New Clean up System for Gravel Pack Completions: A Synergy of a Unique Acid System and Special Rotating Jetting Tool

Abstract

fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractGravel packs completions are widely used today on unconsolidated formations worldwide, as to provide sand control, and, as such, behaves as a filter. A filter is subjected to be plugged by fines, (heavy) hydrocarbons, scale depositions, among others, which may result in a considerable drop of production, or even total lack of. The synergism of coiled tubing rotating, cyclical jetting tools, and adequate acid systems has demonstrated great results in Northeast of Brazil. The cyclical jetting tool acts to disaggregate plugging particles from the gravel, and the acid acts to chemically dissolve acid soluble plugging materials. The acid system utilized is quite unique and simple. The method consists of pressure cyclically jet solvent and a small amount of a specially designed acid system, to clean up the gravel pack. No acidic flushes are used ahead or after the acid system, because the acid system is a high pH one (2 -3), and uses an organophosphonic acid to control the dissolution of carbonates, and, therefore, controls the precipitation of insoluble fluorides. This way, release of calcium ions is less likely to occur. The main acid system is hydrofluoric (HF) based, generating HF on a controlled fashion, using much less hydrochloric acid (HCl) when compared to regular HF acid systems. This paper describes three gravel packed wells treated with this single step acid system. These wells were very similar, and used the same acid recipe However, the first well was treated with a rotating pressure cycle jetting tool, and the remaining two wells used a different pulsation tool. All wells showed production increase, but the first well yielded much better results compared to the last two. Results from these three treatments will be presented and compared as towards the effectiveness of coiled tubing tools deployed.