Dual Lateral Open Hole Coiled Tubing Acid Stimulation in Deep HPHT Sour Gas Producer Wells — Field Experience and Lessons Learned from the Ghawar Field

Al-Zaid, Mustafa R.; Al-Ghazal, Mohammed; Al-Driweesh, Saad; Al-Ghurairi, Fadel; Vielma, Jose R.; Chacon, Alejandro; Noguera, José Antonio

doi:10.2118/164326-ms

Cited by 13 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The fluidic oscillator (Kritsanaphak et al 2009), using 4 bbl/min inserts located at the tip of the BHA, was primarily used to improve obstruction removal as well as to remove excess plugging material in the openhole section to provide the optimum tool frequency, pressure drop across the nozzle, and required fluid velocity for particle lifting at that rate. The hydrajet tool with ball activated isolation sleeve, previously described by Garzon et al (2010) and Al Ghurairi et al (2013), was fitted with four jets with 3/16-in. diameter phasing 90°.…”

Section: Reservoir Stimulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As described previously in detail by Nuñez et al (2009), the stimulation strategy, consisting of a sequence of organic solvent, acid blends, and nondamaging diverter that was free of solids (Al Ghurairi et al 2013), was effectively applied to this formation. The stimulation treatment was designed to remove and/or bypass any formation damage caused by organic compounds, inorganic compounds, and fluid retention or wettability changes.…”

Section: Reservoir Stimulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Extreme Challenges in FeS Scale Cleanout Operation Overcome using Temporary Isolation, High Pressure Coiled Tubing, and Tailored Fluid Systems

Buali¹,

Ginest²,

Leal³

et al. 2014

SPE International Oilfield Scale Conference and Exhibition

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The carbonate gas producing zones of the Ghawar field have been impacted by extensive FeS scale deposition, reducing overall gas production and significantly increasing risks of well interventions. Previous remediation included the use of workover rigs, which can be costly because of the time necessary for workovers and lost production. H 2 S levels (2 to 5%) found in the reservoir also contribute to higher costs and risks when using workover rigs.A chemical solution was also considered, but the FeS could not be 100% dissolved with HCl and the chemical reaction generated large amounts of H 2 S in addition to existing high levels of H 2 S in the reservoir. This poses a safety concern with the returns at surface along with potential corrosion of the coiled tubing (CT) and completion. Therefore, the safest and most economical method was deemed to be mechanical descaling with CT.This paper discusses two wells where mechanical descaling was applied using CT. Each well involved four major challenges that included low reservoir pressure, increased reservoir temperature, horizontal openhole completion, and scale with high specific gravity (3.7 to 4.3). The low reservoir pressure required pay zone isolation to allow for returns to circulate out the heavy scale and to minimize fluid losses to the formation. The fact that the wells had long, openhole sections created another challenge for isolation and cleanout. With a bottomhole temperature (BHT) as high as to 310°F, the operational envelope of temporary chemical packers in combination with loss circulation materials (LCMs) to isolate the openhole section had to be expanded. Following mechanical descaling with CT, the final challenge discussed in this paper is the process to clean out the LCM in the horizontal openhole and bring the well back to maximum gas production using pinpoint stimulation techniques.

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Section: Reservoir Stimulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Reservoir Stimulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extreme Challenges in FeS Scale Cleanout Operation Overcome using Temporary Isolation, High Pressure Coiled Tubing, and Tailored Fluid Systems

Buali¹,

Ginest²,

Leal³

et al. 2014

SPE International Oilfield Scale Conference and Exhibition

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Challenging HPCT Scale Removal Operations in High H2S Environment Successfully Completed with Interdisciplinary Job Design and Execution

Green

Leal

Ginest

et al. 2014

Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference

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The carbonate gas producing zones of the Ghawar field have been impacted by extensive FeS scale deposition, reducing overall gas production and significantly increasing risks of well interventions. Previous remediation included the use of workover rigs which can be costly due to time required for workover and lost production. H2S levels (2-7%) found in the reservoir also contribute to higher costs and risks when using workover rigs. Different chemical solutions have been utilized in similar cases and also considered for these wells, but the FeS could not be 100% dissolved with either HCl, DPTA, EDTA, GLDA blends. These chemical blends generate large amounts of H2S in addition to the already existing high levels of H2S in the formation gas. Additionally, the completion tubulars and CT were adversely affected by chemical reaction and corrosion. This poses a safety concern having large amounts of H2S in returns at surface along with potential chemical corrosion. Therefore, the safest and most economical method was to devise an effective mechanical descaling solution with CT. This paper will discuss two case histories where mechanical descaling utilizing CT was applied. Each well had major challenges that included low reservoir pressure, increased reservoir temperature, scale with high specific gravity (3.7 to 4.3), and in the second case, horizontal open-hole sections. The low reservoir pressure required isolation methods to allow for returns to circulate out the heavy scale and to minimize fluid losses to the formation. Following mechanical descaling with CT, the final challenge discussed in the paper is bringing the well back to maximum gas production using HPCT cleanout optimization and HPCT stimulation techniques.

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Novel Abrasive Perforating with Acid Soluble Material and Subsequent Hydrajet Assisted Stimulation Provides Outstanding Results in Carbonate Gas Well

Chacon

Fadul

Noguera

2016

Day 1 Tue, March 22, 2016

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Abrasive perforating with coiled tubing (CT) has been an industry available technique for several decades now and has proven to be a valuable alternative to conventional perforating with electric line (e-line). The application is even more valuable whenever a high rate or fracture stimulation treatment is to follow because of the significant reduction in tortuosity and pumping friction losses across perforations. One of the primary drawbacks of this type of perforations is that it is a much lengthier process compared to conventional perforating, and it requires large amounts of fluids and additional CT runs in the well to complete. These drawbacks discourage the wide use of the technique for more conventional applications. This paper discusses a novel approach to abrasive perforating with the first ever use of an acid soluble abrasive material ending with a hydrajet assisted nitrified stimulation. The primary advantage of this abrasive material is that there is no need for additional cleanout runs and changeover of tools, thus significantly reducing operational time and fluid volume. Just as well, the benefits of combining the enhanced connectivity to the reservoir and the hydrajet assisted stimulation were reflected in outstanding gas production results, which exceeded all expectations. And, finally, as an added benefit, given the nature of the focused stimulation, this type of treatment in specific cases can replace plug-and-perf (P&P) or multistage fracturing completions, thus eliminating operational risks and added completion costs.

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Dual Lateral Open Hole Coiled Tubing Acid Stimulation in Deep HPHT Sour Gas Producer Wells — Field Experience and Lessons Learned from the Ghawar Field

Cited by 13 publications

References 16 publications

Extreme Challenges in FeS Scale Cleanout Operation Overcome using Temporary Isolation, High Pressure Coiled Tubing, and Tailored Fluid Systems

Extreme Challenges in FeS Scale Cleanout Operation Overcome using Temporary Isolation, High Pressure Coiled Tubing, and Tailored Fluid Systems

Challenging HPCT Scale Removal Operations in High H2S Environment Successfully Completed with Interdisciplinary Job Design and Execution

Novel Abrasive Perforating with Acid Soluble Material and Subsequent Hydrajet Assisted Stimulation Provides Outstanding Results in Carbonate Gas Well

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