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The current Schlumberger focus for the develop-
ment of intelligent completion technology lies in two
key directions. First, to bring the technology to main-
stream markets and expand its footprint by building
compact and modular intelligent completion systems
that address the issues of complexity, reliability, and
cost while retaining the advantages of the earlier
systems. And second, to build systems that expand the
reach and capabilities of conventional intelligent com-
pletions to address evolving market needs. Both direc-
tions are doing more with less by prioritizing full system
integration, reliability, and operational efficiency.
The IntelliZone Compact* modular zonal manage-
ment system was commercialized by Schlumberger
Completions in late 2011. This innovative design is
doing more with less by integrating a packer, flow
control valve, pressure and temperature sensors, and
multidrop module in a system that is only 9 m in length.
Preassembly and pretesting at the manufacturing
center increase system reliability and efficiency, and
dedicated software with fluid flow modeling is used to
design and select the optimal completions for each
well. Schlumberger experts collaborate closely with
customers throughout the design process and with the
operations team during installation. The modular and
standardized design process not only reduces delivery
time but more importantly reduces the rig time
required to install the system.
Additional intelligent completion technologies
being developed address the evolving challenges of
large-scale and deepwater developments, including
maximizing reservoir contact, ensuring well integrity,
and managing major uncertainties in reservoir quality
as well as monitoring field drainage and recovery. The
new systems will provide complete measurements and
full control in multiple zones and must have the capa-
bility to be deployed at any depth in any type of well—
including multilateral and horizontal profiles.
Effectively Assisting Production
The ability of a well to flow to surface depends on the
reservoir pressure and the magnitude of the pressure
losses that occur as the oil and gas enter from the
reservoir and travel up the wellbore. Hydrostatic pres-
sure and friction are the primary causes for pressure
losses, although reservoir and completion skin effects
such as turbulence, blockage, and perforation effi-
ciency also contribute.
To counteract pressure losses and optimize produc-
tion, more than 90% of the world’s oil wells use some
form of artificial lift such as electrical submersible
pumps (ESPs). In many cases, artificial lift is installed
when the well is placed on production. In others,
pumps are deployed months or even years after initial
production as well performance begins to decline.
Schlumberger has become one of the leaders in ESP
products and services through our continuous devel-
opment of REDA* pump technology since the 1998
acquisition of Camco International.
Optimization of artificial lift systems requires con-
tinuously monitoring performance. With our core skill
in metrology, Schlumberger has integrated sensors
into ESP systems to make not only the measurements
needed to optimize pump performance but also meas-
urements of well pressure and temperature. These can
indicate when pump performance is beginning
to decline or when the completion or the reservoir is
in need of a workover or stimulation. In some cases
wellhead systems are connected to a regional
monitoring center that can track the performance of
many artificially lifted wells in real time, signaling
when problems occur and even actuating controls to
remedy issues.
The artificial lift business includes many different
types of pumps suited to various flow rates and appli-
cations. Some are deployed in low-flow-rate wells;
others are used in the hostile high-temperature envi-
ronments of wells drilled to produce heavy oil that
becomes easier to flow once steam is injected into the
reservoir. In addition to leading the high-tier market
in ESP systems, Schlumberger has focused on high-
volume markets such as Russia land operations, where
as many pumps are in operation as in the rest of the
Intelligent completions allow
real-time monitoring of
wellbore data and provide the
ability to remotely control the
flow within the well.
