Insights on Single Well Chemical Tracer Testing Beyond Oil Saturation Changes

Murayri, Mohammed T. Al; Kamal, D.; Al-Fadhli, Atheer A.; Pitts, Malcolm; Wyatt, Kon; Dean, Elio

doi:10.2118/198172-ms

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 5 publications

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“…Subsequent research include single well tracer test and inter-well tracer test (Bu et al 2015;Khaledialidusti et al 2017). Murayri (2019) described a single well chemical tracer test conducted in Sabriyah and Raudhatain fields and Sanni (2018) introduced a simultaneous test of a distributed tracer and a non-distributed tracer, which can provide better descriptions of the reservoir. The application of tracer testing technology is not limited to reservoirs but also used in gas reservoirs (Sanni et al 2017;Patidar et al 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of micro-substance tracer test in fractured horizontal wells

Yang,

Guo,

Lin

et al. 2024

J Petrol Explor Prod Technol

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This paper delves into a novel micro-substance tracer test in fractured horizontal well C-15. The experimental results are highly encouraging as they demonstrate that the trace material tracer is capable of satisfying the testing demands, even when there are large numbers of fracturing stages involved. Data interpretation process involved dividing the test duration into two stages-fluid flowback period and stable production period. The tracer test data were employed to analyze the production profile of the well. The findings made it evident that the primary production stage underwent alterations in different production stages. Moreover, the degree of heterogeneity pertaining to each fracturing stage was characterized by employing the residence time distribution method. It was observed that the Lorentz coefficient lying between the primary production stage and the remaining fracturing stages ranged from 0.46 to 0.68. This study expands the application of the residence time distribution method for evaluating tracer testing. Through a comprehensive analysis of heterogeneity data within the fracturing stages and the production dynamics of the well, the effectiveness of the fracturing process can be assessed. This research enables reservoir operators to gain deeper insights into the dynamics of test wells, ultimately leading to increased production efficiency.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of micro-substance tracer test in fractured horizontal wells

Yang,

Guo,

Lin

et al. 2024

J Petrol Explor Prod Technol

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Practical Chemical Formulation Design – Time to Break Away from Micellar Polymer Floods, Again

Dean¹,

Pitts²,

Wyatt³

et al. 2020

SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference

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With a resurgence of chemical EOR opportunities throughout the world, high concentration surfactant design has re-emerged its uneconomic face. High concentration surfactant formulation is the micellar polymer design from the past that produced high oil recoveries in the lab but were uneconomic in the field. Formulation designs must consider factors beyond simply oil recovery for economic success and to minimize production issues in the field. Analysis and comparison of micellar polymer design projects from the 1970-1980s to current SP/ASP formulation designs are discussed. A simple formulation cost calculator is showcased, costs of all formulations are presented, and price per incremental barrel produced (chemical cost only) are shown assuming a 0.1 PV of incremental recovery. Analysis concludes the following: Micellar polymer floods were phased out because they were uneconomic. Key reasons are high cost of surfactant and emulsion problems faced when produced surfactant concentration exceed a certain threshold resulting in either greater production cost or disposal of produced oil in the form an unbreakable emulsion. Alkali can improve economics as a low-cost commodity product that can be used to reduce surfactant concentration required to attain high oil recoveries. Alkali is an order of magnitude lower cost per pound than the typical surfactant and can be used as an enhancing agent to improve the performance of other injected chemicals. Alkali is not a "silver bullet" that will save economics, and adds challenges and cost for water softening, which can be economically detrimental to field projects. Many high concentration surfactant formulation floods are being re-introduced to the industry. Not only are these designs un-economic but include multiple chemicals that add complexity and cost to the facilities and difficulty for facility personnel. A formulation that requires more than $20 of chemical per barrel of incremental oil is unlikely to be economic with $50/bbl oil. Key differences between laboratory results and field implementation results are discussed. Geologic uncertainty is addressed since it is the greatest challenge to field economic success. The industry is taking steps back to an uneconomic time of chemical EOR by obscuring the difference between designs meant to increase reserves (economic oil) versus those that serve an academic or research purpose. Operators are unwittingly paying the price to advance the science of chemical EOR when service companies provide formulations that are not economic. This paper is meant to remind the industry that high concentration surfactant formulations never were economic and certainly will not be economic in today's price environment.

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Insights on Single Well Chemical Tracer Testing Beyond Oil Saturation Changes

Cited by 2 publications

References 5 publications

Application of micro-substance tracer test in fractured horizontal wells

Application of micro-substance tracer test in fractured horizontal wells

Practical Chemical Formulation Design – Time to Break Away from Micellar Polymer Floods, Again

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