Heavy oil reservoir requires unconventional technique

Oil mining was the standard method of recovery in this region of eastern Europe, but was no longer economical. With oil viscosity at 12,000 cP and gravity at 17° API, SAGD was a production option but had never been tried. The operator knew that advanced technologies would be essential to determining the feasibility of this alternative means of recovery.

SAGD well construction presented multiple well engineering issues: 300-m horizontal sections at a TVD of 228 m, temperatures approaching 250 degC, high stresses on the cement, and the need for specialized equipment and materials. The target was fine quartz sandstone, 18-m thick at a depth of 219 m. Mine tunnels greatly increased the risk of washouts and sidetracking.

The operator selected IPM for the project because of its global reputation for planning and executing well construction under severe conditions and its expertise in advanced oilfield service technologies.

SAGD pilot delivers cost-effective production

IPM used specialized tools and processes for this unconventional job. The results over the entire project were two days cut from the drilling plan and more than half a million dollars saved through other efficiencies.

Despite the mining tunnels, a ranging tool enabled precise placement of the horizontal sections of the injector and producer wells—within 5±1 m of each other.

The risk of washouts in the soft, tunneled formation was reduced by using the E-Pulse electromagnetic telemetry tool, which transmitted data to surface without drillpipe circulation and at faster rates than other methods.

Advanced FlexSTONE cement was selected because its design provides the flexibility to withstand the stresses and high temperatures of thermal production cycles. A good bond is essential to maintain long-term zonal isolation, which is crucial to the success of an SAGD well.

Drilling with water instead of mud optimized cementing procedures, and other efficiencies saved more than USD 500,000 versus plan. Additional SAGD wells are being planned because of the successful pilot.