The authors demonstrate that it is possible to anodize steel in either KOH or NaOH solutions and grow an adherent oxide on the steel surface. By varying the temperature, voltage, and electrolyte composition, one may electrochemically grow either an adherent blue-black magnetite layer, a light brown oxide, or a semiadherent dichroic magnetite layer on many different types of steel. The dichroic oxide layers exhibit the different colors of the rainbow depending on the thickness of the layer and the viewing angle. The color is a function of the optical interference for the thin coatings. By selecting a narrow range of temperature, voltage, and electrode spacing, the adherent, blue-black magnetite layer can be grown several microns thick on some carbon steels. These anodized oxides provide corrosion protection and they are also a suitable substrate for bonding organic coatings.

Sand jet perforating (SJP) is currently gaining acceptance in unconventional resource plays where horizontal development has shown the need for methods to perforate these formations. This paper examines a new design for a tool assembly that allows fluid to flow through the sand jet perforator while operating a PDM (Positive Displacement Motor) with a mill or cutting tool. In multi-stage fracturing operations where through tubing mills are often used for cleanout runs prior to perforating, the flow isolation tube assembly can be added to the tool string to achieve cleanout in conjunction with perforating in one trip. The design allows an operator to isolate the SJP tool, which is resident in the work string and perforate casing and formation, then restore flow to the PDM to continue operations such as milling or further well cleanoutall in a single trip.Discussion of the assembly design process and laboratory testing results are included as a part of the paper and will analyze the effectiveness of the technology and tools as well as the economic impact of this type of program. Economics includes process costs as well as cost savings from support equipment that is gained by the combination of operations. The program's translation to other shale plays like the Marcellus, Bakken, and Haynesville are also discussed.Shale plays dominate domestic drilling as well as production today and being able to combine completion operations to save both time and money is of interest to all producers. Using the flow isolation tube assembly will save cost and wear for coil tubing units as well as costs for other surface support equipment. Finally, safety is increased and the quality of the perforations is improved with SJP; giving a better perforating job for a lower cost.

Sand jet perforating (SJP) is a process that uses high pressure fluid slurry to perforate tubulars and cement within an oil or gas well, and simultaneously extend a cavity into the reservoir. SJP has its origins in the 1960s with many large scale commercial successes in several international venues. While the SJP process was a technical success at that time, it was not an economic success. Few advancements in technology were attempted until the late 1990s. Advances in metallurgy have allowed major re-designs of sand jet perforating tools and jet orifices. These advances coupled with improvements in pump liner design have made SJP more cost effective today. The use of coiled tubing as a conveyance method further allows fluid pressures to be increased, and higher pressure limits make the SJP process even more effective. Newer modular SJP tool designs ensure near limitless re-configuration of coiled tubing conveyed plugs, packers, hold-down tools, perforation, and fracturing tools for simultaneous use during completion and work-over operations. Applications for Sand Jet Perforating technology include perforation and re-perforation of vertical and horizontal oil and gas wells and perforation and treatment of coal bed methane wells. SJP can also be used in conjunction with other technologies such as fresh water and foam fracturing and for enhanced performance resulting from chemical injection and acidization. Sand Jet Perforating provides an alternative to widely accepted wire-line or tubing conveyed explosive methods used in most fields today. Hundreds of documented successes are available to confirm that SJP increases communication between well bore and reservoir more effectively with less formation damage and is accomplished in fewer round trips in and out of the well bore than more widely used perforating methods. Added benefits are realized as perforating and fracturing can be accomplished nearly simultaneously with a common work string. Several papers and studies have recently been published that document the many benefits of Sand Jet Perforating, and recent demand for these services is increasing. This paper discusses the benefits of using Sand Jet Perforating tools and explains some new designs that suggest a broader range of uses. HistoryThe Authors' first discovery of documented use of Sand Jet Perforating was in 1939 when it was attempted as an outgrowth of acid jetting techniques. Similarly, our first discovery of any technical papers began to surface in the early 1960s and included discussions of theoretical explanations (power, fluid and particle velocity, and the effects of different variables on cutting ability and penetration); field observations and techniques; as well as uses of the technology with other established treatment methods (i.e. hydraulic fracturing). Engineers and operators involved in the early field work observed promise for this budding technology and the different ways that it could be used. By 1961, it is estimated that more than 5,000 jobs using the process had been performed with ...

Multi-stage hydraulic fracturing of coal bed methane wells using coiled tubing in Raniganj Coal Bed fields in the eastern part of India has been steadily increasing over the last several years. The completion process of these wells involves various kinds of explosive perforating and sand jet perforating (SJP) prior to the hydraulic fracturing process. Communication with the reservoir is vitally important to the success of the hydraulic fracture. Sand jet perforating is a process that uses high pressure fluid slurry to perforate the casing and cement of an oil or gas well, and extend a cavity into the reservoir. This paper examines the performance of traditional explosive perforating versus sand jet perforating through an examination of case history using both technologies in the same zones. Different operating parameters of sand jet perforating are evaluated. Performance evaluation includes the production of the well. The paper describes various methods for hydraulic fracturing of coal bed methane formations using a bottom hole assembly with perforator on coiled tubing. The generalized stimulation method for perforating employs the following steps: Run the bottom hole assembly (BHA) to the zone to be treated.Perforate the zone.Perform the hydraulic fracturing of the zone.Isolate the zone.Pull up to the next zone and begin again. The procedures and process of each completion method will be discussed in detail. Case history is used from a coal bed methane well in the Raniganji Coal Bed Methane Field, to compare the different parameters of the hydraulic fracturing process in coal beds for traditional explosive perforating versus sand jet perforating. The effectiveness of the treatment process as it relates to production and cost of the treatment is compared. New techniques for sand jet perforating were employed in the subject wells to improve the communication between the wellbore and the formation. Variations in pressure, and flow through the bottom hole assembly, sand concentration, and total sand delivered are compared and conclusions will be made for optimizing the treatment process.

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