In this on-demand SPE Tech Talk, our experts explore the relationship between completion operations and the long-term production strategy for unconventional wells. The completion scheme for an unconventional well is typically mostly conducted separately from the implementation and performance of the artificial lift system. Instead, applying an integrated approach that bridges the poststimulation phases of plug drillout and flowback to production control delivers major improvements in well performance and artificial lift reliability through the life of the well.

The challenges for production performance optimization in unconventional wells are multiple and simultaneous, including sand and gas, wells with long lengths and high temperatures, sand and gas production, and rapid pressure decline from early production rates. Although these issues are notoriously difficult to optimize against, many of the problems faced in the production stage are the result of actions taken—or not taken—earlier in the life cycle of the well, such as the way a well is brought on line with flowback and the cleanout process.

Successfully addressing unconventional well production challenges requires operators to be detectives: not just collecting accurate and timely measurements but expediently processing the data to extract actionable insights for controlling the well and optimizing production performance and the reliability of the artificial lift system. It’s necessary to approach this workflow with a long-term perspective through a holistic, integrated approach, particularly when it comes to obtaining sufficient data and deploying integrated solutions.

But why not fix issues before they manifest? Starting with the critical postcompletion activities of drillout to regain well access and and then flowback to achieve the maximum potential of the well’s production, a cookie-cutter approach may seem efficient and cost-effective, but the assumption that wells will behave the same is not guaranteed. This is why data is a must, along with digitalization and automation of operations. For example, information can be collected at low cost and high fidelity through multiphase measurement and that data can then be integrated with nearly immediate control of the automated choke. This integrated solution improves understanding of both the flowback operation and the reservoir. Additional enhanced applications from incorporating multiphase measurements include implementation of remote operations and emissions reporting.

And how can AI and machine learning help unconventional wells produce more for a longer time? Conducting surveillance through real-time measurement of production and using AI algorithms to analyze the data supports improvements to the performance of both production and artificial lift performance.