IADC/SPE 81623

The Nimr Story: Reservoir Exploitation Using UBD Techniques

Ramalho, J., Shell UBD Global Implementation Team, Medeiros, R., PDO, Francis, P. A., PDO, Davidson, I. A., Shell
UBD Global Implementation Team
Copyright 2003, IADC/SPE Underbalanced Technology Conference and Exhibition
This paper was prepared for presentation at the IADC/SPE Underbalanced Technology
Conference and Exhibition held in Houston, Texas, U.S.A., 2526 March 2003.
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Abstract
In May 2002, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) embarked
on a ten well, underbalanced drilling (UBD) trial campaign in
the Nimr field using crude oil as the drilling fluid and
membrane generated nitrogen as the lift gas. UBD was
proposed as a productivity improvement technique for the
Nimr field following a low risk/high reward analysis. The
Nimr field is a complex of six fields. UBD was implemented
in the Nimr A field consisting of two reservoirs: the Amin and
Al Khlata, which are generally high permeability (+1Darcy)
sandstone reservoirs containing medium gravity (21 API)
viscous (300-500 cP) crude.
Horizontal wells are generally completed with a wire-wrap
screen (WWS) across the reservoir section, due to sand
production history in some wells, and are produced via
artificial lift methods, primarily beam pump. Even though the
predominant factor affecting net oil rate performance was the
rate and behavior of water cut development it was suspected
that drilling-induced skin, combined with mechanical skin
from the completion, was a contributing factor to recent poor
results from the horizontal wells.
The paper will demonstrate the value of a multi-well
campaign to avoid eliminating a good candidate reservoir due
to inconclusive start-up results associated introducing a new
technology. It will describe some of these early start-up
challenges, the equipment modifications and changes to
operating procedures that have resulted in the uptake of this
game-changing technology in the Nimr field. Additionally, it
will emphasize the potential value of well inflow and reservoir
characterization data gathered during UBD operations. This
data indicated significant opportunities to improve well
performance and increase ultimate recovery resulting in a
potential value far exceeding those originally envisaged prior
to initiating the UBD trial.

Introduction
In early 2000 SIEP (Shell International Exploration and
Production B.V.) identified UBD as one of four key
technologies to be taken up within the Shell Group on a global
basis. Global Implementation Teams were formed to assist
Group Operating Companies to prepare implementation plans
that included screening exercises, candidate selection, business
case development, and execution. Several of PDOs assets
were considered good candidates for UBD and following a
ranking exercise; two fields in Nimr and Saih Rawl were
selected. A Low Risk/High Reward strategy1 resulted in a ten
well UBD campaign in the Nimr A field (Figure 5). The
objective of the campaign (similar to that in the Saih Rawl
campaign being executed concurrently2) was to quantify the
value of UBD for PDO.
Nimr Project Scene Setting
Nimr is actually a complex of six fields. UBD was
implemented in the Nimr A field which is a large "turtle-back"
structure primarily composed of two reservoirs beneath the
Nahr Umr shale cap rock: 1) the Haima Amin (Cambrian,
Aeolian dune) which is the primary reservoir; and 2) Al Khlata
(Permian, glacial) which is eroded into the Amin and is
present along the faulted flanks of the field. The Amin and
Al Khlata both have reservoir permeability of >1 D in the
better quality sections. The Amin contains small cement
streaks within the section, which may cause local baffling. The
Amin also has 10-30+ m thick sections of weathered zone,
which is of lower quality, permeability and oil saturation than
the "good" Amin. The Al Khlata has been shown to have a
high degree of lateral variability but is generally good quality
over most of Nimr A field.
(Figure 3 and Figure 4). The crest of the structure is at
about 680 m SS and the original OWC is at 747 m SS.
Oil density is 0.93 sg, viscosity is 300-500 cP at 50 oC
reservoir temperature. Aquifer support is moderate to strong
bottom water drive. The initial pressure gradient was 10.2
kPa/m and the current reservoir pressure gradients range from
6.5 to 9.5 kPa/m. The oil produces at a very low GOR
(<1m3/m3) with intermittent traces of H2S.
The existing field development strategy places horizontal
wells with +/-400 m laterals 3-5 meters below the top of the
reservoir. A typical completion is 4 1/2" WWS inside 6 1/8"
reservoir section with beam pump for artificial lift. The
primary grid spacing is 172 m and current infill spacing is
86 m. The field is near completion of primary development,
with only flank (lower oil column) locations remaining.

RAMALHO, J., MEDEIROS, R., FRANCIS, P. & DAVIDSON, I.

Recent new oil well performance (1999-2001) had

consistently performed lower than expectation. Infill drilling
commenced in earnest during 2002.
For the 10 well trial, intermediate 7 liner was set at 90
inclination within the target window (4-5 m below the top of
the reservoir) and the lateral reservoir section was drilled
underbalanced at 90 inclination with a +/- 2m vertical
window.
The original plan was to drill UB with an equivalent
circulating pressure 1500 to 2000 kPa below expected
reservoir pressure; the primary driver for limiting the drawdown, was concern about wellbore stability.
To meet the underbalanced well objectives extensive
steady state multiphase flow modeling and compatibility
testing indicated that crude oil in combination with gas lift was
the appropriate drilling fluid. Membrane generated
deoxygenated air was selected as the lift gas in preference to
cryogenic nitrogen for economic reasons. After evaluating a
number of native crude oil alternatives, Sayala crude was
selected as the base drilling fluid due to its low density
(0.78 sg) and low viscosity (30 cP) (Flammability 0-5 C,
Auto Ignition Temp. 239 C). A concentric annulus (9 5/8 X
7) design was chosen for lift gas injection, primarily due to
the incompatibility of mud pulse telemetry measurement while
drilling (MWD) and drill pipe injection of the high volume of
lift gas required to maintain underbalanced conditions. MWD
was used to transmit directional, bottom hole pressure (BHP)
and petrophysical data etc. Electromagnetic Telemetry MWD
was considered but evaluated as uneconomical for this trial.
Equipment and Procedures
A conventional bottom hole assembly (BHA) that
consisted of the following components was run:
6 1/8 Tricone bit,
4 short bearing pack 4/5 lobe PDM
UBD Float sub with dual flapper type UBD nonreturn valves (NRVs). (Used for well control
purposes to prevent back flow up the drill pipe
during connections)
Non Mag DCs for mud pulse MWD system.
3 drill pipe in the open hole section
Surface equipment was selected that could meet the wide
range of well conditions PDOs candidate reservoirs could
present and was designed for use in an H2S environment.
Although at first glance this approach apparently offered
flexibility, in practice the ability to meet such a wide range of
conditions created its own problems of over specification for
the Nimr conditions. It did however, secured consistent UBD
equipment and personnel for entire trial period and provided
an option to extend the contract at known costs.
The UBD surface package consisted of the following
equipment:
A 13 5/8 5000 psi Passive Type Rotating Control
Head (RCH) rated for 2500 psi operating pressure,
installed on top of the 11 5000 psi conventional
BOP stack to provide the annular pack off around
the drill pipe and tool joints while drilling and
tripping.

The conventional BOP stack consisted of an

annular, variable pipe rams and blind/shear rams.

IADC/SPE 81623

7 1/16 5000 psi ESD valve wad installed on the

outlet of the RCH
7 1/16 5000 psi Flanged Schedule 160 flow line to
the choke manifold
7 1/16 5000 psi Flanged choke manifold c/w 3 1/8
5000 psi double block and bleed choke and valve
legs with Schedule 160 piping.
7 1/16 5000 psi Schedule 160 piping Sample
Catcher c/w 2 1/16 valves on dual sample legs.
Separation vessel rated for MAWP of 180 psi and
capable of handling gas rate of 55 MMscf/d and a
liquid rate of 20,000 bpd @ 150 psi.
6 flare lines with WECO 206 hammer unions to a
flare pit
200 bbl (30 m3) solids settling tank c/w degasser
unit
2 - 750 gallons/ min solids centrifuges
4 - 400 bbl horizontal oil storage tanks for the fluids
handling system.
After the contract was awarded, considerable effort was
expended to ensure UBD related HSE issues specific to the
project were clearly understood by all stakeholders. Not only
were the usual hazards and concerns regarding UBD
highlighted and addressed, but project specific hazards such as
potential for H2S, the use of a low flash point crude as the
drilling fluid and the extreme ambient temperatures associated
with summer work in a desert environment were identified and
also addressed. In addition, equipment and procedures
proposed by the project team and vetted during HAZOP
exercises for operational and HSE effectiveness, also had to
comply with PDOs HSE Management System.
The primary project objectives were HSE (do it right, but
do it safe first time) and technical (demonstrate and prove the
benefits of UBD for the Nimr reservoir and PDO in general).
Project economics were important but secondary (economics
would be fine tuned as the project progressed).
This was the philosophy that was used as a benchmark for
resolving conflicting objectives as the project evolved to the
execution phase. It was the primary reason for the closed loop
system, the solids handling system, well-control procedures,
tripping and other operational procedures.
Maintaining UBD conditions during all phases is one of
the primary goals for PDO and this was reflected in the base
case procedures. Nimr is classified as an IADC Level 1 UBO
Type operation (Well incapable of natural flow to surface.
Well is inherently stable and is low level risk from a well
control point of view.). It is recognised that whenever a UB
drilled well is shut-in for any reason, it will continue to inflow
until the shut in pressure, plus the hydrostatic pressure is
balanced by the formation static pressure. This principle
applies regardless of reservoir pressure regime (normal, overpressured or depleted) or whether the well is shut in at surface
or down-hole (down-hole shut-in effectively removes a portion
of the wellbore storage). The procedure for Nimr was to
maintain UB conditions while drilling in the reservoir and
when it was necessary to trip pipe, the well would be
circulated clean and allowed to balance itself after injection
gas is shut off. The fluid level in the well was monitored using
a sonic echo-meter. The same principle would be applied for

IADC/SPE 81623

THE NIMR STORY: RESERVOIR EXPLOITATION USING UBD TECHNIQUES

tripping at TD. Running the wire-wrapped screens (WWS)) to

complete the lateral section would also be conducted in a
balanced well. Once again fluid level was monitored and when
it stabilised, the WWS was deployed and the completion
equipment installed.
PDO also supports the philosophy that a robust
contingency plan must be in place for an IADC UBO
Classification Level, one level higher than the base case
classification for the planned operation. It was decided that
once the UBD campaign was running effectively, a down-hole
deployment valve (DHDV) would be installed and run as part
of the 7 tie-back concentric string. This would mitigate the
requirement for well killing or a snubbing unit, in the event the
well proved capable of sustained flow of hydrocarbons to
surface and/or creating pipe-light conditions while tripping.
However, until a DHDV was available, a step-wise approach
would be used and the contingency plan called for the well to
be balanced with filtered brine if necessary, to allow for
tripping and the running of WWS. It was recognized that this
was a potential source for formation damage and could
negatively impact the evaluation of UBD as a reservoir
enhancement technique. The operations team decided to use
this technique on the first few wells until they were
comfortable with at-balance tripping.
Fluids-Handling Process Description
Single phase Sayyala crude is injected down the drill string
and circulated along with drill cuttings and produced crude up
the annulus. Lift gas is simultaneously injected down the
concentric annulus and out the injection ports at 1100 m AHD
where it enters the fluid stream and starts to expand as it raises
to surface thereby reducing the effective circulating density
above this point. The returned fluids and solids are diverted by
the RCH to the 4-phase separator (Figure 1), via the choke
manifold and geologic sample catcher and enter the vessel at
the solids separation end. The solids end is separated from the
liquids end by a weir. Gas is discharged off the top of the
vessel to the flare system and solids slurry is transferred from
the solids end to a 200 bbl settling tank using separator
pressure. In the liquids end, separated produced water and oil
(mixture of Sayyala and Nimr crude) are also transferred to the
same settling tank via riser tubes of differing heights. It was
planned to recycle Sayyala crude and re-use it as the drilling
fluid. It was expected that contamination from produced Nimr
crude would take place over time and very-fine solids
entrainment in the drilling fluids system could create a fluid
system that was potentially formation damaging. The
combination of the two contaminants would affect not only the
viscosity of the drilling fluid but the density. Therefore,
special attention was made to monitor and mitigate the effect
of contamination in the fluids-handling process.
The fluids handling system comprised of a 200 bbl solids
settling tank (also illustrated in Figure 1) and four horizontal
400 bbl stock tanks (Figure 2). The settling tank is an
atmosphere tank with a degasser unit mounted on top to knock
out any entrapped gas in the fluid being transferred from the
separator unit. The tank is divided into three sections by two
weirs. The fluids and solids-slurry from the separator goes into
the first section of the tank. An agitator is installed in this
section to keep the solids in suspension for transfer to the

centrifuge system. The centrifuges discharge underflow

(solids) into an open top tank, and the cleaned fluid is
discharged into the second section of the settling tank.
Unprocessed fluid from the first section flows over the weir to
the second section and mixes with cleaned fluid from the
centrifuge. The second section provides retention time for
additional settling. The fluid then flows over the second weir
into the third section and is transferred by pumps to active
system of the storage tank farm. Four horizontal 400 bbl stock
tanks were used to deal with the contamination of drilling
fluid, with the produced Nimr crude by providing for storage
of clean Sayyala crude, produced crude and the active drilling
fluid system. Two of the four stock tanks were used
exclusively for the active system. The centrifuge system was
also incorporated in the fluids handling process to deal with
solids control in the active and the storage system. Solids
content was kept between 0.5 and 1.0% and the density of the
active system was kept below 0.81 sg by dilution with clean
Sayyala crude. Excess crude from the active system was
transferred to a third tank used as storage of produced crude
and subsequent transhipment to the field process plant for
handling. The fourth stock tank was used to store clean
Sayyala crude, used to dilute and control the viscosity of the
active drilling fluid. The centrifuge system was piped and
manifold such that it provided the ability to re-circulate
recycled drilling fluid from most of the storage tanks on site.
Each tank on location was equipped with shipping valves at
different heights to allow for transfer of separated liquids. This
allowed fluids within the storage tanks to be re-circulated via
the solids handling system thus ensuring recycled drilling fluid
and produced crude did not exceed solids content limits
imposed by the process plant.
Operational Challenges
During start-up of most new projects, the operations folks
face issues of varying complexities either not considered or
underestimated in the planning and design phase. The Nimr
UBD project was not an exception in this regard. Rig-up,
commissioning and rig down of the UB equipment was on the
critical path of the operation during the first and second wells.
The sheer volume and complexity of the equipment (illustrated
in Figure 1 and Figure 2) coupled with personnel new to the
equipment and therefore unfamiliar with the specifics of
rigging up this particular package, is demonstrated by the
typical learning curve illustrated in Figure 6. After the second
well, the equipment was rigged up/down off the critical path
while the rig was drilling the top-hole section of the well.
While drilling the first well, there were a number of
challenges, which resulted in excessive non-productive time
(NPT). The primary one was cuttings transport (both down
hole and in the surface system) and which may have
exacerbated the other issues observed. Due to the poor
rheological properties of the drilling fluid, cuttings transport
was identified as a potential problem area during the design
phase of the project but it was anticipated that once the well
started to produce the higher viscosity Nimr crude, the
problem would be reduced. This concern was justified and the
problem proved to be more severe than expected. Severe
sliding problems and increased torque and drag parameters
were observed while drilling and it was suspected that this was

RAMALHO, J., MEDEIROS, R., FRANCIS, P. & DAVIDSON, I.

all a result of insufficient hole cleaning. This led to efforts to

control the ROP by intentionally reducing it and short wiper
trips and increased circulation time prior to connections to aid
in cuttings removal. This we now believe caused localized
washouts to occur, whereas hole stability was originally
suspected. This also resulted in increased directional work
(sliding) to maintain hole angle, which leads to additional
cuttings bed build-up, causing increased torque and drag.
Severe cuttings dropout was also observed in the surface
equipment. The sparge system proved inadequate for the
amount of cuttings and the transfer system clogged up. This
finally led to a decision to shut down and clean out the solids
from the separator and settling tank. Reoccurrence of the
solids dropout problem in the surface equipment, led to an
early TD of the first 2 wells.
In addition to fighting the solids dropout problem, severe
BHP fluctuations were observed while drilling. The
accumulator affect caused by the charging and discharging of
the concentric annulus resulted in the gas/fluid ratio above the
gas injection point to vary by extremes and therefore, the well
to slug/unload excessively. This is a known phenomena
usually solved onsite by trial and error (varying several
drilling and injection parameters and while adjusting the
surface backpressure). Controlling BHCP with separator
backpressure solved the problem on the first well. The choke
was used on the second well and on subsequent wells reverted
back to controlling with separator backpressure. However, this
is a tedious process and often results not only in NPT but also
in periods of the well going overbalanced, as was the case on
the first two Nimr wells.
Failure of conventional drilling equipment has also
resulted in unplanned well kills and related NPT.
A key element in successful application of underbalanced
drilling techniques is the amount of draw-down that the
formation will be exposed to during the process. This can
affect many of the design parameters; included but not limited
to pump rates, gas injection rates, injection gas volume
required, storage tanks requirement and flare volumes. It can
also have an impact on borehole stability and fluids/solids
handling at surface. Therefore, the importance of accurately
knowing the static reservoir pressure cannot be overstated. For
Nimr, the static reservoir pressure varies throughout the field
and up to date static BHP measurements are not easily
available because of the complexities of the beam lift system.
Therefore, during the trial, static pressure was measured after
drilling 20 m of reservoir section and the draw-down was
applied relative to this pressure. This procedure was followed
until the 4th well, when the phenomena of localalized depletion
was observed - It had been observed that by re-measuring the
static reservoir pressure while drilling the static pressure
measured at the heel may be higher or lower than at the
mid-section and at the toe (TD) the pressure can be different
again.
Operational Learning The way forward
Throughout the trial, the principle of continuous
improvement was used to optimise ongoing operations, reduce
NPT (Figure 5) and lower the unit cost of the project.
The 13 5/8 RCH was replaced with an 11 1/16 RCH.
The RCH bowl is installed on top of the BOP as part of

IADC/SPE 81623

the stack rig up. A special bell-nipple adapter was built,

which made it convenient to switch from conventional
mode while drilling top hole to the underbalanced mode
simply by removing the adapter nipple and replacing it
with the pack-off and bearing. This facilitates installation
and pressure testing of flow lines and the UB surface
equipment off the critical path while drilling top hole.
To improve drilling performance, the BHA was
redesigned. 20-4 DCs were added above the 3
drill pipe to stiffen the assembly while orientated
drilling. The short bearing pack motor used on the first
well was replaced with a more conventional design
(standard bearing pack with 7/8 lobe design).
To improve solids handling at surface, the pump
capacity of the sparge system in the separator was
increased and the process flow was modified slightly. On
the second well the process flow was directed from the
separator to a settling tank (one of the horizontal 400
bbls tanks in the active system on the tank farm). The
curved bottom allowed more effective processing of
solids while drilling the well. The suction for the
centrifuges now comes from the bottom of this settling
tank and discharges into the process tank. Excess
unprocessed fluid is pumped from the settling tank into
first section of the process tank as before. The
remainder of the process is as described before.
To mitigate issues related to cuttings transport, a 65/35
blend of Sayyala and processed Nimr crude was used as
the kickoff drilling fluid after the second well. This has
been optimized in time to a 50/50 blend currently in use
and the practice of dilution continues. This change,
combined with the modified process flow appears to
solve most of the solids-handling problems.
More stringent attention to QA/QC of conventional
drilling equipment and continuous improvements to the
drill string design have also contributed to reduction in
NPT.
To mitigate the NPT associated with BHP pressure
instability resulting from well slugging, a transient flow
simulator (Ubitts) has been utilized to investigate design
and operational parameters, which influence this
behavior when using concentric casing gas injection3.
Although this tool is designed as a training simulator, it
is also now used to predict this behavior as the well is
drilled and the appropriate action is taken to minimize
the effect on the operation.
Practice of loading well with brine prior to trips no
longer done as the procedure for monitoring fluid level
in the well with the sonic echo-meter is effective and has
been accepted by the operations staff.
The procedure for tripping pipe has been modified. The
well is circulated clean, but gas injection continues and
the well flowed while the pipe is stripped back to the
shoe. At the shoe, the well is circulated and flowed until
it cleans up (1 times hole volume is produced). This
effectively allows the well to balance itself after
injection gas is shut off but with native Nimr crude from
the formation in the open hole section rather than drill
fluid. The driver for this is no potentially damaging

IADC/SPE 81623

THE NIMR STORY: RESERVOIR EXPLOITATION USING UBD TECHNIQUES

drilling fluid is left in the open hole while tripping.

To improve data gathering while drilling, an additional
bank of membranes was added to the gas generation
process to allow more flexibility in managing drawdown . Still not capable of identifying small changes to
productivity as we drill but we are sure we are
underbalanced on the basis of gross productivity
increases as we drill and from instantaneous production
increases due to geologic features (sweet spots).
There is an ongoing effort to identify whether the
pressure decline observed as we drill is due, to the heel
toe effect or from localized depletion from potentially
drilling in to a pressure sink created from producing
wells in the area. This impacts project economics
(Acceleration vs. Incremental reserves recovery).

Well Inflow Uplift via UBD

The initial justification for implementing UBD at Nimr
field focused largely on initial oil production rate uplift based
on achieving more even inflow from the completion interval
due to lack of drilling and completion induced skins. Not
surprisingly, the largest initial production rate uplift has been
achieved in the lowest quality Nimr reservoir, the Amin
weathered zone. In December 2002, well NM499 (GI145)
was drilled underbalanced in a combination of good quality
Amin and weathered zone Amin. An intermediate flow-back
test was made on the short (+60 m) good quality Amin
reservoir section prior to drilling the remaining hole length in
the weathered Amin. Preliminary examination of test data
indicated a production uplift of at least double conventionally
drilled wells to as much as four times conventional well flow
rates. An additional weathered Amin well is scheduled in
early March 2003 to confirm the findings.
Production uplift is more difficult to quantify in the
better quality Amin and Al Khlata reservoirs due to the fact
that most of the UBD wells drilled in the good quality
reservoir are infill wells and initial net oil rates are largely
dependent on BSW development. However, there is evidence
that initial production rate uplift is possible using UBD on
the high quality Amin and Al Khlata reservoirs. In
September 2002, well NM493 was drilled underbalanced in
good quality Amin reservoir. This well was the first well in
the campaign that was flowed back and tested at various well
lengths. Results of the various flowback tests are
summarized in Figure 6.
The resulting calculated
Productivity Index (PI) per metre of net well length was
substantially higher (20-50%) than prior estimates.
However, the measurements made on NM493 are the only
absolute measurements of PI ever made in Nimr field. Note
that 4 1/2" WWS was run following the 3rd flowback test and
a subsequent 4th flowback test indicated that additional
draw-down caused by the WWS was small. However,
immediate measurable WWS plugging was not expected to
occur and well inflow performance continues to be
monitored. As of December 2002, the well continues to
enjoy good inflow without signs of substantial WWS
plugging.

Reservoir Characterization via UBD Data

Applying UBD to identify and characterize flow units
within and between the various Amin and Al Khlata reservoirs
has by far the largest potential for improving oil production
rates and ultimate recovery in Nimr (and many other) fields.
Two UBD wells illustrate this potential: NM496 and NM498.
Both NM496 and NM498 were drilled along the northern
flank of the field, where the Al Khlata subcrops at the roof and
several faults (and erosion features) define a thickening of the
Al Khlata section and deepening of the top Amin from south
to north (Figure 3, Figure 9 & Figure 10).
NM496 was drilled from the north towards the south. It
penetrated good quality Al Khlata P9 just below the overlying
Nahr Umr shale and 7" casing was set. After drilling the shoe
track plus a couple metres of formation, UBD operations were
commenced.
The well immediately flowed water.
Approximately another 50 m was drilled before an even larger
influx of water was recorded by the PWD and surface BSW
grind outs. Drilling was stopped at about 85 m of open hole
length and a quick production test was run. The well flowed
well over 1,000 m3/d water (100% BSW) with less than
2,000 kPa draw-down. An FMI log was run to positively
identify the geological features contributing to the massive
influx of water, (combination of faults and fractures and
Al Khlata P9). The well was sidetracked to land further
towards the crest of the structure and away from the
previously penetrated features. While NM496 H2 was for the
most part successful in avoiding the larger feature seen in H1
but still encountered some smaller fractures towards the heel.
It encountered another high water influx interval (large open
fracture and fracture clusters) after +170 m was drilled and
another fault and fracture cluster was encountered another
+50 m onwards. A flow test was performed and indicated 99%
BSW. Attempts were made to shutoff the fractures and the
well was completed barefoot. Latest test data indicate the well
is producing at 92% BSW. Further action to reduce BSW is
being considered at this time.
NM498 (FY165) was drilled from the crest towards the
flank. It was purposefully drilled below the Al Khlata-Amin
erosion interface and steered to ensure that it stay entirely
within the Amin reservoir. UBD data collected while drilling
(PWD) indicated a relatively small influx of water near the
heel of the well followed by approximately 150 m of good
quality Amin at Soi. This was followed by a couple of intervals
of fracture clusters separated by about 30 m of good oil
saturation intervals until a major fault/fracture cluster was
encountered towards the toe of the well. A flow test was
performed and indicated that well was producing at a 90%
BSW.
The Nimr PE Team decided to plug off the toe section of
the well using an ECP and cement. The first plug succeeded in
increasing the net oil 15% of gross production. A second plug
set 30 m above the first and with additional cement pumped
below succeeded increasing the net oil to approximately 60%
of the gross production. Considering the reservoir parameters
involved, this is quite a successful result but it was achieved at
the sacrifice of almost 80 m of high Soi length of well. The
goal for the future is to reduce the loss of high Soi wellbore
length to a minimum while controlling water influx even
further.

RAMALHO, J., MEDEIROS, R., FRANCIS, P. & DAVIDSON, I.

Conclusions
Surveillance of horizontal wells is notoriously difficult.
Determining precisely where early water breakthrough is
occurring in horizontal wells with completions (WWS in open
hole) and reservoir properties possessed by fields such as
Nimr is more difficult still. UBD technology has enabled
PDO to characterize reservoir flow units and determine the
root causes of early water production.
The data collected from NM496 H1 & H2 and NM498
clearly illustrate the potential to reduce field water to oil ratio
(WOR) and improve ultimate recovery using UBD technology
in combination with other technologies that can efficiently and
reliably control water inflow upon initial completion.

Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Sultanate of Oman
Ministry of Oil and Gas and PDO for permission to publish
this paper. They would also like to thank all those who
contributed to the success of this project, in particular Keith
Sisson, Clayton Mykytiw, Norbert van Beelen, Walid Eissa,
and the management and crews of Weatherford UBS and
Essar Rig 1, whose commitment and support were crucial to
the success of this campaign.
References
1 Francis, P.A., et al: Low Risk/High Reward Strategy Drives
Underbalanced Drilling Implementation in PDO, paper
SPE/IADC 79853 presented at the 2003 SPE/IADC Drilling
Conference, Amsterdam, Feb 19-21.
2 Hashimi, H., et al: A direct Comparison Between
Conventional and Underbalanced Drilling Techniqes in the Saih
Rawl Field Oman, paper IADC/SPE 81629 presented at the
2003 IADC/SPE Underbalanced Technology Conference and
Exibition, Houston, March 25-26.
3 Mykytiw, C.G., et al: Design and Operational Considerations
to Maintain Underbalanced Conditions with Concentric Casing
Injection, paper IADC/SPE 81629 presented at the 2003
IADC/SPE Underbalanced Technology Conference and
Exibition, Houston, March 25-26.

IADC/SPE 81623

UBD technology has been effective at exposing the

dangers of incorporating simplifications in geological
reservoir models when trying to locate unswept oil volumes.
The learning and concepts applied to Nimr A field have
relevance to a wide variety of reservoir settings.
The success of the campaign has been due to the multiwell campaign approach, persisting with the implementation
through inconclusive start-up results that are typically
associated with introducing new technology. The initial goal
of the campaign, to increase productivity, while having some
success, has been superceded by the increase in reservoir
understanding, which has lead to successful water shut-off and
will lead eventually to higher ultimate recovery in Nimr and
elsewhere in PDO.

IADC/SPE 81623

THE NIMR STORY: RESERVOIR EXPLOITATION USING UBD TECHNIQUES

Figure 3 - Nimr Field Cross-Section W-E

Figure 1 - UBD Process Equipment

NIMR A : W-E Structural Cross Sections

NM-78

NM-85

NM-84

NM-57

NM-43

it

-500

Separa
tor Un

So l
ids
Se
Tan ttling
k

Membrane Gas
Generation

-550

A
-600

NATIH

-650

AMIN WEATHERED

NAHR UMR

AL KHLATA
P1

AL KHLATA
P5

-700

50 % Sw OWC@747MSS

-750

AMIN

AL KHLATA
P1 SANDS

-800

AL KHLATA
P9

--850

-900

-950
0

500 m

-1000

NM-32

Solids
Processing

NM-68

NM-303

-500

-550

B
-600

NATIH

AMIN WEATHERED

-650

NAHR UMR
-700

AL KHLATA
P5

AL KHLATA
P9

AL KHLATA
P1

50 % Sw OWC@747MSS

-750

AMIN
-800

Figure 2 Fluids Storage

-850

-900

950
0

500 m

-1000

NM-28

-500

-550

C
-600

-650

AMIN WEATHERED

NATIH

-700

NAHR UMR
AL KHLATA P1

AL KHLATA
P5

50 % Sw OWC@747MSS

AL KHLATA
P9

-750

AMIN

-800

-850

A
B

-900
Haima subcrop

m
-950
Nimr-A Area Volumetric Polygon

500 m

-1000
Author: ONP/22
Rep.No.:

Date: January 2000

Fig.: 4

Dr.No.:100261 PC

Figure 4 - Nimr Field Cross-Section N-S

Nimr A : N-S Structural Cross Section

-500

NM-145

NM-131

NM-53

NM-85

NM-178

-550

-600

NATIH
-650

NAHR UMR

AMIN WEATHERED

-700

-800

A tu h o :r

AMIN

O N P 2
/ 2

R e p .N o :.

-850

-900
Haima subcrop

-950
F g
i .

D r

N
o .

Nimr-A Area Volumetric Polygon

-1000
.

:1 0 0 2
5 5

C
P

AL KHLATA
P1 SANDS

50 % Sw OWC@747MSS

-750

500

1000 m

AL KHLATA
P1
AL KHLATA
P5
AL KHLATA
P9

RAMALHO, J., MEDEIROS, R., FRANCIS, P. & DAVIDSON, I.

Figure 5 - Nimr A Field Map with UBD Well Locations

IADC/SPE 81623

IADC/SPE 81623

THE NIMR STORY: RESERVOIR EXPLOITATION USING UBD TECHNIQUES

Figure 6 Rig Up and Rig Down Performance

NIMR UNDERBALANCED DRILLING PERFORMANCE

Rig Up & Rig Down Time (Days)

25

Days

20
15
10
5
0

477

482

484

488

489

491

493

496

498

499

NIMR Well No.

Figure 7 - Reduction in NPT

NIMR UNDERBALANCED DRILLING PERFORMANCE

Non Productive Time (Hours)

NPT (Hours)

200
150

NON UBD
UBD

100
50
0

477

482

484

488

489

491
493
NIMR Well No.

496

498

499

10

Figure 8 Flowback Tests for Nimr-493

RAMALHO, J., MEDEIROS, R., FRANCIS, P. & DAVIDSON, I.

IADC/SPE 81623

IADC/SPE 81623

THE NIMR STORY: RESERVOIR EXPLOITATION USING UBD TECHNIQUES

Figure 9 N-S X-Section along NM496

Figure 10 - N-S X-Section along NM498NM496

11