This study compares the performance of openhole-packer completion systems with that of cemented-liner completion systems in the northern Montney gas resource play. The authors’ data demonstrate that the benefits of openhole completions include an increase in initial production (30-day average) (IP30) rates, an increase in expected ultimate raw gas recovery per well, and a decrease in stimulation-period costs, all on an unadjusted basis. When adjusted for total proppant placed or total fluid pumped on average per completion, the relative benefit of openhole systems ranges from 6 to 31%, depending on the test metric selected.
Introduction
Recovery optimization from the Montney presents a unique development challenge because of the play’s extensive thickness and corresponding multilayer extraction potential. In the Blair/Town Block study area, it has been observed that openhole completions consistently outperform cemented-liner completions when considering standard metrics of production and cost.
Completion-liner systems for horizontal wells are designed to isolate hydraulic-fracture treatments to minimize stimulation pumping interference between successive stages.
