Advanced openhole multilaterals

An aggressive re-entry program is resulting in significant production increases from Sonatrach's Hassi Messaoud oil field. Kicking off laterals in an extremely hard and abrasive sandstone and quartzite formation has required development of new tools. Lateral isolation and tieback to the original cased hole as well as providing through-tubing re-entry have posed additional challenges. A combination of liner hanger and inflatable packer technology, together with large-bore completions, has led to several successful installations.