1.1 Introduction
Reserves are the main asset of the exploration and production (E&P) industry. Every E&P firm aims at maximizing its total profit in the long run, hence the industry aims at enhancing ultimate recovery of a field, cost efficiently. However, most of the hydrocarbons in place are not recovered; about 35% of hydrocarbons in place are recovered leaving behind the remaining 65%. The need to improve recovery from the huge amount of remaining hydrocarbons in place around the world requires sound reservoir management practices.
Integrated reservoir management is a continuous process and the key to successful operation of the reservoir throughout its entire life. It requires the use of both multi-disciplines and technological resources for maximizing profit. A comprehensive reservoir management plan involves depletion and development strategies, data acquisition and analyses, geological and numerical model studies, production and reserves forecasts, knowledge of facilities requirement and economic optimization. These can facilitate better reservoir management which will enhance economic recovery of hydrocarbons (Satter et al., 1994). Intelligent well completion forms part of the overall vision of reservoir management optimization.
An intelligent well completion (IWC) is completion system capable of measuring, transmitting and analyzing wellbore production, reservoir and completion integrity data, and enabling remote action; change valve chokes and optimize these parameters to better control reservoir, well and production processes (Eni, 2006). The concept of intelligent completion does not generally refer to any capability for automated self-control but rather manual interface to initiate instructions to the well (Robinson, 2007).
Reservoir parameters are continuously monitored for each zones with permanent pressure and temperature gauges, base on which the valve chokes are reconfigured to allow simultaneous production from more zones through a single string or well. Remote completion monitoring is the ability of a system to provide data, obtained in or near the wellbore, without requiring access and entry for conventional intervention to the well. Hence IWC technology provides great flexibility in the operation of conventional wells and multilateral wells; as each branch of the well can be controlled independently. (Yeten et al., 2004)
The basic element of IWC are acquisition and transmission system, flow control valves (FCV) and actuation system. The acquisition and transmission system is a set of equipment used to transmit and acquire reservoir data, while the FCVs control flow rate from a zone or in a level. And the actuation system is a set of equipment that supplies power to the valves (Eni, 2006).
Compared to conventional completions, IWC offers great benefits. The primary objectives of IWC are normally to maximize or optimize and anticipate oil recovery, control gas and water breakthrough, reduce cost and improve safety. Zero intervention especially subsea or remote location wells and production optimization for multi zones reservoir (simultaneous production), horizontal wells, complex reservoir structure, auto gas lift, etc. justifies the installation of intelligent completions (Eni, 2006).
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