An Advanced Placement Approach for Chemical Sand and Fines Control Using Zeta Potential Altering Chemistry

Abstract

Sand and fines production is one of the oldest problems in petroleum industry and one of the toughest to solve. Today, many active and passive technologies and methods exist; in some cases some sand and fines production is manageable, while for others it cannot be tolerated at all. Also, many wells do not produce sand or fines from the onset and may not require an active sand control solution until later in their live. Chemical sand control solutions have been around for many years have always been attractive due to their ability to be installed without any restrictions to the well bore geometry. However, due to the difficulties with placement and in many cases their association with some degree of reduction in permeability there has been some reservation to use chemical methods as a standard. This paper presents a unique chemistry that not only increases the maximum sand/fines free rate without a significant reduction in permeability, but also discusses the advanced placement techniques essential for a successful application. This paper includes study of two hundred and fifty wells which has been treated by using zeta potential altering chemistry and shows analysis of both failed and successful applications and the lessons learned.

Critical Conditions for Massive Fines Detachment Induced by Single-Phase Flow in Coalbed Methane Reservoirs: Modeling and Experiments

“…Habibi et al performed experiments with three types of NPs, MgO, Al 2 O 3 , and SiO 2 , and found that MgO NPs were the most effective in stabilizing fines. For the ZPAS, the effective constituent is an inner salt of a low-molecular-weight polymer that can alter surface potentials to an optimum range from −20 to +20 mV, thus making for a stronger attraction between fines and the fracture surface . In addition, the STA polymer is a high-molecular-weight, hydrophilic polyamide, onto which hydrophobes are grafted.…”

“…Due to hydrophobe interactions through VDW bonds, a strong molecular hook-and-latch system is formed between fines and the fracture surface, thus providing an increased adhesive force . Several experimental and field studies have demonstrated that chemical methods successfully prevent fines migration, even under high flow rates and flow interruptions, with no observed reduction in permeability. − …”

“…For the ZPAS, the effective constituent is an inner salt of a low-molecular-weight polymer that can alter surface potentials to an optimum range from −20 to +20 mV, thus making for a stronger attraction between fines and the fracture surface. 91 In addition, the STA polymer is a highmolecular-weight, hydrophilic polyamide, onto which hydrophobes are grafted. Hydrophilic groups of the STA polymer are prone to be attracted to polar mineral surfaces, resulting in a hydrophobic coating.…”