Advancements on Drilling and Completion Technology Offshore Abu Dhabi

Abstract

A giant oil field has been producing since 1982 and is located offshore Abu Dhabi. This field stretches over some 1200 square kilometers, consists of three main reservoirs, namely Reservoir A, B and C and is one of the largest oil fields in the world. The original field development was based on pattern water flooding. This was implemented in conjunction with horizontal drilling from Well Head Towers (WHT's) as well as applying dual completion systems including Multi-Lateral Completions (MLC). However, concerns for the aging problems in existing production facilities and wells were raised in the second half of 2000's. This led to enhancing the creation of an alternative field development strategy to reduce the field development cost and make further improvement on the productivity and recovery by applying the concept of Maximum Reservoir Contact (MRC). At present, the strategy is executing while utilizing artificial islands newly constructed as drilling/production centers together with the application of extended reach drilling and completion technologies.