COMPLETIONS TODAY

I am not here to discuss the process of detailing the optimum completion design. However, I do believe that there is no single parameter to serve as the “rule of thumb” to judge well-completion designs for the life of the field.

Earlier this year, I attended the first SPE Unconventional Reservoirs Conference at Keystone Resort and Conference Center, in Keystone, Colorado. Afterward, I attended a workshop presented by Shell Energy Canada and Calgary Research Centre. Both presentations highlighted the emerging and applied technologies in use worldwide for recovery of unconventional hydrocarbon resources.

As with all conferences, I had the opportunity to engage in discussion with many world experts from various operating/service companies and academia. After thorough discussions with all parties, I have reviewed an abundant reference list on well completions that use sonic stimulation. Many were anecdotal. Some may argue this was because of the nature of the studies, in which improved production was observed after some coincidental event that may or may not have been responsible for incremental hydrocarbon production. In my opinion, all studies should be scientific, not anecdotal, so long as the sonic stimulation was applied
with the intent of enhanced hydrocarbon production.

Thorough discussions, backed with research on this subject, ensure that certain aspects of the well’s operation, such as safety, availability, and efficient use of equipment inventory, are not overlooked. Many readers will agree that not all well completions achieve this objective. I have found that many unconventional reservoir failures may not be a function of the manner in which they were designed, but may be simply the result of purely unknown complex reservoir related mechanisms.

I advocate that operating companies use advanced diagnostic procedures that match and predict performance to estimate reservoir potential, well deliverability, and completion efficiency accurately. I believe in focusing on some of the best practices, such as economics (i.e., net present value), as the main driver. Hence, alternative completions such as sonic stimulation may be a viable alternative to reduce workover costs and improve ultimate hydrocarbon recovery.



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