Development and Use of High Density Fracturing Fluid in Deep Water Gulf of Mexico Frac and Packs

Rivas, Luis F.; Navaira, Gilbert; Bourgeois, Birlie Colbert; Waltman, Rodney Bart; Lord, Paul; Goosen, Tonya L.

doi:10.2118/116007-ms

Cited by 23 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 5 publications

(2 reference statements)

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“…are not suitable as weighting materials. Bromate (potassium bromide, sodium bromide) is a good weighting material, the density of its saturated solution can reach more than 1.8 g/cm 3 , which can significantly increase the adjustable range of fracturing fluid density [4][5][6]. However, it is difficult to be widely used due to its high cost.…”

Section: Characterization Of the Weighting Agentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Years of studies showed that the weighted fracturing fluid systems used worldwide mainly include the following: borate crosslinking system [6], carboxymethyl hydroxypropyl guar gum zirconium crosslinking system [7], viscoelastic surfactant system [8], and guar gum organoboron crosslinking system [9], etc. The main components of the weighting agents are metal salts, such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium bromide, sodium bromide, sodium nitrate, potassium formate, sodium formate and the mixture of inorganic and organic salts [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Development and evaluation of a novel high-density weighted fracturing fluid in ultra-deep reservoirs

Zhou

et al. 2022

IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci.

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Ultra-deep reservoirs make the fracturing operations facing some inevitable problems, especially the higher surface treating pressure, which usually exceeds the limitation of existing fracturing equipment. Weighted fracturing fluid has become one of the most effective methods to deal with this challenge. In this study, a novel high-density weighted fracturing fluid was developed with self-synthesized new weighting agent and crosslinker through extensive laboratory experiments. The density of the new weighted fracturing fluid was up to 1.46 g/cm3. The crosslinking time can be controlled within 3.1∼10.2 mins, which helps in limiting the tubing friction. Performance evaluation results show that the fluid system has desired high temperature-stability and shearing resistance. Under 150 °C, 170 s–1, the final apparent viscosity still remains above 50 mPa·s after shearing for 60 mins. The maximum friction reduction rate of the based fluid reached 68.4 %, which is speculated lower than the wellsite application. The newly proposed weighted fracturing fluid is a good choice for ultra-deep and high-temperature reservoirs stimulation and hence improving the recovery.

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Section: Characterization Of the Weighting Agentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and evaluation of a novel high-density weighted fracturing fluid in ultra-deep reservoirs

Zhou

et al. 2022

IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci.

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“…Increased Brine and Fracture Fluid Density: During recent years, a number of developments have taken place with heavy brine based frac fluids for deep formation opportunities, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico (Rivas et al, 2008) and (Simms et al, 2008). Increased Brine and Fracture Fluid Density: During recent years, a number of developments have taken place with heavy brine based frac fluids for deep formation opportunities, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico (Rivas et al, 2008) and (Simms et al, 2008).…”

Section: Increased Bottomhole Pressurementioning

confidence: 99%

StressCage and Frac Pack: Drilling the Conventionally Undrillable Without Creating the Unfraccable

Rylance

Mahadev

2016

Day 4 Thu, May 05, 2016

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There is little doubt that the success and reliability of frac-pack completions in the Gulf of Mexico has become the yard-stick by which Gulf of Mexico sand control completions are currently measured. Simultaneously, StressCage has become common practice as a method to overcome challenges drilling through depleted zones, in order to cope with complex mud-window constraints for new developments and infill wells. The success of these drilling and completion approaches and their rapid widespread application has resulted in ever more depletion. This has potentially created a vicious circle in terms of drilling the well to desired depth vs. the ability to install a low-skin frac-pack completion.While these two techniques in isolation represent uniquely optimal solutions to their individual challenges, there is growing evidence that their application within the same wellbore has the potential to create conflicting ideals. The StressCage application is associated with the plugging of small fractures which have been induced in the wellbore wall, thereby increasing the effective fracture gradient, which allows for the drilling of substantial depletion. However, the presence of a range of widely distributed particle sizes in the mud system, as well as increased general solids loading, may result in deep and invasive plugging of the permeable formations and any smaller fractures within the same open-hole sections. When these plugged formations are then the target for subsequent fracturing operations, there is a significant potential to create near wellbore problems that complicate or bring into question the ability to install a frac-pack completion.This paper will provide a number of examples of the application of StressCage, where resulting frac operations appear to have been hampered or complicated by the use of the StressCage approach and/or associated mud conditions. These examples will provide some evidence of such interactions but, more importantly, demonstrate the contradiction that these two techniques potentially represent. The paper will also outline a scenario resulting from a sand-control lower completion assembly in place, in a new borehole drilled with StressCage method, that could be resistant to any form of frac breakdown (or simple mechanical intervention), and, thereby, compromise the frac and well completion itself.In addition to the case histories, the paper will outline various engineering approaches that should be considered, including geo-mechanical analysis of well placement, identification of near wellbore issues prior to and during the fracturing operations, careful management of stress caged solids makeup, mud management and frac-pack design in order to avoid or overcome such challenges. All of this helps ensure that we do not create the paradox of being able to drill through the undrillable but then creating the unfraccable as a result.

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“…The operator already had experience with a weighted stimulation fluid system from previous projects and extensive laboratory work (Simms et al 2008, Rivas et al 2008. The operator already had experience with a weighted stimulation fluid system from previous projects and extensive laboratory work (Simms et al 2008, Rivas et al 2008.…”

Section: Stimulation Materials and Logisticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Successful Development and Installation of a New Single-Trip Multizone Completion System Developed for the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico Lower Tertiary Formation

Grigsby

Jannise

Goodman

et al. 2016

Day 4 Thu, May 05, 2016

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Development of the Wilcox stacked oil sands in the Lower Tertiary fields in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) requires zonal stimulation; however, when the decision was made to produce this formation, the stacked sand-control systems currently available would have been cost prohibitive. Thus, a special team was commissioned to develop a single-trip multizone completion system to address the challenges of producing this ultradeepwater GOM field. This paper chronicles the development, qualification, and installation of a new one-trip high-rate fracture system that meets the needs of cased-hole installations in the Lower Tertiary formations with well depths reaching 28,000 ft TVD, as well as in cased-hole shallow-depth wells in the Asia Pacific area.A dedicated development team began tool-system development in January 2007. The first systems integration test (SIT) was conducted in December 2007 after only 11 months. The successful SIT led to the assignment of three land wells by a major international oil company to prove out the multizone system. After two successful installations, the third installation was eliminated, because the multizone system was classified as operationally ready.Drilling issues lead to the plugging and abandonment of the planned inaugural ultradeepwater installation. The operational moratorium in the GOM in 2010 also changed the original target wells. The first commercial cased-hole installation was run in the Asia Pacific area in a shallow-depth well environment using water-pack treatments. Subsequently, multiple ultradeepwater installations have been performed to date.Lessons learned from the SIT process and from the initial installations that included the ultradeepwater Lower Tertiary fields are presented.

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Development and Use of High Density Fracturing Fluid in Deep Water Gulf of Mexico Frac and Packs

Cited by 23 publications

References 5 publications

Development and evaluation of a novel high-density weighted fracturing fluid in ultra-deep reservoirs

Development and evaluation of a novel high-density weighted fracturing fluid in ultra-deep reservoirs

StressCage and Frac Pack: Drilling the Conventionally Undrillable Without Creating the Unfraccable

The Successful Development and Installation of a New Single-Trip Multizone Completion System Developed for the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico Lower Tertiary Formation

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