Challenge:
The Julimar Development Project, situated in the Barrow Sub-basin offshore Australia, presents a series of technical and economic challenges. These include the development of compartmentalized reservoirs while ensuring reliable gas supply to meet LNG contracts. The field’s stratigraphic complexity and the presence of multiple gas-bearing zones demand an efficient, cost-effective solution that maximizes recovery and enables precise zonal production allocation, all while preparing the asset for future development phases.
Solution:
To address these challenges, the deployment of a dual-zone open-hole gravel pack (OHGP) completion design was assessed. This innovative and new technology integrates open-hole packers with shunted feedthrough systems, offering zonal isolation for improved reservoir management and production accuracy. The proposed approach would be the first global application of dual-zone OHGP technology in gas wells. By enabling the development of two reservoirs within a single well, this method would reduce the overall well count, cutting both capital and operational expenses.
The introduction of dual-zone OHGP technology in gas wells represents a novel approach, and with it, comes certain technical risks. These risks primarily stem from the integration of intelligent completions and the OHGP system in a gas well environment—previously tested only in oil wells. To manage these risks, a detailed feasibility analysis is planned, including rigorous testing of the shunted packers and the sand control system in gas conditions. By conducting early-stage validation, Woodside aims to optimize the balance between risk and reward.
Value Added:
The value this approach could deliver is substantial. First, it would enhance recovery per well by targeting multiple zones through a single wellbore, deferring the need for additional drilling. Secondly, the dual-zone completions are expected to deliver accurate zonal production data, enabling better long-term reservoir management. Furthermore, the successful implementation of this technology would set a new industry standard for dual-zone completions in gas wells, providing a strategic advantage for future projects.
