This paper describes the design, planning, implementation details and field trial testing of a new-generation integrated intelligent completion system in a trilateral well in a field in Saudi Arabia. The system consists of a flow control valve with a real time choke position sensor and annulus and tubing pressure/temperature measurements integrated as one compact piece. The integration facilitates faster deployment of the intelligent system while avoiding complexity and disruption risks that are inherent with conventional intelligent completions. Included in the description are equipment, design, installation procedures, and best practices.

In the “D” field, the wells are mostly horizontal multilateral oil producers drilled in high-Darcy “A” sand and “B” sand reservoirs. In the trial test well the main challenges were well placement, geosteering to “B” sand, sand quality and thickness variance, drilling successfully through shale sections to TD, installing inflow control device screens in the laterals, mitigating crossflow due to pressure differences, and water breakthrough deferral.

Saudi Aramco has installed numerous numbers of intelligent completions over the last eight years. The main drivers for these completions are to balance the drawdown and rates from each lateral, prevent crossflow between laterals, and choke back laterals with high water or gas inflow. The increased monitoring capabilities of the system presented in this paper will help in production optimization of the multilateral wells.

This compact integrated intelligent completion system provides isolation, selective flow control or water shutoff for each lateral, real-time annulus and tubing P&T monitoring for each lateral, pressure buildup, interference testing between laterals, real-time position sensor to confirm choke position, production optimization for each lateral, faster operation time due to fewer positions, enhanced reserve recovery, extended well life, reduced future intervention, and minimal production interruption.

Using variable positions flow control valve, water production can be managed to sustain longer oil production while minimizing water cut from laterals. Monitoring the flowing pressure in real time allows producing the well at optimum rate above the bubblepoint pressure.

Knowledge and lessons learned from this successful installation have provided an insight into this new-generation integrated intelligent completion benefits and paved the road for further deployment for similar applications.