Intelligent Completion for Oil and Gas Production Control in Subsea Multi-lateral Well Applications

This paper describes a permanently installed, electronically enhanced, downhole completion system for real-time communication, command, and control of oil and gas production in extended reach, multilateral and subsea wells. The system allows the operator to control the production of hydrocarbons inside a wellbore from remote locations, and thus reduces the need for costly interventions to maintain efficient production rates. Key features of the system include automated monitoring, and permanently installed production control systems that consist of multiple downhole electromechanical devices and multiple gauges for monitoring tubing and annulus parameters. The surface unit controls the activities of the modules downhole by requesting data on a periodic basis; commanding the modules to open or close the electromechanical devices; and changing production monitoring parameters to accommodate changes in long-term wellbore conditions. A hardwire cable provides the power and communications link between downhole and surface, while a surface computer provides data acquisition, processing and communications control. In addition to describing the system, this paper will outline the objectives associated with monitoring and controlling the production of fluids in the wellbore, such as optimization of the production in each lateral of a multilateral well, and the ability to reduce the number of interventions necessary inmore » a well.« less