Successful Deployment of a New Stimulation Chemical,
Post-Horizontal-Openhole Gravel Pack in Wells Drilled With Both Water-Based and
Oil-Based Drill-In Fluid

Davidson, Eric H.; McMillan, David G.; Martin, Fraser; Morton, Keith; Lenz, Ronald

doi:10.2523/101964-ms

Cited by 12 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Moreover, breaker efficiency measured as a function of soak / clean-up time can also be negatively affected by the presence of a gravel pack (Brady et al, 2000b). This work compares the performance of two commercial RDF breakers in a GP application, under linear and radial flow conditions, using a modified HTHP cell and the DDRP device described by Davidson et al (2006). Unlike the HTHP cell, the DDRP cell can be arranged such that the RDF deposition, displacement, and stimulation stages of a horizontal Open Hole Gravel Pack (OHGP) can be simulated both dynamically and sequentially, without system disruptions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Due to its simplicity, the High Temperature High Pressure (HTHP) cell has been widely adopted by the Industry as a standard method to evaluate the performance of RDF filter cake stimulation treatments, but this technique has a number of limitations in terms of the quality and reproducibility of the deposited filter cake, as well as its ability to predict flow initiation pressure and return to flow percentage after the stimulation treatment. This work compares the performance of two commercial RDF breakers in a GP application, under linear and radial flow conditions, using a HTHP cell and the Dynamic Displacement Radial Permeameter (DDRP) device described by Davidson et al (2006). Unlike the HTHP cell, the DDRP cell can be arranged such that the RDF deposition, displacement, and stimulation stages of a horizontal Open Hole Gravel Pack (OHGP) can be simulated dynamically and sequentially, without system disruptions.…”

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Laboratory Evaluation of RDF Breakers Under Linear and Radial Flow Conditions

Marquez

Lenz

2010

SPE International Symposium and Exhibition on Formation Damage Control

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Drilling-induced formation damage is an area of concern when it comes to wellbore productivity, particularly for highly deviated / horizontal open hole completions. A great deal of effort has been devoted to understanding the damage mechanisms associated with Reservoir Drill-in Fluids (RDF), and to develop systems to specifically target bio-polymers and bridging agents in the RDF cake for improved wellbore clean-up. Experimental techniques to evaluate the performance of RDF clean-up treatments, however, have not received much attention. Due to its simplicity, the High Temperature High Pressure (HTHP) cell has been widely adopted by the Industry as a standard method to evaluate the performance of RDF filter cake stimulation treatments, but this technique has a number of limitations in terms of the quality and reproducibility of the deposited filter cake, as well as its ability to predict flow initiation pressure and return to flow percentage after the stimulation treatment. This work compares the performance of two commercial RDF breakers in a GP application, under linear and radial flow conditions, using a HTHP cell and the Dynamic Displacement Radial Permeameter (DDRP) device described by Davidson et al. (2006). Unlike the HTHP cell, the DDRP cell can be arranged such that the RDF deposition, displacement, and stimulation stages of a horizontal Open Hole Gravel Pack (OHGP) can be simulated dynamically and sequentially, without system disruptions. The breakers evaluated are combinations of polymer-specific enzymes, chelating agents, and acid. Breaker "A" is a buffered acid system, while Breaker "B" contains a slow release acid precursor. The clean-up efficiency of each breaker, relative to a control system with no breaker, was determined as a function of flow rate using the DDRP device. These results were compared to those obtained under linear flow conditions with the HTHP cell. Significant differences were observed between the flow initiation pressure values measured with the HTHP cell and those measured with the DDRP, particularly for the system with no breaker. Differences were also observed in terms of percentage return to flow; higher percentages were consistently measured with the DDRP device. The difference between the percentage return to flow measured with the HTHP cell and the DDRP device was less than 5% for the system with no breaker, and 20% to 55% for the systems treated with the breaker solutions. In general, linear flow tests with the HTHP cell are useful as a pre-screening tool, but more sophisticated equipment such as the DDRP device can simulate downhole flow patterns and cake deposition more accurately and reproducibly. They also provide insight to important design parameters such as breaker activation time and flow rate dependencies of the clean-up treatment.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Laboratory Evaluation of RDF Breakers Under Linear and Radial Flow Conditions

Marquez

Lenz

2010

SPE International Symposium and Exhibition on Formation Damage Control

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Use of Time-Delayed Filter-Cake Removal System Significantly Improves Productivity Index in 20-Well Comparison

Carrera

Ferreira

2009

Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference

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Drilling horizontal wells successfully has become one of the most important challenges facing oil companies. Horizontal wells allow operators to obtain more oil production from a single hole, compared to the cumulative production from several traditional vertical wells. New technologies have been developed to help maximize productivity in horizontal wells. A highly effective, field-proven new technology is the time-delayed filter cake removal system. The system is applied mainly in horizontal wells and can be used with different completion types including open hole, stand-alone screens, expandable screens, slotted liner, or gravel pack. The system generates organic acid downhole in a controlled manner, which dissolves all acid-soluble materials present in the mud cake throughout the horizontal interval. This breaker can be formulated to match specific well conditions and reaction delay requirements based on temperature and pressure requirements and return permeability analysis. This paper discusses the laboratory tests, planning and application processes of the system in 20 horizontal wells in Ecuador and compares the resulting productivity index of each well as a function of system design and operational parameters. Introduction The Ecuadorian forest is an area of preserved nature reserves populated by native communities, where drilling horizontal wells is the best alternative for maximizing hydrocarbon extraction with minimal impact to the environment. The process of field development has forced drilling of 5 to 10 wells from every location. Additionally, complex logistics for transporting personnel, chemical materials and equipment makes necessary an exhaustive process of planning that has to consider the most minimal detail to guarantee a smooth operation at the rig site. One of the main challenges after drilling a horizontal well has been to follow and apply the best completion program. Due to the high level of sand production in the subject field, stand-alone screens have been selected as the best method to complete the production zone without affecting the total fluid production from the well. In addition to the completion type, one of the most critical factors has been the adequate design and application of the delayed cake breaking system to uniformly remove filter cake from the entire production interval. This system will generate a weak organic acid on the bottom of the hole to remove the cake from the wellbore in a determined time, depending on reservoir temperature and filter cake components. In order to find the optimal breaker formulation, it was necessary to perform an extensive laboratory investigation using core plugs from the formation. This optimal breaker formulation was verified through a Return Permeability Test. In terms of the operational design of the system, it was necessary to take into consideration the difference between hydrostatic pressure from the completion fluid column, and the reservoir pressure. Because flapper valves were not used to keep the open hole isolated from the hydrostatic pressure, this pressure difference is very important to ensuring the breaker acts on the cake within the recommended soaking time. From this point of view, it was necessary to consider the potential of fluid losses while the breaker was working; the minimum recommended breaker volume to be pumped was calculated, taking into consideration the differential of pressure between hydrostatic column and reservoir pressure. With this information, a recommended volume to be pumped was calculated in order to assure breaker contact with open hole at all times during soaking.

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Cleanup of Oil-Based Mud Filter Cake Using an In-Situ Acid Generator System by a Single-Stage Treatment

Binmoqbil

Alotaibi

Al-Faifi

et al. 2009

SPE Saudi Arabia Section Technical Symposium

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Near-wellbore formation damage is expected during the drilling operations. Minimization, prevention, and removal of near-wellbore damage are essential to maximize well productivity. One of the major sources of skin damage is the residual filter cake developed by reservoir drill-in fluid (DIF). Therefore, an efficient filter cake cleanup method should be considered to enhance well productivity. Oil producers in sandstone reservoirs are being drilled with invert emulsion DIF during oil reservoir drilling. Standard completion of oil wells is with stand-alone screens. Although screens stabilize the wellbore and address sand control issues, it can also act as a trap for filter cake, resulting in high drawdown pressure. An in-situ acid-precursor technology, which generates organic acid, was proposed to be used. The prime advantage of this technology, especially in long horizontal wells, is the uniform distribution of acid during precursor to remove oil-based mud (OBM) filter cake by a single-stage. A special surfactant blend was incorporated in the cleanup fluid to alter the wettablity of the oily filter cake, and therefore, facilitate the reactivity of the produced acid with calcium carbonate particles. Detailed lab studies were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of the in-situ acid generator technology. The lab studies include various tests to evaluate filter cake removal efficiency, return permeability on real core samples, compatibility with formation fluids, and strength of dissolving calcium carbonate particles. Based on lab results, it was recommended to spot the single-stage filter cake cleanup fluid as a treatment for an oil well. This paper will discuss in detail the laboratory work that was conducted to evaluate the filter cake cleanup fluid performance. Introduction Minimization and removal of formation damage is an ultimate goal in drilling and completion designs to reach the target production rate. Field practices and numerous case studies have shown that near-wellbore damage is mainly caused by the drill-in fluid (DIF), which may result in major production restriction. The damage is caused by a form of external damage, such as mud cake. Invasion of mud solids and filtrate is a major source of the near wellbore damage (Almond et al., 1995; Leschi et al., 2006). The conventional near-wellbore damage removal or filter cake cleanup methods by chemical means are enzymes, chelating agents, reactive mineral acids, oxidizers, or a combination of these chemicals (Davis et al., 2004; Davidson, E. et al., 2006; Al-Otaibi et al., 2004). When it comes to removing an oil-based mud (OBM) filter cake, prior stages should be considered to these conventional treatments. The wettability of the oily filter cake particles must be altered from oil-wet to water-wet. This is usually done through multi-stages and consumption of large volumes of solvents, mutual solvents, and surfactants mixed in a carrying fluid. Eventually, for an operator, completing a well drilled with an OBM will be time-consuming and expensive using the mentioned conventional treatments.

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Successful Deployment of a New Stimulation Chemical, Post-Horizontal-Openhole Gravel Pack in Wells Drilled With Both Water-Based and Oil-Based Drill-In Fluid

Cited by 12 publications

References 9 publications

Laboratory Evaluation of RDF Breakers Under Linear and Radial Flow Conditions

Laboratory Evaluation of RDF Breakers Under Linear and Radial Flow Conditions

Use of Time-Delayed Filter-Cake Removal System Significantly Improves Productivity Index in 20-Well Comparison

Cleanup of Oil-Based Mud Filter Cake Using an In-Situ Acid Generator System by a Single-Stage Treatment

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