Transforming Kuwait's Mauddud reservoir: a collaborative success story

A groundbreaking collaboration between Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) and SLB transformed the Mauddud reservoir in Greater Burgan, Kuwait, through Intelligent Stimulation workflows. By integrating advanced technologies, the project achieved record-breaking oil production, unlocking the reservoir's full potential and setting a new standard for development in previously overlooked formations.

Kuwait's Mauddud reservoir faces significant production challenges due to complex heterogeneous carbonate formation with low permeability, resulting in low productivity. The reservoir, with its low API viscous oil, has an estimated oil recovery of less than 15%. Despite drilling numerous wells with varied completion and stimulation strategies, sustainable oil production remained elusive. Major studies by third parties concluded that achieving sustainable production from Mauddud was highly challenging. SLB introduced the production enhancement project approach and Intelligent Stimulation workflows to key KOC stakeholders to address these challenges and improve oil recovery.

SLB and KOC launched a comprehensive production enhancement project targeting idle wells in the Mauddud reservoir. Utilizing 3D far-field natural fracture evaluation and geomechanical modeling, the collaboration closed key subsurface knowledge gaps, enabling optimized stimulation designs with technologies like OpenPath Reach™ extended-contact stimulation service and VDA™ viscoelastic diverting acid. The project doubled overall field production by reactivating 16 wells. The Intelligent Stimulation phase introduced new technologies to KOC, including TuffTRAC OH™ openhole evaluation wireline tractor, Thrubit Dipole™ through-the-bit acoustic service, 3D far-field sonic service, Ora™ intelligent wireline formation testing platform, and OpenPath Flex™ customizable acid stimulation service, alongside a new discrete fracture network (DFN) model in Kinetix™ reservoir-centric stimulation-to-production software and Petrel™ subsurface software. SLB technologies advanced subsurface understanding and optimized stimulation designs, with 3D far-field service and the Ora platform providing critical insights into lateral heterogeneity. The first use of the embedded model estimator (Ember) algorithm facilitated accurate geomechanical property modeling, essential for identifying sweet spots for future wells. OpenPath Flex service enhanced acidizing efficacy, offering customizable formulations that improve flowback performance and minimize environmental impact. The success of the project paved the way for four new horizontal wells, with optimized lateral landing points, reducing risks and maximizing recovery potential.

The collaborative production enhancement project in the Mauddud reservoir led to remarkable results, significantly boosting oil production and transforming the field's prospects. Initially, the project focused on reactivating 16 idle wells, which resulted in a substantial uplift. This achievement was a testament to the effectiveness of SLB advanced technology workflows, which optimized stimulation designs and closed key subsurface knowledge gaps. The success of these efforts not only doubled the overall field production but also demonstrated the potential for sustainable development in previously underperforming formations.

This phase of the project showcased the power of integrating cutting-edge technologies like TuffTRAC OH tractor with Thrubit and 3D far-field services, which provided critical insights into lateral heterogeneity and enhanced OpenPath Flex service for acidizing efficiency. The deployment of Ember, a machine learning solution, facilitated accurate geomechanical property modeling—essential for identifying sweet spots for future wells. These innovations underscored the collaborative commitment to advancing subsurface understanding and optimizing stimulation treatments, setting a new standard for reservoir development.

In 2025, SLB applied the Intelligent Stimulation drill-to-stimulate workflow to two new horizontal wells. 3D far-field service fracture network identification and classification was deployed for the first time world wide on the TuffTRAC OH tractor-Thrubit service in the over 1,000 ft openhole lateral, which played a vital role in designing effective completion strategies and stimulation design. The new drills delivered an impressive 4,500 barrels of oil per day. This success prompted KOC to fast-track further development of the Mauddud reservoir, recognizing its potential to ease pressure on surface facilities and improve field efficiency. The project's impact on Mauddud's development trajectory highlights the transformative power of SLB technologies and a collaborative approach.