SPE 162077

Challenges in Developing Attic Oil under a Giant Gas Cap, Advances in

Modelling and Completion Strategy, a Well Case
Siqing Xu, Ali Kshada, Muhammad Mukhtar, Medhat Abdou, Abdel Hameed Amiri, Fathy El Wazeer, Abu Dhabi
Company for Onshore Oil Operations

Copyright 2012, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, 11–14 November 2012.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been
reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its
officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to
reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright.

Abstract
The reservoir under consideration, Reservoir A of the Lower Cretaceous age, Kharaib formation is a complex giant carbonate
reservoir within an onshore field in Abu Dhabi. Substantial volumes of oil remain to be developed from the Attic area
directly underneath the giant gas cap. 4 Attic wells were drilled since 2005 and they have all experienced gas breakthrough.
To better manage Attic well production and optimize attic development, one of the attic wells has been selected for a pilot to
install Integral Control Valves (ICV). The aims and objectives are for down hole zonal gas production control leading to
optimized single well recovery while respecting facilities gas handling constraints. In parallel, two long horizontal wells are
being drilled next to the pilot well to test the alternative concept of low production drawdown for gas breakthrough control.

This paper presents the design and detailed modelling study carried out for the ICV pilot well and the two long horizontal
wells.

The ICV pilot completion design is described. The technology include swellable packer, inflow control valve (ICV),
fiber optic DTS (Distributed Temperature Sensing). The open hole will be segmented into 3 sections using fed
through swellable packer technology to pass fiber optic lines and install one ICV gross each section. The overall aim is to
enable well GOR control, reduce project cost, maximize production and minimize any future rig intervention cost of shut-
off at specific section.

A detailed single well model was developed within the 3D full field model. The well model was history matched, including
PLTs and saturation logging. For ICV installation planning, a full range of sensitivity and uncertainty analysis was
performed to assess likely impact. In particular, the impact due to potential faulting/sub-seismic faults was assessed. The
model was also used to define data acquisition planning post ICV installation

The early production performances from the ICV pilot well are presented. For the two long horizontal wells, well design
considerations are presented.

Plan for continued monitoring of the 3 wells are shown, with the aim of helping to optimize attic oil development.
2 SPE 162077

1. Introduction

Reservoir A is located in an onshore field in Abu Dhabi Emirate. It is oil bearing with aquifer on the flanks and a giant gas
cap at the crest. The reservoir is of the Lower Cretaceous age, the Kharaib formation. The Lower Cretaceous mostly consists
of clean shallow shelf carbonate sediments interbedded with dense, slightly argillaceous quiet water sediments.
From a production point of view, Reservoir A can be divided into two parts. The lower part (Reservoir A Lower) has
permeability in the 1 to 10 mD range, while in the upper part (Reservoir A Upper) permeability are in the 10 to several 100s
mD range.

Fig. 1 Reservoir A Lithofacies Type Log

In the flank areas away from the gas cap, Reservoir A includes intervals representing muddy deposition at the end of
sedimentological cycles. These denser intervals contain stylolites which are discontinuous over the structure except on the
flanks (due to higher compaction effects). The dense intervals have permeability lower than 1 mD. In the flank areas, the
dense intervals have been observed locally acting as baffles to vertical fluid flow. Away from the flank areas towards the gas
cap, however, reservoir properties of the dense intervals improve significantly. They do not appear to have the same degree
of baffling impact on vertical flow as they do in the flank areas.
Based on cores and saturation logging, high permeability streaks have been seen in Reservoir A Upper. The high
permeability streaks have permeability in the Darcy range.
Structurally, Reservoir A is fairly flat with formation dip less than 7o. The flat structure and the geological characteristics of
the Reservoir A therefore make the development of Attic oil a significant challenge. For example, the high permeability
streaks can potentially act as a conduit for gas cap gas moving down dip.
A total of 4 Attic production wells have been drilled since 2005. Despite being produced at relatively lower rates, all 4 wells
have now experienced gas breakthrough (from the gas cap).
For Attic oil development, it is critical to optimize Attic well recovery while managing well GOR so that surface processing
facility constraints are respected. As part of the development plan for Attic oil development, one of the Attic production well
has been selected for installation of ICV. The ICV pilot is to test the viability and effectiveness of down hole zonal gas
production control as a means of improving Attic well recovery. In parallel, two long horizontal wells are drilled next to the
ICV pilot well to test the alternative concept of low production drawdown for gas breakthrough control.
This paper presents the design and detailed modelling study carried out for the ICV pilot and the two long horizontal wells,
together with an evaluation of the early well results.
SPE 162077 3

2. Modelling Study, ICV Pilot Design

The horizontal well Well X is selected as the candidate for ICV pilot. Fig. 2 shows the open hole interpreted GOC at well X.
It is found to be at the same depth as initial GOC of Reservoir A.

Fig. 2, Well X open hole log GOC at initial GOC depth

Fig. 3 is the well production test history of Well X. It can be seen that the first gas breakthrough occurred at the beginning of
2007. The well production was reduced and gas conning was brought back under control by end of 2008. However, well
GOR continued to increase from the beginning of 2009 despite the well being choked back.

10,000
X+10000 5
OIL Rate

GOR
OIL Rate (Stbb/d) / GOR (Scf/Stb) / WHFP (Psi)

8,000
X+8000
WHFP 4
Water Cut
WATER Cut (%) / Choke (1/64th)

6,000
X+6000 3

4,000
X+4000 2

2,000
X+2000 1

X 0 0
Jan-06

Jul-06

Jan-07

Jul-07

Jan-08

Jul-08

Jan-09

Jul-09

Jan-10

Jul-10

Jan-11

Jul-11

Jan-12

Fig. 3 Well X well production test history

For ICV installation design, a dedicated 3D single well simulation model was necessary. An early attempt was made to
construct the single well model from the full field static model by cutting out an area of approximately 3km by 3km centered
around Well X. This approach had to be abandoned because Well X production history could not be matched. The model
being on a local scale around Well X can not fully account for the long field production history (history before Well X was
drilled). Consequently, it was decided make use of the 3D Attic development full field dynamic model. The 3D Attic
development full field dynamic model has a grid size of approximately 150m by 150m. The single well model for Well X is
4 SPE 162077

obtained by introducing a very fine grid of 10m by 10m around the well. The fine grid made it possible to simulate gas cap
gas conning at Well X.

A good match to Well X production history was obtained with the single well model. Fig. 4 shows Well X production
history match results. Good match to well pressure history and GOR development trend can be seen. The timing of gas
breakthrough and trend of GOR development are well matched.
PRESSURE GOR
HISTORY GORH BB6172ST GOR BB6172ST FNLWK_S_FNLWK_S04
HISTORY RESERVOIR PRESSURE BB6172ST
9000
PAVE BB6172ST FNLWK_S_FNLWK_S04
WELL RESERVOIR PRESSURE - DATUM (PSIA)

8000

7000

GAS-OIL RATIO (SCF / STB)

4000
6000

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

3000 0
01/05 05/06 09/07 02/09 06/10 11/11 03/13 08/14 12/15 04/17 09/18 01/20 06/21 10/22 01/05 05/06 09/07 02/09 06/10 11/11 03/13 08/14 12/15 04/17 09/18 01/20 06/21 10/22

OIL RATE & CUMULATIVE OIL WATER CUT

X+2000 X+2000 HISTORY QOPH BB6172ST
HISTORY CUM OIL BB6172ST
HISTORY WCUTH BB6172ST WCUT BB6172ST FNLWK_S_FNLWK_S04
1900 QOP BB6172ST FNLWK_S_FNLWK_S04 0.5
COP BB6172ST FNLWK_S_FNLWK_S04
1800 1800
1700
CUMULATIVE OIL PRODUCTION (MSTB)

OIL PRODUCTION RATE (STB / DAY)

1600 1600
1500 0.4
1400 1400
WATER CUT (FRACTION)

1300
1200 1200
1100 0.3
1000 1000
900
800 800
0.2
700
600 600
500
400 400 0.1
300
200 200
100
0 0 0
01/05 05/06 09/07 02/09 06/10 11/11 03/13 08/14 12/15 04/17 09/18 01/20 06/21 10/22 01/05 05/06 09/07 02/09 06/10 11/11 03/13 08/14 12/15 04/17 09/18 01/20 06/21 10/22

Fig. 4 Well X production history match using the single well model

Two PLT were run in Well X, one in 2007 and one in 2009. Fig. 5 plots the PLT interpreted well cumulative oil and gas
production rate along the horizontal drain (measured depth). No significant changes are observed in well production profile
along the drain between the two PLT. Three main gas entry areas can be identified as shown in Fig. 5.

Entry I

Entry II

Entry III

Fig. 5, Well X 2007, 2009 PLT interpretation, cumulative oil and gas production rates along drain measured depth
SPE 162077 5

Fig. 6 shows the single well model match to the 2009 PLT. The match is shown in terms of oil production rate and GOR
distribution along the drain (in Fig. 5 above, the cumulative is shown). It can be seen that an excellent match to the PLT is
obtained. In particular, the GOR trend along the drain measured depth is matched. The production history match shown in
Fig. 4 and the PLT match in Fig. 6 together indicate that the single well model is an excellent model for Well X.

Well X Oil Rate Stb/d , 2009 PLT Well X GOR, 2009 PLT '000 Scf/Stb
0 100 200 300 X
400 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Actual Actual

M odel Model
MD, Feet

MD, Feet

Fig. 6 Match to Well X 2009 PLT

The history matched single well model was used to assess ICV installation options. Different locations of the isolation
packers were examined. Furthermore, extensive risk analysis was performed by considering potential impact due to
geological uncertainty in the area. For example, the impact of high permeability streaks, reduced vertical flow baffling
effects from the dense zones, faults intersecting Well X being conductive etc were studied.
The final recommended ICV installation option is shown in Fig. 7 and explained in the following section. The recommended
option consists of :
 isolation of the toe end gas entry area Entry III as shown in Fig. 5
 three compartments shown as Zone A, B and C in Fig. 7,
 one production feed-through packer, two open hole cable swell packers,
 Distributed Temperature System (DTS) and 3-1/2” tubing
6 SPE 162077

Zone A

S
T
D Swell packers
ICV
Zone B

Zone C
Zone D

C
M
T

Fig. 7, Well X ICV pilot down hole design schematic

3. Well X ICV Installation

Well X is an intelligent smart well which include 3 ICVs separated by swell packers in 3 zones, feed through packer and DTS
all along the well depth beginning from the first ICV. DTS will provide the real time temperature throughout the entire well
depth. ICVs are chocking valves that can be chocked to various positions from the surface and can achieve the desired flow
ratio from the individual zones. There is automated surface panel with solar power to enable power with SCADA system to
control the ICV from surface and DTS data collection. The Automated system is included with GPRS radio’s that will
communicate with the server in company head quarter office to operate the well in remote mode.

Surface system is an automated panel which included with SCADA pack system to control the operation remotely through
GPRS modem and server. The command is given from the server which is detected through GPRS modem via mobile
operator network and the hydraulic panel supply operates to move the ICV. The DTS data collected in sampling basis (Every
20 minutes) and pushed through the same GPRS network and collected in the server.

The entire system was successfully installed, tested and now fully operational.

4. Well X Early Results Post ICV Installation

The well was successfully started up following ICV installation. Well production test results are shown in the Table 1 below,
with the August 19th 2012 results being at the end of well clean- up. The well was put on production with a surface choke of
18/64th from September 1st 2012. As part of the well test program with ICV operational, all 3 ICV have been put on 50%
opening to gain learning. With the well on this configuration, the well test rates are 1038 Stb/d oil, gas rate of 1.82 MMscf/d,
and GOR of ~ 1762 Scf/Stb. Prior to the installation of the ICV, Well X GOR was in the range of 6000 Scf/Stb. The ICV in
Well X therefore has been proven successful in reducing GOR.
SPE 162077 7

Compartment

ICV#1 ICV#2 ICV#3 Q. liquid Qo Qg GOR WATER CUT

Date % % % (BLPD) STB/D (MMSCFD) SCF/STB (%)

19-Aug-12 100 100 50 2812 2770 4.8 1732 1.5

20-Aug-12 100 100 50 2756 2717 4.2 1547 1.4

25-Aug-12 100 100 50 899 895 1.78 1978 0.5

27-Aug-12 100 100 50 995 991 1.73 1746 0.4

28-Aug-12 100 100 50 1018 1016 1.74 1712 0.2

29-Aug-12 100 100 50 1013 1009 1.77 1752 0.4

1-Sep-12 50 50 50 1038 1034 1.82 1762 0.4

Table 1. Well X production performance post ICV installation

Well X production performances as shown in Table 1 are in line with the single well model prediction.
The first DTS data have been downloaded and are currently being studied.

5. Long Horizontal Wells

The 4 existing Attic production wells are all horizontal with production drain length of ~2000 ft on average. Despite being
produced at relatively lower rates, all 4 Attic production wells have experienced gas breakthrough. Some of them had gas
breakthrough within the first two years of production.
To assess how to improve Attic well single well recovery without producing the wells at excessive high GOR, long
horizontal wells are also considered in addition to ICV. For a given production rate, longer horizontal wells have the
advantage of lower pressure drawdown at the production drain. Reduced pressure drawdown is expected to help delaying gas
breakthrough.
The single well model for Well X ICV pilot was used to assess 3 different horizontal well lengths: 3000 ft, 5000 ft and 7000
ft. Fig. 8 shows a comparison of predicted well GOR, BHFP for the 3 different well lengths over a period of 10 years.
Production oil rate is set at X’000 Stb/d. It can be seen from Fig. 9 that the 7000 ft length well performs best. For example,
first gas breakthrough is delayed by ~ 28 months when comparing 7000 ft against 3000 ft.

Well Length = 7000 ft

Well Length = 5000 ft
Well Length = 3000 ft

GOR BHFP

28 M

Year Year

Oil Rate

Year

Fig. 8, Production performance comparison for well length 3000, 5000 and 7000 ft
8 SPE 162077

The 7000 ft option is recommended. The recommendation is based on the simulation study results while taking account of
potential drilling risks, for example, the 7000 ft horizontal drain is targeted within a thin reservoir section of ~ 10 to 15 ft.
Two 7000 ft horizontal wells are being drilled at the time of this paper.

6. Conclusion and Forward Planning

ICV has been successfully installed in Well X and is fully operational. Early results indicate that ICV is successful in
controlling Well X GOR. The forward planning for Well X is to put the well on different setting of ICV opening, wait for the
well production rate to stablise, and monitor well production behaviour. The nearby dedicated vertical observer Well Obs1 is
being drilled at the time of this paper. Well Obs1 will be used to monitor any future gas conning at Well X.
The two 7000 ft long horizontal wells are currently being drilled and planned to be completed before end of 2012, with the
first one Well L1 planned to be tied to production by end of October. Both long horizontal wells will be closely monitored
for assessing the effectiveness of long horizontal wells for low drawdown production in an Attic environment.
In conclusion, options with ICV for down hole zonal gas production control and long horizontal wells for production with
reduced drawdown are being field tested, with encouraging early results. The field test of the two options is seen as critical
for optimizing Attic well recovery while respecting surface facilities constraints in the Attic oil development plan.

Nomenclature

BHFP: bottom hole flowing pressure

DTS: distributed temperature sensing
GI: gas injector
GOC: gas oil contact
GOR: gas oil ratio
GR: gamma ray log
ICV: integral control valves
MD: measured depth
MDT: modular dynamic tester
OP: oil producer
PLT: production logging tool
WHFP: well head flowing pressure

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO) and Abu Dhabi National Oil
Company (ADNOC) Management for their support and permission to publish this paper.
SPE 162077 9

REFERENCES
Ref 1 SPE 125050, “Comparing the Benefits: Use of Various Wellhead Gas Coning Control Strategies To Optimize
Production of a Thin Oil Rim”, E.D. Nennie, SPE, S.V. Savenko, G.J.N. Alberts, SPE, M.F. Cargnelutti, TNO the
Netherlands, and E. van Donkelaar, Shell International Exploration and Production, presented at the SPE Annual
Technical Conference and Exhibition, 4-7 October 2009, New Orleans, Louisiana
Ref 2 SPE 102390-, “A Model for Gas Coning and Rate-Dependent Gas/Oil Ratio in an Oil-Rim Resevoir”, Are
Mjaavatten, SPE, and Robert Aasheim, Norsk Hydro ASA, and Steinar Saelid and Oddvar Gronning, Prediktor a.s.,
presented at the SPE Russian Oil and Gas Technical Conference and Exhibition, 3-6 October 2006, Moscow, Russia
Ref 3 SPE 143520, “Modeling, Simulation, and Optimal Control of Oil Production under Gas Coning Conditions”, Agus
Hasan, SPE, NTNU; Bjarne Foss, SPE, NTNU; Svein Ivar Sagatun, SPE, Statoil ASA; Bjørn Peter Tjøstheim,
Statoil ASA; Atle Svandal, Statoil ASA; Cato Hatland, Statoil ASA, presented at the SPE EUROPEC/EAGE
Annual Conference and Exhibition, 23-26 May 2011, Vienna, Austria
Ref 4 SPE 110317, “Gas Coning Control for Smart Wells”, A.P. Leemhuis, SPE, S.P.C Belfroid, SPE, and G.J.N. Alberts,
TNO Science and Industry, The Netherlands, presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition,
11-14 November 2007, Anaheim, California, U.S.A.
Ref 5 SPE 112234, “Gas Coning Control for Smart Wells Using a Dynamic Coupled Well-Reservoir Simulator”, A.P.
Leemhuis, E.D. Nennie, and S.P.C Belfroid, SPE, and G.J.N. Alberts, SPE, TNO Science and Industry; E. Peters,
TNO Building Environment and Geosciences; and G.J.P. Joosten, Shell International E&P, presented at the SPE
Intelligent Energy Conference and Exhibition, 25-27 February 2008, Amsterdam, The Netherlands