SPE 68721
Umm Gudair Dumpflood Pilot Project, The Applicability of Dumpflood to Enhance
Sweep & Maintain Reservoir Pressure
R. Quttainah, J. Al-Hunaif/ Kuwait Oil Company
Copyright 2001, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.
This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and
Exhibition held in Jakarta, Indonesia, 17–19 April 2001.
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Abstract
Historical production (spanning almost 30 years) has
confirmed that the UG (MO) reservoir receives very little
natural pressure support in some areas. This has resulted in a
declining reservoir pressure (from 4050 to 3200 psi) and low
recovery factor and also, areas of poor water sweeping. The
remedial plan is to initiate a full field water injection project to
increase reservoir pressure, improve sweep and enhance oil
recovery.
A dumpflood pilot project was initiated to prove the viability
of and quantify sweep benefits of water injection in the B-zone
of the MO reservoir. The dumpflood Pilot aims to prove that
water flooding can enable this unswept oil to be produced and
provide data to support the design of future Full Field Water
Injection Project.
A dumpflood operation is basically injecting water into the
recipient reservoir from a water source reservoir by the natural
force of gravity and the pressure differential of the two
reservoirs using the same well. In the Umm Gudair
Dumpflood Pilot, the water bearing source reservoir is the
Zubair formation. The recipient reservoir is the B-zone in the
MO. And since the Zubair is structurally higher than the MO,
and the reservoir pressure of the Zubair is higher than the MO,
water was being produced from the Zubair and injected into
the MO by the natural force of gravity and the pressure
differential between the two reservoirs.
A location in the east flank of east UG field was chosen to
allocate the dumpflood pilot well. This was done after going
through 4 different locations in the field to allocate the most
suitable field location.
Surveillance requirements have been identified for the UG
dumpflood pilot. This surveillance plan involves the
dumpflood injection well and 4 other observation wells. In
addition to regular PLT surveys, to determine zonal injection
profiles and ongoing corrosion surveillance in the Dumpflood
well, additional pressure surveys on adjacent wells were
planned. It was also planned to utilize radioactive tracers to
monitor breakthrough and develop an understanding of the
pattern of sweep.
Technical Contributions:
1. Demonstrated the design of a water dumpflood method to
analyze injectivity & water sweep.
2. Established a cost-effective technique to quantify injectivity
and water sweep.
3. Demonstrated the applicability of dumpflood to re-
pressurize a constantly depleting reservoir.
Introduction:
The study was initiated by reviewing all relevant and previous
data and studies or projects to recommend an appropriate
procedure and set a plan assuming a five year dump flood
project life.
The primary objective of this project is to study and analyze
the long term effect of dumpflood (DF) operation from Zubair
aquifer into the Minagish Oolite (MO) reservoir. The injection
target zone is in the MO B-zone in the water swept zone.
During this process, a full study and analyses of the pressure
response in nearby wells and close monitoring of the water
movement within the reservoir will be done. The outcome of
this (DF) pilot will assist in the design of the full field pressure
maintenance scheme. Also, as part of our objectives, is to test
A and C zone injectivities.
In this paper, detailed discussions on the process of selecting
a well location for the DF pilot purposes and the completion
strategy that was chosen for this well. Also, it will discuss the
surveillance plan designed for this pilot. The paper also
discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each
completion design considered for this pilot. The answers to all
these issues are discussed in the body of this paper.
A similar project is already in progress in the Minagish field,
and a great deal of information and experiences were acquired
from the Minagish Dumpflood Project. A lot of similarities
2 RIAD QUTTAINAH, JABER AL-HUNAIF SPE 68721

can be found between the UGDF pilot and the Minagish Field
DF Project.
In this project, there were 3 main notes identified. First, the
need to design a well that can handle production of water of
around 8 + 4 M B/D noting that Zubair aquifer water is highly
corrosive. Since the Zubair reservoir is a sandstone reservoir,
concerns that Zubair reservoir can produce sand, which in turn
can erode the insides of the casing and also be the cause of
plugging of our MO perforations. Also, a good cement bond
between pipe and formation was necessary to eliminate
communication behind pipe.
Another concern was the compatibility of Zubair water with
MO reservoir. It should also be noted that Zubair water is
highly acidic and has a high H2S content.
The third concern of this project was the capability and
applicability of DF to meet the set objectives of the pilot.
These notes and concerns will be addressed in the body of this
paper.
After reviewing all of our objectives, risks and concerns, it
was recommended to drill a new well and complete it as a DF
well. Also, it was decided to recomplete 4 nearby wells and
utilize them as observation wells to monitor the DF operation
In the DF well design, it was proposed to drill that well in
the east flank of east Umm Gudair (EUG) field. The DF well
was located around 300m downdip from UG-60. It was
completed in both Zubair reservoir and in the B zone above
the original oil water contact.
In the observation wells design, it was proposed to
recomplete UG-60 and use it as a production well as well as an
observation well.
An intensive surveillance program, which is a crucial
component to fulfil the objectives of this project, is needed to
analyse the pressure response and water movement in the
reservoir. This intensive surveillance program was started
before and after the initiation of long term DF operation, and
was focused on both the DF well and the 4 observation wells.
This was to provide periodic evaluation of the DF impact on
WUG
EUG
Concession Line
SUG
Figure-1, A geographic map of the UG field.
As Figure-1 shows, the field is subdivided into 3 smaller
sections (EUG, WUG, and SUG).
Since Discovery of the oil field back in the early 1960’s, and
all the way to the early 1980’s, all wells were producing
naturally with little or no water cut. The average well
production was around 3000 bbl/day. The reservoir pressure
was noticed to be declining through time due to the production
of this reservoir and seemingly receiving very little pressure
maintenance or support. At that time, around the beginning of
the 1980’s, the FBHP was not high enough to sustain the
required natural production of each well, it was then decided
to install ESP’s to increase the production rates up to the
desired rates. This action has even increased the decline of the
reservoir pressure with time. The following figure (Figure–1)
is a plot that represents the historical production starting in the
early 1960’s up to recent date. It also shows the constantly
declining reservoir pressure.
No rth Umm Gudair Prod uction & Average Pressure History
120,000
Reser voir Pressure

both the well and the reservoir.

Reservoir Pressu re, psia

4,000

80,000
Geologic Description & History:
Rate, b/d

The Umm Gudair (UG) oil field lies at the northwestern region
of the Arabian Gulf within the Arabian basin in the state of WUG
Water
3,500
40,000
Kuwait The field is geographically divided into three smaller
EUG

sectors, EUG, WUG and SUG. Geologically, the field consists

Blow out

of two anticlines, EUG/SUG and WUG. These two anticlines

0 3,000
merge at a shallow structural saddle which links the two Jan-62 Jan-67 Jan-72 Jan-77 Jan-82 Jan-87 Jan-92 Jan-97
structures into a single oil accumulation. Carbonate rocks of
the early Cretaceous age form the principle oil producing Figure-2. A plot showing historical production rate and falling
reservoir in the Umm Gudair field. The Minagish Oolite (MO) reservoir pressure with time
carbonates, which is the major oil bearing reservoir unit, is
composed primarily of porous grainstones and packstones As figure–2 shows, the reservoir pressure has declined from
deposited in a shallow marine shoals and organic build-up on the original reservoir pressure of 4150 psi down to 3200 psi
broad carbonate platform, attain a thickness of approximately current reservoir pressure at datum.
400 foot thick original oil column.
The following map (Figure-1) illusthe UG field geographic
map.
 UMM GUDAIR DUMPFLOOD PILOT PROJECT, THE APPLICABILITY OF DUMPFLOOD
SPE 68721 TO ENHANCE SWEEP & MAINTAIN RESERVOIR PRESSURE
Water Injection Objectives:
New production plans of UG field, is to increase the UG(MO)
production to 250 M BO/D. which is our target reservoir for
water injection.
The following figure (figure-3) is a plot that shows the future
production forecast that is intend to have after the new
production facilities are in place.
North Umm Gudair Projected Production
and Average Pressure
500000
400000
RATES, STB/D
300000
WATER
200000
OIL
100000
0 1000
Jan -97 Jan -01 Jan -05 Jan -09 Jan -13
Figure-3. A plot showing planned production rate and falling
reservoir pressure with time
As it is noticed from the above figure, the planned fluid
production rate is around 450 M B/D, 250 BO/D is oil. It is
also clear that the reservoir pressure will rapidly decline to
around 1500 psi.
After commissioning of the new production facilities and
putting the UG field on ESP production, we can sustain a
constant oil production rate of around 250 M B/D (plateau)
from UG(MO) for roughly 3 years. After that, the oil
production rate will fall off plateau after year 3. This is mainly
due to the rapidly declining reservoir pressure and shutting in
wells due to high watercut. After the new facility
commissioning, a rapid pressure decline is forecasted. This is
mainly due to poor aquifer support.
So, the major reasons for the need of water to be injected
into the UG(MO) are to protect reserves, stop or reduce the
rapid reservoir pressure decline with time. Also, water
injection enables poor reservoir response to be managed and
extend the oil production plateau when the new facility come
online, and finally, accelerate oil recovery.
Pilot Objectives:
Before putting large amounts of investments, time, and effort,
the need for a full scale study to fully understand the impact of
a full scale full field water injection scheme was important. A
study of the impact of full field water injection was important,
since some uncertainties needed to be studied. These
uncertainties were the pressure response to such an injection,
and sweeping effect of this injection.
A water injection pilot was needed to answer most of these
questions and resolve these issues. The major objectives of
this pilot was to:
- Prove the applicability & quantify sweep benefits of water
injection
3
- Prove & quantify pressure maintenance and observe
reservoir response.
- Observe production acceleration benefits of water injection.
Well Completion Design Options:
The objectives of the pilot were clear and concise. The next
step was to find a method to carryout these objectives and
further explore into our options. The following are the options
that were considered:
3500 - The first option was to drill a water injection well at the
desired location in the field. That included laying of pipeline
3000
from the gathering center (GC) to the desired well to supply it
PRESSURE, PSIA
2500
with enough water. One option was to use the produced
effluent water from the GC and inject it into the well. The
2000 other option was to use an existing well and convert it into a
water injection well. Economic studies have proved that these
1500
two methods were relatively high in cost and require relatively
long periods of time to be implemented.
Jan -17 Jan -21 Jan -25 - After studying many other options, one option seemed to be
very efficient and promising. That option was already used in
the Minagish field, an adjacent West Kuwait field. That option
was considered and chosen to be used in the UG water
injection project. The option is the Dumpflood option.
A dumpflood (DF) operation is basically injecting water into
the recipient reservoir from a water source reservoir by the
natural force of gravity and the pressure differential of the two
reservoirs using the same well.
The following figure (figure-4) is a schematic that illustrates
the basic components of a DF well.
A - Casing Completion B - Straddle Completion
13 3/8" CSG
Tubing
Liner Hanger
Hydraulic Packer
Zubair Perfs
Straddle Packers
MO Perfs
Figure-4. This figure is a schematic of the basic components
of the most popular used DF well completions.
As it is shown in the figure above (Figure-4), two types of
Dumpflood completions were considered. Casing DF
completion and the straddle DF completion.
The Casing DF completion schematic as shown as (a) in
Figure-4, illustrates the layout of a casing DF completion. A
packer with bore is set above the Zubair to isolate the top part
4 RIAD QUTTAINAH, JABER AL-HUNAIF
of casing to protect the casing from corrosion. In this
completion, the end of tubing is higher than the uppermost set
of perforations, and the flow of fluid occurs in the casing
annulus The well should be completed with tubing with
adequate bore for running corrosion surveillance logging tools.
Since the annular fluid is inhibited, the tubing/packer
metallurgy is not a concern. No completion equipment is run
below the packer, thus water from the Zubair flows
unrestricted, and in direct contact with the casing walls until it
is injected into the MO reservoir. The corrosive nature of the
Zubair water is a cause for concern in this type of set up since
there will be some level of corrosion present. Since velocities
in the casing will be low at the anticipated dump rates, (less
than 8 ft/s at an anticipated maximum rate of 25 MBWPD), no
catastrophic failure is anticipated even under the worst case
scenario. Corrosion surveillance, which is part of the major
surveillance plan, will aid in the early detection of wall
thickness loss and prompt a proactive remedial job if required.
In the straddle DF completion configuration (b), a straddle
consisting of two packers and about 2000’ of 5” tubing to
cover the distance between the Zubair and the MO formations
is set to protect the casing behind. As shown in Figure-4 (b)
for straddle completion, the flow path of the DF water is from
the Zubair to the MO reservoir through the tubing. The casing
will be isolated from the flow path, however, the tubing and
packer straddle equipment will be exposed to corrosive fluids.
To withstand corrosion, the entire straddle equipment
(packers, tubing and crossovers) would be manufactured from
special corrosion resistant materials, which are expensive and
require long lead times for procurement and delivery.
For the well to handle more flow rate through its completion,
the first design, Design (a) is preferable. This is due to the
erosional effects of high rate fluid traveling through the
tubulars. Design (a) has a bigger inside diameter than the
second design, which will have less frictional pressure loss.
For practical reasons, the casing completion design (Design
a) is preferred over the straddle completion for the DF well
completion due to the following reasons:
1. Rate Required
The rate of injection required is easily accomplished, since
the design of (a) has a larger inside diameter for flow. This
larger diameter pipe has less friction pressure loss factor.
2. Consequence of Failure
Casing Collapse: The probability of casing collapse
occurrence is very low because there will be very little
pressure differential across the casing at any time during the
life of the DF pr. Based on the worst case, external and
internal pressures around the casing go on vacuum, (a
maximum pressure differential of 1000 psi) collapse becomes
important only after 80% of original wall thickness is lost.
With surveillance in place, loss of wall thickness will be
measured in time for remedial action to be implemented.
Exposing Other Formations: The Ratawi shale beneath the
Zubair has a history of washout and slouching during drilling
operations. It is conceivable that if the casing were to be
corroded sufficiently such that the cement was completely
SPE 68721
dissolved and the formation were exposed over a long interval,
then the risk of slouching may be present. The probability for
this occurring is judged to be low. The Ratawi Limestone
formation lies below the Ratawi Shale. It is tight massive
limestone with little porosity or permeability hence no
capacity to take or produce fluids if it were exposed to Zubair
water in the face of massive corrosion and degradation of
cement behind pipe. The limestone will be acted upon by the
weak acidic Zubair water and may dissolve over time. This is
not a significant concern as the probability for this occurring is
also judged to be low.
As it has been stated previously, in 7” casing, fluid velocity
will be low (8 ft/sec) even at an optimistic rate of 25
MBWPD. If corrosion occurs, the consequences are unlikely
to be catastrophic as proven and routine methods of repair can
be implemented. A surveillance program is required to help
track wall loss and provide ample lead time for proactive
remedial work if and when needed.
3. Future Wellbore Utility
The plan was to drill a well and complete it as a DF well. It
was also planned that in the future, some of the wells are to be
converted into powered water injectors if it was decided to
install surface water injection facilities. It was desirable that
this flexibility was available after completing the well as a
casing DF. The major concerns are casing life and wellbore
integrity. Low velocities in the casing will result in reduced
erosion damage; consequently, casing life is expected to
exceed that required for DF pilot. The casing is further
expected to possess sufficient integrity to with stand surface
powered injection at that time.
4. Remedial Options
Since Zubair water is corrosive, some degree of corrosion
will occur on the exposed casing, however the following
remedial options are available to restore the integrity required
to continue dumpflooding or surface water injection in the
future:
- Repair casing by squeezing cement or suitable gel behind
pipe.
- Install Fiberglass-lined tubing across zone of corrosion
damage.
Either option will restore well integrity without significant loss
of injectivity assuming the entire 2000’ of section is squeezed
and drilled out or cemented with scab liner.
5. Cost and Other Operating Issues
Installation Cost Increments: A straddle DF completion costs
approximately $100,000 more than the casing completion
alternative.
Operating Cost: Rates in DF completions will be periodically
monitored by spinner surveys. However the casing DF will
need corrosion surveillance to monitor casing wall loss.
Stopping Dump (if needed): The theory is that straddle
completion permits this more readily. However, in practice,
difficulty is experienced in installing wireline plugs under
dynamic conditions. If we decide to stop this well from the DF
activity or abandon this well, we will need set two bridge
plugs, one on top of perforations and the other on the bottom
 UMM GUDAIR DUMPFLOOD PILOT PROJECT, THE APPLICABILITY OF DUMPFLOOD
SPE 68721 TO ENHANCE SWEEP & MAINTAIN RESERVOIR PRESSURE
of the perforations after we inject acid soluble (CALCARB)
kill pills from surface. This method was utilized in MN field.
Dump Rates: Casing DF completion produces higher dump
rates due to the absence of restrictions inherent in straddle
completions. Additionally, rates can be further maximized if
the MO reservoir is effectively stimulated before commencing
DF. A limited volume, high rate acid frac to scour the near
wellbore environment and remove skin damage is
recommended as a routine part of all DF completions.
Complexity: Straddle completions are more complex and
present undesirable opportunities for problems to develop
during the several trips in and out of the hole. Based on the
Minagish field experience, no sliding sleeves and nipple
profile should be run in any DF completion because of DF
dynamics.
Speed Of Implementation: Casing DF completions employ off-
the-shelf equipment saving capital costs and procurement
time.
Pressure Loss Due to Friction: The friction pressure loss in
the 7” casing design will be less than the friction pressure loss
in a 3.5” straddle completion.
Metal Loss: The fluid velocity in a 7”casing would a lot less
than the fluid velocity in a 3.5” tubing if we had a straddle
completion. This means that we will have less erosion and
metal loss in the casing completion design since the fluid
flows in a 7” diameter pipe.
Surveillance Capability: The ability and ease in running PLT
in the casing completion design and record fluid contribution
from all perforated intervals. In the straddle completion
design, it is impossible to record the fluid contribution of
every perforation since the set of perforation is behind tubing.
In conclusion, Casing completion provides a low risk, low
cost, maximum dump rate, and quicker implementation option
in achieving the objectives of a component completion and
quick delivery. Scheduled surveillance can allay any
remaining concerns regarding corrosion and provide timely
data with which proactive remedial action can be
implemented.
6. Corrosion
In the DF well, 3 types of casing were used in completing the
section of pipe between the Zubair perforations and the MO
perforations. This is to quantify metal loss and observe the
impact of corrosive Zubair water on the 3 different types of
casing.
The Water Source (Zubair)
The reasons for choosing the Zubair reservoir to be the water
source for the DF are the following:
- The Zubair is structurally higher than the MO. This will
provide some of the injection pressure due to the hydrostatic
pressure between those two reservoirs.
- The reservoir pressure of Zubair is higher than that of the
MO. This will help increase the bottomhole pressure at the
MO sandface.
5
- The Zubair reservoir is a huge infinite water bearing
reservoir with a high potential of producing water with very
little or no effect on its original reservoir pressure.
- The permeability of the Zubair thus the productivity Index is
relatively high. This will allow the water to flow from the
Zubair into the wellbore with no reservoir restriction or drop
in flowing bottomhole pressure.
- The compatibility of the Zubair water with the MO. The
chemical composition of the Zubair water is similar to that of
the MO formation water.
Well Allocation
An economical comparison between drilling a new well with a
DF completion and an existing well converted into a DF well
was made. In the economic analysis, it was considered that by
converting an oil producing well into a DF well, we would be
losing production as well as the cost of the workover. For that
reason, it has been decided to drill a new well and complete it
as a DF well using the casing completion design.
The location of the well within the UG field was also
decided. This well is going to be located on the east flank of
EUG, 300m downdip from UG-60. The following figure
(Figure-5) is a map of the UG field and the location of the DF
well.
New injector for
dumpflood pilot
East Flank EUG
• Low reservoir pressure
• Observed water
movement
• A zone present
Figure-5. A field map of Umm Gudair that illustrates the
location of the UG DF well and the four observation wells
As it’s shown on the map above (Figure-5), the location of
the DF well is within the eastern flank of EUG.
All areas of North UG were considered for placement of the
pilot DF well. The following are some of these considerations:
- Mid flank. That area had some production offtake and it had
intermediate reservoir pressure due to this offtake.
- Concession Line. This location had the highest pressure
drawdown and would have the highest dumprate if we would
to inject. But politics is involved in this location.
- North flank. This part of the field had no offtake and would
havethe highest reservoir pressure, which means very low
dumprates.
The following are the reasons for choosing Mid Flank
location of the eastern flank of EUG:
6 RIAD QUTTAINAH, JABER AL-HUNAIF SPE 68721

- Relatively low reservoir pressure higher than that of the A-zone. It is also noticed that uneven
- Observed water movements sweep of water within its sub-layer exists.
- Presence of URU (A-zone)
Layer C or the C-zone, which is the Lower Reservoir Unit
Why Flank Location (LRU), is primarily heterogeneous. From RFT results ran in
The following are the reasons why it was decided to drill the wells in the EUG, it is noticed that no pressure breaks exists
water injection well at the flank of the reservoir: between the B and the C-zone. It is also noticed that the sweep
- Aquifer provides partial support. As it was shown previously was even within its sub-layer.
in figure-2, the reservoir receives very little pressure support The figure below (figure-6) shows the uneven sweep in the
from the aquifer. And by injecting into at the flank of the B-zone in MO reservoir and the even sweep in the C-zone.
reservoir, the effect of water injection can be studied and the
reservoir response monitored.
Water Influx Along the EUG / SUG Concession
- Partitioning is a recent development. It is evident in the cross Line 10
West 10 East
section that will be discussed later in this report, that a uniform 99
R 13 88 35 31 34
3
90 63 08 10 36A 45 91
1
37 47
4
sweep from the flank towards the crest is not perfect. This Localis ed coning occurrs
Future water fingering
in B layer with impact
means that the possibility of bypassing oil and leaving it once lateral water arrives
above D layer
on recovery Severe water
fingering in A
layer with impact
behind is strong. This will be discussed in detail in the zone A lay
er on recovery

selection section of this report. B lay er

C l ay er

- Current displacement is bottom up. In an ideal reservoir, the D

oil displacement is bottom up. This phenomenon is present in l ayer E lay er

some parts of the field, but not in all parts of the field. This
will also be discussed in detail in the zone selection section of
Water influx on
this report. D layer severely reduces
vertical water movement
Poor recovery bel ow
D layer
eastern side of field
mostl y confined to C
- Only pressure maintenance is studied so far. In most of the layer

studies done so far on this field, it has been mainly focussed
on reservoir pressure maintenance not sweep. This could open
new doors for expanding our knowledge and better understand
reservoir dynamics.
- Dumpflood is a contingency. As it is mentioned earlier, this
study is a pilot. The DF pilot project is a part of an even bigger
study. The future study will be the full field water injection.
This DF pilot is also giving us lead time for full field DF or
even powered water injection (PWI) if necessary.
- Pressure Maintenance. As it is mentioned, this pilot is to
study the effect of injection of water at the flanks and monitor
the effects on reservoir pressure.
- Poor sweep in B zone. This will be discussed in detail in the
zone selection section of this report.
1000
metres Water movement is dominated by the layer
archtecture
Figure-6. This fig illustrates a cross section along the
concession line.
The figure above is a cross-section along the concession line
that extends from east to west. As it is shown in the figure
above, aquifer water sweep is not uniform in the eastern
section of the reservoir. This non-uniform sweep is mainly
found in the B-zone section of the reservoir stack. For this
reason, and earlier mentioned reasons, it was decided to drill
the DF well in the eastern section of EUG. Also, to inject in
the B-zone of the reservoir.

Zone of interest Pilot Surveillance Plan

As it was described earlier in the geologic description of this
paper, the main reservoir of MO is comprised of three main
layers, Layer-A, layer-B and layer C. Figure-6 illustrates a
cross section of the UG field with the 3 main layers.
Layer A or the A-zone, which is the upper reservoir unit
(URU), consists of variable sub units. From RFT results ran in
wells in the EUG, it is noticed that it has reservoir pressure
less of that in the other layers. It is also notice that pressure
breaks exists in most of these RFT’s. This means that the A-
zone is separated from the layer beneath it. The existence of a
barrier between the A-zone and the B-zone exists in most parts
of the field.
Layer B or the B-zone, which is the Middle Reservoir Unit
(MRU), is primarily heterogeneous. From RFT results ran in
wells in the EUG, it is noticed that it has reservoir pressure
A crucial task of the pilot project to assure its success is an
intensive surveillance program. This surveillance program is
based on monitoring the DF well and nearby observation
wells. These observation wells are in the vicinity of the DF
well and are the closest wells to it. Due to the relatively short
areal distance between the observation wells and the DF well
when compared with other producing wells, the observation
wells will be impacted the greatest from the dumping
operation.
DF Well Surveillance Program
A complete surveillance program was planned to be
implemented on the DF well to monitor any changes that
might occur. This surveillance plan includes:
- Casing baseline corrosion log and periodic casing corrosion
log. The corrosion baseline log was run after setting the
 UMM GUDAIR DUMPFLOOD PILOT PROJECT, THE APPLICABILITY OF DUMPFLOOD
SPE 68721 TO ENHANCE SWEEP & MAINTAIN RESERVOIR PRESSURE
casing. The initial casing wall thickness and the corrosion
status of the inner side of the casing was determined before
allowing the flow of corrosive Zubair water through the
casing. From a periodic corrosion log, which is planned to be
run after allowing flow of corrosive Zubair water through
casing, we can periodically obtain the casing wall thickness
and the rate of corrosion on the inner side of the casing. And,
determine the corrosion status of the pipe where the fluid
flows through.
- Production log tests (PLT). From a PLT, which were run in
the DF well four times, the following information were able to
be obtained:
1- Allocate which set of perforations within Zubair fluid are
producing, and what type of fluid it is.
2- Determine which set of perforation within MO B-zone is
receiving fluid.
3- Quantify the amount of fluid being produced from the
producing interval and injected into the receiving interval.
- Thermal Decay Time (TDT). A TDT log will be run at the
end of the DF pilot to measure saturation changes in the zones
of interest.
- Static Bottom Hole Pressure Tests (SBHP). This is planned
to be run to measure the reservoir pressure in Zubair reservoir
in the DF well at end of pilot to measure the difference in
reservoir pressures.
- Use of Tracers. Radioactive tracers were injected into the DF
well. This is done to trace the injected water path through the
reservoir.
Observation Wells Surveillance Program
It was mentioned earlier, four wells were decided to be
utilized for observation purposes. Two of them are flowing
wells and two are shut-in.
The major observation well is UG-60. The plan was to
workover the well, pullout the existing ESP and run TDT in
this well. During the workover, all existing perforations were
squeezed. Then, only the B-zone was perforated. The well was
completed with both an ESP and a Y-tool. The well was also
equipped with a pressure sensing gauge at end of tubing.
The surveillance program designed for the observation wells is
to provide periodic evaluation of the DF impact on both the
well and the reservoir. The observation wells surveillance
program is as follows:
- Run TDT in the observation well. From this, we can obtain
the following information:
a- Determine the current oil-water contact in offset wells
(nearby wells) in the layer that is being injected to.
b- Measure the change in COWC by taking two TDT’s and
comparing the differences that occurred if any. This activity
can only be done in nearby wells if these wells are equipped
with Y-tool, or those TDT’s can be run while performing a
workover on these wells. Currently, only UG-60 has a Y-tool.
- Obtain periodic SBHP. This is planned to be run to obtain
the following information:
a- Measure the reservoir pressure in MO in offset wells
(nearby wells).
7
b- Measure the change in reservoir pressure by taking two
SBHP’s and comparing the differences that occurred if any in
MO in offset wells (nearby wells).
- Obtain periodic FWHP. This is planned to be run in nearby
flowing wells. From FBHP, the increase in the flowing
wellhead pressure can be monitored due to increase of
reservoir pressure and in turn, increase in the flowing bottom
hole pressure (FBHP).
- Use of Tracers. In injection wells around the world, the use
of tracers is very common. The purpose of tracers is to track
the movement of injected water through the reservoir layer
and trace the path of injected water. An amount of radioactive
tracer was injected into the DF well. The injected water mixed
with the tracer will travel through the reservoir medium to a
nearby producing observation well. At those producer wells, a
routine sample collection is done to determine if the injected
water with the tracer has reached those wells. If so, that means
that water broke through. In some cases, it could be found that
the tracer would appear in some wells not in others, this might
mean that channeling or early water breakthrough is occurring.
- Routine wellhead sample collection. This task is done on
biweekly basis to monitor the produced fluid watercut. This is
implemented on all the producing observation wells
surrounding the DF well to track the watercut produced..
Results To Date
Dumpflood Well Monitoring
Since commissioning of the Dumpflood injection in the
beginning of March 2000, 4 PLT’s were run. This was done in
an effort to fully understand the fluid contributions of the
Zubair formation into the wellbore and the water injection
profile of the different sub-layers of the MO reservoir (B-
zone).
- The first PLT log that was performed on the DF well was on
March 7, shortly after the start of the DF operation started
(perforation of Zubair). The DF rate was recorded at 1300
B/D. It was suspected that the well was partially damaged or
the perforations were partially plugged. So, it was decided to
reperforate the existing perfs in MO B-zone.
- After reperforation, another PLT log (PLT-2) was run on
March 20 to measure the difference if any on the DF rate due
to reperforation. It was found that the rate had increased from
1300 to 1600 B/D. That was an increase of about 23%.
- The next PLT (PLT-3) log was performed on the 16 of June,
three month after PLT-2. During PLT-3, the rate of injection
was found to be around 2467 B/D. This is a relatively large
increase of injection rate. It is an increase of about 54% from
the previous PLT-2 of 1600 B/D.
- The next PLT (PLT-4) log was performed on September 20,
three month after PLT-3. During PLT-4, the rate of injection
was found to be around 3350 B/D. This is also a relatively
large increase of injection rate. It is an increase of about 36%
from the previous PLT of 2467 bbl/day.
The next PLT (PLT-5) is scheduled to be performed on the
20th of December 2000.
8 RIAD QUTTAINAH, JABER AL-HUNAIF SPE 68721

The following figure (Figure-7) represents the injection rates was due to formation damage since the other layers B-1 to B-2
of the 4 PLT’s ran in the DF well. do not show this. It is therefore concluded that the lack of B-3
contribution is a reservoir rather than completion
D u m p flo o d P ilo t P L T R u n s phenomenon.
4000 - It is also evident in B-3 zone in UG-60 that this zone did not
contribute any fluid while running the PLT.
20-9-00
All of the PLT results can be easily correlated with the
In jectio n R ate (B /D )

results of the observation well PLT that was run earlier. It is

3000 noticed in the observation well PLT results, the mid part of B-
16-6-00
1 is not producing any fluid. Also, the B-3 zone is not
contributing any fluid.
2000 It is noticed from Figure-7 that the rate of injection is
20-3-00
increasing with time. This continuos increase could be due to
7-3-00 the fact that the Zubair water is acidic in nature. This acidity
could have removed some positive skin from the B-zone while
1000 injection.
25-1-00 15-3-00 4-5-00 23-6-00 12-8-00 1-10-00 The figure below (Figure-8) is a plot representing the layer
D ate by layer injection profile from the results of all 4 PLT’s run in
Figure-7. A plot that show the increasing injection rate with the DF well.
time in the DF well Comparison Of PLT Runs In UG-116
7-Mar

As it is shown in the figure above (figure-7), the rate of 20-Mar

8844-8850 B-1
injection into the MO is increasing with time 17-Jun

B-1 20-Sep
Some observations were recorded during running of these 8850-8864

PLT’s. These observations are as follows:

Interval

- Although the Zubair formation is a sandstone water bearing 8864-8870 B-1

reservoir, which has relatively high permeability, it is noticed B-2
8870-8890
that not the entire perforated interval is contributing water.
- There are intervals contributing water more than others. This 8890-8894 B-3
is an indication that the perforated interval in the Zubair 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600
formation is not homogeneous. Interval Injection B/D
- It is evident that the lower most perforations of Zubair are
contributing almost 50% of the total water produced from the Figure-8. A plot that represents the injection profile in the MO
Zubair formation. B-zone perforated interval.
- From the logs, it appears that the upper part of B-1 was
receiving on average of 30% of the total fluid injected in the As it is shown above, the PLT of September 20 has the
MO formation (B-layer). highest injection rate of all other PLT’s. It is also evident that
- In all of the logs, the mid part of B-1 was not receiving any lower most perforations (B-3) were not receiving any fluid
fluid even after these perfs were reperforated. This is due to during the first two PLT logs. B-3 perforations were receiving
reservoir quality in the mid part of B-1 zone in this part of the water only in the last two PLT logs.
field. If compared with the outcome of the PLT for UG-60, the Observation Wells Monitoring
mid part of B-1 was not contributing any fluid for the well. - Many wellhead fluid samples were collected from two
- On average from all the logs, the lower part of B-1 producing observation wells. The water from these samples
perforations was receiving around 20% of the total fluid were extracted and analyzed for tracer content. No radioactive
injected in the well. tracer was detected in all of the samples.
- On average from all the logs, the B-2 perforations were - The watercuts of these samples were analysed. No sharp
receiving almost 50% of the total fluid injected in the well increase in watercut was detected.
- It is indicated from most of the logs that although B-3 was - The FBHP of producing observation wells and SBHP of
perforated, we could not detect much signs of fluid received in shut-in observation wells were recorded and analysed. No
this perforation interval. This is anomalous since we would increase is detected.
normally expect B-3 to receive water. Records from the acid
stimulation performed during the step rate test suggest that Conclusions So Far
there was injectivity in B-3, confirming that the zone is From all the issues and discussion that was made in the body
perforated. Errors in PLT depth calibration were ruled out on of this paper, the following can be concluded:
the basis of depth correlation with Gamma ray from the - Due to the falling reservoir pressure of UG(MO), it is crucial
openhole logs. It was also unlikely that lack of flow from B-3 to initiate a full field water injection scheme.
 UMM GUDAIR DUMPFLOOD PILOT PROJECT, THE APPLICABILITY OF DUMPFLOOD
SPE 68721 TO ENHANCE SWEEP & MAINTAIN RESERVOIR PRESSURE 9

- The need to inject water is vital to increase reservoir

pressure, improve sweep, and avoid bypassing oil and leave it
behind.
- The Dumpflood Pilot Project is proving to be an excellent
way to study the impact of water injection on the MO
reservoir.
- The Dumpflood injection is a very cost effective way of
reaching the set objectives of the pilot.
- The injection rate recorded is lower than what was
anticipated. We would have drilled updip if that information
was known
- The casing completion design proved effective to be
implemented in the pilot project
- An intensive surveillance plan is an assurance of a successful
pilot project.
- Dumpflood use can be expanded and used as a full field
water dumpflood injection to pressure support the falling
reservoir pressure.
- This paper demonstrated the design of a water dumpflood
method to analyze injectivity & water sweep but still waiting
on full results.
- Dumpflood has established a cost-effective technique to
study injectivity and water sweep.
- This paper has demonstrated the design of dumpflood to re-
pressurize a constantly depleting reservoir.
- Corrosion logging is planned to be done to monitor the
corrosion status of the DF well.
- No water breakthrough has been detected yet.
- Sector modeling is being done to simulate the path of
injected water.

Recommendations
The following is recommended:
- Continue with the surveillance plan designed for this pilot,
and closely monitor all the surveillance output from the
observation wells.
- Continue with collecting wellhead samples to detect any
radioactive tracer content. It is thought that a lot more than
what is discussed in this paper will be learned during the
course of this pilot.
- Incorporate sector modeling in the pilot study to accurately
predict the breakthrough time of injected water.

Acknowledgement
We, the authors of this paper would like to acknowledge the
help and support that were received from Kuwait Oil
Company management and the Ministry of Oil. We would also
like to thank Mr. Ali Al-Shammari for his support and
guidance in the course of writing this paper. Also, we would
like to acknowledge the UG Dumpflood Pilot Project team
members Sayed Hashmi and Easa Al-Daihani and last but not
least, Hitesh Jariwala for their help and support in assuring the
success of this pilot project.