SAUDI ARAMCO WORKOVER MANUAL

Drilling Technical Department September 2013

CHAPTER 4 COMPLETION PRACTICES

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INTELLIGENT AND MULTILATERAL WELL COMPLETION

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Back
2.0 APPLICATION OF INTELLIGENT WELL COMPLETION

3.0 BENEFITS OF INTELLIGENT WELL COMPLETION

4.0 TYPES OF INTELLIGENT WELL COMPLETION

5.0 COMPONENTS OF INTELLIGENT WELL COMPLETION

5.1 Feed-through Production Packer

5.2 Interval Control Valve (ICV)
5.3 Auxiliary Components
5.4 Permanent Down-Hole Monitoring System (PDHMS)
5.5 Zonal Isolation
5.6 Feed-through ESP Packer
5.7 Hydraulic Control Line Wet Connect (HLWC)
5.8 Surface Control Systems
5.9 Surface Control and Data Acquisition
5.10 Schematics of Intelligent Well Completion in Saudi ARAMCO

6.0 MULTILATERAL COMPLETION

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Classification of Well Structures for Multilateral Completion

6.2.1 Level 1: Main Bore and Laterals open hole
6.2.2 Level 2: Main Bore cased and cemented. Laterals Open
Hole
6.2.3 Level 3: Main Bore cased and cemented. Laterals cased but
not cemented
6.2.4 Level 4: Main Bore and Laterals cased and cemented
6.2.5 Level 5: Pressure integrity at the junction with tubing and
isolation packers.
6.2.6 Level 6: Mechanical and Pressure integrity at the junction
with casing
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INTELLIGENT AND MULTI-LATERAL WELL COMPLETION

1.0 INTRODUCTION

In today’s upstream oil and gas industry, the term “intelligent wells” refers to
implementation of fundamental process control downhole. Intelligent wells enable
surveillance, interpretation and actuation in a continuous feedback loop, operating
at or near real-time.

Intelligent Well Completion (IWC) Technology encompasses two primary concepts:

a) Surveillance in real time conditions. Measurement is achieved by

electronic or fiber optics. Measurements commercially available today are
pressure, temperature and flow rate. Downhole pressure/ temperature
have been available since the 1980s.
b) Control in real time- the availability to remotely control zones, by on/ off
control or choking. Real-time production control has been commercially
available only since about 1998. Control is achieved by electric, hydraulic
or electro-hydraulic actuation of a valve or sleeve.

An Intelligent Well Completion system consists of some combination of zonal

isolation devices, interval control devices, downhole control systems, permanent
monitoring systems, surface control and monitoring systems, distributed
temperature sensing systems, data acquisition and management software and
system accessories.

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2.0 APPLICATION OF INTELLIGENT WELL COMPLETION

Intelligent well technology can be applied in the following situations:

• Fracture reservoirs particularly when there is water flooding in partially

fractured carbonates and other cases that have geological uncertainties.
• Internal gas injector from deep gas reservoir either injecting to gas cap of
overlying oil reservoir or using as lift gas to save investment in gas sourcing
and injection facilities.
• Marginal reserves and/ or remote field developments.
• Deep water, subsea wells that are subject to ultra high reentry rig costs and
may, in fact, be unavailable within the per well production commitment time
horizon.
• Highly deviated, horizontal and multilateral wells with producing intervals
beyond the technical or reliability limits of conventional through-tubing slick-
line and / or coiled tubing operations.
• Extreme Environment (HT and HP, commingled, Floating production).
• Stacked pay with commingled production.
• Fluid transfer for sweep or pressurization in a controlled manner.
• Oil rim in single compartments. There is a risk of early water or gas break
through from a thin rim drilled by horizontal well.
• Oil rim in compartmentalized reservoirs.
• For Secondary or tertiary recovery particularly when there is layer cake type
reservoir or long horizontal wells with significant changes in rock properties
along their trajectories, general speaking when there is high contrast in
heterogeneity in reservoir.
• Flow profiling by use of DTS.
• Flow producers to use gas cap in lift gas for oil reservoir once required.
• Downhole production testing.
• To gain valuable field development information such as the sealing nature of
faults, aquifer continuity and lateral shale extension.
• Downhole reservoir imaging.

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Conventional Well

Intelligent Well

Comparison between Conventional and Intelligent Wells

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3.0 BENEFITS OF INTELLIGENT WELL COMPLETION

Intelligent completion technology helps to optimize production without costly well

intervention. Reliable and fit-for-purpose Intelligent Well systems enable to collect,
transmit and analyze downhole data; remotely control selected reservoir zones;
and maximize reservoir efficiency by:

• Increasing production. Commingling of production from different reservoir

zones increases and accelerates production and shortens field life.
• Increasing ultimate recovery. Selective zonal control enables effective
management of water injection, gas and water breakthrough and individual
zone productivity.
• Reducing capital expenditure. The ability to produce from multiple
reservoirs through a single wellbore reduces the number of wells required for
field development, thereby lowering drilling and completion costs. Size and
complexity of surface handling facilities are reduced by managing water
through remote zonal control.
• Reducing operating expenditure. Remote configuration of wells optimizes
production without costly well intervention. In addition, commingling of
production from different reservoir zones shortens field life, thereby reducing
operating expenditures.

The IWC population has grown exponentially in almost all parts of the world. This
was mainly the result of the many success stories that were the outcome of these
installations. Some of the benefits already experienced from the existing
installations:

• Optimize production in multi-lateral and MRC wells

• Improve sweep efficiency and recovery
• Produce multiple reservoirs from a single well
• Control unwanted fluids

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• Continuously update reservoir model

• Back allocate production
• Reduce well slots required on offshore platforms
• Optimize cost, by reducing number of wells, facilities , & operating cost
• Manage reservoir uncertainties without Intervention
• Enables exploitation of marginal reserves and acceleration of hydrocarbon
production through controlled commingling of reservoirs.

4.0 TYPES OF INTELLIGENT WELL COMPLETION

The IWC system can be divided into three main types:

• Open hole IWC
• Cased hole IWC
• IWC with Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP)

The open hole IWC is mainly installed in the horizontal (single lateral) completion
whereas the cased hole IWC is for the multilateral wells in which the IWC is
installed in the cased mother bore. In the recent years, ESP is incorporated into
IWC to increase and accelerate production. The conventional IWC is normally run
as a single-trip completion however the IWC with ESP requires a two-trip
completion.

Open Hole Intelligent Well Completion

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Cased Hole Intelligent Well Completion

Intelligent Well Completion with ESP

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5.0 COMPONENTS OF INTELLIGENT WELL COMPLETION

The IWC components can be divided into two parts:

• Downhole equipment
• Surface equipment

The downhole equipment assembly is dependent on the types of the IWC

installations. The open hole IWC assembly comprises of:

• Feed-through production packer

• Interval Control Valve (ICV)
• Permanent Downhole Monitoring System (PDHMS)
• Open hole zonal isolation packer (mechanical or swellable)
• Flat pack/Umbilicals (for hydraulic control line and PDHMS cable)
• Splice sub
• Coupling Protectors
• Wellhead Penetrator

The cased hole IWC uses the same equipment as the open hole IWC except the
open hole zonal isolation packer. The Feed-through production packer is used for
zonal isolation in cased hole IWC. The IWC with ESP requires additional
equipment as follows:

• Feed-through ESP packer

• Hydraulic Control Line Wet Connect

The IWC surface equipment comprises of:

• Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU)

• Surface Acquisition Unit (SAU)

The surface equipment comes as a single or multi-well panel with two different
types; manual or automated system.

5.1 Feed-through Production Packer

It is a hydraulic set retrievable packer with multiple control line by-pass to

operate the ICV’s below the packers. The packer is installed inside the casing
or liner. The packer is run in a single trip and set by hydraulic pressure in the
tubing. The design allows simultaneous setting of multiple packers. It can be
used as both the top production packer and as one of the many lower zonal
isolation packers in cased hole completion.

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Baker Premier Retrievable Feed-through Packer

Schlumberger Quantum Multiport Packer (QMP)

WellDynamics Feed-through HF-1 Retrievable Packer

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5.2 Interval Control Valve (ICV)

The downhole interval control valves (ICVs) are the main component of
intelligent well completions. The ICVs are remotely operated downhole valves
used to control flow into or out of an isolated reservoir interval. The valves
can be operated by several types of control system; direct hydraulic, digital
hydraulic, electro-hydraulic and all electric control systems. The direct
hydraulic is the main control system used in Saudi ARAMCO operations. The
valves are operated by hydraulic pressure on the ¼” control lines. The valves
are opened by applying pressure on the OPEN line and closed by applying
pressure on the CLOSE line. Some of the valves have downhole choking
ability and can be set at different choke setting by applying hydraulic pressure
from surface.

Schlumberger, Halliburton and Baker are the three approved suppliers for the
ICV’s.

5.2.1 Schlumberger ICV’s

There are three main types of Schlumberger ICV’s:

a) TRFC-HN Flow Control Valve

It is a Tubing Retrievable Flow Control Valve hydraulically

operated. Each Flow Control Valve is operated by ¼” single
hydraulic control line with applied pressure from surface and has
return mechanism with N2 spring. It is an “N” system; the number
of control lines is the same as the number of the ICV’s. The choke
section is an integral part of the ICV for incremental adjustment.

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b) TRFC-H (Odin) Flow Control Valve

It is a Tubing Retrievable Flow Control Valve, hydraulically

operated and it is an upgraded version of the TRFC-HN. Each
Flow Control Valve is operated by ¼” hydraulic control line. There
is one ¼”opening line for each valve and one common close line
for all valves. It is an “N+1” system; extra one control line as
compared to the number of the ICV’s. The choke section is an
integral part of the ICV for incremental adjustment.

c) IntelliZone Compact System

The IntelliZone Compact System is a fully integrated monitoring

and control management system for each lateral. The IntelliZone
integrated assembly is consist of Flow Control Valve with position
sensor, dual P & T gauge system and Feed-through Packer. Each
Flow Control Valve is operated by ¼” single hydraulic control line
with applied pressure from surface. Dual Gauge and position
sensor is powered by electric cable.

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5.2.2 Halliburton ICV’s

There are three main types of Halliburton ICV’s:

a) HV Interval Control Valve (HV-ICV)

It is a Tubing Retrievable Flow Control Valve hydraulically

operated. Each Flow Control Valve is operated by ¼” single
hydraulic control line from surface. The valves are controlled by
differential pressure applied to the actuator piston via hydraulic
control lines. A minimum differential pressure of 250 psi is needed
to unlock the metal-to-metal seal and allow the valve to be
opened. Once unlocked, the valve can be fully opened or returned
to the closed position by applying pressure to the appropriate
control line. The valves are available in two versions; simple on/off
and variable choking applications when used in conjunction with
the Accu-Pulse module.

HVC-ICV

b) HS Interval Control Valve (HS-ICV)

HS-ICV is an upgraded version of the HV-ICV valve with improved

sealing mechanism, debris tolerance and erosion resistance
ported housing design. These additional features were engineered
to increase reliability of the valve in optimizing reservoir
performance. It is designed for deepwater and high pressure/high
temperature (HPHT) applications in which operating conditions
are extremely severe. The valves are available in two versions;
simple on/off and variable choking applications when used in
conjunction with the Accu-Pulse module.

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HSC-ICV

Accu-Pulse Module

HSC-ICV with Accu-Pulse

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c) SmartPlex Downhole Control System

The SmartPlex system is a remotely actuate downhole control

devices using electro-hydraulic control lines from surface. It is a
multi-drop system that provides control of multiple valves (12) in a
single wellbore with a minimum number of the control lines. The
SmartPlex downhole control system uses two hydraulic and one
electric line from the surface to remotely and selectively actuate
multiple downhole control devices such as interval control valves
(ICVs).

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5.2.2 Baker ICV’s

There are mainly three main types of Halliburton ICVs; two currently
used by Saudi ARAMCO and the other (MultiNode) is currently under
review for trial test.

a) HCM-A Interval Control Valve

It is a Tubing Retrievable Flow Control Valve, hydraulically

operated. Each Flow Control Valve is operated by ¼” hydraulic
control line. There is one ¼”opening line for each valve and one
common close line for all valves. It is an “N+1” system; extra one
control line as compared to the number of the ICV’s. The valves
are equipped with J-mechanism for Flexible and Repeatable
Choke Positioning

b) HCM-S Interval Control Valve

HCM-S is an upgraded version of the HCM-A which utilizes a

hydraulic driver to change choke positions. There will be no
intermediate stops between choke positions and it can be driven
to closed position at any time. The balanced piston design
provides the valves with open/close functionality by itself, as well
as choking functionality when integrated with “Stepper Module”.

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Stepper Module

Valve Module

5.3 Auxiliary Components

5.3.1 Flat-Pack/ Umbilicals

The real-time reservoir and production monitoring systems help to

achieve better well productivity by identifying trends throughout the
productivity life of a well. Key to the reliability of the system is the
permanent downhole cable (PDC) that connects permanent sensors to
the surface, where data are recorded and processed, and provides
power to downhole sensors or electrical valves. Running the length of
wellbore from the gauge to the tubing hanger, the downhole cable must
endure mechanical shock, vibration, and chemical aggression as well
as electrical and thermal stresses during installation and production.

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Various Types of Flat-Pack

Permanent downhole cables are concentrically constructed with an

insulated, stranded conductor inside tubing encasement mechanical
support for the conductor is provided by a cold-drawn filler material. An
optional protective encapsulation can be extruded to the outside of the
tubing encasement so that additional PDC or hydraulic control lines can
be included in a flat-pack arrangement.

Proper cable selection is necessary to ensure maximum performance

and reliability. Conductor size, insulation type, tubing metallurgy, tubing
diameter, tubing wall thickness, and encapsulation must be specified for
proper application.

5.3.2 Splice Sub

The Splice Sub in simple terms is something like a clamp which houses
the Connectors. The Splice Sub Connector connects two ends of flat-
pack, thereby facilitating repairs or lengthening the flat-pack. It also
helps protect the flat-pack by securing it to the tubing. It is used in all
intelligent well completions where flat-pack is deployed, including wells
with chemical injection; fiber optic and surface-controlled subsurface
valve (SCSSV) control lines. All splice connections are set within the
body of the sub for protection.

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Connector

5.3.3 Control Line Clamps

The clamps secure the control lines and flat-pack to the tubing in
Intelligent Well Completions. The clamps ensure that all tensile and
compressive forces are absorbed by the clamp and not by the control
line. Protectors reduce risk of damage to control line and flat-pack and
are easily installed in the field. Clamps anchor the flat-pack to the
completion string by locking the flat-pack to the clamp. It is an all-metal,
cross-coupling design that prevents lateral movement in the well.

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Various Types of Clamps

5.3.4 Wellhead Penetration

Once the umbilicals reach the wellhead, there has to be some

arrangement which allows the communication of the hydraulic or
electrical signals through the tubing hanger and the wellhead body to
the control panel. The picture on the left shows a tubing hanger
doughnut with feed-through whereas the picture on the right shows an
installed wellhead with control lines connected to the gauges. This is
usually the last stage of sub-surface installation in a SWC.

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5.4 Permanent Down Hole Monitoring System (PDHMS)

Intelligent Wells also include permanent downhole monitoring systems to

measure downhole parameters. It provides a permanent measurement of the
flowing or static bottom hole pressure and the corresponding temperature.
The gauges are mounted on a rugged tubing mandrel which is run downhole
with the production string during the well completion. The mandrel enables
the measurement of the pressure inside or outside the tubing.

The gauge consists of a pressure sensing element associated with electronic

circuits that convert pressure and temperature to an electronic digital signal.
The signal is transmitted to surface through a single conductor electric cable
which is also used to send constant current power downhole to the gauge.
The surface equipment is discussed under item 5.8.

The PDHMS is mainly divided into two categories; oil and gas applications.

There are several types of permanent downhole gauges:

a) Electronic Gauge: This is the most common type of downhole gauge

installed in Saudi ARAMCO. This gauge uses the quartz sensing
element and downhole electronic to measure the reservoir pressure
and temperature. The electronic gauge is installed in the gauge
mandrel which is part of the tubing. The downhole data is transmitted to
surface through electric cable clamped to the outside of the tubing.
This gauge is installed for both oil and gas wells applications. For the
gas wells, the electronic and sealing elements are required to be more
resistant to vibration resulting from the high velocity gas.

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Gauge Mandrels and P/T Gauges

b) Electrical Gauge: This gauge uses the unique sensing element, the
Electrical Resonating Diaphragm (ERD). Unlike the quartz gauge, this
sensor does not require downhole electronics. This gauge is used for
gas well application.

Promore is the sole supplier for the electrical gauge to Saudi ARAMCO.

Principle of ERD Gauge

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c) Fiber Optics Gauge: This system uses fiber optics to measure the
single point downhole pressure and temperature. The pressure and
temperature measurement is performed through two methods; Bragg
Grating sensing (Weatherford) and Polarization sensing (Schlumberger)
techniques. The fiber optic gauge is mainly used for gas well
application.

Fiber Bragg Grating Structure

Fiber Optic Sensor with Polarizer

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d) Fiber Optics Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS): The DTS

system is used to measure the temperature profile along the well
completion string. The temperature profile data has been used to
qualitatively indicate the flow contribution in both oil and gas wells and
also to evaluate water injection profiles, the effectiveness of fracture
jobs, identify cement tops, cross-flow between zones, flow outside the
casing and other flow and well bore related events.

Fiber Optic Cable Construction

DTS Concept

5.5 Zonal Isolation

The type of zonal isolation is dependent on the types of intelligent well

completion. For cased hole and ESP intelligent well completions, the zonal
isolation packer is the same as the Feed-through Production Packer as
discussed on item 5.1. For open hole intelligent well completion, there are
two types of packers used for zonal isolation; Feed-through Mechanical Open
Hole Packer and Feed-through Open Hole Swell Packer.

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5.5.1 Feed-through Mechanical Open Hole Packer

It is a mechanical open hole packer with control line by-pass. All the
packers have a reduced ID sleeve that allows for the control lines to be
fed underneath the packer element.

Baker is the current sole supplier of the Feed-through mechanical open

hole packer.

Baker MPas Feed-through Mechanical Open Hole Packer

5.5.2 Feed-through Open Hole Swell Packer

It is a swell packer with control lines by-pass. The Feed-through swell

packer offers a one-trip self-setting isolation system designed to allow
spliceless cable Feed-through for remote monitoring and control
mechanisms utilized in intelligent completions.

Halliburton/WellDynamics is currently the sole supplier of the Feed-

through open hole swell packer.

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5.6 Feed-through ESP Packer

The Feed-through ESP packer is a hydraulically set packer with a straight pull
to release and it should be verified by ISO 14310 Grade V-3. The packer is
equipped with penetrator string and several Feed-through ports to
accommodate for the ESP cable and the intelligent well hydraulic control lines
installations respectively. The Feed-through ports can be plugged for the
conventional ESP completion applications.

Schlumberger, Weatherford and Baker are currently the suppliers of the

Feed-through ESP packers.

Various Types of Feed-through ESP Packers

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5.7 Hydraulic Control Line Wet Connect (HLWC)

The HLWC technology is integrated with the intelligent well completion when
there is a need to remove and re-install the upper completion. In Saudi
ARAMCO, the technology enables the integration of intelligent well with the
ESP completion. The HLWC system is normally located below the ESP
packer. The system connects and disconnects the intelligent well hydraulic
control lines and allows for ESP workover without retrieving the lower
completion of the intelligent well. The control lines are reconnected downhole
during re-installation of the ESP.

The HLWC is made up of two parts; the upper section (stinger) and the lower
section (receptacle). The receptacle is deployed as the top section of the
lower completion using the running tool while the stinger is run as the bottom
section of the upper completion. The stinger is stab into the receptacle to
connect the hydraulic control lines and provides communication to the ICVs.

Schlumberger is the current sole supplier of the HLWC to Saudi ARAMCO.

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5.8 Surface Control Equipment

There are two types of surface control equipment; Hydraulic Control Unit
(HCU) for the Interval Control valve (ICV) and Surface Acquisition Unit (SAU)
for the PDHMS. These surface control systems are available as single and
multi-well control panels.

5.8.1 Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU)

The connections from the wellhead to the surface control panel are the
last steps in the hydraulic circuitry of an IWC. Once connected, the
surface panel permits opening and closing of the downhole flow control
valves by pumping high pressure fluids via the control lines. It also
provides the current status of the valves and can be used for detecting
a fault in the system.

These are control panels installed at surface to control the downhole

valves and are of following types:

a) Manual System: These panels are manually operated by a

technician at the wellsite.

b) Automated System: These panels are connected to the GOSP

via the field SCADA system. The GOSP control room operator can
operate the downhole hole valves remotely from GOSP without
travelling to the wellsite.

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5.8.2 Surface Acquisition Unit (SAU)

At surface, an electronic panel (the automatic surface unit) is connected

to the well head through an electric plug. It provides power to the
downhole tools and receives their data. This computer driven system
also allows full calibration of the data received, prints the results and
transmits the data away via standard tele-communication links.

Permanent pressure measurements in a producing well are essential to

monitor the performance of the well. Measurement should be done at
regular intervals. The Production Permanent Gauge System provides
this service on a real time basis. In all, each SAU can handle up to 16
downhole cable links.

In case a PDHMS is installed as part of an IWC, an electric power and

communication cable will be terminated inside a Data Acquisition Box.
The digital information from the gauge can then be monitored at
surface.

If a Distributed Temperature Sensor DTS is part of a completion, a fibre

optic cable will be connected from the wellhead to the Data Acquisition
Box.

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PDHMS Surface Panel

Courtesy: Schlumberger

RMS Fiber Optic Sensing Unit

Courtesy: Weatherford

5.9 Surface Data Acquisition and Measurement

5.9.1 Well Sensors Transmitters

Sensors and Transmitters for Pressure and Temperature are installed

in the pipeline upstream and downstream of the choke to enable
monitoring of surface parameters. The acquired data is used in
conjunction with the data acquired from the downhole sensors to
optimize the production from oil or gas wells. A typical installation is
shown in the picture below.

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5.9.2 Remote Operated Chokes and Actuators

A valve installed in the flow-line (usually downstream of the master

valve of a well-head) to control and regulate the flow of the produced
fluids from a producing oil and/or gas well. A similar valve installed on
the water injection wells controls the volume of water injected into the
reservoir. Manually operated choke valves require an operator to
change the settings at the well-site, whereas a remotely operated
choke valve can be regulated from a control room via the SCADA.

By changing the choke size, flow rates and flowing bottomhole

pressures for flowing wells may be manipulated. The choke size,
therefore, has a major effect on the production history of the well and
the reservoir.

Actuators are installed as part of the variable choke valves and are
used to change the settings of the mechanical parts of the valve i.e.
closing and opening of the choke valve. The picture below illustrates
the electrical connections that are used to operate the choke
remotely.

A remote operated choke with an actuator

5.9.3 Multiphase Flowmeters

Multiphase Flowmeters MPFMs are used for measuring the volumes

of hydrocarbons produced in-line, without separation. There are
several engineering companies that manufacture these meters. Some
of the more well-known ones are Roxar (part of the Emerson Group
now), Schlumberger, AGAR and Pietro Fiorentini. Each company has
its own measurement philosophy and the design of the meters offered
by each company is different from the other. Broadly speaking, there
are two categories: one with a nuclear source and the other without.

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Following are the pictures of the two MPFMs that use a gamma ray
source for in-line density measurement.

A dual energy gamma ray source is used in the PhaseWatcher Vx. In

addition to the density measurement, the gamma ray source also
provides the Water Liquid Ratio WLR. The MPFM 1900VI, on the
other hand uses a single energy gamma ray source and uses the
capacitive electrodes to determine the WLR.

PhaseWatcher Vx
Courtesy: Schlumberger

MPFM 1900VI
Courtesy: Roxar

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There are three types of non-gamma MPFMs have been installed to

date in the Southern Area. A picture of each is presented below.

MPFM 401 Flowatch MPFM 1900VI non-

Courtesy: AGAR Corp Courtesy: PietroFiorentini gamma
Courtesy: Roxar

Saudi ARAMCO has used all five of the above meters in one or more
projects and a rich database of experience is available in the fields.
Detailed working principle for each of the MPFM can be obtained from
the respective vendor.

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5.10 Schematics of Intelligent Well Completion in Saudi ARAMCO

An illustration of HF1 Packer installation

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An illustration of TRFC-HN installation

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HCM-A completion schematic

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6.0 MULTILATERAL COMPLETION

6.1 Introduction

Multilateral is a well in which there is more than one horizontal or near

horizontal lateral wells drilled from a single main bore and connected back to
the same main bore.

The evolution of multilateral technology has created a large variation in

completion styles for multilateral wells. Many of the methods are simple and
basic while others are much more complex. These complex completions
allow the use of multilaterals in a much wider range of well scenarios but they
also create a new array of obstacles, concerns and risks.

Multilateral systems combine the advantages of horizontal-drilling techniques

with the ability to achieve multiple target zones. The advantages include:

• Higher production indices

• The possibility of draining relatively thin formation layers
• Decreased water and gas coning
• Increased exposure to natural fracture systems in the formation
• Better sweep efficiencies.
• Minimize environmental footprint while maximizing reservoir contact

6.2 Classification of Well Structures for Multilateral Completion

In the effort to provide parity when comparing multilateral systems industry

wide, a classification has been developed by TAML (Technology
Advancement of Multilaterals). The classification system divides wells into
“levels” depending upon function and functionality.

To obtain reentry and flow in both wellbore of a multilateral application, the

mindset has been to add more completion equipment for more functionality.
Even though there are six multilateral categories, most multilateral application
falls into two simple groups: Wells that require pressure integrity at the
junction, and Wells that do not require pressure integrity at the junction.

For maximum functionality in both groups, the focus is on developing Level 3

and Level 6 multilateral systems that address a wide variety of multilateral
well applications. Only Level 5 and 6 provide pressure integrity at the
junction. However, level 5 requires a complex configuration of isolation

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packers to isolate the junction in order to provide pressure integrity. Level 6

multilateral completions, in contrast, are much simpler in design and
implementation. Levels 1 through 4 do not provide pressure integrity at the
junction, and of these, only Level 3 and 4 provide mechanical support at the
junction. Intelligent completion is applicable in all the multilaterals.

All levels of multi-lateral completions have been used by Saudi ARAMCO

with the exception of Level 6.

6.2.1 Level 1: Main Bore and Laterals Open Hole

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Simplest Construction Not stable in unconsolidated
formations
Stable in hard formations Limited life due to hole collapse
No positive re-entry capability
Limited completion options
Not pressure containing

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6.2.2 Level 2: Main Bore Cased and Cemented, Laterals Open Hole

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Permanent datum point Limited to new well
in hole applications
Multiple laterals Limited completion options
Controlled re-entry No pressure integrity at the
junction

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6.2.3 Level 3: Main Bore Cased and Cemented, Lateral Cased but
not Cemented

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
New well and existing No pressure integrity at the
well applications junction
Permanent datum point
in the well
Multiple laterals
Positive re-entry
Open hole support

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6.2.4 Level 4: Main Bore and Laterals Cased and Cemented

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
New well and existing No pressure integrity at the
well applications junction
Permanent datum point
in the well
Multiple laterals
Positive re-entry
Open hole support

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6.2.5 Level 5: Pressure Integrity at the Junction with Tubing and

Isolation Packers

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
New well and existing Requires complex configuration
well applications of isolation packers
Permanent datum point
in the well
Multiple laterals
Positive re-entry
Open hole support
Adaptable to all
formation types

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6.2.6 Level 6: Mechanical and Pressure Integrity at the Junction with

Casing

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
New well applications Complex configuration
requiring multiple isolation
packers
Permanent datum point
in the well
Multiple laterals
Positive re-entry
Open hole support
Adaptable to all formation
types

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