ABSTRACT

The implementation of extended reach horizontal wells in

Saudi Arabia, in the southern area of the Ghawar field in
particular, is being increased for production and cost
optimization. Logging these wells is a challenge, as the
production profile of a horizontal section cannot be entirely
recorded with conventional coiled tubing (CT). This is mainly
because of friction forces between the CT and the wellbore,
which cause the CT to lockup significantly shallower than the
total depth (TD). Even with the availability of a limited
technique, such as a metal to metal friction reducer, it was
found that the CT reach cannot be maximized effectively.
This article will describe successful utilization of an agitator
tool with a custom designed e-line bypass that helps the CT
maximize the coverage of the horizontal section for logging
purposes. The agitator tool was incorporated into the
Production Logging Tool (PLT) and bottom-hole assembly
(BHA). It was activated by pumping. It caused the CT string
to vibrate and subsequently reduce the friction contact
between the CT and the wellbore to allow the CT to run
beyond the normal lockup depth.
The tool was trial tested in an extended reach horizontal
well, with a TD of 12,118 ft. The simulator showed a
predicted lock at 10,400 ft while a dummy run locked up at
10,800 ft without activating the agitator. The e-line agitator
was activated while the well was flowing at a restricted rate,
which maximized the reach to the TD and reduced the friction
coefficient by around 26%. Different conditions and
parameters were applied to understand the best performance
of the e-line agitator tool.
The implementation of the e-line agitator resulted in extending
the reach of the CT by an additional 1,300 ft and reaching TD.
This additional reach was significant, as the last part of the
horizontal section was contributing water. The production log has
been reviewed and shows acceptable measurements. This article
will cover the whole cycle of candidate selection, job design,
execution, post job evaluation, lessons learned and conclusion.
INTRODUCTION
Drilling strategy has shifted from vertical to horizontal wells
at most oil fields in Saudi Arabia due to their proven
advantages in optimizing production and cost. Even the
existing vertical wells are being converted to horizontal to
prolong their life, improve their productivity index and delay
water encroachment. Furthermore, the drilling strategy is
being developed by drilling more complex wells, such as
extended reach horizontal wells, to maximize reservoir
contact. These types of wells are widely implemented in Saudi
Arabia, particularly in the Haradh area, which is located at
the southern part of the giant Ghawar field.
The extended reach horizontal well can be defined as a well
with a measured depth (MD) to true vertical depth (TVD) ratio
that is equal to or greater than 2 MD/TVD
1, 2
. For this particular
field, the horizontal well can be considered an extended reach
when its horizontal section is equal to or more than 6,000 ft.
These wells are a challenge for most of the rigless well inter -
vention operations, such as acid treatment and logging, which
use conventional coiled tubing (CT). The challenge comes from
the CTs inability to cover the entire long horizontal section.
Due to well architecture, the most common CT size is 2,
while sometimes 2
3
8 CT is utilized when possible. The
limitation of CT in long horizontal wells is that it locks up
shallower than total depth (TD). This is because the axial
compressive/surface force (F
s
) cannot overcome the axial
bottom force (F
b
) during the run in hole (RIH), caused by
friction forces when the CT buckles into a helical shape
1
,
Fig. 1. To reduce the impact of the friction contact, there are
limited techniques that increase CT reach, such as a metal to
metal friction reducer, and a CT tractor
3-5
. Application of a
metal to metal friction reducer could extend the reach for a
few hundred feet in this particular field, based on historical
applications
3, 4
. On the other hand, while the CT tractor is a
very good application for acid stimulation jobs, it is not
currently applicable for logging operations.
The agitator tool offers an alternative technique that can be
activated hydraulically from the surface by pumping water.
The main function of an agitator is to create vibrations that
reduce the surface contact of the CT string with the wellbore.
This type of motion creates a significant reduction in friction
force acting against the CT string while RIH and delays the
helical buckling accordingly.
So far, the agitator has been utilized only for treatment
purposes at formations with various friction coefficient (FC)
values, which showed reasonable results. It was not applicable
for the logging operation, as the wireline needs to bypass the
60 SPRING 2010 SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY
Maximizing Coiled Tubing Reach during
Logging of Extended Horizontal Wells Using
E-line Agitator
Authors: Muhammad H. Al-Buali, Alla A. Dashash, Alaa S. Shawly, Walid K. Al-Guraini, Saad M. Al-Driweesh,
Vsevolod Bugrov and Scott Nicoll
agitator to reach the bottom-hole assembly (BHA) and
surveillance tool. This was always a concern from oil
companies to service providers, to enhance services by
providing an adequate tool, which would act as an agitator
during the logging operation. Reaching TD while logging is
very important, as it was noted from the previous logs that a
significant amount of water and oil is produced from the last
segment of the horizontal section.
In response, a custom designed e-line bypass agitator tool
was provided for testing. This article will shed light on trial
testing the tool, which was imple mented in one of the
extended reach horizontal wells in the Haradh field.
E-LINE AGITATOR DESCRIPTION AND MECHANISM
The agitator consists of a Positive Displacement Motor (PDM)
section, with an upper valve plate attached to the rotor, Fig. 2.
The plate has an eccentric hole, and flow is directed through this
hole. The rotor causes the plate to oscillate when flow passes
through the tool. This plate moves above a static plate with a
hole. The oscillating plate changes the flow area and creates
pressure pulses that excite the CT to vibrate and break static
friction, Fig. 3. The pressure pulse amplitude is directly related to
the flow rate and the weight of the fluid being pumped
6
.
The agitator has been modified to allow the e-line wire to
bypass it to the BHA. The e-line bypass consists of:
A top sub that screws into the upper bulkhead, and
connects to the upper BHA.
The upper bulkhead that houses the packing stack
element and is also used to anchor the wireline when
required.
The wireline, which runs in the annulus between the
agitator and the outer sleeve.
The downhole agitator.
The lower bulkhead that returns the wireline back into
the flow path.
The bottom sub that also retains the sleeve and connects
to the lower BHA, Fig. 4.
CASE COMPLETION AND HISTORY
Well A was drilled as an extended reach horizontal well across
a carbonate formation in the Haradh area. The 6
1
8 open hole
was drilled to a TD of 12,118 ft MD at around 6,090 ft TVD
SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY SPRING 2010 61
Fig. 1. Axial surface force vs. axial bottom force.
Fig. 4. E-line agitator schematic.
Fig. 2. Agitator cross section.
Fig. 3. The impact of the flow rate area on pressure.
62 SPRING 2010 SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY
temperature, gamma ray, casing casing locator (CCL), X - Y
caliper, fluid hold-up, full bore spinner (FBS) and fluid flow
logging tools and an approved tool for wet well production
logging that could detect the water entry zone. The log was
needed to decide on a remedial action to maintain well
productivity. Logically, maintaining well productivity could
be achieved with the utmost information gained from the
wellbore. Based on that, different remedial action techniques
can be applied depending on the identified water production
zones (heel, middle or toe). It was expected that water was
being produced from the bottom zone (toe); trajectory and
azimuth values also indicated that the well was drilled
toward the injection boundary. Accordingly, the objective of
the job was to convey the logging tool to the TD to capture
the flow profile across the entire horizontal section.
WELL INTERVENTION SIMULATION
It is a common practice to run well intervention simulations for
most of the CT intervention jobs to establish the CT reach and
the CT working limit so that the CT size can be determined.
Each service provider has its own software, and results will
depend on the reliability of the entered data.
The simulation predicted a lockup depth, in the case of 2
CT based on actual field data. The most important parameter
considered was the open hole FC during CT RIH. The
proposed FC values of 0.43 and 0.4 represented the worst and
best case scenarios, respectfully. Both simulations showed that
an early lockup depth would occur at 9,980 ft MD and
10,485 ft MD, respectively, Fig. 6. Additionally, the simulator
was then utilized to predict a 2
3
8 CT lockup, which showed a
minor advantage. Finally, the simulator was utilized to predict
the lockup of the 2 and 2
3
8 CT with the help of an agitator,
which showed a complete reach to the TD, Fig. 7.
CHALLENGES
The main objective of this job was to reach TD and collect
high quality data. Although operations have had very good
experience in deploying the agitator for acid stimulation
purposes, use of this tool in a logging operation presented
additional challenges. These are due to the following:
with a maximum dogleg severity of 7 degrees/100 ft. The first
kickoff point (KOP) is started from 4,600 ft MD while the
second KOP is started from 5,803 ft MD. The 7 liner was set
at 6,768 ft MD while the end of tubing (EOT) depth is 6,929
ft MD. The well was completed with a 7 big bore packer and
4 tubing with a minimum restriction of 3.725, Fig. 5.
Initially, the well produced dry oil at a restricted choke
setting. Almost two years later, the well started to cut water,
which gradually increased even with more restriction. Several
surface production tests and collected wellhead sample results
showed that the water production had increased up to 8%
water cut while salt concentration was more than 1,500
pounds per thousand barrels (PTB).
OBJECTIVE
A production log was required to record the production
profile of the horizontal section and detect the water entry
zone. The logging tools that needed to be run were pressure,
Fig. 5. Well A cross section schematic.
Fig. 6. Simulator results without agitator.
Killing the Well
In acid stimulation jobs, the agitator is activated using water
as it makes it perform aggressively. Consequently, during
logging operations, pumping a large volume of water in the
well could cease the well to flow, so no measurements could
be obtained during flowing passes. Even the log during shut-in
condition would not be representative as the well would be
overbalanced.
Snubbing Force
RIH during logging operations is not only at shut-in
condition, as is the case with acid stimulation. The well needs
to be flowed during RIH for better logging measurement. This
adds another force against the CT, along with friction contact
force, which is known as a snubbing force. Accordingly, this
force will alleviate the agitator performance and it is expected
that the CT will lockup at a shallower point during flowing
condition than at a shut-in condition.
Maintaining CT Optimum Speed
As per the experience with acid stimulation jobs, the CT is
run at very low speed, which could not be kept constant based
on the agitator and CT weight performance. This conflicts
with the common practice during logging operation, which
requires RIH while maintaining the optimum running speed
for reliability of the logging measurement.
Pumped Volume
The pumped fluid volume to activate the agitator is always a
challenge due to cost and logistics.
JOB PLANNING
Several discussions were held with a multidisciplinary team
involving production engineers, a logging company, a CT
company and an agitator service provider to determine an
effective logging design to enable reaching TD while ensuring
logging effectiveness at an optimized cost. First, it was decided
to utilize a 2 CT rather than 2
3
8, as the simulator indicated
the 2 CT could reach TD with the help of an agitator tool,
to optimize the operational cost. The second decision was to
deploy a 3
1
4 e-line agitator, based on the given parameters.
The above challenges were thoroughly discussed and a
group of mitigation solutions was formulated. Regarding the
first challenge, it was agreed to pump diesel rather than water
since it has a lower density. This would make only a small
difference in the optimum performance of the tool, which
could be compensated for by a higher pumping rate. Water
would be utilized during the function test only for
environmental and safety considerations.
Concerning the second challenge, the team planned to flow
the well at a restricted rate to reduce the impact of the high
flow. If this case was successful, it was decided to run it again
at a higher rate to understand the agitator performance, as
well as the reduced back pressure resulting from choke
restriction to detect if there is water coning. In addition, the
team agreed to activate the tool before lockup, with the goal
of preventing early helical buckling. Historically, the agitator
was activated at the CT lockup depth so the CT could be run
deeper just for a few hundred feet of distance
4
. The short
extended reach distance is because the CT had already
helically buckled, and subsequently, it was difficult for the
agitator to perform as expected.
About the pumped volume challenge, early pumping of
diesel to TD would require allocating a big volume on
location to cover the desired interval. The same volume would
be needed for the second run at a higher rate and during shut-
in condition. The required volume would depend on the
pumping rate and speed of the CT. Accordingly, the estimated
cumulative required diesel was around 32,000 gallons.
Consequently, a plan was devised to activate the tool at the
minimum required rate and then gradually increase it to the
optimum activation rate to optimize the volume.
JOB EXECUTION
The main description of the job execution sequence is as
follows:
1. Pre-job requirements were met and a safety meeting with
all involved personnel was held on location.
2. A 2 CT, blowout preventer (BOP), kill lines, etc., were rigged
up. The logging head tool was connected to the CT end.
3. Pressure tests were conducted as per Saudi Aramco
requirements.
4. A 3
1
4 e-line agitator was connected and then function
tested. All rates and pressure values were recorded while
the optimum pumping rate was verified, Table 1.
5. A 36 ft dummy tool, equivalent to the actual logging tools
dimension, was hooked up to the e-line agitator.
6. The CT with the dummy tool was RIH while the well was
shut-in to ensure tool accessibility through minimum
restriction and to ensure no obstruction would be
encountered. At this stage, the e-line agitator was not
SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY SPRING 2010 63
Fig. 7. Simulator results with agitator.
64 SPRING 2010 SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY
indicate any slack off signs of hitting any mechanical
obstructions, which confirmed lockup occurrence. This
dummy run was representative of lockup depth during the
actual logging run as the difference between the dummy run
and logging run was the BHA.
Figure 8 also illustrates the actual weight encountered in the
job; the blue line indicates the RIH simulated weight. After
completing the first run, the FC value of the open hole was
updated to accurately match the simulation to the actual
weight. Since the CT locked up during RIH in the open hole,
the original FC (0.43 or 0.4) of the open hole was not
estimated accurately. Consequently, by extrapolating from the
trend obtained at the beginning of the open hole, the original
FC in the open hole was estimated to be 0.38; therefore the
lockup depth would have been at 10,800 ft. Weight fluctuations
before the lockup point are common and can be explained by
the shape of the CT string inside the wellbore. First, the CT
string takes a sinusoidal shape, and when friction force exceeds
a certain value (helical buckling load), the CT becomes helically
buckled and the contact area between the CT surface and
wellbore walls significantly increases. Still, the CT string has a
movement momentum which allows it to penetrate deeper, but
at the lockup point, the friction force exceeds the CT weight,
and the CT becomes compressed and cannot be pushed deeper.
Logging Run at Flowing Condition and Restricted Rate
In this stage, the CT was run with the logging tool while the
well was flowing at a restricted rate to record the flow profile.
The CCL was part of the logging tool as it is necessary for the
logging operation to determine accurate flow zone depths. The
e-line agitator was activated by pumping diesel, starting from
45 degrees of the wells inclination. The volume of pumped
diesel was approximately 8,000 gallons at 1.0 barrel per minute
(bbl/min). Figure 9 shows the CT reached the TD at an
optimum speed of 25 ft/min while the entire open hole section
was logged.
Figure 10 shows the actual weight encountered in the job;
the blue line indicates the RIH simulated weight. The FC in
the open hole was calculated to match the lockup depth while
keeping the same FC in the tubing. It was found that only
when the FC is decreased to 0.28, is CT able to reach that
depth. As a result, the FC was decreased by 26% from 0.38 to
0.28, assuming the agitator had an effect on the open hole
activated to determine the actual lockup depth, if it were to
occur. After that, the CT was pulled out of hole (POOH).
7. On the surface, the dummy tool was disassembled and
replaced by actual logging tools.
8. Meanwhile, the well was lined up to the surface test trap to
be tested during the flowing passes to ensure data quality.
9. The CT was RIH while the well was flowing at a stabilized
condition of a restricted rate. The agitator was activated
using diesel, starting from 45 degrees of the wells
inclination, and then the well was logged down and up.
10. The CT was RIH again while the well was flowing at a
stabilized higher rate. The agitator was activated using
diesel, starting from 45 degrees of the wells inclination,
and then the well was logged again down and up.
11. With the well shut-in, the CT was RIH and the well was
logged down and up.
12. The CT was POOH, and the logging tools and e-line
agitator were visually inspected.
RESULTS
The operation was conducted safely and successfully for a
period of five consecutive days. The results were encouraging
and showed that the agitator was functioning within an
acceptable performance. The main results that were achieved are
summarized here.
Dummy Run at Shut-in Condition
In this case, the dummy tool was run along with CCL to
correlate the depth and ensure an accurate lockup point. The
CT passed through all minimum restrictions while no
mechanical obstruction was encountered. The CT was run
without activating the e-line agitator until it reached a depth
of around 10,800 ft, which was shallower than TD by almost
1,300 ft, Fig. 8. The tension sub and CT weight did not
Table 1. Function test results using water
Flow Rate Circulating Remarks
(bbl/min) Pressure (psi)
0.5 700 CT Vibrates
0.8 1,300 CT Vibrates Aggressively
Fig. 8. Simulated vs. actual CT weight during shut-in conditions without agitator. Fig. 9. Major operation parameters of the first logging run at a restricted rate.
section only. This value can even be lower as the weight
indicator trend is constant and indicates that even if the open
hole is deeper than TD, the CT still can RIH deeper in the
open hole with the help of the agitator tool.
2
nd
Logging Run at Flowing Condition and Higher Rate
The CT was run with the logging tool for the second time
while the well was flowing at a higher rate. The e-line
agitator was activated by pumping around 1.0 bbl/min of
diesel starting from 45 degrees of the wells inclination.
Figure 11 shows the CT reached a depth of 11,090 ft at
fluctuating speed. The volume of pumped diesel was
approximately 22,000 gallons at 1.0 bbl/min due to speed
fluctuation.
Figure 12 shows the FC in the open hole was calculated
to match the lockup depth while keeping the same FC in the
tubing. As a result, the FC wasnt decreased and stayed at
0.38, assuming the agitator had an effect on the open hole
section only. The weight indicator trend was difficult to
maintain, due to snubbing forces against the CT and the
agitator that resulted from a high flow rate. The CT speed
of 25 ft/min could not be maintained while pumping 1.0
bbl/min.
Logging Run at Shut-in Condition
After completing the flowing passes, the well was shut-in
until it got stabilized. Before the start of this run, it was
noticed that the diesel volume might not be sufficient to go
all the way to TD. A decision was made to go ahead with
the current volume and activated the agitator, if needed,
starting at the lockup depth. Figure 13 shows the CT
reached a maximum depth of 12,000 ft, which is 1,000 ft
deeper than the dummy run lockup depth. Taking into
account the same friction coefficient value as for the dummy
run, deeper reach of the CT can be explained by pull tests,
which were performed periodically during RIH. This allowed
the removal of accumulated buckling from the CT string
while POOH.
LOGGING RESULTS
The production profile of the open hole was successfully
recorded during the three runs. The logging measurements
were properly recorded, and the CT vibration or pumping
did not adversely affect the results. Figure 14 shows that the
water was produced from the last segment of the open hole.
In addition, the log shows the wells complicated geometry,
which could be overcome by the agitators performance at
flowing condition.
LESSONS LEARNED
This job has added to the experience of performing a logging
operation using CT with help of an agitator. The main lessons
learned were:
Early activation of the agitator will help delay the
helical buckling and extend the CT reach effectively,
even when the well is flowing. This procedure is better
than activating the agitator at the lockup point or
POOH for a short distance and then activating it.
SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY SPRING 2010 65
Fig. 10. Simulated vs. actual CT weight during the first flowing condition at a restricted rate. Fig. 12. Simulated vs. actual CT weight during second flowing condition at a higher rate.
Fig. 11. Major operation parameters of the second logging run at a higher rate. Fig. 13. Major operation parameters during shut-in condition.
66 SPRING 2010 SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY
all personnel who participated by providing engineering and
operational support during the logging design, execution and
evaluation.
REFERENCES
1. Bhalla, K.: Coiled Tubing Extended Reach Technology,
SPE paper 30404, presented at the Offshore Europe
Conference, Aberdeen, United Kingdom, September 5-8,
1995.
2. Beheiri, F.I., Saudi, M.M., Metwally, S.A., et al.:
Optimization of Coiled Tubing Interventions to Stimulate
Extended Reach Water Injection Wells in a Field in Saudi
Arabia, SPE paper 116843, presented at the Abu Dhabi
International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Abu
Dhabi, U.A.E., November 3-6, 2008.
3. Beheiri, F.I., Al-Mubairik, A.J., Al-Mulhim, A.K., Al-
Meshal, F.M., Noguera, J. and Sierra, L.: Optimization of
Coiled Tubing Interventions on Extended Reach Open
Hole Completions in a Field in Saudi Arabia, SPE paper
116845, presented at the SPE Russian Oil and Gas
Technical Conference and Exhibition, Moscow, Russia,
October 28-30, 2008.
4. Nasr-El-Din, H.A., Arnaout, I.H., Chesson, J.B. and
Cawiezel, K.: Novel Techniques for Improved CT Access
and Stimulation in an Extended Reach Well, SPE paper
94044, presented at the SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing
Conference and Exhibition, The Woodlands, Texas, April
12-13, 2005.
5. Al Shehri, A.M., Al-Driweesh, S.M., Al Omari, M. and Al
Sarakbi, S.: Case History: Application of Coiled Tubing
Tractor to Acid Stimulate Open Hole Extended Reach
Power Water Injector Well, SPE paper 110382, presented
at the Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition,
Jakarta, Indonesia, October 30 - November 1, 2007.
6. Tongs, T., Hinrichs, A., Spickett, R. and Robertson, L.:
Ultra Deep Extended Reach Stimulations, SPE paper
106874, presented at the SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing and
Well Intervention Conference and Exhibition, The
Woodlands, Texas, March 20-21, 2007.
Based on the results during the flowing passes, we
recommend flowing the well at a restricted rate to
record the flow profile while RIH.
If the well must be produced at a very high rate or a
wide choke setting, then the agitator can be utilized
while the well is restricted or shut-in until the CT
reaches TD or locks up at maximum reachable depth.
After that, the choke is readjusted to the desired wide
setting and wait for stabilization before recording up
pass only.
Diesel is an effective fluid to be utilized for the agitator
activation in logging operations or during treatment
jobs in wells with relatively low reservoir pressure.
A combination of frequent POOH and agitator
activation could help the CT get deeper, especially in
long extended reach horizontal wells.
CONCLUSIONS
1. The e-line bypass agitator tool can be effectively custom
designed, and it can convey the wire from the end of the
CT to the well surveillance tool without causing
mechanical damage or interrupting the transferred data
when vibrating.
2. The e-line agitator helps reduce the open hole FC by at
least 26%.
3. The e-line bypass agitator is recommended for logging
operations in extended reach wells.
4. The performance of the agitator could be enhanced by
implementing the above lessons learned.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors wish to thank Saudi Aramco, Schlumberger and
NOV Andergauge management for their support and
permission to present the information contained in this article.
Also, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation to
Hamad Al-Marri and Turki Al-Saadoun for their
administrative support. Additionally, we would like to thank
Fig. 14. Log results at a restricted rate.
SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY SPRING 2010 67
Saad M. Al-Driweesh is a Production
Engineering General Supervisor in the
Southern Area Production Engineering
Department (SAPED), where he is
involved in gas and oil production
engineering, well completion and
stimulation activities. He is mainly
interested in the field of production engineering, production
optimization and new well completion applications.
In 1988, Saad received his B.S. degree in Petroleum
Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and
Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. He has been
working with Saudi Aramco for the past 19 years in areas
related to gas and oil production engineering.
Vsevolod Bugrov received his M.S.
degree in Petroleum Engineering in
2003 from the Russian State
University of Oil and Gas, Moscow,
Russia. After graduation he started his
career with Schlumberger as a Coiled
Tubing Engineer.
He has 6 years of experience in well intervention and
stimulation services, including various applications of
coiled tubing in arctic and desert conditions. Currently, he
works in Udhailiyah providing technical support for the
Southern Area Production Engineering Department
(SAPED) Coiled Tubing operations.
Scott Nicoll is a Technical Support
Engineer specializing in Intervention
and Coiled Tubing. After completing a
Modern Apprenticeship in Mechanical
Engineering in 2002, he became an
Aircraft Technician. In 2004, Scott
moved into the manufacture and repair
of Rolls Royce offshore gas turbines. In 2005, he joined
NOV Downhole (formerly Andergauge), and rapidly
advanced to become a Specialist in intervention and coiled
tubing.
BIOGRAPHIES
Muhammad H. Al-Buali joined Saudi
Aramco in 2002. He is a Petroleum
Engineer working in the Southern Area
Production Engineering Department
(SAPED). Muhammad has 7 years of
experience, mainly in production
optimization and well intervention.
In 2002, he received his B.S. degree in Applied Chemical
Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and
Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
Alla A. Dashash is a Supervisor in the
Southern Area Production Engineering
Department (SAPED). He joined
SAPED as a Production Engineer in
2003 where he worked in several areas
of the giant Ghawar field. In 2008 he
joined the Udhailiyah Reservoir
Management Division for a one year developmental
assignment.
Alla is an active member of the Society of Petroleum
Engineers (SPE) and has several published technical papers.
He is also a member of the Young Professionals SPE team
in Saudi Arabia.
In 2003 Alla received his B.S. degree in Petroleum
Engineering from Louisiana State University, Baton
Rouge, LA.
Alaa S. Shawly is a PDP Production
Engineer in the Southern Area
Production Engineering Department
(SAPED).
Prior to joining Saudi Aramco in
2006, he worked as a summer trainee
with the Ain Dar and Shedgum Unit of
the Reservoir Management Department for 8 weeks from
July through August 2004. Alaa has 3 years of experience,
mainly in acid stimulation and well intervention.
He received his B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering
from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
(KFUPM), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia in 2006.
Walid K. Al-Guraini is a Petroleum
Engineer working in the Southern Area
Production Engineering Department
(SAPED). He joined Saudi Aramco in
February 1997, working in the
Development Drilling Department.
Walid has 13 years of experience,
mainly in drilling operations, production optimization and
well intervention.
He received his B.S. degree in 1996 in Chemical
Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and
Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.