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HORIZONTAL WELL EXPERIENCE IN CALIFORNIA

THERMAL RESERVOIRS
A.B. SPEIRS P.B. WARREN

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CANADIAN SPE/CIM/CANMET THIS IS A PREPRINT - SUBJECT TO CORRECTION PAPER


NO.
HWC94-56 HORIZONTAL WELL EXPERIENCE IN CALIFORNIA THERMAL RESERVOIRS BY Aaron B. Speirs Phil B. Warren Shell Western E&P, California D,vis or PUBLICATION RIGHTS RESERVED THIS PAPER IS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE CANADIAN SPE/CIM/CANMET INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RECENT ADVANCES IN HORIZONTAL WELL APPLICATIONS, MARCH 20-23,1994, CALGARY, CANADA. DISCUSSION OF THIS PAPER IS INVITED. SUCH DISCUSSION MAY BE PRESENTED AT THE TECHNICAL MEETING
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WRITING WITH THE TECHNICAL PROGRAM CHAIRMAN PRIOR TO I'HE CONCLUSION OF THE MEETING. ABSTRACT
Three short radius and seven medium radius horizontal wells have been drilled and completed in thermal steam drive reservoirs at Midway Sunset and Coalinga fields. Cost and production comparisons with vertical wells have shown horizontal wells to be economicall.v superior. Horizontal wells in low pressure, heavy oil, unconsolidated sand reservoirs create technical completion design challenges. This paper will present the completion designs for the
short and medium radius lioril-ontal wells, the economic results, the artificial lift designs and the current sand control strategy. INTRODUCTION
The Midway Sunset and Coalinga fields are mature steam drive projects in 150-450 dipping reservoirs.
The unconsolidated sands have permeabilities on the order of 1-3 darcies, oil gravities of I I to 13 API, and steam chest pressures of less than 130 psi. The existing vertical well spacing is approximately 3/4 acre/well with both line or pattern steam drives. Reservoir simulation studies show that horizontal wells will improve
sweep efficiency, improve the oil/steam ratio, accelerate project life, help control the oil water contact movement, and improve project profitability. COMPLETIONS
The fij-st three horizontal wells were drilled short radius (1430/100'), beginning in 1990. Short radius wells were initially selected over medium radius because it allowed the pumps tc, be placed in the vertical section minimizing rod and tubing wear, reduced vertical to horizontal displacement and avoided directional work in the steam chest.2 The first medium radius well (120/100') was proposed and drilled in late 1992.
The major advantages of medium radius wells include significantly longer laterals with improved direction;il control, maximized drawdown with lower pump placemerit, openhole logging options, larger casing and liner sizes and improved workover options.
The short radius wells were completed with 8-5/8", 32# casing, and either 4-1/2" or 3-1/2" slotted liners (Figure 1).
The top portion of the liner was 5-1/2" casing which extended to the kick-off-point to allow lower pump placemerit. The radius of curvature was 42' to 44' with liner lengths of 370'to 714' at 1300'TVD.
The medium
radius wells were completed with 9-5/8", 40# casing cemented around the bend to 901-971 with Shell slag-mix cement3 to improve zone isolation (Figure 2).
Tangent sections ol' 50'-125' were place in the (12'/100') angle build sections between 55' and 90' depending on reservoir fluid levels and artificial lift requirements. The 6- 5/8", 24;@, K55, BTC liners with beveled collars were

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