Overview of Completion

Overview of completion
 In combination with the disciplines of geology,
geophysics, and geochemistry, the usual
purpose of a drillings well is to establish the
subsurface location of hydrocarbon reservoirs.
The term, “completion” is derived from the
operation to complete a well for production after
it has been successfully drilled. Dependent upon
the reason for a well to be drilled (i.e. Wildcat
exploration, appraisal production) and the results
of logging and/ or well Test results, the well will
be:
 Overview of completion
 I) Plugged and abandoned (as it has no further
us i.e. a duster)
 II) Suspended as a future or possible production
well.
 III) Completed as production well.
 In the early days, if the well was to be
“completed” as in (iii) above, the hardware
installed, i.e. Packer, tubing, Xmas tree and
other accessories
 Completing a well consists of a series of
operations that are necessary to enable a well
to produce (and to sustain the production of)
hydrocarbon following the
 Overview of completion
Installation and cementing of the casing. Well
completion
Operations include:
 Perforating
 Sand control
 Production packer installation
 Tubing (completion) string/ tubing hanger
installation
 Downhole safety valve installation.
 Xmas tree installation.
 Bringing the well onto production.
 Overview of completion
Well servicing methods must be considered as a
fundamental element in the planning and
completion design process. For example, early
measurements of formation parameters
(porosity, permeability) may indicate the need to
stimulate (fracturing, acidizing) A well to
enhance the production rate. And appropriate
completion design must cater for these and any
future possible well servicing operation, both
planned and Unplanned. Similarly, sub sea
completions will necessitate operation such as
flow line and surface safety valve installation.
 Overview of completion
What is the Ideal completion ???

The ideal completion is the lowest cost

completion, which will meet the demands
placed on it during its producing life.
 Classification of completion.
most completion types are simply
variations on a Few basic designs,
there for the equipment installed is
generally similar. Completions may
be classified with respect to the
flowing.
Classification of completion.
 Classification of completion
Reservoir/ well bore interface.
In the absence of formation damage, this
determines the rate at which well fluid is
transferred from the formation to the well bore.
The types of completion involved here are:
 Open hole completions
 Uncommented liner completions
 Perforated liner completions
 Perforated casing.
 Classification of completion
Mode of production.
This relates to the way well fluid is
transferred from the well bore at the
formation depth to the surface, i.e.

 Flowing
 Artificial lift
 Classification of completion
Number of zones completed.
This effectively governs the volume of
hydrocarbons recoverable from single
bore hole:

 Single
 Multiple
 Classification of completion
Classification by reservoir/ well bore interface
Open hole completions.
 In this type of completion the casing is set in
place and cemented above the productive
formations further drilling extends the well bore
into the reservoir (s) and the extended hole is
not cased.
 This completion method is used where it is
desirable to export all zones to the well bore.
Producing formations must be of firm rock which
well remain in place during production.
 Open hole completions are also referred to as
(bare foot) completions
Classification of completion

OPEN HOLE COMPLETION

 Classification of completion
Advantages of open hole completions are:
 The entire pay zone is open to the well bore.
 Perforating cost is eliminated.
 Log interpretation is not critical since the entire
interval is open to flow.
 Maximum well bore diameter is opposite the pay
zone (s) hence gives reduced draw down.
 The well can easily be deepened.
 Is easily converted to liner or perforated casing,
completion.
 Minimal formation damage is caused by cement.
 Classification of completion
Disadvantages of open hole completion are:-
 The formation May damaged during the drilling
process
 Excessive gas or water production is difficult to
control because The entire interval is open to
flow
 The casing May need to be set before the pay
zone (s) are drilled and logged.
 Separate zones within the completion can't be
selectively fractured or acidised.
 Requires frequent clean out if producing
formations are not consolidated.
 Classification of completion
Limitation of open hole completions are:-

 Unsuitable to produce pay zones with

incompatible fluid properties and
pressures.

 Mainly limited to limestone formations

 Classification of completion
Un-cemented liner completions: -
In some formations hydrocarbons exist in regions
where the rock particles are not bonded
Together and sand will remove to wards the well
bore as well fluids are produced, this formation
is usually referred to as being unconsolidated
(the use of un-cemented: liners (slotted or
screened) act as a strainer stopping the flow of
sand, liners are hung off from the foot of the
production casing and usually sealed off within it
to direct any well flow through the liner bore.
 Classification of completion
Advantages of un-cemented liner
completions are.
 Entire pay zone opens to the well bore.
 No perforating cost.
 Log interpretation is not critical
 Adaptable to special sand control
methods.
 No clean out problem.
 Wire wrapped screens can be placed later.
 Classification of completion
Disadvantages of un-cemented liner
completion are.
 The formation may be damaged during the
drilling process.
 Excessive water or gas is difficult to
control.
 Casing is set before pay zones are drilled
and logged.
 Selective stimulation is not possible.
 Classification of completion
 Various examples of uncommented liner
operations implementing sand control are
as follows:
a) Slotted liner.
Slot widths depend on the size of the sand
grains in the formation and are typically
0.01 Ins –0.04 Ins (0.254- 1.016 mm)
wide.
 Classification of completion

(B) Wire wrapped screens

Liner is drilled with 3/8 ins-1/2 ins (9.53-

12.7mm) holes Along its length and then
lightly wrapped with a special v- shaped
wire
 Classification of completion
Un-cemented liner completions are not used
very often since.
 Sand movement into the well bore causes
permeability (flow rate) impairment.
 Screen erosion can occur at high
production rates
 Classification of completion

These problems may be over come by filling

the annulus between the open hole and
screen with graded coarse sand, i-e gravel
packing, which act to support the open
hole section as well as prevent formation
sand movement.
 Classification of completion
(C) External gravel pack

The open hole is enlarged to about twice its

diameter and a liner is run, correctly sized
gravel is placed between he out side of the
screen and the formation by using special
gravel pack running equipment.
 Classification of completion
(D) Pre- packed screen.

A pre packed screen is constructed of an

outer and inner wrapped screens with
resin coated gravel placed between the
screens. This gives a performance better
than a wire wrapped screen but less that
and open gravel pack.
These are used when there may be difficulty
in installing completions gravel pack.
Classification of completion

Un-cemented Liner Completion Schematics

 Classification of completion
Perforated cemented liner Completions.
In perforated cemented liner completions,
the casing is set above the producing
zone(s) and the pay section (S) drilled.
Liner casing is then cemented in place
which is subsequently punctured
(perforated) by bullet- shaped Explosive
charges
 Classification of completion
These perforations are designed to penetrate any
impaired regions around the original well bore to
provide an unobstructed channel to the undamaged
formation by using various depth measuring devices
(i.e. casing Collar CCL). Various sections pay zone
can be perforated accurately (excluding unproductive
regions) a voiding the production of undesirable fluid
(gas or water) or production from unconsolidated
sections that might produce sand.
The various methods of completing a well using
perforated cemented liner operations are:
 Single, or multiple pay zones.
 Singles or multiple pay sections.
 Classification of completion
Advantages of perforated liner completion are.
 Is safer during well completion operations
 Effect of formation damage is minimal.
 The zones can be selectively stimulated
 The liner impedes sand influx.
 Is easier to plan for completing
 Excessive water or gas production may be
controlled or eliminated.
Classification of completion

Perforated Cemented liner Schematic

 Classification of completion
Disadvantages of perforated liner
completion are:
 The well bore diameter through the pay
zone (s) is restricted.
 Log interpretation is critical.
 Perforating, cementing and rig time incurs
additional costs
 Classification of completion
Perforated Cemented casing completions:
 in perforated cemented casing completion,
sometimes referred to as the "set through"
completion, the hole is drilled through the
formation of interest and production casing is run
and cemented across the section. Again, this
requires that the perforations be made through
the casing and cemented to reach the zones of
interest and allows well fluid to flow into the well
bore.
 Classification of completion
Methods of completing a well in perforated
cemented casing completions are:
 Standard Perforated cemented casing.
 Internal Gravel Packs
This is where the production casing is cemented.
Perforation of the producing interval (S) is then
performed and the perforations clean out. A
screen is run and gravel is pumped into the
casing/screen annulus and the perforation
tunnels:
 Classification of completion
Note:
cased and perforated completions are
the most common types of
completions performed today since
they offer selective pay zone (or pay
section) perforating and enable
selective simulation.
Classification of completion

Perforated Cemented casing Schematic

 Classification of completion
Classification- by mode of production.

When the hydrocarbon reservoir can sustain

flow due to its natural pressure, flow may
be up the production casing, up the tubing
string, or both.
 Classification of completion
Tubing less completion.
Casing flow completions are
particularly low- cost method in
marginal flow conditions such as low
rate gas wells.
 Classification of completion
Casing flow completions are note normally
used by most operators, primarily because
the production casing is exposed to well
pressure and / or corrosive fluids. Tubing
less completion is potentially hazardous
especially in off shore installations. Also
there is an increased risk of collision damage
off shore and there is no facility to install
down hole safety valves. The use of casing
flow production methods are discouraged
both off shore and on shore.
 Classification of completion
Tubing Flow Completions.
Tubing flow completions utilize the tubing to
convey well fluids to surface. Flow rate potential
is much lower is tubing flow than in unrestricted
casing flow completions. As well as for
production, the tubing string can be utilized as a
kill string or for the injection of chemicals. Tubing
strings may also a accommodate gas lift valves
which essentially gas assist` well liquids to
surface. These valves would be installed if
formation pressure diminished considerably and
natural drive ceased
 Classification of completion

Other equipment commonly installed in the

tubing string to Facilitate a safer
Production system maybe:
 Classification of completion
Wire line nipples permits the installation
of flow controls or plugs.
Tubing retrievable safety valve for
emergency well shut in
Safety valve landing nipple permits the
Installation of surface Controlled sub
surface safety valve (SCSSV) for
emergency shut in.
 Classification of completion
Flow couplings Absorbs erosion
caused by turbulence and abrasion.

Circulating device Fitted above the

packer for circulating purposes.

Tubing seal device To allow tubing

movement
 Classification of completion
High Rate liner or monobore: -

These are utilized in deep wells where

tubing/-casing clearances are small
and for high productivity wells where
the use of a packer would restrict the
flow of well fluids.
 Classification of completion

The completion engineer should consider

the following factors for tubing/ packer
type completion installations:
 Classification of completion
 Simplification of the completion for future well
servicing operation (i.e. wire line, coiled tubing,
snubbing etc)
 Optimum tubing size for maximum long term flow
 Future artificial lift needs.
 bottom hole pressure and temperature gauge survey
hang off system
 Seal movement device to accommodate tubing
elongation or contrition.
 Availability of down hole circulating device.
 Requirements for down hole corrosion inhibitor
injection
 Requirements for downhole hydrate inhibitors.
Classification of completion
Classification of completion
 Classification of completion
Artificial lift
Rod pump lift
Key considerations are:
 The annulus is open
 A tubing anchor maybe required.
 The pump diameter must be adequate
 The rods must be properly sized
 Classification of completion
B) Electric submersible pump (ESP)

Key considerations are:

 The annulus is open to atmosphere for gas
venting (but not off shore).
 Special well head is required for cable
sealing.
 Some cable protection is needed.
 Motor cooling must be adequate.
 The tubing size must be adequate to handle
large volumes with minimum backpressure
on the pump.
 Classification of completion
C) Gas lift
Continuous gas lift is used to lift liquid
from reservoirs that have a high
productivity index (PI) and a high
bottom hole pressure BHP.

Intermittent lift is used in reservoirs that

exhibit low PI/ low BHP, low PI high
BHP, or high PI, low BHP.
 Classification of completion
Key considerations are:

 Tubing size.
 The need for a packer.
 Setting depths for gas lift valves.
 Classification of completion
Classification by number of zones
completed:

Single Zone Completions.

 Standard
 Interval co-mingling
Classification of completion

Single zone Completion Schematics

 Classification of completion
Multiple Zone Completions.

 Single string dual completion

 Twin string dual completion
 Multiple string completions
 Concentric string completions
 Classification of completion
Multiple Zone Completions
When a well encounters multiple pay zones a
decision must be made either to:
 Produce the zones individually, one after the other,
through a single tubing string
and the annulus.
 Complete the well with multiple tubing strings and
produce several zones
simultaneously.
 Co-mingle several zones in a single completion.
 Produce only one zone from that well and drill
additional wells to produce from the
other pay zones.
 Classification of completion
 a) Single String Dual Completion
This is the most basic dual completion where
production of the lower zone is up the
tubing and production of the upper zone is up
the casing/tubing annulus;
 b) Twin String Dual Completion
Separate flow from each zone is maintained by
the use of two tubing strings and two
packers;
Classification of completion
 Classification of completion
 c) Multiple String Completions
 Separate flow from each zone can be maintained by
the use of three tubing strings and
three packers;.
Such completions provide a method of individual zone
production and can improve some
field economics. However, in general, such
completions are difficult to install and are
usually too restrictive in regard to total well production,
due to the small tubing sizes, to
be economically attractive in most cases.
Furthermore, the difficulty of carrying out
future remedial well operations of such wells prevent
their widespread use.
 Classification of completion
 d) Concentric String Completions
Concentric strings require less clearance
and can often achieve a higher overall flow
capability.
 The advantages of Multiple Zone
Completions:

Some individual zone production.
 Reduced well cost.
 Classification of completion
 Disadvantages of Multiple Zone Completions
are:
 Production casing is exposed to well pressure and
corrosive fluids.
 Tubing can be stuck in place due to solids settling
from the upper zone.
 The lower zone must be killed or plugged off before
servicing can be done on
upper zone.
 The lower zone must be plugged off to
measure any flowing bottom hole
temperature associated with the upper zone.
Classification of completion
 COMPLETION EQUIPMENT
In general, a well completion should provide
a production conduit which:
 Maximizes the safe recovery of
hydrocarbons from a gas or oil well
throughout its producing life.
 Gives an effective means of
pressurizing selected zones in water
injection wells.
 COMPLETION EQUIPMENT
Downhole accessories used should be
designed to provide the safe installation
and retrieval of the completion, and
flexibility for sub-surface maintenance of
the well using wireline, coiled tubing or
other methods
Classification of completion
 COMPLETION EQUIPMENT
 Wireline Re-entry Guide
A wireline entry guide is used for the safe re-
entry of wireline tools from the casing
liner back into the tubing string. It attaches to
the end of the production string or packer
tailpipe assembly.
 Wireline re-entry guides are generally
available in two forms
 COMPLETION EQUIPMENT
 Bell Guide
 This guide has a 45 degree lead in taper
to allow re-entry into the tubing of wireline
tools. This type of guide, is used in
completions where the end of the tubing
does not need to pass through any casing
obstacles such as liner laps.
 COMPLETION EQUIPMENT
 Mule-Shoe Re-entry Guide
This type of guide is essentially the same
as the Bell Guide but incorporates a large
45 degree angle cut on one side of the
guide; Should the guide hang any casing
item such as a liner lip while being run,
rotation of the tubing will cause the 45
degree shoulder to slide past the liner lip
and enter the liner.
COMPLETION EQUIPMENT