Course:- 28117

Class:- 289033a

HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

Examination for the Degree of

MEng in Petroleum Engineering

Production Technology 1a

Thursday 22nd April 1999

09.30 - 11.30

NOTES FOR CANDIDATES

1. This is a Closed Book Examination and candidates are allowed to utilise course notes for
reference during the exam.

2. 15 minutes reading time is provided from 09.15 - 09.30.

3. Examination Papers will be marked anonymously. See separate instructions for completion of
Script Book front covers and attachment of loose pages. Do not write your name on any loose
pages which are submitted as part of your answer.

4. Candidates should attempt ALL questions.

5. The marks allocated to each question are shown in brackets after the question.

6. State clearly any and all assumptions you make.

The Alpha oil reservoir is a small offshore field which is currently being considered for development.
It is likely that the field will require 3-5 production wells. Currently the use of a small fixed jacket is
preferred with the possible use of a subsea template/completion if further delineation causes a
significant downsizing in reserves.

The general conditions for the field are shown in Table 1 with the fluid and reservoir characteristics
shown in Table 2 and 3 respectively. A projected casing schedule is shown in Table 4. Table 5 outlines
the probable trajectories.

It is anticipated that the well deliverability will require the use of 41/2" OD tubing. However as the
wells are anticipated to be under a depletion (solution gas in late life) drive, well deliverability will
decline almost immediately.

Table 1 - Field Location and General Data

Water depth 180 ft

Location 100 miles offshore NE Scotland
Adjacent existing platform is 8 miles to the SW
No. of wells projected 3-5
Reserve estimate 47 x 106 STB
No aquifer
No gas cap at initial reservoir pressure

Table 2 - Reservoir Fluid Data

API Gravity = 31 degrees

Oil viscosity at reservoir conditions = 7 cp
GOR = 420 SCF/bbl
H2S concentration = 5ppm
CO2 concentration = 8%
Bubble point of crude oil = 1800 psia

Table 3 - Reservoir Data

Top of oil column = 5900 ft TVDSS

Thickness of reservoir sand = 140 ft
Bottom hole temperature = 180°F
Permeability = 80-270 md
Average permeability = 170md
Initial reservoir pressure = 2900 psia at 5900ft
KV/KH = 1.0 (approx)

The reservoir consists of a consolidated to friable, heterogeneous, fine grained sandstone with
limited clay content. It is slightly overpressured and overlain by a thin (150 ft) shale layer.
Table 4 - Provisional Casing Schedule

Hole Size Casing Size Setting Depth (TVDSS) ft

in in From To

26 20 Surface 1000

17 1/2 13 3/8 Surface 2600

12 1/4 9 5 /8 Surface 4700

8 1/2 7 4200 5950

6 option 1. 4 1 /2 5500 6150

option 2. 4 premium screen
option 3. Open hole

Table 5 - Projected Well Trajectory

All wells will have the following outline trajectory

Hole Size Hole angle from vertical in section

in Top Bottom

26 0º 0º

17 1/2 0º 15-25º

12 1/4 15-25º 60-65º

8 1/2 60-65º 65-80º

6 65-80º 80-90º
 Use short notes and sketches to answer the following questions.
State all assumptions and give reasons where possible.

1. For this particular development, discuss the options for the bottomhole completion technique,
namely, perforated/cemented liner; premium screen or openhole. What would you recommend
and why?
[15]

2. What would be your concerns about the selection of a drill-in fluid for the 6 inch hole and what
fluid and additives would you recommend?
[10]

3. Provide a sketch of a conceptual configuration for the completion of the oil producers. Specify:

a) Key components and your reasons for their selection

b) Approximate setting depths

[25]

4. Assuming that the wells were drilled overbalanced how would you lower the bottomhole
pressure to initiate flow?
[10]

5. If it is necessary to pull the tubing, how would you secure the well, isolate flow and kill the well?

[10]

6. If the reserves are downgraded and a platform is uneconomic, how would you modify your
design if the field were developed by a maximum of 3 subsea satellite production wells?
Provide a sketch.
[15]

7. Propose a contingency configuration for satellite water injector completions.

[10]

8. If the reservoir were put on water injection, how would this impact on your design for the oil
producers?
[5]

End of Paper