INTELLIGENT MULTILATERAL WELLS: NEXT STAGE OF WELL CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT.

J. Oberkircher, B. Comeaux, E. Bailey, T. Cavender, V. Jackson
Sperry Sun, Halliburton Energy Services, WellDynamics.

The combination of the two advanced technology solutions for well construction and operation  — downhole monitoring and production rate control  —  provides an opportunity to drill brand new wells known as intelligent multilateral wells.
The choice of intelligent and multilateral completion technology depends on a variety of  factors such as kick-off point isolation, completion type, accessibility, level of production rate control and target control level. Electrical, electrohydraulic and hydraulic equipment used to control production rate helps improve flexibility and efficiency of well and reservoir operation.  The two solutions can be integrated in all possible ways providing options ranging from the simplest to the most sophisticated and meeting various operation conditions.
The article provides a brief description of the areas of technology application including those currently available and future concepts that are  of great interest to oil and gas industry professionals. Benefits and drawbacks of the various options, as well as equipment types   for intelligent multilateral completion are also discussed.

Key words: multilateral, multihole intelligent well; downhole monitoring; production rate control; “window”, TAML level.

INTELLIGENT MULTILATERAL WELLS: NEXT STAGE OF WELL CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT.

J. Oberkircher, B. Comeaux, E. Bailey, T. Cavender, V. Jackson
Sperry Sun. Halliburton Energy Services. WellDynamics.

The combination of the two advanced technology solutions for well construction and operation  — downhole monitoring and production rate control  —  provides an opportunity to drill brand new wells known as intelligent multilateral wells. 
The choice of intelligent and multilateral completion technology depends on a variety of  factors such as kick-off point isolation, completion type, accessibility, level of production rate control and target control level. Electrical, electrohydraulic and hydraulic equipment used to control production rate helps improve flexibility and efficiency of well and reservoir operation.  The two solutions can be integrated in all possible ways providing options ranging from the simplest to the most sophisticated and meeting various operation conditions.  
The article provides a brief description of the areas of technology application including those currently available and future concepts that are  of great interest to oil and gas industry professionals. Benefits and drawbacks of the various options, as well as equipment types   for intelligent multilateral completion are also discussed.

Key words: multilateral, multihole intelligent well; downhole monitoring; production rate control; “window”, TAML level.