IADC/SPE 87966

Heavy Oil Development: Summary of Sand Control and Well Completion Strategies
Used with Multilateral Applications
Travis W. Cavender, SPE, Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.

Copyright 2004, IADC/SPE Asia Pacific Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition
Trinidad and Venezuela. It will also explore new synergistic
This paper was prepared for presentation at the IADC/SPE Asia Pacific Drilling Technology technologies that will impact future development strategies.
Conference and Exhibition held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 13–15 September 2004.

This paper was selected for presentation by an IADC/SPE Program Committee following
review of information contained in a proposal submitted by the author(s). Contents of the
Introduction
paper, as presented, have not been reviewed by the International Association of Drilling Multilateral well-construction technology continues to gain
Contractors or Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s).
The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any position of the International global acceptance as an economically viable and effective
Association of Drilling Contractors or Society of Petroleum Engineers, their officers, or
members. Papers presented at IADC/SPE meetings are subject to publication review by
heavy oil field development strategy. Heavy crude oils, which
Editorial Committees of the International Association of Drilling Contractors and Society of are typically identified as having API gravities of <20 degrees
Petroleum Engineers. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper
for commercial purposes without the written consent of the International Association of Drilling and viscosities of >1000 centipoise, represent an estimated 5.5
Contractors and Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print trillion barrels of global reserves. These heavy oils are
is restricted to a proposal of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The
proposal must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper was traditionally found in weak, unconsolidated sandstone
presented. Write Librarian, SPE, P.O. Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax
01-972-952-9435. reservoirs that require some form of lateral borehole support
and/or sand control solution. Another key to successful heavy
oil exploitation is reservoir exposure which increases the
Abstract
mobility of high viscosity liquids within the reservoir matrix.
Multilateral drilling technology has been used in many heavy-
Proven reservoir exposure techniques such as horizontal
oil developmental projects to achieve maximum reservoir
drilling and well completion technologies have been further
exposure from a single surface location. The wellbore
enhanced through the successful integration of these
geometry and completion strategies for multilateral wells are
technologies into multilateral well construction strategies1.
planned and customized to fit the known reservoir
Lateral access must always be a primary consideration
characteristics and sand distribution qualities. Typically,
when planning the completion type and junction requirements
heavy oil reserves are found in unconsolidated sandstone
for any heavy-oil development. If lateral access might be
reservoirs that require some form of sand exclusion strategy
required during the life of the well, there are several re-entry
across the reservoir as well as at the lateral mainbore junction
techniques that can be deployed with the primary completion
interface. In heavy-oil sand, effective sand-control strategies
system as well as with remedial strategies. Lateral sand
must be carefully planned since one of the difficult problems
control methods have ranged from perforated and/or slotted
to address in heavy-oil targets is their natural tendency to
liners to horizontal gravel-pack methodologies. In-zone
suspend formation solids, often referred to as Basic Solids and
junction placements usually require a sealed junction, which
Water (BS&W) solids. An effective sand control strategy
minimizes and/or eliminates formation sand production. If the
should allow these solids to be produced to surface and
junction placement is in a competent shale section above the
separated by the production facility. The remainder of the
reservoir target, a non-sealed junction may suffice.
solids can be controlled, based on the sand-distribution
While the primary objective of multilateral well
qualities. If the formation sand is uniform, liner-only
construction is reservoir exposure, an optimal lateral design
completions can be used for effective sand exclusion without
must be chosen for the completion also and integrated into the
sacrificing rate. If the formation sand is non-uniform, gravel
overall well construction strategy. The lateral completion
packing will be required. For this reason, regardless of the
requirements must consider two issues. The first issue is
well scenario, the gravel pack or liner only completion should
effective reservoir-completion interface, which must also be
allow BS&W solids to pass through and be produced to the
considered in conventional, single heavy-oil wells.
surface.
Traditional heavy-oil horizontal completion methods range
Most heavy oil development areas use artificial lift such as
from openhole perforated liners to horizontal gravel packing.
PCP and ESP pumps. All multilateral completion strategies
The extent of lateral sand control or borehole support
must always consider the lift strategy, the ID requirements for
requirements will vary and depend on issues such as reservoir
pump deployment as well as necessary sand exclusion
lithology, oil viscosity, BS&W solids content along with the
requirements for the pump.
solids-handling capacity of the surface facility.
The paper examines successful multilateral completion
The other multilateral completion component one must
strategies used in heavy-oil development projects in Canada,
consider relates to the lateral junction requirements. While
2 IADC/SPE 87966
there are various completion methods that connect the lateral
completion to the parent wellbore, issues such as lateral flow
control, junction isolation, and solids control and re-entry
capabilities must be considered. Furthermore, knowledge of
the reservoir lithology surrounding the proposed lateral
junction depth is also crucial to determining the junction
completion requirements.
While the growth of multilateral technology continues to
advance into areas such as deepwater and tight-gas
development, heavy-oil applications still make up roughly 70
percent of all multilateral installations world wide. Another
interesting point is that most of these wells are in an onshore
cost environment where economics are closely and
continuously scrutinized. In these circumstances, economic
justification for multilateral implementation is achieved
through reduced field development and construction costs
along with the potential of reservoir value enhancement.
Heavy Oil Multilaterals – Value Proposition
Reservoir Exposure: Increased reservoir exposure is one of
the key benefits to the implementation of multilateral
technology2. As mentioned above, reservoirs containing high-
viscosity fluids such as heavy crudes are by far the most
popular application for multilateral well construction. Heavy-
oil producers mandate maximum reservoir contact from fewer
surface locations. In addition to the economical advantage,
fewer surface locations also equate to a reduction in the
environmental impact involved with most field development
projects. A reservoir drainage strategy, which is accomplished
through the advances in horizontal drilling and multilateral
technology, provides a borehole drill path and conduit to take
the wellbore to the hydrocarbon rather than bringing the
hydrocarbon to the wellbore. The economics of enhanced
reservoir exposure are further magnified through improved
hydrocarbon recovery and sweep efficiencies as well as
through the time value of rate acceleration and higher facility
output.
Recovery Efficiencies. Simply put, increased reservoir
contact enhances sweep and reservoir drainage efficiencies.
Furthermore, increased reservoir exposure also reduces
drawdown, which in turn, minimizes the incidents of water
coning and gas breakthrough. Reduced drawdown will also
minimize sand production and provide optimum lateral
contribution at accelerated rates.
Time Value and Rate Acceleration. Heavy-oil asset value
can be affected substantially by rate acceleration and the
economics related to operation of the surface facility. More
laterals increase reservoir exposure, which accelerates
hydrocarbon recovery through increased flow rates. Higher
output improves facility utilization and prolongs economic
viability.
Heavy Oil and Flow Assurance
Heavy-oil deposits are typically found in shallow,
unconsolidated reservoirs. Without reservoir exposure,
productivity will be low due to the high viscosity of the
produced fluids. These high-viscosity liquids also have a
natural tendency to suspend solids (Fig 1). Surface facility
limitations may require some form of downhole sand
exclusion such as slotted liners, screens and/or gravel packs.
While the heavy oil deposits are typically found in relatively
high permeabilities, artificial lift is generally employed to
optimize production rates3.
Drainage Architecture. Advanced drainage architecture is
an important aspect in providing optimum reservoir contact in
heavy oil multilateral development projects. While horizontal
drilling and completion techniques provide the maximum
reservoir exposure, different types of multilateral drainage
strategies exist. The most common drainage strategies are
gullwing, stacked, and fishbone designs. Fig. 2 is a depiction
of these configurations. Under these multilateral drainage
strategies, multiple laterals or branches are strategically
positioned across the reservoir and extend back to a single
mainbore casing. Proper reservoir engineering and planning
should consider the location of the mainbore/lateral junction,
reservoir exposure (including lateral length requirements), and
the completion design that is optimum for the conditions.4
Artificial Lift and Cold Production. Due to high viscosity,
heavy oils require artificial lift to overcome friction and
maintain optimal producing rates. All heavy-oil multilaterals
installed to date have been cold produced using artificial lift
systems such as progressive cavity pumps (PCP), electric
submersible pumps (ESP) and gas lift (GS). GS and ESP
systems can be completed to provide interventionless lateral
access, whereas PCP-produced wells require rig intervention.
ESP systems work well for heavy crudes; however, produced
solids have a negative impact on the pump life and
maintenance. Diluent injection, typically Naphtha, has been
used extensively to reduce friction pressure by increasing the
oil gravity. Wellhead, pump and toe diluent injection
techniques are used in conjunction with PCP completions.5
Steam Assist. Thermal recovery methods such as Huff ‘n’
Puff and Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) have
proven to be very effective recovery techniques when used on
conventional single-lateral wells. While multilaterals
applications have not deployed these recovery methods,
drilling and completion systems are available to permit the use
of such techniques (Figs. 3 and 4).
Multilateral Classifications and Sand Control
Multilateral classifications have been categorized by the
Technology Advancement for Multi-Laterals, also known as
TAML (Fig 5). The lithology surrounding the proposed
junction area, solids control, and zonal isolation requirements
will dictate the necessary TAML classification. Under the
TAML classification, Level 1 multilaterals are openhole
junctions, and typically, used in natural fractured carbonate or
limestone formations. Since Level 1 junctions do not provide
hole stability or sand control across the junction area, they will
not be discussed. Following are definitions of the other
TAML levels used in heavy-oil development.
Level 2: The Level 2 junction can be described as an openhole
junction extending from a cased and cemented mainbore. This
type of junction can either have an openhole section extending
IADC/SPE 87966
from the junction to the lateral TD, or a drop liner can be
deployed into the lateral for borehole support. In either case,
the mainbore lateral junction remains exposed to the formation
surrounding the junction area and does not provide flow
isolation and/or pressure integrity across the junction. Since
the formation lithology surrounding the junction area is
critical, the junction is commonly placed in a carbonate or
stable shale environment.
Level 3: The Level 3 junction begins as a Level 2 in that a
lateral borehole is drilled from a cased and cemented
mainbore. The exception is that a lateral completion
assembly, typically a slotted liner or screen, is deployed into
the lateral and tied-back to the mainbore using a lateral liner
hanger device. While the hanger device does not provide
positive isolation across the junction, it does effectively
connect the lateral conduit back to the mainbore completion at
the junction. The Level 3 junction will have a slight ID
restriction through the hanger, which may hamper some
completion requirements. While Level 3 hybrids exist that
can be cemented back to the junction, they are traditionally
categorized by TAML as a non-cemented junction. Since the
Level 3 system provides no pressure seal junction, it should be
placed in a carbonate or stable shale formation that is not
susceptible to solids production or borehole collapse.
Level 4: The Level 4 junction begins as a lateral borehole
extending from a cased and cemented mainbore. The junction
construction involves cementing a lateral liner back to the
mainbore. The lateral liner can be cemented entirely or can be
staged cemented above an external casing packer which
protects a slotted liner or screen installation. While the
cement acts as a solids control and flow barrier, it can not be
considered as a positive hydraulic seal. Once the lateral liner
is cemented, the lateral remnant inside the mainbore is
removed using a wash over and retrieval technique. After the
wash over is completed, Level 4 construction provides a full-
opened casing ID through the junction area, which permits the
deployment of large-OD submersible pumps. The Level 4
junction is ideal for heavy oil applications where solids
production can be isolated using cement.
Level 5: The Level 5 junction can be described as a pressure
seal that is established by the completion equipment across the
junction. Packers and/or seal bores are used in conjunction
with dual tubing strings to obtain a three-way pressure seal.
The completion configuration can provide segregated or
commingled flow to surface. Because the flow isolation is
obtained by the completion, the Level 5 junction completion
system has been used to retrofit a L2, L4 and L6 junction. The
vast majority of Level 5 junctions have been installed from
cemented Level 4 constructions. Level 5 junctions are well
suited for flow-segregated installations that mandate high
differential pressure ratings or for in-zone junction
construction that requires a positive pressure seal to isolate
formation fluid and/or solids.
Level 6: The Level 6 junction provides a pressure seal, which
is established by the casing. The systems are typically
deployed at the bottom of a casing string. Once the casing and
3
junction are cemented into place, the laterals are drilled
individually and tied back to the junction with some form of
cemented lateral liner and hanger assembly. If the junction is
installed in-zone, slotted liners or screens are typically used in
place of cemented liners. The differential pressure rating
across the junction will vary and depends on the type and size
of the junction equipment.
Lateral Sand Control. As previously mentioned, effective
lateral sand control can range from slotted liners to gravel
packing. The reservoir lithology along with the surface solids
handling capability will dictate the extent of sand exclusion.
Another common producing strategy is to provide borehole
support using slotted/perforated liners but co-produce the
formation sand with the heavy crude. Cold heavy-oil
production with sand is also known as “CHOPS.”6 In offshore
environments, where effective downhole sand exclusion is
required, customized mesh screens and gravel packs are
common.
Junction Isolation and Sand Control. Under the TAML
junction classification, there are fit-for-purpose multilateral
systems that provide various degrees of sand-control
protection. The key to determining the proper system requires
thorough understanding of the formation lithology
surrounding the proposed junction depth. If junction stability
is questionable, or if there is a nearby water sand, consider a
different junction depth and lithology or choose multilateral
equipment that provides pressure isolation at the junction.
Retrofits and Conversions. A multilateral junction may
require a pressure seal or pack-off across the junction area if
the formation surrounding the junction begins to produce sand
and/or water. There are differing degrees of junction
completion equipment that can provide low- or high- pressure
isolation (Figs. 6 and 7). While these systems provide some
level of pressure isolation, flow segregation and lateral
accessibility requirements must be considered during the
selection process as well.
Multilateral Planning and Construction Issues
Risk Mitigation. Multilateral drilling and completion
applications encompass many aspects of conventional well
construction, and that is why it is perceived to be a risky
proposition. In reality, risk mitigation can be optimized by
understanding risk and their interconnected relationship
between each well-construction phase.
Debris Management: In new-well multilateral construction,
pre-milled windows are an excellent debris management tool.
Pre-milled windows have an outer composite or aluminum
jacket that totally eliminates metal cuttings associated with
multilateral window construction. They also provide full
gauge lateral drill out. The window joint is placed in the
parent-bore casing string and positioned at the desired junction
depth prior to cementing. To achieve 3000 psi working
pressure during the cement job, the composite wrapped
window joint requires an internal pressure sleeve, whereas the
aluminum-wrapped joint does not (Fig. 8). The internal sleeve
is removed in the composite-wrapped window after the
4 IADC/SPE 87966
cementing job is complete and before mainbore drilling
commences.
Drilling and Completion Sequence. To date, most
multilateral wells are drilled and completed from the bottom
up. Typically, the lower lateral is drilled as an extension from
the bottom of the mainbore across a designated reservoir. This
can be done using conventional drill mud or special, less-
damaging drill-in fluids. Once drilled, a slotted liner, screen
assembly or gravel pack is installed into the lateral borehole
and tied-back to the bottom of the mainbore casing. Next, a
packer/plug configuration or bridge plug is installed in the
mainbore casing above the lower-lateral completion before the
drilling whipstock is installed, and drilling commences on the
upper lateral. With this scenario, each lateral is completed
prior to drilling the next.
Lateral Re-entry. Lateral access can be provided by the
completion equipment installed across the junction area or by
remedial means using coiled tubing or multilateral service
tools. If lateral access will be required for remedial logging
and/or coiled-tubing applications, the completion equipment
can be configured to provide access that does not require the
removal of the production tubing. Rigless intervention and
lateral access can be provided on ESP and gas-lift production
systems.
Flow Segregation and Isolation. Most heavy-oil
multilaterals have commingled flow configurations and do not
require flow segregation. However, several Level 5
completion systems provide flow segregation and can be
consolidated into the overall completion strategy.7 These
systems are compatible with slotted liner and gravel-pack
applications, and also, offer rigless lateral re-entry capabilities.
Lateral Clean-up and Flow Optimization. As previously
mentioned, most heavy-oil multilateral wells use artificial-lift
methods. To simplify the unloading process, the laterals are
unloaded and cleaned up simultaneously. However, if flow-
segregated lateral clean-up is necessary to optimize lateral
clean-up and establish base line production data, an ESP or
gas-lift completion system that does not require rig
intervention can be configured.
Heavy Oil Case Histories
Following case histories of heavy oil developments in which
multilateral technology was successfully applied.
Case History 1: Level-3 with Slotted Liner – Canada
This heavy oil multilateral project was installed in an
unconsolidated sandstone reservoir that contained 14-degree
API gravity crude (Fig. 9). The mainbore of the well was
drilled horizontally and cased with a 7-in. liner, which
included three premilled windows that were oriented to be
drilled in the same parallel direction. Each of the laterals were
drilled and lined with 3-1/2-in. slotted liners back to the
mainbore. An external casing packer (ECP) was installed
above each slotted liner for isolating formation sand
production in the slotted liner annulus. The slotted liners were
connected back to the mainbore using a Level 3 mechanical
hanger. Total reservoir exposure was approximately 15,000
feet.
Case History 2: Level-4 with Gravel Pack – Trinidad: As
with single lateral wells, gravel packing of multilateral wells
may be required if non-uniform reservoir sand qualities exist.
Such was the case with this well in Trinidad. This heavy oil
multilateral well was constructed in an unconsolidated
sandstone reservoir which contained 12-to-18 API gravity
crude. The lower lateral penetrated a separate lobe of the
reservoir than the upper lateral. A 9-5/8-in. mainbore casing,
which also contained a pre-milled window section, was used.
The inclination at the window joint was approximately 60
degrees. The lower lateral extended horizontally for
approximately 1200 feet from the bottom of the mainbore
casing across the reservoir (Fig. 10). It was gravel packed
using a pressure-maintenance horizontal completion system
with 5-1/2-in. premium mesh screens. Once the lower lateral
was completed, it was temporarily isolated while the upper
lateral was constructed.
Approximately 600 feet of 8-1/2-in. upper lateral borehole
was drilled from the mainbore pre-milled window down to the
top of the reservoir. Seven-in. casing was then deployed and
cemented back into the 9-5/8-in. mainbore. Once the 7-in.
casing was cemented into place, a 6-in. horizontal section was
drilled across the reservoir for approximately 1000 feet. The
upper lateral was gravel packed using a pressure maintenance
horizontal completion system with 3-1/2-in. premium mesh
screens. Total reservoir exposure was approximately 2,200
feet.
Case History 3: Level-4 with Slotted Liner – Venezuela:
As with any heavy oil project, this customer wanted to place
two additional laterals into the reservoir from the same surface
location. The mainbore had 9-5/8-in. casing that included two
pre-milled window systems (Fig. 11). The inclination at the
windows joints was approximately 80 degrees. A 7-in. slotted
liner was deployed in the mainbore lateral borehole extending
from the 9-5/8-in. casing shoe. Seven-inch slotted-liner
assemblies were also deployed in the middle and upper
laterals. Both the middle and upper lateral assemblies
included an ECP and cementing stage collar above the slotted
liner section. Once the lateral liner was positioned on depth,
the ECP was inflated and cemented from the cementing collar
back into the mainbore casing. The lateral sections were
drilled and lined from the bottom up. Once the laterals were
cemented into place, the tops of each lateral assembly, also
known as the transition joints, were washed over, re-
establishing the mainbore casing drift through each junction
area. The oil gravity was ~9 degree API, and the total
reservoir exposure was approximately 15,000 feet.
Case History 4: Level-3 with Slotted Liner – Venezuela:
This multilateral system was installed using a 9-5/8-in pre-
milled casing window. The inclination at the window was 66
degrees at a relatively shallow depth of 1,800 ft (Fig. 12). The
reservoir contained extra heavy oil with an API gravity of 9
degrees. The mainbore lateral was drilled and lined, using a 7-
in. slotted liner assembly. The liner was tied back to the 9-
5/8-in. casing with a conventional liner hanger packer. The
IADC/SPE 87966
upper lateral borehole was drilled using an 8-1/2-in. bit, and
also, was lined using a 7-in. slotted liner. The upper lateral
liner was tied back to the mainbore using a large bore hanger.
An 8-ft annular casing packer (ACP) was inflated just outside
the window for solids isolation from the slotted liner annulus.
Total reservoir exposure was over 8000 feet.
Multilateral Progression
Several advanced technologies are providing new
opportunities to further enhance the reservoir-development
capabilities of multilateral technology. From a drilling
standpoint, rotary steerable technology is extending the limits
of advanced reservoir architecture while underbalance drilling
techniques are further enhancing the reservoir candidate
selection to include under-pressured, depleted reservoirs
and/or damage-sensitive reservoirs not previously considered
as good candidates for the available technology.
Expandable tubulars will now be considered to provide
optimal wellbore geometry for deep gas and extended-reach
development projects.
New technologies will also enhance the completion
capabilities of multilateral technology. For example,
intelligent completion systems can be consolidated into the
overall reservoir development strategies to provide enhanced
reservoir management. The enhancements that would be
provided would include realtime temperature and pressure
monitoring as well as controlled commingling of multiple
reservoirs. Hydraulic fracturing is also being consolidated
into multilateral technology. This process could include
casing fracturing, and selective fracturing in multiple stages in
each lateral. Downhole water/gas separation technology can
also be combined into multilateral technology to optimize
production and provide a self-contained production and
disposal operation from a single surface location.
Conclusions
Multilateral technology has proven to be a successful heavy
oil development tool, which has the capability to enhance the
overall economics. The key advantage of employing
multilateral technology is that it increases reservoir exposure,
flow rates and ultimate recovery efficiencies. Various
completion strategies, which accommodate sand control,
lateral re-entry, and flow segregation requirements, can be
combined with multilateral technology to further optimize
production rates and increase asset net present value.
5
Acknowledgments
The author wishes to thank the management of Halliburton
Energy Services, Inc. for permission and encouragement to
publish this paper as well as the operators who have been
instrumental in proving these technologies.
References
1. Stalder, J.L., York, G.D., Kopper, R.J., Curtis, C.M., Cole, T.L.,
and Copley, J.H.: “Multilateral-Horizontal Wells Increase Rate
and Lower Cost Per Barrel in the Zuata, Field, Faja,
Venezuela,” Paper SPE 69700 presented at the 2001 SPE
International Thermal Operations and Heavy Oil Symposium,
Portamar, Margarita Island, Venezuela, 12-14 March 2001.
2. Brister, R.: “Screening Variables for Multilateral Technology,”
Paper SPE 64698 presented at the SPE International Oil and Gas
Conference and Exhibition in China held in Beijing, China, 7–
10 November 2000.
3. Boardman, D.W.: “Design Considerations for a Heavy Oil
Multilateral Well,” Paper SPE 39086 presented at the 5th Latin
American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference
and Exhibition, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 30 August – 3 September
1997.
4. Fuentes, J. A., Economides, M.J., Carbonell, R.S.: “Stability of
Junctures for Multilateral/Multibranched Wells,” SPE paper
57279 presented at the 1999 SPE Asia Pacific Improved Oil
Recovery Conference held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 25-26
October 1999.
5. Ramírez, R. Fernandez, V Barrios, J. Multilateral Field Experience
in Developing an Extra Heavy Crude-Oil Reservoir,” SPE paper
no. 86947 T presented at the SPE International Thermal
Operations and Heavy Oil Symposium and Western Regional
Meeting, held in Bakersfield, California, U.S.A., 16-18 March
2004.
6. Wehunt, C.D. Burke N.E., Noonan, S.G., Bard, T.R.: “Technical
Challenges for Offshore Heavy Oil Field Developments,” OTC
Paper 15281 presented at the 2003 Offshore Technology
Conference held in Houston, Texas, U.S.A., 5–8 May 2003.
7. DeMong, K., Al-Yami, A., Lambe, S.: “The Application of
Pressure Isolated Multilateral Junction Improves Economics in
Offshore Arabian Gulf,” Paper IADC/SPE77201 presented at
the IADC/SPE Asia Pacific Drilling Technology Conference
held in Jakarta, Indonesia, 9-11 September 2002.
SI Metric Conversion Factors
ft x 2.831 685 E - 02 = m3
in x 2.54* E + 01 = mm
md x 9.869 233 E - 04 = m3
psi x 6.894 757 E + 00 = kPa
*Conversion factor is exact
6 IADC/SPE 87966

Fig. 1 ― Example of BS&W Solids

IADC/SPE 87966 7

Fishbon

Stacke

Gullwin

Fig. 2 ― The 3 most common drainage strategies

8 IADC/SPE 87966

Fig. 3 ― Example of thermal recovery method, SAGD

Level 5 Completion

Fig. 4 ― Thermal recovery on a Level 5

completion.
IADC/SPE 87966 9

Fig. 5 ― Examples of the TAML multilateral levels.

10 IADC/SPE 87966

Fig. 6 ― Low Pressure Junction Isolation

Fig. 7 ―High Pressure Junction Isolation

IADC/SPE 87966 11

Aluminum

Composite

Fig. 8 ― Pre-milled Windows

12 IADC/SPE 87966

Fig. 9 ― Level 3 multilateral with Slotted Liners - Canada

IADC/SPE 87966 13

Level 4
Dual Lateral
“Gravel Packs”

Fig. 10 ― Level 4 multilateral with Gravel Packs - Trinidad

14 IADC/SPE 87966

Level 4
Tri-Lateral
“Slotted liners”

Fig. 11 ― Level 4 multilateral with Slotted Liners - Venezuela

IADC/SPE 87966 15

Level 3
Dual Lateral
“Slotted liners”

Fig. 12 ― Level 3 multilateral with Slotted Liners - Venezuela