OTC 19451

Multilateral Wells to Improve Production Performance in Heavy-Oil

Reservoirs: The Challenges of the ZAM-408ML Well
D. Baldini, L. Tealdi, F. Okassa, L. Riccobon, D. Isella, A. Baioni, G. Obondoko, H. Malonga, F. Itoua Konga, M.
Rampoldi, Eni Congo
Copyright 2008, Offshore Technology Conference

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2008 Offshore Technology Conference held in Houston, Texas, U.S.A., 58May2008.

This paper was selected for presentation by an OTC program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been
reviewed by the Offshore Technology Conference and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Offshore Technology Conference, its
officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Offshore Technology Conference is prohibited. Permission to
reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of OTC copyright.


Abstract

The Zatchi field, located in the Lower Congo Basin offshore, is a multi-layer reservoir of Cenomanian/Albian age
operated by Eni Congo in partnership with Total Congo.
The Zatchi B reservoir is 30 m thick sand characterized by a large accumulation of heavy and highly viscous oil
(15 API, 1000 cP) trapped in the marine-transgressive sands of the Gres de Tchala formation. Three aspects
make the successful development of such reservoir an extreme challenge: the presence of both bottom water and
a gas cap, the very low reservoir pressure, the very high viscosity of the oil. As a matter of fact, over the 27-year
life of the field, only three wells were put in production from the B layer, with not satisfying results due to the
heaviness and viscosity of the oil and the severe problem of gas coning and cresting.
The multilateral technology generally allows increasing the reservoir exposure with fewer wellbores, reducing and
spreading the drawdown along the drains reducing the potential for coning. This technology has been proven
effective in several heavy oil deposits recovery worldwide. For this reason, in order to improve the reservoir
drainage reducing times and costs, the layer B was selected as the optimal candidate for the first multilateral well
in the Congo basin: well ZAM 408 ML.
This paper will review the Zatchi B reservoir history and development challenges with a focus on the multilateral
well reservoir modeling, the TAML6 completion and artificial lift design. Furthermore, the challenges encountered
during the operations in terms of reservoir properties sampling, operations geology, drilling, completions and
production will be described in detail.

Introduction

Heavy oil has become an important theme in hydrocarbon industry with an increasing number of operators getting
involved or expanding their plans in this market around the world.
A huge number of non conventional oil reservoirs have been discovered worldwide, but only a small percentage
of them is producing or is under active development.
Heavy oil represents a massive world resource, but the great challenge is to find the best way to produce,
transport and process it.
Eni Congo is taking part to this challenge, concentrating the efforts on the heavy oil of the Zatchi B reservoir.
The Zatchi field is located in the Congo offshore basin, with water depth ranging from 55 to 57 meters and an
areal extension of about 34 km
2
(fig.1)
The field is characterized by multiple stacked reservoirs (from A down to E) belonging to the Gres de Tchala and
Carbonates de Sendji formations (Cenomanian/Albian age).
Like many other commercial reservoirs in offshore Congo, the Zatchi fied is characterized by sandy and dolomitic
rocks deposited during the early drift phase in the mid-Cretaceous, with structural-stratigraphic traps created by
movement of the transition-phase Aptian salts (fig. 2 and 3).
The Zatchi field was discovered in 1980 with the first exploratory well ZAM-1, which found oil accumulations in the
Cenomanian/Albian section.
2 OTC 19451
Since then, around 90 wells were drilled from four different platforms, mainly to produce from C, D and E
reservoirs.
The A layer (gas bearing) was never taken into consideration because it was uneconomical, while the B
reservoir, in spite of the interesting hydrocarbon accumulations, was targeted only by three wells mainly due to
the heaviness of the oil.

Reservoir B Description and production challenges

Sedimentological Model and Diagenesis

The Zatchi B is a shallow reservoir (average top @ -400 mTVDSS) of Cenomanian age characterized by
homogeneous tchickness of about 90 meters.
The whole Albian-Cenomanian series of the Zatchi field is interpreted as transgressive complex of littoral bars that
delimit areas with lagoon characteristics landward; inside the lagoon areas, there are some minor delta areas and
zones characterized by deposition in typical low energy sand conditions, The complex of littoral bars is locally cut
by tidal channels.
A larger deltaic system that cannot be recognized in the reservoir area is probably responsible for the letting in of
the most of the clastic sediments in the area. These sediments, redistributed along the coast by littoral currents,
give origin to the longshore bar complex.

From a lithological point of view, it is possible to observe a cyclic alternation of mainly sand and dolomite levels;
this alternation respectively corresponds to periods of high and poor terrigenous supply in the main deposition
system. In general, the main reservoir levels of Zatchi field correspond to significant regressive episodes in a
main transgressive framework.
A schematic representation of the sedimentilogical interpretation of the deposits of Zatchi Reservoir B is shown in
figures 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Production Challenges

The Zatchi B, although it is characterized by good porosity (>30% in sandy facies) and permeability, in some
cases is higher than 1 Darcy, is a very difficult reservoir to deal. In fact the extreme challenge is the high density
(15 API) and viscosity (1000 cP) of the oil, the presence of both bottom water and gas cap and the very low
reservoir pressure.

Since 1980, Reservoir B was put in production only on three Zatchi well: ZAM 116, ZAM 406 and ZAM 111 ST.
The production from these wells was soon stopped due to the early increase in GOR (Gas Coning effect).

The huge oil accumulation within the B reservoir induced the partnership to search for alternative-innovative
solutions to exploit the potential of this layer. On the base of this, the Pilot project ZAM-408ML was launched in
order to evaluate the potential for multilateral wells in such reservoir.

The ZAM-408ML multilateral well design

Reservoir modeling and Geological aspect

The multilateral technology has been one of the most rapidly evolving over the last decade.
It has been proven effective worldwide in terms of costs reduction, improving sweep efficiency (by delaying gas
and water breakthrough), facilitating drainage of heterogeneous reservoirs, increasing reservoir exposure and
reducing coning effects.
In few words, multilateral are wells in which a single hole (parent wellbore) is drilled to a pre-determined depth,
then multiple branches are drilled out from the original wellbore. These laterals may extend in opposite directions
from each other in the same zone, or they may be drilled into different zones or formations.

The lesson learn from former wells put in production from this level has pushed to considering, at the project
implementation fase, in opposition to what was previously done, to optimize the positioning of the well in order to
take into consideration the artificial lift system which will be installed.
Due to the high viscosity of the oil implementing the drilling of multilateral well will allow the increase the surface
contact between the well and the formation which will therefore homogenize and reduce the drawdown apply to
the formation. In a nutshell, the major purpose is to enhance reservoir contact and thereby enhancing the well
productivity.
OTC 19451 3
In practice, the well has been projected to be in the North Est part of the structure of the Zatchi where the gas cap
is localized far enough from the projected well. Each leg of the multilateral will be on opposite each other in order
to minimize interferences between them.The maximum length of each leg has been defined as been 1,380 ft.
The presence of zones of low dolomite with low porosity, due to phenomenon of secondary dolomitization
occurred close to the oil water contact (dolomite bacteria), have been taken also into consideration to optimize the
well trajectory (see FIG.5 bis).


Driling & Completion design




At first glance the multilateral option offers immediate advantages over single bore wells since it provides
increased reservoir exposure at a reduced cost. The critical component of a multilateral well is the J unction, which
is the interface between the main bore and the branches







Multilateral wells are classified into different forms or levels namely on the basis of the junction structure.
The Level 6 Formation J unction run on ZAM-408ML consists of two adjacent tubular joints at the bottom end of a
parent casing. The dual-leg junction is run in the hole at the bottom of the parent casing, with leg #1 in the
collapsed position. The junction leg was expanded downhole to their original outer diameter, using expandable
metal forming techniques. The system provides a wide range of completion options for the two branches.
The purpose of the junction is to achive a structural link between a parent casing and the two lateral legs, while
providing hydraulic isolation from the wellbore. During the forming process, the geometry of the junction is
collapsed to fit entirely inside a 13 3/8 68#L-80 BTC casing and only the ductile legs sustain plastic deformation
while the stiffener remains underformed
Three tubulars are used to build the indexing casing coupling. The assembly is essentially a short casing pup joint
with an orientating keyway and a locating profile in its inner upper diameter. The tools that need to be oriented
with respect to the junction outlets have an orienting key that rides the casing couplings orienting keyway
The drilling diverter is set in place and the 6 drilling BHA is run in the hole to drill each one of the two laterals.
These drilling phases use standard techniques and equipment
Both branches were cemented at the same time, leg #2 has cement shoe already installed when running in hole.


The ZAM-408ML multilateral well execution

The ZAM 408 ML was drilled from the ZAF-4 Platform by the SSD 18which is a Modular Offshore & fast Moving
Rig.
The well spudded on April 8
th
, 2007 and the rig was released 65 days later. The whole operations sequence is
described in the following paragraphs.

4 OTC 19451
Reservoir Evaluation While Drilling

The formation evaluation on ZAM-408ML well was entirely performed by means of Logging While Drilling (LWD).
The main challenge related to this decision was to obtain a valid CPI in both 6 sections without the support of
wire-line logs, sparing on rig time and costs.
A Gamma Ray-Resistivity tool (GR-ARC) was run during the 12 section, mainly for correlation purpose. The
top of the 9 5/8 formation junction assembly was set 3 meters below the top of B reservoir, in order to keep the
two drains as far as possible from the overlaying gas cap.
A Density-Neutron tool (ADN) was added in both 6 legs, with the aim of computing a detailed formation
evaluation.
The final output was more than satisfying. The quality of the logs was very good for both 6 sections, allowing the
petrophysics team to compute a reliable CPI.
From a reservoir point of view, all formation tops (including the top of Reservoir B) were encountered in accord
with the initial well prognosis.
Reservoir B showed very good petrophysical properties (Poro Av =26-30%, So Av =84-86%) and a total Net Pay
of about 385 mMD for each leg, with corresponding Net/Gross ratio of 98%.
Legs A and B were stopped respectively 12 and 14 verical meters above the OWC, in order to keep water
saturations as low as possible.


Drilling

Well schematics




Main Wellbore

The 26 phase was drilled to 184m and a 20 CP was landed and cemented
A 12 Pilot Hole was drilled to 460m (63 angle) and the section was enlarged to 17 with a dedicated under-
reaming BHA. The 13 3/8 casing was landed & cemented at 451m
The 12 slant well was drilled to measured depth of 760m MD (439m TVD 89 angle) using standard
technology and drilling practices. A 70m (ROP: 5-8m/hr) Interval of the drilled section was under-reamed to 17
using standard under-reaming technology and procedures. After POOH under-reaming assy a clean out BHA with
7 Bull Nose was run to where Formation J unction would be set

Landing & Orienting the 9 5/8 Formation Junction Assy

The Double Leg J unction plus the 9 5/8 casing was Run in Hole to Total Depth of 12 Section (751m Bottom
Leg #1 and 685m Bottom Leg #2). The orientation of the Casing String was done by Formation J unction Device
and checked by MWD taking as a reference the casing collar locator

Swagging & Cementing the Formation Junction

OTC 19451 5
The Formation J unction Expansion Tool was activated and the lowest part of Leg #1 was expanded with a
Working Pressure between 2,000psi and 3,500psi. The entire operation from beginning to the end takes 35min. A
cement stinger assy was run to 724m and after sting-in a cement job was performed using double slurry: 1.9sg
Lead Gas Tight plus 1.97sg Tail Latex cement slurry. After Bump Plug the 1,800psi Pressure was held for 5min.
This cement off both legs of the formation junction and drilling of the legs could now be performed once the
cementing string was removed from the well.


Building and Completion of the Two Parents / Branches

The First 6 Section was drilled through Leg #1 to 1,173m MD (449m TVD 86 angle) and after landed a 3
Poromax Screens below a 7 Packer, a cleaning acid job was performed. The Leg #1 was displaced to filtered
1.1sg Brine
The Second 6 Section was drilled through Leg #2 to 1,104m MD (446m TVD 90 angle) and after landed a 3
Poromax Screens below a 7 Liner Hanger packer, a cleaning acid job was performed. Also Leg #2 was
displaced to filtered 1.1sg Brine
The 2 7/8 Completion string was run in parent well with an ESPCP Gearbox mod. 9-1 Submersible Pump and
both strings were put on production without isolating the 2 zones ( fig.6).

Well challenges

The most challenging part of the project was starting from the 12 TD section:
1) Enlarge the last 100ft to 17 and be sure to clean very well the hole just opened (If the hole collapsed
the entire project could be jeopardized)
2) Run and land at the correct / required depth the Multilateral J unction without bend or break it
3) Perform a correct cement job with a specific Plastic Slurry

All that above-mentioned was performed in the best way possible thanks to the Professional work done by
personnel present in Eni Congo offices and who phisically perform / supervise the job on-board We have to
keep in mind that all the operations have been performed for the first time in Eni Congo successfully.
0
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,400
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Ti me (days)
D
e
p
t
h

(
m
)
12 1/4" PH
26" Section
ESP Completion
(Contingency 15%)
ZAM 408 ML - Time Vs Depth
17 1/2" HO
12 1/4" Section
6" Section
6" Section
17 1/2" HO
6 OTC 19451
DATE:
SINGLE COMPLETION VERTICAL DEVIATED HORIZONTAL SELECTIVE
ICGP OHGP GRAVEL SIZE: 20/40 40/60
String weight up [t] CasingSize: [in] Type of packer fluid:
String weight down [t] Top: [m] Bottom: [m] Density: [kg/l]
Make up report yes [y/n]
SHEAR RELEASE VALUE: 60.000 -lbs.
SHEAR RELEASE VALUE: lbs.
Steel Gr. %
MAKE UP TORQUE : GREASE :
REF Tools EPTH
ADJ UST. SUB 3-1/2" HYD CS pin xpin
Thd S. Grade Top (m)
CSG/LIN OD
TOP AT mt PUMP 538 PM FER 6 MNL 118P31
SHOE AT mt SEAL SECTION Mod GSB3DB FER HL H6 AB PFSA
CEM UP mt GEAR BOX SERIE 525/562
LINER HANGER : CENTRILIFT MOTOR KMHTC 63 HP 721 V 53A
LINER HANGER :
LINER HANGER : LEG B
ODNOM
679.8
PUP J OINT 3-1/2" NU
Top (mMD) Bottom(mMD O - RING SEAL SUB 3-1/2" NU X 2-1/2" ID
BLANK PIPE 3-1/2'' NU
TYPE OF CHARGE :
SHOOT DENSITY :
Top(m) Bottom(m)
BLANK PIPE 3-1/2" HYD-CS 1 jt
X-OVER 3-1/2" HYD-CS X NEW VAM
HALLIBURTON POROMAX SCREENS 3-1/2" N.VAM N 6
TD
41 BLANK PIPE 3-1/2'' NU
O RING SEAL SUB 3-1/2" NU X 2-1/2" ID
1 098.18
3.500 1 096.86
2.500 3.500 1 098.03
NO -GO SUB BELOW
LEG # B NEW SC-1R 70B-40 PACKER
683.77
CASING SUB 5-1/2" SLHT box X 5" BTC pin
COUPLING 5" BTC Box x 5" VAM Box
5.500
CASING PUP J T 5-1/2" SHLT pin x pin
682.30
5.000
OPEN HOLE ZONE ZONE
35
2.992
2.990
Level
683.50
5.437
36
34
32
30
31
Rig Supervisors
3.500
684.45
685.01
694.51
33
" B" / LEG B 1104 X-OVER 5" VAM boxx 3-1/2" HYD-CS pin
FRANCOIS POUNGA
Superintendant
2.992
2.990
3-1/2" NU PUP J OINT 2.990
X-OVER 3-1/2" NEW VAM box x3-1/2" NU pin
2.990
2.990 3.500
3-1/2" NU CIRCULATING SHOE
38
39
40
29
LEG A
569.15
711.00
20"
684.46
F.J = Formation Junction top @673,55 m
for more details see Baker drawing
C
A
S
IN
G
9
-5
/8
"
5
3
,5
#
L
-8
0
A
M
S
9-5/8" AMS 53,5/ 47 L-80 WHD/668 668 / 673
7" /LEG B
H.MANTINOU/-PRADA/ELSAYED
N. VAM

OPENIG Press = psi Press = 600 psi
NOTES :
COMPLETION J OB PURPOSE
LEG # A SLPR HANGER
29 L-80 F.J 684
ID mm
182 K-55 AMS 106.5
3.900 695.07 37
1 104.00
3.900 1 096.33
753 1173 " B" / LEG A 3.500
1 100.60
PERFORATED ZONE
28 New SC-1R 70B-40 W/5-1/2" 17# SLHT Box Down 4.00 6.010 679.76
NO -GO SUB ABOVE
TYPE OF GUNS :
ISOLATION METHOD
682.82
CMT RETAINER DEPTH SIZE
1 173.00
27 3.50 1 171.30
3.50
3.50
CIRCULATING SHOE 3-1/2" NU
26
3.50 1 168.01 25 Level
24
Old Perforated intervals 23
1 166.84
X-OVER 3-1/2" N.VAM boxx 3-1/2" NU PIN 2.99 3.90
22 HALLIB. POROMAX SCREENS 3-1/2" N.vam N 67 jts
3.50 758.26
2.99 3.90 758.83
21 X-OVER 3-1/2" HYD-CS boxx 3-1/2" NEW VAM pin
20 BLANK PIPE 3-1/2" HYD-CS N 4jts 2.99 3.50
29 157.1 7" /LEG A 753
7" /LEG B 684
L-80 N.VAM
L-80 N.VAM
9-5/8" 673 L-80 N.VAM
AMS 53.5 216.8
29 157.1
47 220.5
9-5/8" 668
42
2.99
2.99
2.99
2.50
2.99
L-80
13-3/8" 451 L-80 AMS
482.6
68 315.3
TO m STEEL THRD lbf/ft
568.73
16 L, CENT 2'' LP,W/DOUBLE INJ CHECK VALVE _ 8.20 569.15
15 _ 5.90
_ 5.13 565.83
14 5.13 566.23 _
553.29
12 _ 5.13 563.73
20" 13-3/8" 9-5/8"
552.81
11 X-OVER 3-1/2" EU BOX X 2-3/8" PIN 2.44 2.88
3.75 552.31
182 451 673
10 UPPER CENT. 3-1/2EU P X BOX 2.44 8.26
9 X-OVER 3-1/2" EU pin X 2-7/8" HYD-CS box 2.44
7 2.44 2.88 542.50 2-7/8#6,5 HYD CS PUP J OINT
2.44 2.88 552.03
2.44 4.64 539.58 DPG-TA' DOWN HOLE CARRIER 2-7/8 " HYD
TD
8 2-7/8#6,5 HYD CS TUBING L-80 N 1
13
CASINGS CHARACTERISTICS
17
WHD WHD WHD
2.44 2.88 536.60
7" /LEG A N. VAM 29 L-80 F.J 753
6 NomOD lb/ft Bottom(m)
PRODUCTION CASING
1 BREDA TBG-HGR 3-1/2" EU UP X3-1/2 hyd DOWN
4 2-7/8#6,5 HYD CS TUBING L-80 N 55
3.50 13.35 TUBING HANGER 11'' X 2-9/16 EU U X VAMD.
WELL HEAD 3K CONVENTIONAL BREDA
2 2.99
3 2.44 X-OVER 3-1/2" HYD-CS BOX x 2-7/8" HYD-CS PIN
11.80
11 12.09 2.99 BACK PRES, VALVE Size 3" Type TSB2
BONNET 11" x3-1/8" 3,000-psi RT SSD 18 TIE DOWN ELEVATION
WELL HEAD DESCRIPTION 2200 ftlb
X-MAS TREE 3-1/8" x 3,000-psi ID OD
API 5A-2
GEOG COORD LONG m
6.5 L-80 7 552.00 GEOG COORD LAT m 2,875" HYD
TOTAL DRILL 1500 MM/RT Nom. O.D. Thread lb/ft Down to
ANNULUS FLUID 1.03-Kg/lt filtered S-Water Tubing
BRIDGE PLUG mMDORKB COMPLETION STRING
BRIDGE PLUG M/RT SIZE
1500 mMDORKB
RT/TIE DOWN 11,8 mMDORKB 7" BKR SLP 4.42 711.0
TOTAL DEPTH
WELL HEAD RATING 3,000-psi workingpressure
Model type I.D. Depth
NewSC-1R 4.00 679.76 RIG USED SSD 18 7" BKR
DRILLING PERIOD juin-06 Nom. O.D. Manufact.
1.13
Well deviation [max.] @ mMD/RT Well deviation
GENERAL INFORMATIONS PACKER
11
11J5B9002
ESP
14 7" NACL
ARPO 20 / C Account
ZATCHI
ENI CONGO WELL NAME ZAM - 408 ML
FIELD NAME
E & P
7 jui n 2007
SAND CONTROL ASSEMBLY
3.75 13.70
2.88 534.70 2.44
5 2-7/8#6,5 HYD CS PUP J OINT
5.96
5.56
5.44
18
19
5" x7" 26-29# LINER HANGER PACKER BTC pin
CASING EXTENSION 5" BTC
X-OVER 5" BTC box x 3-1/2" HYD-CS pin
4.42
4.40
711.00
715.40
720.01
720.33
1 166.32
1 168.17
COMPLETION SKETCH


Fig 6.: Well Schematic











Completion & Artificial Lifting Design

The multilateral well ZAM-408ML represents the fourth well which is attempting the production of such reservoir.
The well architecture and trajectory was designed to optimize reservoir recovery, productivity index while reducing
the drawdown at the wellbore to avoid gas coning phenomena. In parallel, it has been decided to develop an
innovative system to improve the ESPCP performances by increasing and homogenising the temperature
distribution around the artificial system planned to be installed. The original scope was not to improve the well
productivity, but only to have a better handling of the flow at the pump interface and maximizing the pump
efficiency.

ESPCP are pumps made especially for ash environment or handling high viscous fluids but handling a viscous
fluid of 1300 cp or 500 cp is not the same thing. An ESPCP will react better handling a fluid with 500 cp than 1300
cp if we consider the same equipment (see table 1 and graph.1).
OTC 19451 7

Frequency Freq Hz 44.2 45.1 47.5 52.5
Dead Oil Viscosity
@BHT DOilVisc Cp 502 1004 1507 2009
Total Dynamic
Head TDH FT 2093 2275 2449 2620
Viscosity Pump
intake VISin Cp 333 649 959 1266
Viscosity Pump
discharge VISout Cp 228 434 636 837
Motor Load MtrLoad % 57.41 62.69 67.02 70.68
Pump Efficiency PmpEff % 64.83 61.59 57.56 51.58

Table 1: relationship between the increase in fluid viscosity compared with the pump efficiency &
Motor load at a given speed. The flow rate is kept constant at 610bfpd.
T



Data from this level show a viscosity of 1343 cp @ 34.5C (reservoir temperature)





















Graph.1: Relationship between the decreases in viscosity compared with the temperature.

Therefore, to improve the pump efficiency, one solution can be reducing the oil viscosity surrounding the ESPCP
in order a have a lighter fluid at the pump suction section. The fluid temperature distribution around the
electrical motor could give important clues on this perspective.
An electrical motor immerged in a viscous oil put in motion by a pump in this upper part of the system induces a
thermal propagation due to conduction and forced convection.
The tool has been made of different pieces of sleeve with external fins. The geometry of the fin has been made in
a way to give them an edge shape. A total of 11 external fins per sleeve.The number of fins has been chosen
according to the minimum fluid velocity in order to cool the motor (1ft/sec is the recommended value from the
manufacturer). A total of 5 sleeves have been threaded along the motor (this association of sleeves with fins is
called Motor J acket). Each fins sleeve positioning has been set in such a way to allow the distortion of the fluid
in motion. To avoid any motion of the sleeve, eight (8) screws were used to tighten up along the sleeve without
impacting on the motor internal structure.Therefore the Motor J acket has no impact on the motor structure.It is
just a heat exchanger. The Motor J acket is able to protect the motor lead extension (MLE) during the running of
completion (Fig7).
Temperature VS Viscosity
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
30 40 50 60 70 80
Temper at ur e (C)
V
i
s
c
o
s
i
t
y

(
C
p
)
8 OTC 19451


Fig.7: Motor J acket

The thermal source is coming from the motor external temperature. Principally we are using the motor inefficiency
or in other words, the J oules effect losses. I could be noticed that the more the motor is inefficient, the higher will
be the motor external temperature. Hence, to have a sufficient thermal source from the motor.The solutions could
be playing with the motor inefficiency or reducing the fluid velocity in order to reduce the cooling of the motor.
Pratically, it is nessesary to install an oversized motor (ranging from 20 to 30% HP extra) although at the same
time making sure not to shorten the motor run life and also avoiding electrical insulation losses of the downhole
motor.
In J une 2007, the well ZAM-408ML has been completed with an artificial lift system composed of:

- Electrical submersible progressive cavity pump (ESPCP)
- Gas separator,
- Seal section
- Motor shrouded by Motor J acket

The well is now producing an average fluid rate of 760 bfpd, with 570 bopd of oil production (see graph.2).

ZAM /408ML B HOR
300
350
400
450
500
550
600
650
700
750
800
1-juin-07 16-juin-07 1-juil.-07 16-juil.-07 31-juil.-07 15-aot-07 30-aot-07 14-sept.-07 29-sept.-07 14-oct.-07 29-oct.-07 13-nov.-07 28-nov.-07
Q
t
o
t
&
Q
o
i
l
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
W
C
Qtot [bfpd] Qhuile[bopd] WC[%]
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
janv-
07
janv-
08
janv-
09
janv-
10
janv-
11
j anv-
12
janv-
13
janv-
14
janv-
15
janv-
16
janv-
17
janv-
18
janv-
19
janv-
20
D

b
i
t

j
o
u
r
n
a
l
i
e
r

[
B
O
P
D
]
GOR li m = 250 Sm3/Sm3
NO GOR limi t
GOR li m = 1000 Sm3/Sm3

Graph.2: well production history Graph.3: .Production forecast
OTC 19451 9

Such results are very encouraging since they are above the production forecast (see Graph.3).
In this pilot project of the first Motor J acket these main results are observed:

The pump hydraulic efficiency obtained is 70% instead of the 35% on the well ZAM-406 and 30% on
ZAM-116.
The temperature increment of the fluid given by the motor shrouded with the Motor J acket is of an
average of 5C which implies that the thermal propagation expected is positive for the ESPCP Motor
J acket application.

The ZAM-408ML multilateral well production performance

A 56hour hour build up of the well has been done in order to evaluate precisely the well potentially. The analysis
highlights showed the following results:
The pressure derivative trend is similar in its final part of a normal single drain well having 5000 ft long
length (see graph.4).
The skin factor is equal to zero
The productivity index is 6.7m
3
/d/bar.

























Graph.4: Log-log plot of the pressure and the derivative

With respect to the former producing wells from this level, the PI is twice bigger which shows the positive results
in terms productivity index of the ZAM-408ML TAM6.



The Zatchi B potential

At the present time an ongoing study is being done in order to increase reservoir recovery factor. In fact, the level
B has an estimate OOIP of 435 MMstb and a GOIP of 1262 MMsm
3
for only a total volume produced of 370,000
stb @ 2005. It has been evaluated that the maximum recovery factor with a traditional method will not go beyond
2%. Hence, the study was oriented on the EOR methods which will allow to have, as objective, a minimum
recovery factor of 10%.
10
100
1000
0.1 1 10 100
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e
C
h
a
n
g
e
a
n
d
D
e
r
iv
a
tiv
e
(
p
s
i)
Elapsedtime (hrs)
Log-Log Match - FlowPeriod 2
Effective length
Distortion due to interference b/w drains
10 OTC 19451
The actual EOR methods which are under instigation are the following:
Thermal methods:
CSS
CSS +gas injection
in-situ combustion
Steam assisted gravity drainage
Chemicals:
Polymer injection
VAPEX
Complex well geometry (CHOPS)

All these different options will be addressed by taking into account the cost issues learned from previous studies.
Since the best hope for recovery of this viscous oil appears to be a thermal application, a special care will be
taken on the core analysis with special analysis on rock compressibility, wet ability, thermal capacity and
transmissibility. In addition, the fluid sampling and pressure testing of the B zone will be performed in order to
have a clear view on viscosity, barrier location and depletion. This study will increase the field perspective.

Conclusions

With the purpose of optimizing heavy oil production from Zatchi B Reservoir, ZAM 408 ML was the first successful
multilateral well ever drilled in West Africa.
The most critical drilling challenges were faced with extremely satisfying results and the whole operations
sequence from spud until rig release were performed in only 65 days.
The formation evaluation process, performed by means of Logging While Drilling technology, allowed the
computation of a reliable CPI which pointed out very good reservoir properties in both drilled legs (high porosity
and oil saturations).
An innovative system called Motor J acket was also installed in order to optimize the artificial lift system.
The first production data are encouraging, the well performances are satisfying and the TAML6 technology allows
mitigating premature water and gas breakthrough, or coning.
The ZAM 408 ML well opens new development perspectives for the Zatchi B Reservoir and the ongoing studies
should support the optimization of the heavy oil recovery, with new dedicated wells to be drilled in the near future.



Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank the Eni Congo management, its different technical departments for permission and
encouraging the implementation of the ZAM-408ML project.
We would also like to thank everyone who has contributed to the said project with their constructive comments.


References

1. Fluid mecanics, L.Landau, E. Lifchitz Mir edition Moscow.
2. webb,Eckert, ERG and golstein, J R. heat transfert and friction in tubes with repated-rib roughness, int
J . heat and Mass transfer, vol 14, pp601-617, (1971)
3. Gee, DL, , and Webb, RL, Forced convection heat transfert in helically rib-roughened tubes, Int,
J .Heat and Mass Transfer, vol.23 pp1127-1136, (1980)
4. Garimella, S., Chandrachood, V., Christensen, R.N and Richards, D.E, Investigation of heat transfer and
pressure drop augmentation for turbulent flow in spirally enhances tubes, ASHRAE transactions, Vol. 94,
Part 2, pp. 1119-1131 (1988).
5. Farina, A. and Palgiarini, G., un apparato per lanalisi sperimentale dello scambio termico convettivo in
condotti con parete corrugata, atti del XII congresso Nazionale sula trasmissione del Calore, pp.151-162,
LAquila, 23-24 giugno 1994.
6. Piero De biase, Andrea Fedullo, Nazmul Hug, Zatchi Marine field Layer B (November 2005).
7. Sada D.J oshi, Horizontal well technology.
8. A. Banioni, D. Baldini, R. Riccobon; Drilling and completion program of ZAM-408ML (Eni Congo).


OTC 19451 11

























Fig. 1: Zatchi Location Map: the field is located in the Fig. 2: Schematic stratigraphic chart showing the
Congo offshore, with water depth ranging between 55 gross lithological compostion of the Zatchi field.
and 57 meters .



























Fig. 3: Schematic cross section highlighting the main tectono-depositional domains of the West African margin. The lower
sedimentary sequences are strongl y deformed by salt tectonics while the upper ones are relati vel y undeformed or characterized by
a low tectonic control (from Brownfield and Charpentier, 2006)



Zatchi Field
Zatchi Zatchi
12 OTC 19451

























Fig. 4: Facies Sequence of the typical Zatchi well, with GR and Dendity/Neutron response.
The B Reservoir is characterized by the prevalence of sands alternated with thinner dolomitic
Layers.






























Fig. 5: Deposition Model for Zatchi field. The serie is interpreted as a transgressive complex of littoral bars that delimit
areas with lagoon characteristics landward

OTC 19451 13































Fig. 5 bis: NS Cross section passing along the two legs of ZAM 408ML well. The top of the 9 5/8 Multijunction assembl y was set 2.5
meters below the top of B reservoir in order to keep the 2 drains as far as possible from the gas cap. Leg A and B ended
respecti vel y 12.5 and 14.5 above the OWC.


























OWC -434
B

L
a
y
e
r
N S
20 CSG @ -155
13 3/8 CSG @ -380
9 5/8 multijunction Ass. @ -409
LEG A / TD -421.5
LEG B/ TD -419.5
Top B @ -406.5
14 OTC 19451




Composite showing the logs recorded on the LEG A of ZAM 408 ML (6 phase). Record of the Resisti vity and Density/Neutron while
drilling.
The overall quality of the logs is good and allows the computation of a reliable CPI (last three tracks of the composite).
The B Reservoir characteristics are excellent, with average porosity around 26% and oil saturation higher than 80%..
In this reservoir section onl y Sand seems to be present with negligible amount of Carbonates








OTC 19451 15



Composite showing the logs recorded on the LEG B of ZAM 408 ML (6 phase). Record of the Resisti vity and Density/Neutron while
drilling.
The overall quality of the logs is good as in LEGA allowing the computation of a reliable CPI (last three tracks of the composite).
The B Reservoir characteristics are excellent, with average porosity around 26% and oil saturation higher than 80%..
In this reservoir section onl y Sand seems to be present with negligible amount of Carbonates