Title: Case Study of Autonomous Inflow Control Devices (AICD) to Minimize Water Production from Fractured Carbonate Reservoir   

Abstract:

Autonomous Inflow Control Devices (AICD) have been commercially available since 2010 and there are many published case studies of wells in sandstone reservoirs, encompassing a wide variety of water and gas control scenarios.  However, there are relatively few documented studies of AICD for water control in fractured carbonate reservoirs.   This paper will discuss and compare two trial wells that were completed with AICD in Eastern Montana in late 2022 to dramatically decrease water production with improving or maintaining oil rates.  
Mission Canyon is a limestone formation of the Mississippian age and is associated with the Williston Basin in Eastern Montana.  Matrix permeability is very low, and a complex network of natural fractures is what dominates fluid flow.  These fractures can be good or bad; they can deliver a good oil rate, or they can be direct conduit to the field’s natural bottom-water drive.  Consequently, most wells start with 50% water cut and reach 90%+ within a few months.  Water volumes can be as high as 3000 bwpd per well, requiring large-volume pumps and significant water-handling & disposal infrastructure.  This project was the world’s first application of AICV (autonomous inflow control valve) technology for light oil, water control in a fractured carbonate reservoir.  Many valuable lessons were learned on how to best complete and operate the wells.  Preliminary results show effective water control and improve oil production during the first year of operation.

Speaker Bio:

Steven Fipke is a Petroleum Engineer from the University of Alberta in Canada.  He has 25 years of Oil and Gas experience in working in Canada, Venezuela, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Scotland and he now resides in Houston, Texas.  Fipke has been with InflowControl for the past 3 years as the Vice President covering North and South America.