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Norsk Hydro And Halliburton Complete Multiple Re-entry Multilaterals From Single Platform
HOUSTON, Texas - Norsk Hydro a.s and Halliburton Energy Services have successfully completed their three-well multilateral project in the Oseberg field of the Norwegian North Sea. This was the industry's first application of multiple re-entry multilaterals from a single offshore platform. The project represents a significant milestone in reservoir management by incorporating multilateral technology into new field developments to save surface facility and subsurface costs.
From three platform slots there are now six 7-inch horizontal monobores accessing recoverable reserves of 40 MMBO. The first well, Oseberg C-12, produced the lateral bore alone from May to October 1996, then an additional 550m of the lateral was perforated, the plug below the junction retrieved and commingled production established. This was the world's first well to provide full bore re-entry access to the lateral with a single casing-size reduction while maintaining the integrity of the main wellbore.
The second well, Oseberg C-10, has been producing the lateral since October 1996 and commingled production will commence this month. The third well, Oseberg C-7, was successfully completed most recently and commingled production from both monobores will commence shortly.
All three wells were successfully completed using Halliburton's Multilateral System 3000, the industry's only system that provides full lateral liner connectivity, a hydraulically-isolated lateral junction and full bore lateral re-entry access with a single casing-size reduction.
Johan Mikkelsen, senior vice president of Hydro's drilling department said, "multilateral technology has enabled us to produce considerably more oil in certain fields, at far lower cost per barrel, than in the past. We anticipate expanded use of this technology for improving the economics of future developments."
The two companies expect to advance the application to subsea field developments where "the economic benefits could easily surpass those of fixed platform developments," according to Mikkelsen. The benefits would be realized through savings in subsea wellheads, upper wellbores, pipelines and control systems. A subsea multilateral well is scheduled for mid-1997 in the Troll oil field from the floating rig "Polar Pioneer."
Norsk Hydro and Halliburton are also exploring advanced reservoir control through intelligent completion technology. Plans are being developed for remote-control assemblies to be installed in future multilateral wells that will enable the adjustment of downhole chokes while maintaining production. This technology will also enable real-time monitoring and measurement of multiple reservoir parameters.
Halliburton Energy Services Inc., a Halliburton Company organization (NYSE: HAL), is a leading supplier of products, services and integrated solutions to the energy industry on a global basis.
Contact
Brandon Lackey
Public Relations
(p) 713.624.3463
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