SPE-175226-MS

Highly Deviated Well with ICD Completion Through Shale and Sand - First
Time in Kuwait at 82.5°
Abdullah Merza, KOC

Copyright 2015, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Kuwait Oil & Gas Show and Conference held in Mishref, Kuwait, 11–14 October 2015.

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
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Abstract
The drilling of development wells in layered sand-shale sequence involves thin and sinuous targets.
Optimal Drilling and well placement is a requirement for these thin reservoirs in order to drain them in
a cost effective manner. A slanted well with 82 deg inclination was planned and drilled to drain oil from
the Lower Cretaceous layered sands of target formation as part of a development plan to increase the
production rate from the North Kuwait oil field which is aligned to Kuwait Oil Company’s (KOC) goal
of producing 4 million bbl/d oil by 2020 and sustained it until 2030.
Plan is to build the inclination through the 12 ¼” hole section kicking off with Motorized Rotary
steerable system up to 50 deg inclination. The 8 ½” section is planned to build from 50 deg to 82 deg and
again planned to be drilled with rotary steerable system and resistivity at bit technologies to allow precise
landing with high angle in the required zone of interest. The 6 1/8” section is planned to be drilled with
Rotary steerable and triple combo LWD and resistivity at bit technologies to precisely drill through the
required zone of interest. The well was planned to be drilled with Rotary steerable tools to enable smooth
well profile and avoid micro doglegs to enable smooth deployment of ICD completions through different
layers – sand – shale – silt – shale sequences.
After drilling the top hole vertical sections with rotary stiff BHA’s and running Casings, the well was
kicked off in the 12 ¼” section. The details of the BHA and the performance are as mentioned below.
BHA #01 : 12 1/4” PDC Bit - RSS with 12 1/8” Stabilizers - Flex Collar - 825 MWD - NMDC - 3 ×
6 5/8” HWDP- Jar- 6 × 6 5/8” HWDP - 5” DP to surface
This BHA drilled the well from kick off point to the casing point in one run and achieved 54 deg. The
section was planned with 3.3 deg DLS and to be drilled with roatry steerable system so as to achieve
smooth well bore profile. During the drilling of this section, the bit induced severe Stick & Slip and very
high torque throughout the run, Stick & Slip was 100 % and Torque had gone up to 17 kft.lb at surface,
When String is picked up off bottom torque goes back to normal (3k ft.lb) and stick slip doesn’t exist,
Had to pick up too many times throughout the run specially while drilling Mauddud formation because
Rotary steerable tool face was unstable and affected by the severe stick & slip. After reaching to the
section TD, wiper trip was performed and the casing was run to the bottom and cemented.
BHA #02 8 1/2” : 8 1/2” PDC Bit – RSS 675 - LWD - MWD - NMDC - 24 × 5” DP - 3 × 5” HWDP-
Jar- 2 × 5” HWDP - 15 × 5”DP - 15 × 5” HWDP - 5” DP
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This BHA continued drilling the section and build from 54 deg to 82 deg at the casing point / section
TD. The section was drilled with a dog leg severity of 3.5 deg / 100 ft without any issues. The BHA
consisted of both Rotary steerable system and logging while drilling technologies. The rotary steerable
system enabled smooth well bore profile and the logiing while drilling (resistivity at bit) enabled the
landing opf the well in the required zone of interest. The section drilled and the formation was picked up
with correlation done on the off set wells. After drilling the section, the liner was run to bottom without
any issues and cemented.
BHA #03 : 61/8” PDC Bit - RSS – LWD -MWD – LWD - 3 × 3 1/2” HWDP -57 × 3–1/2 ” DP - Jar-6
× 3–1/2” HWDP -27 × 3-1/2 ” DP- 4.75” X-over Sub-3 × 5” DP-12 × 5” HWDP- 5” DP to surface
The BHA consisted of Rotary steerable system, MWD and LWD comprising Resistivity at Bit,
formation resisitivy, Density and neutron porosity. The section was drilled holding the inclination of 82
deg to cut through the reservoir layers. Drilling team, field development and well placement teams
worked very closely monitoring the formation evalauation measurements whilst drilling through this
section and called target depth afer reaching the bottom part of the reservoir. The rotary steerable tool
again enabled a very smooth well profile to be drilled.
After drilling the top hole curve sections, well was successfully landed into the target sand channel
and drilled through the drain hole section using resistivity, gamma ray and density neutron tools. Well
was monitored in real time with a multi task team comprising drilling department, field development,
well placement and target depth was called out while it approached the expected zones with water
fingering. After the completion of the 6 1/8” reservoir section, achieving very smooth profile with pre –
selected technologies, a dedicated roller reamer run was performed to make sure that the hole profile is
more precise and smoother for the deployment of ICD completions for the first time in a high angle
deviated well crossing through different layers. After taking all the precautions related to hole cleaning,
mud weight management to mitigate the shale sections open at high angles and well geometry, well was
completed with ICD completions for the first time in Kuwait for a slanted 82 deg well within sand-
shale sequence.

Introduction to North Kuwait Reservoirs

The Burgan and Maudud formations of Alpian age are the main reservoirs in North Kuwait as shown in
Fig. # 1. The reservoirs in Raudhatain filed have been in production since 1955. The Burgan formation
was deposited in paralic to offshore depositional environments. The depositional evolution was in
response to an initial fall and subsequent long term or low frequency rise in relative sea level. In north
Kuwait, the lower Burgan formation is dominated by Sandstone. The middle Burgan consists of marine
shales with thin sands. The shales show large washouts while drilling with low mud weight.
SPE-175226- 3

Figure 1—General location of the field

The Raudhatain field lies withing the Arabian basin in the State of Kuwait. The field location is in
the northern part of Kuwait at lat. 29°52 =N, long 47°45 E. The field produces from clastic and carbonate
reservvoirs of early cretaceous age. Original recoverable reserves from this field were estimated at 8.8
billion bbl of oil (ref: Raudhatain Field, Kuwait Arabian Basin, Philip Brennan, AAPG 1991).
The North Kuwait Development Plan the Raudhatain and Sabiriyah fields are two mature and
established oil fields located in the North Kuwait production sector, as shown in Fig. 1. The fields were
discovered in 1956. Other North Kuwait reservoirs, by comparison, are in titiveIy wly stages of
development and currently contribute relatively small volumes to total North Kuwait production.
The Raudhatain and Sabiriyah fields contain three main productive formations; the Mauddud Lime-
stone, the Upper Burgan Sandstone and the Lower Burgan Sandstone. In addition, in Raudhatain, the
Zubair formation is productive, shown in Fig. 2.

Figure 2—Different reservoirs in the field

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Total oil recovery from all of the North Kuwait fields to date is estimated at 26 %; however, the bulk
of this production has been achieved from the Lower Burgan formation, which has excellent reservoir
quality, excellent vertical communication and a strong basaI aquifer. Significant potential for secondry
recovery remains in the Raudhatain and Sabiriyah fields in the other formations, particularly in the
Mauddud and Upper Burgan, which have lower reservoir energy and more variable reservoir properties
than the Lower Burgan.
Production from the Upper Burgan reservoirs began in 1959 and 1970 in Raudhatain and Sabiriyah,
respectively. The Upper Burgan reservoir in each field represents a giant reservoir with significant
original oil in place. Although the Upper Burgan reservoirs have both been on production for more than
40 years, the off-take to date is a relatively small percentage of the potential ultimate recovery,
highlighting the significant secondary development opportunity which exists in the Upper Burgan
alone.

The Upper Burgan Reservoir

The Aptian-AIbian Upper Burgan reservoir is a major productive itierval in both the Raudhatain and
Sabriyah fields. The Upper Burgan sandstone has undergone deposition in an Ovetil paralic environment.
The reservoir comprises a complex series of tidal, estuary, deltaic, valley fill and shoreface sands
interbedded with semi continuous shaIes. The paleo-shoreline is interpreted as having a NWSE trend.
The sandstones of the Upper Burgan are typically fine grained and rich in ductile content, Porosities
average 20% and may reach 30V0 in the best developed channel sands. Horizontal permeability values of
200 to 700md are common with extreme vertical variation due to changes in texture and ductile content.
The gross thickness of the reservoir is around 150 fat with net-to-gross averaging 65-70V0 in Raudhatain
and 50-60°A in Sabiriyah.
The understanding of the reservoir has progressed since the liberation of Kuwait in 1991, due to
acquisition of new data such as 3D seismic, and more than 60 new penetrations of the reservoir,
Also, new surveillance data has been acquired providing insight into fluid and pressure distribution in
the reservoir.
A comprehensive and focused geological study has been conducted on the reservoir. The study
incIudes petrographic analysis, core description, image log analysis, sequmce stratigraphy, biostratigra-
phy, geochemistry and 3D seismic, which have been integrated with all available dynamic data to best
define the reservoir architecture and flow units.

The Lower Burgan Reservoir

The lower Burgan is the main producing reservoir in Raudhatain field. The upper part of Lower Burgan,
known as the ”L” zone, consists of marine-infliuenced channels with wide variations in lateral extent. The
Lower part of Lower Burgan, known as ”M” zone, contains mostly extensive sands, deposited by
coalescing braided streams (ref: Lessons Learnt in Planning and Implementation of a Successful Lower
Burgan Horizontal Well in North Kuwait, Shaikh Abdul Azim, SPE 78561. The current well targeted
lower Burgan reservoir and planned to cut through target reservoir stratigraphy at a high angle of
82deg.

Well Objectives
The main objective of the well was to penetrate the Lower Burgan formation with high angle in order to
maximize the reservoir contact Maximum Reservoir Contact MRC). The following objectives were set
by the asset team:
● To increase the reservoir contact across the entire wellbore by keeping inclination at 82 deg.
● To complete the well with ICD in order to reduce early water breakthrough.
● To produce simultaneously from multi-pay Lower Burgan channel sands.
● ESP Pump to farther enhance the well production
SPE-175226- 5

Well Planning
The general well planning phase covered the following:
● Drill 16” hole Vertical and Set 13 3/8” CSG at Mutriba FM Top
● Drill 12 ¼” hole directionally with RSS building to 58° inc while Keeping tangents section for ESP
and set 9 5/8” Csg at UB top.
● Drill 8 ½” hole farther deviated the well with RSs to 82° set 7” liner at LBL top of the target Zone
● Drill 6 1/8” hole tangent section holding 82° with RSS to achieved smooth well bore as enabler
to Lower ICD completion in Multi formation.
● Four point roller reamer run was planned to further smoothen the well bore profile for successful
running in if ICD completions.
Please refer to Fig. # 3 for the well design

Figure 3—Well design

Drilling Results
All section been drill without any SQ or HSE issue.
All casing been landed to the desired setting depth as result of excellent team work and Well
placement geologist and drilling.
Well has been drilled with Minimum Tortuosity as result of utilizing Rotary Steerable System (RSS)
in all section which was enabler for smooth casing running.
6 1/8" Section objectives
Due to know ICD completion difficulties in Slated well where different formation will be combined
together. Team have come up with fallowing to ensure the successes of this pilot project:
6 SPE-175226-MS

1. Section to be drill as fast as possible to reduce shale time exposer (well currently bench mark
on the filed).
2. Section Minimum directional work to be done for correction (RSS Tool been utilized Max DLS
=0.05)
3. Section to be closely monitor by all party to avoid hitting OWC (G&G+ Drilling in both field
and office) (Resistivity @ bit tool been used).
4. Hole cleaning to be priority only fresh mud to be used (minimum time was required for PST
before deploying ICD in hole )
5. Ensure there is no tight hole and hole is gauge before ICD deployment (gauge trip consisted of
four reamer been lower with no restriction).
Final result well had been successfully competed with ICD safely and production target been archived
as result of team work. Please refer to Fig. # 4 for the well trajectory

Figure 4 —Well Trajectory

Geosteering Results
The 8.5in build section was planned to land below LBL top (LBLCOAL1_UCH_T) with 82deg
inclination. Geosteering objectives in the build section were to evaluate and pick geological markers
using LWD triple combo measurements and optimize trajectory inclination with respect to marker
depths. Please refer to Fig. # 5 for illustration.
SPE-175226- 7

Figure 5—Log Correlation during 8.5in build section.

The 6.125in section was planned to hold inclination at 82deg and drill through Lower Burgan
formations until TD. The main objective was to to use resistivity at bit measurement for precise
geostopping in dry zone. Please refer to Fig. # 6 for illustration.

Figure 6 —Log Correlation during 6.125in section.

While drilling the 8.5in section, it was observed that formation markers were coming deeper than
prognosis by ~35ft. The hold section was replanned with 80deg instead of 82deg to compensate for
markers coming deeper. LBLSID3 marker was encountered at ~8085ft TVDSS as compared to prognosis
of 8038ft TVDSS.
8 SPE-175226-MS

Azimuthal GR image was used for structural dip computation as trajectory cut through different
layers. Dips calculated showed values of ~1.5deg towards ~140deg azimuth. Inclination was finally built
to 82deg after log correlation with offset wells confirmed trajectory approaching target
LBLCOAL1_UCH marker. The 8.5in build section was landed about ~9ft TVD below this top.
The 6.125” section was drilled at an average inclination of 82.5deg though target Lower Burgan
formations and TD was called just above LBLSID4 marker. Please refer to Fig. # 7 for illustration.

Figure 7—Dip picking in Azimuthal GR image.

Figure # 8 shows the final results of the 6 1/8” section.

SPE-175226- 9

Figure 8 —6 1/8" section results

Drilling Performance
Figure # 9 shows the drilling performace for the subject well as compared to nearby wells.

Figure 9 —Comparison with near by wells

What is an Inflow Control Device (ICD)

Inflow control device (ICD) is designed to help evenly distribute inflow throughout a horizontal
wellbore. This device reduces the tendency of early water or gas production, allowing the reservoir to
drain more efficiently while maximizing production and recovery. The ICD allows for uniform
production and flow contribution along a sand-face completion in horizontal and slant wells. The system
is retrofitted with a range of Weatherford’s screens.
10 SPE-175226-MS

The ICD device enables predetermined setting of the desired pressure drop (heel-to-toe) along a screen
section, using multiple open or closed flow ports to provide the required reservoir management. FloReg
ICDs have proven the potential of extending well life by prolonging the plateau period, minimizing water
and/or gas production, lessening annular flow, and increasing recovery. Fig. # 10 shows a simple diagram
of an ICD

Figure 10 —A simple diagram showing the Inflow Control Device (ICD)

Data Requirements for ICD Design

Below is a summary of the required data needed for successful ICD design:
➢ Deviation Survey
➢ Permeability, Porosity and Water Saturation Profile
➢ Pressure Profile of the horizontal section
➢ PVT Data
➢ Relative Permeability Data
ICD Completion System in this Well
Well was completed with ICD system consisting of 5 ICD sandstone screens with zonal isolation using
8 swell packers creating 5 ICD copmartments, each compartment is having 1 ICD joint with 5 flow ports
open in it, System was deployed & hanged with 7 ” × 5” Liner Hanger system.

PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTING SUCCESSFUL ICD DEPLOYMENT

STRATEGY
In order to prepare for a successful ICD liner installation in carbonates formations, there are a few critical
points that need to be addressed. These are mainly related to:
■ Hole geometry
■ Hole cleaning
■ Mud quality
SPE-175226- 1

Drill-in Fluid design

Drill the pay zone with a freshly mixed drill-in fluid. Do not utilize muds form other wells or up-hole
sections. Maintain the fluid to high standards utilizing centrifuges to keep drill solids to a minimum. It is
important that the pay zone is drilled with a properly designed drill-in fluid. The system can be either
OBM or WBM. In either case, an optimal particle size distribution (PSD) of CaCO3 should be added to
the drill-in fluid to prevent invasion and lock-up by solids. Typically this can be obtained utilizing
between 20 to 40 pounds per barrel (PPB) of CaCO3. The goal is to allow the reservoir to be drilled with
a high overbalance while achieving low ”lift-off” pressure for filter-cake clean-up during production mode.
A water based system is preferred for the following reasons: 1) Costs, 2) Environmental concerns, and
3) will allow changing out to mud cap drilling with water, without any contamination issues.
However Currently drilling practice in KOC suggest the use of OBM.
Hole Geometry While Drilling
Geo-steering should be conducted in such a way to minimize the creation of dogleg and sumps in the
trajectory, in order to reduce the potential drag related to geometry issues. Utilizing a rotary steerable
system (RSS) is advised to improve borehole conditions and improve ICD liner deployment.

Open Hole conditioning/clean out before ICD deployment

After finishing drilling the hole a final back-reaming trip should be made from TD to the shoe to improve
hole cleaning and gather full coverage from the azimuthal density log (ADL) to allow borehole image
processing for final ICD liner design. If ADL is not conclusive resistivity image DP conveyed might be
run.
Next a trip utilizing a dedicated BHA (indicated below) should be made. This assembly will closely
resemble the nature of the ICD completion both with regards to diameter and flexibility.
This dedicated BHA will provide an indication of:
■ hole tortuosity
■ correct minor geometry issue
■ determine if the planned ICD liner will deploy to TD without concern
The wiper trip is considered satisfactory when one successfully run is achieved from the shoe to
bottom without the need of rotation and circulation. As such, a clean-out BHA is indicated below as
reference:
– Bull Nose Hole Opener
– NBR
– 1 joint DC
– STRR
– 1 joint DC
– STRR
– 1 joint DC
– STRR
– 1 joint DC
– Drill pipe to surface

Open Hole cleaning – filter cake scouring (OBM)

After making final wiper trip, circulate in order condition the mud. Deploy ICD to TD. displace the OBM
to diesel oil. If the well is experience loss circulation (total losses due to fracture presence), no mud
displacement is required. The well might be treated with non-aqueous micro emulsion (NAMET)
utilizing coiled tubing after rig move.
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Example of desired circulating Rates to clean Open Hole and Scour Filter Cake

OH 6.125 Inch
Pipe OD 3.5 Inch
Area 19.844 in2
Area 0.138 ft2
Velocity 300 ft/min
Rate 41.3 ft3/min
Rate 7.4 bbl/min
To Rate 309.2 gal/min

Flow back performance

An properly sized and compartmentalized ICD completion will allow for mud flow back, and due to the
coarseness of the opening, all the ICD in the market for this type of formation have a debris barrier with
wide opening (20 mesh or more), which it allows all the mud solids and some of the finest drill cutting
part to flow through without any plugging issues.
Completion deployment
For long sections, Full ICD liner rotation may be required. In this case, high torque threads such as
Hydril 513 Wedge(or similar Hi torque connection) will be required for all liner connections. A fully
rotational capabilities liner hanger is also recommended, to allow for safe assembly rotation. It may be
necessary to add a reaming shoe to facilitate liner deployment.
This solution will allow rotational capability to overcome presence of tight spot during the deployment.
Handling Equipment:
The following handling equipment is the minimum requirement for the completion installation:
● 4 –1/2” Elevators
● 4 –1/2” Tubing Slips
● 4 –1/2” Elevators
● Torque Equipment for 4 –1/2” Tubing
● Emergency × over sub for 4 ½” tbg
In case an inner string is deployed, false rotary table or stripping table, wash pipe clamps and slips and
bowl for the inner string will be required Also Emergency double Pin × over is required. Inner string
length to be available on location, estimate length of the entire open hole section +20% extra.

Data Acquisition
Logging While Drilling (LWD) was used in our subject well to evaluate the formation properties. The
following sensors were used:
● Electro magnetic propagation resistivity was used to get the formation rewsistivity which is
needed to calculate water saturation
● Formation density & neutron was used to get the formation total porosity and lithology
● Gamma Ray (GR) was used to distinguish shale from clean formation
● Formation density image with 16 bins was used to get the layers dip angle and azimuth (structural
information)
Please refer to figures # 11 and 12
SPE-175226- 1

Figure 11—LWD data across the landing section (8 1⁄2" hole)

14 SPE-175226-MS

Figure 12—LWD data across TD section (6 1/8" hole)

SPE-175226- 1

Production Results
Successful ESP function test has achieved distinctive flow rate of 1,896 bbl/day thru 26” choke with 1106
psi WHP, 22% W.C & salinity 152000 ppm. Also, conducted flow test naturally and achieved flow rate
is 1,635 bbl/day thru a 36” choke with 444 psi WHP with same water cut and salinity.

Conclusion
All section been drill without any SQ or HSE issue. All casing been landed to the desired setting depth
as result of excellent team work and Well placement geologist and drilling. The well has been drilled
with Minimum Tortuosity as result of utilizing Rotary Stearable System (RSS) in all section which was
enabler for smooth casing and ICD running in.
After taking all the precautions related to hole cleaning, mud weight management to mitigate the shale
sections open at high angles and well geometry, well was completed with ICD completions for the first
time in Kuwait for a slanted 82 deg well within sand-shale sequence.

Acknowledgement
The authors would like to thank Kuwait Oil Company, North Kuwait asset team for allowing the
publication of this paper.

References
SPE 49274, Fieldwide Integrated Waterflood Development of a Complex Paralic Clastic Reservoir,
Upper Burgan Formation, North Kuwait., Abdullah F., SPE, Kuwait Oil Company, Conway P. I.,
SPE, Independent Consultant, Wethington W. B., SPE and Morrison N.H., SPE, BP Kuwait Ltd,
and T. AI Saig, SPE and Nemattallah M and Al Eidan A. and Al Qabandi S., SPE, Kuwait Oil
Company.