Nano Technology Micro-Emulsion Technology Removed Invert Emulsion Fluid Filter Cake Damage After Delayed Action Across Sandstone Reservoir

Abstract

The objective of this manuscript is to present the value addition of a Nano Technology based Windsor IV Micro-Emulsion which helped to remove Invert Emulsion Fluid (IEF) filter cake across sandstones reservoirs. Benefits such as delayed reaction, uniform treatment across the reservoir, no losses or well control events and improvements in the well producibility expectations will be presented in this paper. The approach was to determine the nature of the filter cake and determine an improved process for removing the cake from the well-bore utilizing a Nano Technology based Windsor IV Micro-Emulsion that will solubilize the filter cake through the creation of Micellar Structures in the 2-14 nanometer range. A series of laboratory tests were conducted to ensure compatibility with the formation, compatibility with formation fluid, along with the removal of the filter cake using the new chemical application process. The ICD screens were deployed and filter cake was removed with a minimum delay of one hour to prevent needless losses that could end up with catastrophic well control situations or excessive non-productive time trying to cure the losses to continue with the completions operations The new chemical blend was mixed and deployed on well A & well B, under capable filter cake removal engineer and using the existing rig equipment with no operational issues. Both wells retained intact filter cake for at least a 2-hours period, thereby preventing initial losses and avoiding an LCM pill being pumped to cure the losses, that could result in formation damage or affect the permeability of the production formation. As demonstrated in the laboratory tests, full filter cake removal was achieved in a 12-24 hours period. In wells A & B, we did not experience losses within the time period required to run the upper completion and close the isolation safety valves. The conclusion from the field application is that this Nano Technology based Windsor IV Micro-Emulsion demonstrated the ability to remove the IEF Filter Cake in a controlled manner, allowing the drilling rig completion operations to be run without any interference or additional steps and after the soak period the wells A & B were opened to show improved Productivity Index post application. The drilling-petroleum industry is continuously looking for technologies to improve the return of investment and maximize the wells producibility, definitely the introduction of this new Nano Technology based Windsor IV Micro-Emulsion package to the area of IEF Filter Cake removal will bring benefits and value to this purpose as was demonstrated after the implementation on wells A & B in the studied area.