Challenges:

With increasing maturity of core producing fields in Kuwait, the need for artificial lift is increasing. Greater ESP penetration gives rise to power challenges, whilst configurations require alignment with well and fluid conditions. Alternatives to ESPs are under consideration. Of particular significance are increasing water cuts in mature reservoirs and breakthrough of water via high permeability reservoir intervals or via coning. This situation is expected to become more acute as water floods are increasingly implemented. Given the large volumes that are predicted to be produced in coming years, any advances in water shut-off techniques and/or downhole water separation would have significant value. Improved monitoring of well performance and variations in fluid composition are required in order to be able to take preventative action prior to water breakthrough.

Research Objectives:

• To improve the reliability, efficiency and applicability of artificial lift approaches
• To develop procedures to shut-off water production from high permeability reservoir intervals
• To investigate developments in downhole water separation
• To establish well monitoring procedures to allow well interventions to be planned in advance

Research Programs:

1. Artificial Lift: Comprises research into novel methods for deploying and modifying ESP’s and research into the applicability of other surface and subsurface pumping technologies, and alternative artificial lift options.
2. Well Intervention: Comprises research into new mechanical and chemical approaches to shut-off water from high permeability reservoir intervals, downhole water separation, and methods for controlling sand production.
3. Monitoring: Comprises advances in downhole and surface monitoring of key reservoir and fluid parameters.