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When completion or workover operations are conducted on a well ([[perforating]], [[ | When completion or workover operations are conducted on a well ([[Perforating|perforating]], [[Gravel_pack_design|gravel packing]], etc.), the fluid present in the wellbore must minimize the impact on the near-wellbore permeability. Several decades ago, engineers realized that the use of drilling fluids during completions was inappropriate because fluids caused severe damage to the productive zone. A wide variety of fluids are now available as completion or workover fluids. This page focuses on formation damage issues related to these different types of completion and workover fluids. | ||
==Types of completion and workover fluids== | == Types of completion and workover fluids == | ||
<gallery widths=300px heights=200px> | A list of fluids used for completion or workover is provided in '''Table 1'''. | ||
<gallery widths="300px" heights="200px"> | |||
File:Vol4 Page 252 Image 0001.png|'''Table 1''' | File:Vol4 Page 252 Image 0001.png|'''Table 1''' | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==Reduction in permeability== | == Reduction in permeability == | ||
Water based fluids usually consist primarily of clear brines. The only problem with clear brines is that they are not ever really clear.<ref name="r1" /><ref name="r2" /><ref name="r3" />They always contain some solids, including: | |||
Water based fluids usually consist primarily of clear brines. The only problem with clear brines is that they are not ever really clear.<ref name="r1">Morgenthaler, L.N. 1986. Formation Damage Tests of High-Density Brine Completion Fluids. SPE Prod Eng 1 (6): 432-436. SPE-13811-PA. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/13811-PA</ref><ref name="r2">Eaton, B.A. and Smithey, M. 1971. Formation Damage from Workover and Completion Fluids. Presented at the SPE California Regional Meeting, Los Angeles, California, 4-5 November 1971. SPE-3707-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/3707-MS.</ref><ref name="r3">Azari, M. and Leimkuhler, J.M. 1990. Formation Permeability Damage Induced by Completion Brines. J Pet Technol 42 (4): 486-492. SPE-17149-PA. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/17149-PA</ref>They always contain some solids, including: | |||
*Corrosion products | *Corrosion products | ||
*Bacteria | *Bacteria | ||
*Debris from the wellbore and surface tanks | *Debris from the wellbore and surface tanks | ||
The density of the brine is maintained large enough so that the bottomhole pressure exceeds the reservoir pressure by a safe margin (typically 300 to 600 psi). Substantial amounts of solids can be pushed into the formation, resulting in a loss of permeability in the near-wellbore region. '''Fig. 1''' shows the loss in permeability observed when brines with differing quantities of solids are injected into a core. Rapid reductions in permeability are observed even with relatively clean fluids. Surface filtration facilities are often used to clarify and filter completion brines, which can help to reduce the permeability impairment substantially. Most of the high-density brines used can be quite expensive. Large volumes of fluid loss can add substantially to the cost of a completion operation. An important fact to keep in mind with completion and workover fluids is that, unlike drilling fluids, they do not contain drill solids. This means that there is no effective bridging material available to reduce fluid leakoff. | The density of the brine is maintained large enough so that the bottomhole pressure exceeds the reservoir pressure by a safe margin (typically 300 to 600 psi). Substantial amounts of solids can be pushed into the formation, resulting in a loss of permeability in the near-wellbore region. '''Fig. 1''' shows the loss in permeability observed when brines with differing quantities of solids are injected into a core. Rapid reductions in permeability are observed even with relatively clean fluids. Surface filtration facilities are often used to clarify and filter completion brines, which can help to reduce the permeability impairment substantially. Most of the high-density brines used can be quite expensive. Large volumes of fluid loss can add substantially to the cost of a completion operation. An important fact to keep in mind with completion and workover fluids is that, unlike drilling fluids, they do not contain drill solids. This means that there is no effective bridging material available to reduce fluid leakoff. | ||
<gallery widths=300px heights=200px> | <gallery widths="300px" heights="200px"> | ||
File:Vol4 Page 253 Image 0001.png|'''Fig. 1—Apparent permeability reduction in Cypress sandstone cores injected with treated and untreated bay water from offshore Louisiana.'''<ref name="r7" /> | File:Vol4 Page 253 Image 0001.png|'''Fig. 1—Apparent permeability reduction in Cypress sandstone cores injected with treated and untreated bay water from offshore Louisiana.'''<ref name="r7" /> | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
When fluid-leakoff rates are very high, fluid-leakoff-control additives may be used to minimize leakoff and formation damage. Use of acid-soluble granular additives such as calcium carbonate is the most common strategy. <ref name="r4" /><ref name="r5" /><ref name="r6" /><ref name="r7" /><ref name="r8" /><ref name="r9" /><ref name="r10" /> If this method proves to be ineffective, viscosifying [[polymers]] are used to reduce the amount of fluid loss. Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) is commonly used because it is soluble in hydrochloric acid. HEC is a poor viscosifier at higher (> 250°F) temperatures, and unbroken and unhydrated HEC in the form of fisheyes can be damaging. | When fluid-leakoff rates are very high, fluid-leakoff-control additives may be used to minimize leakoff and formation damage. Use of acid-soluble granular additives such as calcium carbonate is the most common strategy. <ref name="r4">Mahajan, N.C. and Barron, B.M. 1980. Bridging Particle Size Distribution: A Key Factor in the Designing of Non-Damaging Completion Fluids. Presented at the SPE Formation Damage Symposium, Bakersfield, California, 28-29 January 1980. SPE-8792-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/8792-MS</ref><ref name="r5">Darley, H.C.H. 1972. Chalk Emulsion: A New Completion Fluid. Pet. Eng. (July): 45.</ref><ref name="r6">Priest, G.G. and Allen, T.O. 1958. Non-Plugging Emulsions Useful as Completion and Well-Servicing Fluids. J Pet Technol 10 (3): 11-14. SPE-951-G. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/951-G</ref><ref name="r7">Tuttle, R.N. and Barkman, J.H. 1974. New Nondamaging and Acid-Degradable Drilling and Completion Fluids. J Pet Technol 26 (11): 1221-1226. SPE-4791-PA. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/4791-PA</ref><ref name="r8">Sloan, J.P., Brooks, J.P., and Dear III, S.F. 1975. A New, Nondamaging, Acid-Soluble Weighting Material. J Pet Technol 27 (1): 15-20. SPE-4782-PA. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/4782-PA</ref><ref name="r9">Mondshine, T.C. 1977. Completion Fluid Uses Salt for Bridging, Weighting. Oil & Gas J. (22 August): 124.</ref><ref name="r10">Priest, G.G. and Morgan, B.E. 1957. Emulsions for Use as Non-plugging Perforating Fluids. In Petroleum Transactions, 210. Dallas, Texas: AIME.</ref> If this method proves to be ineffective, viscosifying [[Polymers|polymers]] are used to reduce the amount of fluid loss. Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) is commonly used because it is soluble in hydrochloric acid. HEC is a poor viscosifier at higher (> 250°F) temperatures, and unbroken and unhydrated HEC in the form of fisheyes can be damaging. | ||
[[ | [[Polymer_impact_on_permeability|Polymer fluids]] suffer from similar drawbacks. Severe formation damage can occur if large amounts of polymer are lost to the formation. This problem is particularly acute if the polymer is not completely hydrolyzed in the brine. | ||
If the density requirements of the completion fluid are relatively modest, emulsions can be used as completion fluids. In these instances, the droplets that form the dispersed phase act as a filtration-control agent. Both water and oil external emulsions have been used when reservoir pressures are low. | If the density requirements of the completion fluid are relatively modest, emulsions can be used as completion fluids. In these instances, the droplets that form the dispersed phase act as a filtration-control agent. Both water and oil external emulsions have been used when reservoir pressures are low. | ||
Oil based fluids such as crude oil and invert-emulsion muds can be used as completion fluids. It is important to ensure that the crude oil does not contain [[ | Oil based fluids such as crude oil and invert-emulsion muds can be used as completion fluids. It is important to ensure that the crude oil does not contain [[Asphaltenes_and_waxes|asphaltenes or paraffins]] that might precipitate under changes in pressure and temperature as the fluid is circulated into the well. Several authors<ref name="r4">Mahajan, N.C. and Barron, B.M. 1980. Bridging Particle Size Distribution: A Key Factor in the Designing of Non-Damaging Completion Fluids. Presented at the SPE Formation Damage Symposium, Bakersfield, California, 28-29 January 1980. SPE-8792-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/8792-MS</ref><ref name="r5">Darley, H.C.H. 1972. Chalk Emulsion: A New Completion Fluid. Pet. Eng. (July): 45.</ref><ref name="r6">Priest, G.G. and Allen, T.O. 1958. Non-Plugging Emulsions Useful as Completion and Well-Servicing Fluids. J Pet Technol 10 (3): 11-14. SPE-951-G. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/951-G</ref><ref name="r7">Tuttle, R.N. and Barkman, J.H. 1974. New Nondamaging and Acid-Degradable Drilling and Completion Fluids. J Pet Technol 26 (11): 1221-1226. SPE-4791-PA. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/4791-PA</ref><ref name="r8">Sloan, J.P., Brooks, J.P., and Dear III, S.F. 1975. A New, Nondamaging, Acid-Soluble Weighting Material. J Pet Technol 27 (1): 15-20. SPE-4782-PA. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/4782-PA</ref><ref name="r9">Mondshine, T.C. 1977. Completion Fluid Uses Salt for Bridging, Weighting. Oil & Gas J. (22 August): 124.</ref><ref name="r10">Priest, G.G. and Morgan, B.E. 1957. Emulsions for Use as Non-plugging Perforating Fluids. In Petroleum Transactions, 210. Dallas, Texas: AIME.</ref><ref name="r11">Patton, J.T. and Phelan, P.F. 1985. Well Damage Hazards Associated With Conventional Completion Fluids. Presented at the SPE Production Operations Symposium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 10-12 March 1985. SPE-13800-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/13800-MS</ref> provide a more detailed discussion of some of the issues summarized in this page. In addition, crude oil is flammable and messy to handle. | ||
==References== | == References == | ||
< | <references /> | ||
== Noteworthy papers in OnePetro == | |||
Use this section to list papers in OnePetro that a reader who wants to learn more should definitely read | |||
== External links == | |||
Use this section to provide links to relevant material on websites other than PetroWiki and OnePetro | |||
== | == See also == | ||
[[Formation_damage|Formation damage]] | |||
[[Completion_systems|Completion systems]] | |||
[[ | |||
[[ | [[PEH:Formation_Damage]] | ||
[[ | ==Category== | ||
[[Category:3 Production and well operations]] [[Category:1.8 Formation damage]] [[Category:YR]] | |||
Latest revision as of 11:29, 30 June 2015
When completion or workover operations are conducted on a well (perforating, gravel packing, etc.), the fluid present in the wellbore must minimize the impact on the near-wellbore permeability. Several decades ago, engineers realized that the use of drilling fluids during completions was inappropriate because fluids caused severe damage to the productive zone. A wide variety of fluids are now available as completion or workover fluids. This page focuses on formation damage issues related to these different types of completion and workover fluids.
Types of completion and workover fluids
A list of fluids used for completion or workover is provided in Table 1.
Table 1
Reduction in permeability
Water based fluids usually consist primarily of clear brines. The only problem with clear brines is that they are not ever really clear.[1][2][3]They always contain some solids, including:
- Corrosion products
- Bacteria
- Debris from the wellbore and surface tanks
The density of the brine is maintained large enough so that the bottomhole pressure exceeds the reservoir pressure by a safe margin (typically 300 to 600 psi). Substantial amounts of solids can be pushed into the formation, resulting in a loss of permeability in the near-wellbore region. Fig. 1 shows the loss in permeability observed when brines with differing quantities of solids are injected into a core. Rapid reductions in permeability are observed even with relatively clean fluids. Surface filtration facilities are often used to clarify and filter completion brines, which can help to reduce the permeability impairment substantially. Most of the high-density brines used can be quite expensive. Large volumes of fluid loss can add substantially to the cost of a completion operation. An important fact to keep in mind with completion and workover fluids is that, unlike drilling fluids, they do not contain drill solids. This means that there is no effective bridging material available to reduce fluid leakoff.
![Fig. 1—Apparent permeability reduction in Cypress sandstone cores injected with treated and untreated bay water from offshore Louisiana.[4]](/w/images/thumb/0/05/Vol4_Page_253_Image_0001.png/151px-Vol4_Page_253_Image_0001.png)
Fig. 1—Apparent permeability reduction in Cypress sandstone cores injected with treated and untreated bay water from offshore Louisiana.[4]
![Fig. 1—Apparent permeability reduction in Cypress sandstone cores injected with treated and untreated bay water from offshore Louisiana.[4]](/File:Vol4_Page_253_Image_0001.png)
When fluid-leakoff rates are very high, fluid-leakoff-control additives may be used to minimize leakoff and formation damage. Use of acid-soluble granular additives such as calcium carbonate is the most common strategy. [5][6][7][4][8][9][10] If this method proves to be ineffective, viscosifying polymers are used to reduce the amount of fluid loss. Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) is commonly used because it is soluble in hydrochloric acid. HEC is a poor viscosifier at higher (> 250°F) temperatures, and unbroken and unhydrated HEC in the form of fisheyes can be damaging.
Polymer fluids suffer from similar drawbacks. Severe formation damage can occur if large amounts of polymer are lost to the formation. This problem is particularly acute if the polymer is not completely hydrolyzed in the brine.
If the density requirements of the completion fluid are relatively modest, emulsions can be used as completion fluids. In these instances, the droplets that form the dispersed phase act as a filtration-control agent. Both water and oil external emulsions have been used when reservoir pressures are low.
Oil based fluids such as crude oil and invert-emulsion muds can be used as completion fluids. It is important to ensure that the crude oil does not contain asphaltenes or paraffins that might precipitate under changes in pressure and temperature as the fluid is circulated into the well. Several authors[5][6][7][4][8][9][10][11] provide a more detailed discussion of some of the issues summarized in this page. In addition, crude oil is flammable and messy to handle.
References
- ↑ Morgenthaler, L.N. 1986. Formation Damage Tests of High-Density Brine Completion Fluids. SPE Prod Eng 1 (6): 432-436. SPE-13811-PA. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/13811-PA
- ↑ Eaton, B.A. and Smithey, M. 1971. Formation Damage from Workover and Completion Fluids. Presented at the SPE California Regional Meeting, Los Angeles, California, 4-5 November 1971. SPE-3707-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/3707-MS.
- ↑ Azari, M. and Leimkuhler, J.M. 1990. Formation Permeability Damage Induced by Completion Brines. J Pet Technol 42 (4): 486-492. SPE-17149-PA. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/17149-PA
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Tuttle, R.N. and Barkman, J.H. 1974. New Nondamaging and Acid-Degradable Drilling and Completion Fluids. J Pet Technol 26 (11): 1221-1226. SPE-4791-PA. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/4791-PA
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mahajan, N.C. and Barron, B.M. 1980. Bridging Particle Size Distribution: A Key Factor in the Designing of Non-Damaging Completion Fluids. Presented at the SPE Formation Damage Symposium, Bakersfield, California, 28-29 January 1980. SPE-8792-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/8792-MS
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Darley, H.C.H. 1972. Chalk Emulsion: A New Completion Fluid. Pet. Eng. (July): 45.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Priest, G.G. and Allen, T.O. 1958. Non-Plugging Emulsions Useful as Completion and Well-Servicing Fluids. J Pet Technol 10 (3): 11-14. SPE-951-G. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/951-G
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Sloan, J.P., Brooks, J.P., and Dear III, S.F. 1975. A New, Nondamaging, Acid-Soluble Weighting Material. J Pet Technol 27 (1): 15-20. SPE-4782-PA. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/4782-PA
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Mondshine, T.C. 1977. Completion Fluid Uses Salt for Bridging, Weighting. Oil & Gas J. (22 August): 124.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Priest, G.G. and Morgan, B.E. 1957. Emulsions for Use as Non-plugging Perforating Fluids. In Petroleum Transactions, 210. Dallas, Texas: AIME.
- ↑ Patton, J.T. and Phelan, P.F. 1985. Well Damage Hazards Associated With Conventional Completion Fluids. Presented at the SPE Production Operations Symposium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 10-12 March 1985. SPE-13800-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/13800-MS
Noteworthy papers in OnePetro
Use this section to list papers in OnePetro that a reader who wants to learn more should definitely read
External links
Use this section to provide links to relevant material on websites other than PetroWiki and OnePetro