection control equipment after the
completion is in place, or replace exist-ing
systems to reduce costs and max-imize
ultimate recovery from existing
wells.
These systems are typically installed
with high-temperature packers rated up
to 300°C (572°F), which serve to com-partmentalize
flow in certain areas of the
well. These packers help to channel pro-duction
through the ICDs, block off dam-aged
liner zones, and improve recovery
along the length of the wellbore.
The RF ICD incorporates many
of the design elements of the service
provider’s previous generation of flow
control technology, including a tortu-ous
flow path geometry. The flow path
gives selective resistance to gas, steam,
and water breakthrough. Should one or
more of these undesirable fluids enter
the ICD, the pressure drop across the
device increases, causing the unwanted
fluid to be choked back to avoid break-throughs
in the lateral. For desirable flu-ids
Fig. 1—The Equalizer retrofit system installed in a steam-assisted gravity
drainage producing well. The wellbore above the producing bore is the steam
chamber. Image courtesy of Baker Hughes.
Copyright 2014, Society of Petroleum Engineers. Reprinted from the Journal of Petroleum Technology with permission.
(i.e., oil), the pressure drop across
36 JPT • OCTOBER 2014
2. the device decreases, thus allowing
selective production.
All of this is achieved autonomous-ly
by the device, without intervention
on behalf of the operator to scale back
unwanted fluids or promote hydrocar-bon
flow. The system can control flow
under a wide range of changing res-ervoir
conditions throughout the well’s
life, thus maximizing oil recovery from
the well while reducing the steam/oil
ratio (SOR) for improved sweep efficien-cy.
Before installation, the devices can be
set to one of the multiple field-adjustable
flow resistance ratings to further opti-mize
performance on a reservoir basis.
The device’s antiplugging and
self-cleaning design enables reliable,
long-term operation without inter-vention.
A large inflow area allows
for low fluid velocities and mini-mizes
erosional effects to further
enhance reliability.
Alberta Case Study
An operator in the Alberta, Canada, oil
sands was experiencing poor confor-mance
in the steam chamber along the
length of a producing SAGD well, which
resulted in localized hot spots in the
lateral, a degraded liner, and restricted
production. A device to remedy the pro-duction
problem would need to generate
a uniform steam profile along the lateral
to eliminate the hot spots and the liner
degradation and would have to fit inside
the well’s 8⅝-in. liner.
Starting in mid-2013, the service
provider and operator worked togeth-er
to devise an appropriate deployment
strategy for the RF ICD, which began
with detailed field and reservoir analyses
to optimize the completion design. Inte-gral
to this work was the detailed study
of the formation geology surrounding
the well. Even minor changes to geol-ogy
along the lateral can have a signifi-cant
effect on the performance of the
ICD. Understanding these changes and
accounting for them in the design and
placement of each ICD system helps to
optimize the productivity of the lateral.
The work resulted in the opti-mal
sizing and placement of tubing-deployed
800
Oil (B/D)
Oil Rate vs. Time
Equalizer RF ICD Installation
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
Time (days)
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Fig. 2—Within a month of installation, the retrofit (RF) inflow/injection control
device (ICD) sharply increased oil production and reduced the steam/oil ratio
in this steam-assisted gravity drainage well. Graph courtesy of Baker Hughes.
ICDs and swell packers to
compartmentalize the flow in the well’s
lateral section. The completion was
designed around temperature, pres-sure,
and geological and well-proximi-ty
data. And the design was optimized
to counteract the specific production-limiting
issues in the producing well
to improve wellbore conformance and
production efficiency.
The planning resulted in a smooth
installation of the ICD system and pack-ers,
with no unplanned downtime or
deployment delays. Within a month of
installation, the well recorded an 87%
rise in oil production, from 371 B/D to
an average of 695 B/D (Fig. 2). The SOR
dropped from 4.1% to 2.8%, a decrease
of 31%. The operator reported that the
installation of the retrofit system made
the injector/producer well pair the most
prolific in the field.
After a month of consistent, im-proved
production that almost doubled
fluid production rates, the customer
installed two additional RF ICD systems
across the field and plans to install more.
In all, nine retrofit systems have
been installed in the same number of
wells since September 2013 for various
SAGD production operators in Alberta.
The operators have experienced similar
benefits of improved volumetric sweep
and better steam chamber control in
their wells. On average, the cumulative
oil recovery has increased by more than
25% based on available public data with
a 3-month time lag.
More Application Options
The service provider is now investigat-ing
other deployment options for the
RF ICD in other wells and with addi-tional
tools to shorten deployment time
and improve performance. For example,
in sandstone and other unconsolidated
reservoirs, the well may produce sand in
sufficient amounts to hinder reliable RF
ICD operation. Common sand-related
problems include an inability of stand-alone
slotted liners or screens in the
completion to provide an adequate flow
control, and the buildup of sand depos-its
that may limit production.
The ICD can be combined with one
of several screen systems, including
wire-wrapped or metal mesh screens,
to control sand production while equal-izing
flow across the horizontal interval.
These systems have demonstrated an
ability to equalize the liquid level along
the length of the wellbore and auton-omously
prevent the effects of steam
or water breakthrough. This helps to
optimize sweep efficiency and maximize
oil recovery.
JPT • OCTOBER 2014 37
3. TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
In consolidated formations, such as
carbonates, the RF ICD can be deployed
with a multitasking valve, which is incor-porated
into the system’s body to tem-porarily
block flow while running the
ICD. This option eliminates the need for
a concentric string when deploying the
device and enables hydraulic activation
of packers without fluid loss.
Once the device is run to the bottom
and packers are set, the valve is activat-ed
hydraulically to open the completion
string to the formation and allow unre-stricted
flow to the ICD. This deployment
option has been well accepted because it
enables a reduction in rig time. Deploy-ments
in new wells using the multitask-ing
valve with the ICD have shown a 1- to
2-day reduction in rig time compared
with concentric string methods.
While the results obtained with
the RF ICD depend strongly on the geom-etry
of each well and the conditions of
each reservoir, the successes observed
have led operators to plan deploy-ments
of the device in several addition-al
wells this year. JPT
38 JPT • OCTOBER 2014