Completions

Apache’s completion technology focus is driven by improving well performance and ensuring we bring on new production at the lowest possible cost.  Each of Apache’s operating regions have unique technology needs – ranging from multi-fractured horizontal wells, challenging HPHT conditions and offshore openhole gravel packs.  Multi-fractured horizontal wells, clearly have offered the industry enormous leverage by opening up new unconventional plays and restarting development in mature fields. 

Apache has rapidly adopted mult-fracured horizontal techniques and is leading the worldwide development of 16 well pads (pictured above) capable of accessing over 5,000 acres from one drilling location.  This also allows us to dramatically reduce the amount of surface space and consolidate pipelines, roads and gathering equipment.  Today, completions technology is not limited to downhole science and tools – these massive pad developments offer a huge cost reduction by working simultaneously on concurrent surface operations.  Apache holds patents related to these operations, including the world’s first 16-well frac manifold. 

Figure 1

In-house engineers also specialize in hydraulic fracture simulation to model the downhole geomechanics and fracture growth.  We utilize the state-of-the-art software (figure 1) and analysis methods and support our worldwide operations and explorations teams.  The technical team recently supported our field operations team in Apache’s Central region during their first  dual lateral in the Granite Wash.  Each lateral was completed with multi-stage hydraulic fractures.  This is another example of leveraging the technology – the successful application of multi-laterals or pad developments reduces costs and allows us to expand our ability to commercially access our reserves. 

Figure 2

Although hydraulic fracturing technology has been utilized for many years, the application of it is rapidly changing – resulting in our constant review of our current operations and changing what opportunities we pursue outside the company. This requires all the technical disciplines to work together.  Hydraulic fracturing is strongly linked to reservoir engineering, geology and geomechanics – for example, each of them together provide our development teams insight into reservoir models that predict ideal well spacing, (figure 2).

Technology advancements in artificial lift are also dictating our renewed interest in field trials with downhole water separation – separating the water downhole and only producing the oil to surface.  And offshore, we’ve made dramatic improvements in sandcontrol performance perfecting the execution of open hole gravel packs.  The completions team has developed this skillset in-house in order to work closely with the local vendors.  The results have underpinned the extension of Forties oil production in the North Sea.