Considerations for Mitigating Early Water Breakthrough in Horizontal Wells in Heavy Oil Reservoirs in the Niger Delta - Ogini Field Case Study

Horizontal wells are susceptible to early water breakthrough (EWBT) due to reservoir heterogeneity and "the heel-toe effect", caused by frictional pressure losses along the well that lead to a non-uniform production profile. Also, with heavy oil reservoirs, early water breakthrough can occur because of viscous fingering due to an unfavorable mobility ratio caused by a difference in the viscosity of heavy oil and water. This ratio leads to a high inflow of water into the wellbore. EWBT is undesirable as it brings with it negative implications; from low oil productivity to corrosion in the wellbore and water disposal challenges. There are different industry solutions to managing early water breakthrough including reservoir based improved oil recovery (IOR) or enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods such as thermal EOR (steam flooding, cyclic steam injection), chemical EOR (polymer or alkaline flooding) or miscible EOR (with methane or ethane to reduce capillary resistance). These methods are however complex and broad field-based applications with varying experiences in the outcomes of the field implementation. There are also mechanical well specific solutions for mitigating EWBT and in this paper, we present the considerations and plans for the application of Autonomous Inflow Control Devices (AICDs) for the mitigation of EWBT in the Niger Delta. AICDs are relatively new and are known for autonomous selective choking of fluid phases. They restrict the flow of less viscous phases like water while allowing more viscous phases like heavy oil to pass through, with minimum pressure drop. The paper examines the different causes of EWBT in Ogini field and the different solution options available. It presents the cost/benefit analysis and modeling considerations resulting in the selection of AICDs for EWBT mitigation. The paper concludes with the technology implementation plan developed for its successful deployment in the upcoming drilling campaign.