In 2019, Core Completions were appointed by Sasol to provide completion engineering support to their onshore Mozambique Exploration, Remediation and Infill Campaign (MERIC).
The MERIC project includes a total of 37 oil and gas wells made up of new completions, workovers and abandonments where Core provided and project managed all the completion design, detailed well planning and operational support for the campaign.
The majority of the project work was conducted remotely leveraging technology such as Office 365, Microsoft Teams, Skype and Zoom with key meetings held in the client’s office in Paddington, London.
Core handled the design phase for all the wells working closely with Sasol’s subsurface department to deliver fully integrated solutions to the client putting their best interests first. The work was conducted with a strong focus on production technology to optimise the well’s productivity, a key value driver for us and the client. We put a strong focus on well integrity to ensure the wells were designed to the highest international standards and wells were delivered safely and handed over as reliable, fit for purpose wells. The wells were executed by Sasol’s Well Delivery Department with support from Core Completions engineers available 24/7.
Core worked to the clients Drilling Management System (DMS) and internationally recognised industry standards to ensure compliance throughout the project. We interacted closely
with the well examiners on all aspects of the well design and operational programming to manage risk on behalf of the client. This integrated approach ensured the client’s expectations were fully met and provided the necessary assurance throughout the campaign.
Core provided the detailed well planning for all the completions which included taking the Core design concept agreed with the subsurface teams all the way through to the well execution phase and handover to the in country Well Delivery team. Each well was carefully planned with Core providing the well designs, time and cost estimates, risk assessments and operational completion, workover or abandonment programmes all signed off by the client. The 37 wells in the MERIC programme included many challenging technical aspects including; sand control, intelligent completions, artificial lift, monobore completions, horizontal wells, reservoir drilling fluids and breaker systems, downhole gauges, zonal isolation and well testing.
We identified cost saving opportunities for the client throughout the execution phase, one example was the identification of offline activities to reduce the rig time and cost for the completion phase. These were carefully evaluated and detailed planning undertaken prior to proposing the cost savings to the client for implementation. We worked synergistically with the well services department based in Johannesburg, South Africa to optimise the offline activities for slickline and coiled tubing operations.
Core worked closely with Exceed to facilitate highly interactive workshops with key field personnel held in Vilanculos, Mozambique to ensure the well designs and planned operations were clearly understood by the in country execution team. This included Complete the Well on Paper, Workover the Well on Paper and Abandon the Well on Paper workshops.
Deliverables for each stage of the project were agreed with the client and clearly defined to align with their well planning process this made for a seamless interaction with the client and their systems. This includes integration with supply chain to provide relevant technical specifications for completions tenders and templates for technical evaluations.
Costs were allocated carefully to the relevant projects and asset cost centres which enabled clear cost tracking and budget management for the client throughout the project.
Sean Gibson
Global Wells Manager
Completion Design & Operations
“Core Completions provided all the completion design and engineering for the MERIC project and delivered every step of the way.
Their unique integrated approach ensured close collaboration with the asset and well delivery teams.”
At Core we are passionate about completions and motivated to deliver effective solutions for our clients.
For further details on how we can help, please get in touch.
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