Swellable Packers for Well Fracturing and Stimulation

Yakeley, Sean; Foster, Tony; Laflin, Walter Joseph

doi:10.2118/110621-ms

Cited by 20 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…This is in agreement with a previous study that mentioned that divalent cations will reduce the swelling of the elastomers (Yakeley et al 2007). This is in agreement with a previous study that mentioned that divalent cations will reduce the swelling of the elastomers (Yakeley et al 2007).…”

Section: Swelling Couponssupporting

confidence: 94%

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Effect of HCl Acid and Brines on Water-Swelling Packers

Al-Yami

Nasr‐El‐Din

Al-Humaidi

et al. 2010

SPE Drilling &Amp; Completion

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Achieving successful zonal isolation during well completion is critical to minimize early water production. Currently, cementing is the only method used in Saudi fields to provide zonal isolation. However, in horizontal sections, cementing becomes a challenge and excessive water production can occur because of channeling. Another method for zonal isolation is to use a rubber elastomer bonded onto a base pipe. The rubber swells in water and provides a seal between the base pipe and the open hole. This paper will outline the step-by-step qualification testing that was carried out in Saudi Aramco facilities in an attempt to improve zonal isolation in horizontal and multilaterals wells.In this study, we present laboratory evaluation of elastomers at 190ºF using brines of different ionic strengths and pH values. The evaluation involved examining the effect of salinity and pH on elastomer swelling rate. Also, the study investigated the effect of 15 wt% hydrochloric acid (HCl) on swollen elastomers and whether the exposure to water after acid would restore their sizes. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no previous work has been performed to examine the impact of these factors on the swollen packers.The elastomer bonded onto pipes was tested in autoclaves. The pressure drop across the pipes was measured as a function of time. The influences of pH and divalent cations on water-swelling packers were investigated using elastomer samples. Swelling was related to fluid characteristics.Some water-swelling packers withstood pressures up to 5,000 psi at 190ºF after placing the elastomers in brines with salinities up to 200,000 mg/L. However, the swollen elastomers shrank in 15 wt% HCl. A calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ) completion fluid, a common fluid used in Saudi Aramco fields, at 72 lb/ft 3 (pcf) failed to swell the elastomers. Re-exposure of shrunken coupons to water did not restore their initial swollen volume before acid soaking. This paper discusses the advantages and limitations of water-swelling elastomers and gives recommendations for successful field applications.

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Section: Swelling Couponssupporting

confidence: 94%

“…Oil-swelling packers were used in the field for well fracturing and stimulation (Yakeley et al 2007). There are two types of packers, water swelling and oil swelling.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of HCl Acid and Brines on Water-Swelling Packers

Al-Yami

Nasr‐El‐Din

Al-Humaidi

et al. 2010

SPE Drilling &Amp; Completion

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Swellable packers provide advantages compared to mechanical or hydraulic set packers because they adjust to irregularities in the borehole geometry and help with other wellbore incongruities by sealing them to avoid the additional requirement of a completion liner (Evers et al 2008;Yakeley et al 2007). Swellable packers provide advantages compared to mechanical or hydraulic set packers because they adjust to irregularities in the borehole geometry and help with other wellbore incongruities by sealing them to avoid the additional requirement of a completion liner (Evers et al 2008;Yakeley et al 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmentally Acceptable Swell Packer Fluid for Unconventional Reservoirs with High-Temperature Applications

2014

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In unconventional reservoirs, such as shale reservoirs, the use of sliding-sleeve completions along with chemical swelling external casing packers can lead to increased production rates. This method has been used in unconventional reservoirs (shale) that are drilled horizontally (for maximum reservoir exposure) and hydraulically fracture stimulated in multiple stages. When fracturing a new zone, it is necessary to isolate the various zones that have been previously fractured. By using completion assemblies with sliding sleeves and swell packers activated with chemicals, the various pay zones in a single wellbore can be managed with the option of closing off one or more sliding sleeves at a future date, and isolation is facilitated by using the swell packers.Swell packers can be activated using water-or hydrocarbon-based fluids. However, these conventional fluids have shown a tendency to damage certain shale formations, thus increasing operator concern when using such fluids in shale reservoirs.A new environmentally acceptable shale-optimized activation fluid system was developed for use with swell packers. It is an oil-external invert-emulsion consisting largely of an aqueous internal phase incorporated into the hydrocarbon external phase. It is an effective low-leakoff fluid that provides controllable swell profiles for the swell packers while causing minimum physio-chemical damage to shale. Additionally, the system is free of any benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylenes (BETX) hydrocarbons and incorporates an environmentally acceptable emulsifier. This provides it with an improved environmental profile. Moreover, this emulsion can be stabilized with nanomaterials to promote longevity under high-temperature reservoir conditions up to 225°F. This paper documents the laboratory investigation and development of the novel environmentally acceptable activation fluid system.

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“…1 The swelling packers depend on thermodynamic absorption process. There are no operational difficulties in running the swelling packers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lab Investigation of Oil Swelling Elastomers for Smart Well Completions

et al. 2008

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Achieving successful zonal isolation is critical to install smart completion tools. Currently, cementing and mechanical packers are the only conventional methods used in Saudi fields to provide zonal isolation. However, these techniques are difficult to operate and result in reduced inner casing string diameter. Another method to provide zonal isolation for smart completion tools and to complete them in single stage is to use a rubber elastomer bonded onto a base pipe. The rubber swells in oil and provides a seal between the base pipe and the open hole. This paper will outline the step-by-step qualification testing that was carried out by Saudi Aramco facilities in an attempt to improve zonal isolation for smart completions.In this study, we present lab evaluation of elastomers at 190°F using six different oil samples. The evaluation involved studying the effect of oil viscosity and API gravity. Also, the study investigated the effect of acids on the swelled elastomers. To the best of the authors' knowledge no previous work was done to investigate the impact of these factors on the swelling mechanisms.The elastomer bonded in pipes was tested in autoclaves. The pressure drop across the pipes was measured as a function of time. The effects of other factors were investigated using elastomer samples and fluid characterization. The oil swelling elastomers withstood pressure up to 5,000 psi at 190°F after placing the elastomers in some crude oils. In addition, the elastomers swelled rapidly in some oils and slowly in others.

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Swellable Packers for Well Fracturing and Stimulation

Cited by 20 publications

References 6 publications

Effect of HCl Acid and Brines on Water-Swelling Packers

Effect of HCl Acid and Brines on Water-Swelling Packers

Environmentally Acceptable Swell Packer Fluid for Unconventional Reservoirs with High-Temperature Applications

Lab Investigation of Oil Swelling Elastomers for Smart Well Completions

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