With the objective of increasing its production to 4.0 million BOPD, the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) is developing its fields with optimum technology solutions. One of these promising technologies is that of advanced completions—specifically, inflow-control devices (ICDs) and interval-control valves (ICVs). Application of this technology led to multifold increases in sustained production in horizontal wells in all reservoirs and a simultaneous reduction in water cut.
Introduction
The main reservoir objectives for applying advanced completions include decreasing the influence of heel-to-toe effects, controlling influx from high-permeability zones, delaying water/gas fronting, depleting the reservoir uniformly, and improving well cleanup and sweep efficiency. Advanced completions are applicable in both sandstone and carbonate reservoirs. The ICVs also provide the advantage of controlling production from multiple laterals in multilateral wells and controlling influx in layered reservoirs.
