Sample Completion Configurations lec ( 12 )

Single Zone
Completion #1

A single zone completion using a hydraulic set retrievable packer is a simple,
very commonly used design.
Design Advantages ❑ Retrievable

• ❑ Allows circulation above the packer
• ❑ Packer may be set after well head installation
• ❑ Flow may be controlled or shut off using the profile nipples and/or

sliding sleeve

• ❑ Design allows for the installation & retrieval of recording devices

and flowing pressure / build up data acquisition.
Design Disadvantages

•  ❑ Suitable for low to medium pressure differentials only
• ❑ Limited ability to handle tubing forces
• ❑ Limited material selection

Additional Equipment
That Could Be Added

• ❑ Flow couplings if required
• ❑ Artificial lift equipment
• ❑ Safety valve

Single Zone
Completion #2

A single zone completion using a high performance retrievable mechanical
double grip packer is a common completion design primarily used in single
zone gas well completions
Design Advantages 

• ❑ Retrievable
• ❑ Allows circulation above the packer
• ❑ Packer may be utilized as a bridge plug
• ❑ Flow may be controlled or shut off using the profile nipples and/or

sliding sleeve

• ❑ Design allows for the installation & retrieval of recording devices
• ❑ Design is capable of handling medium high differential pressures

and high tubing forces
Design Disadvantages 

• ❑ limited material selection
• ❑ Pressure handling capability of some sizes may be limited

Additional Equipment
That Could Be Added

• ❑ Flow couplings if required
• ❑ Artificial lift equipment
• ❑ Safety valve
• ❑ TCP assembly

Single Zone
Completion #3

This is a common completion used in underbalanced perforating of single zone
wells.
Design Advantages 

• ❑ Retrievable
• ❑ W/L setting allows exact depth control
• ❑ Packer may be utilized as a bridge plug
• ❑ Allows flow control using profile nipples
• ❑ Design is capable of handling medium high differential pressures

and high tubing forces.
Design Disadvantages 

• ❑ Limited material selection
• ❑ Pressure handling capabilities of some sizes may be limited

Additional Equipment
That Can Be Added

• ❑ Flow couplings if required
• ❑ Artificial lift equipment
• ❑ Safety valve
• ❑ Sliding sleeve

Single Zone
Completion #4

This is a typical shallow to medium depth permanent seal bore packer completion
primarily used on natural gas wells.
Design Advantages 

• ❑ Good pressure handling capability
• ❑ Suitable for sour completions
• ❑ Good flow control with profile nipples and the sliding sleeve
• ❑ Design allows for use of recording devices in the tail pipe
• ❑ Good material selection

Design Disadvantages 

• ❑ Packer is not retrievable
• ❑ Plugs used in the nipples below the packer are susceptible to fill

Additional Equipment
That Can Be Added

• ❑ Mill out sub
• ❑ Flow couplings if required
• ❑ Artificial lift equipment
• ❑ Safety valve
• ❑ TCP assembly

• ❑ On/off tool

Single Zone
Completion #5

This is an example of a deeper single string gas well completion which allows
for tubing movement.
Design Advantages 

• ❑ Suitable for high pressure sour applications
• ❑ Locator seal assembly can be spaced out to allow for anticipated

tubing movement

• ❑ Mill out sub allows for one-trip removal of the packer and tail pipe
• ❑ Design allows for pressure recorder installation in the tail pipe

Additional Equipment
That Can Be Added

• ❑ Safety valve
• ❑ Sliding sleeve above the seal assembly to allow circulation above

the packer

• ❑ Chemical insection nipple or mandrel above the seal assembly

Single Zone
Completion #6

This is a common permanent packer single string completion used in deeper
hostile environment gas wells.
Design Advantages 

• ❑ Largest possible through bore

• ❑ Primary seal bore is retrievable
• ❑ Sliding sleeve allows circulation above the packer
• ❑ Design incorporates provision for recorders in the tail pipe

Additional Equipment
That Can Be Added

• ❑ Safety valve
• ❑ Chemical infection valve
• ❑ Gas lift equipment

Dual Zone Single String
Completion

This type of completion is commonly used in shallow low pressure sweet
natural gas wells in North America. Lower zone is produced up the tubing
string and upper zone up the annulus.
Design Advantages 

• ❑ Economical
• ❑ Retrievable
• ❑ Packer may be utilized as a bridge plug
• ❑ Good flow control with profile nipples and sliding sleeve
• ❑ Allows for installation and retrieval of recorders

Design Disadvantages 

• ❑ Suitable for shallow “sweet” completions only
• ❑ Suspectable to fill problems from upper zone

Additional Equipment
That Can Be Used

• ❑ Provision for rod pump, plunger lift or siphon tube

Dual Zone Dual String
Completion

This is a common completion type used in those wells where it is advantageous
to produce two zones simultaneously.
Design Advantages 

• ❑ All equipment is retrievable
• ❑ Both zones can be produced independently and simultaneously
• ❑ Packers may be set after the well head is installed
• ❑ Sliding sleeve may be used to open communication between the

tubing strings
Additional Equipment
That Can Be Used

• ❑ Sliding sleeves above the dual string packer
• ❑ Well configurations in both tail pipe assemblies for recorders
• ❑ Selective set packers
• ❑ Gas lift equipment

• ❑ Safety valves

Multi Zone Single String
Completion

This completion design allows the selective production of multiple zones up
one string of tubing.
Design Advantages

• ❑ Allows control of each zone individually
• ❑ Retrievable
• ❑ Hydraulic packers may be set after installation of the well head

Design Disadvantages 

• ❑ Restricts production to one zone at a time
• ❑ Limited material selection in packers
• ❑ Limited ability to handle tubing forces

Additional Equipment

That Can Be Added

• ❑ Sliding sleeve above top packer to allow circulation between the

annulus and tubing

• ❑ Blast joints
• ❑ Recorder provision below lower packer

Completion course