Egypt`s first subsea completion: A Gulf of Suez case history

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · SPE Drilling and Completion

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/29832-PA· OSTI ID:250843

El Hawary, A; Hoffman, J G

A case history of the Gulf of Suez Petroleum Co.`s (Gupco) first subsea completion is provided. The first completion was for Well GS 373-2, a previously drilled and tested exploration well located in the south portion of the gulf of Suez. Subsea technology was used to economically justify development of this one-well marginal field, which was discovered in 1978. Traditional methods proved to be too costly for development, therefore application of a low-cost subsea tree was used to capture the resources. In the Gulf of Suez, many fields have been discovered but have not been developed because of low reserves. These marginal projects can have a profound impact on the revenue and shareholder value if an economic method is used to exploit these opportunities. Platform installation was not feasible because of reserve size, hence the well has remained abandoned until recently. This paper presents a summarized look at subsea completion technology. The cost comparison of traditional development methods will be made, given the local cost structure in Egypt. The application of this technology has some limitations and constraints that will be discussed in the paper. Furthermore, the actual field installation of Egypt`s first subsea tree will be summarized. Also included is a discussion on simple remote controls and offshore installation operations.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 250843
• Journal Information: SPE Drilling and Completion, Journal Name: SPE Drilling and Completion Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 11; ISSN 1064-6671; ISSN SDCOE5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DESIGN
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
GULF OF SUEZ
OIL WELLS
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
WELL COMPLETION