Learn how Schlumberger will achieve a step change in completions efficiency.
The rapid development of unconventional resources in North America has led to innovative new technologies that have improved the efficiency and effectiveness of completion and production services. With activity set to grow in unconventional resource production both in North America and internationally, Schlumberger is focusing on the development of an integrated completion technology system.
A primary component of the integrated completion system is the hydraulic fracturing system of the future, which combines Production Group technologies with significant process reengineering and universal operating and optimization software. This new system interfaces our automated stimulation delivery platform with a range of Cameron pressure control and wellhead systems and the Schlumberger portfolio of comprehensive perforating, fracturing cleanup, and flowback services; the latest downhole completion technologies; and advanced fracturing fluids.
The automated stimulation delivery platform is a complete redesign of bulk handling, mixing, and pumping surface equipment to improve reliability through automation, real-time data capture, advanced analytics, and predictive equipment health models. Improved equipment reliability leads to increased operational efficiency, including reduced nonproductive time and higher asset utilization.
The integration of fracturing fluid delivery and flowback services seamlessly delivers hydraulic fracturing fluid to the wellbore, including fluid flowback and any subsequent well testing operations, while new operating software provides process-control monitoring of inventory and equipment performance. Execution via standardized work processes for operations and equipment maintenance and the deployment of multiskilled crews significantly enhance wellsite efficiency and safety.
With this combination of industry-leading technologies, software, and geoengineering workflows, the Schlumberger integrated completions system of the future is expected to deliver highly consistent operational performance—reducing the cost per barrel and lowering the capital intensity of hydraulic fracturing operations.
The three stations shown of the Manara production and reservoir management system control the production characteristics of an individual zone. Produced fluids, noted with green for oil and blue for water, flow through a screen to the station where pressure, temperature, flow rate, and water cut are measured.
Saudi Aramco had a vision and commitment to develop technology that would take hydrocarbon recovery to a new level. Named after the Arabic word for lighthouse, the Manara system is the result of an eight-year collaboration between Saudi Aramco and Schlumberger.
The Manara production and reservoir management system is an intelligent completion system for multizone, multilateral, extended-reach, and Extreme Reservoir Contact wells. Combining 30 patented technologies, the Manara system provides permanent downhole pressure, temperature, water cut, and flow rate monitoring as well as in-lateral flow control of zones in real time.
The information derived from a conventional completion system typically permits engineers to make production decisions in days or weeks. The Manara system’s real-time permanent monitoring reduces the decision-making time to hours. This means reservoir workflows that commonly required three to six months can now be performed in one day. Integrated workflows from multiple disciplines create a collaborative work environment, where the identification and correction of problems in individual zones are made in real time. Rig time is reduced by optimizing a zone-by-zone cleanup procedure that also minimizes health, safety, and environmental risks.
The Manara system uses fewer parts than a conventional completion system. Electric power and downhole data pass through an inductive coupler that can service any number of well junctions. One electric control line connects through the wellbore to the wellhead via a single penetration.
Saudi Aramco’s Dhahran Advanced Research Center coordinated user requirements and, in conjunction with Schlumberger Engineering, developed a qualification testing program to de-risk the enabling technologies in the Manara system. This included extensive field testing in multiple Saudi Aramco wells. The Schlumberger focus on the transformation themes of technology, reliability, efficiency, and integration was important for the successful collaboration with Saudi Aramco.
