Advancements in Openhole Completion Technology Increase Efficiencies and Production in the Williston Basin

Paneitz, John Marvin; Johnson, Charles Christopher; White, Matthew Lynn; Gentry, George L.

doi:10.2118/159586-ms

Cited by 5 publications

References 5 publications

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Application and Benefits of Degradable Technology in Open-hole Fracturing

Aviles

Marya

Hernandez

et al. 2013

Day 1 Mon, September 30, 2013

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The introduction of a new technology is critical for operators to expand their completion options, increase efficiency, and drive profitably in challenging environments. For unconventional reservoirs, open-hole fracturing has been key for the economic success of new ventures. With the increase in activity of liquids rich plays, there is a growing need for new technology developments for open-hole fracturing systems that further optimize these completions. Using a combination of open-hole packers and sliding sleeves, open-hole fracturing tools successfully segment horizontal sections of the reservoir to be stimulated individually. In order to achieve isolation, seats of increasing diameters are placed inside the completion at each fracturing sleeve. These seats catch a ball that performs the function of opening the sleeve for fracturing purposes and isolating the completion below the stage. After the stimulation job is performed, the balls should ideally flow back to surface. Unfortunately, as seen in the field and described in the literature, this is often not the case. Balls frequently remain in the completion without coming to surface. In some cases depending on ball and seat material, balls may actually get stuck in the ball seats completely isolating production from the stages below. Many operators have found this to be a root cause of production problems and they are forced to take the added cost and risk of milling out the balls and seats. A new degradable material has been developed for use on frac balls that are used in said open-hole completions. Balls made of this material can handle pressure differentials beyond the current market offering without deformation. After fracturing, these balls degrade away opening up the flow path of the well without intervention. The degradation time is a function of temperature and water chemistry (including brine), but 1 to 4 days is a typical degradation time. No other requirements are needed for the degradation process to occur. This paper discusses a new degradable metal technology and its application in open-hole fracturing.

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Application and Benefits of Degradable Technology in Open-hole Fracturing

Aviles

Marya

Hernandez

et al. 2013

Day 1 Mon, September 30, 2013

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Unconventional Completions - an Operational Comparison

Burton

2013

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In the last seven years the oil and gas industry has seen significant changes in the price and supply of hydrocarbons, and new production from low-permeability unconventional reservoirs that require multistage hydraulic fracturing is playing a major role in the additional supply. To effectively produce these reservoirs, reservoir characterization, horizontal drilling, multistage completions, and multistage hydraulic fracturing are requirements in most plays. Most of these technologies have been used in other applications for many years, but combined they provide the key to unlocking these reservoirs that were considered uneconomical in the past. This paper will focus on the wellbore completion technologies that enable hydraulic fracturing of multiple stages. Three completion techniques have emerged as the most effective and efficient in these types of formations: plug-and-perf, ball-activated frac sleeve completions, and coiled tubing-activated completions. All these wellbore completions serve the same functions of providing annular isolation, through-tubing isolation, and diversion needed to hydraulically fracture multiple stages, but each has different methods and devices of doing so. Recent advances in technology have enabled all three completions to use cement or openhole packers to provide the required annular isolation, so if one method of isolation is proven to be superior in one application, any of the three completion techniques can be used. Now the question is, "How do I choose the right completion for my application?" The deciding factors to answer this question now become operational efficiency, cost, logistics, flexibility, and application. This paper will present several scenarios where one type of completion system could be more beneficial or efficient in certain applications. The benefits and considerations of each completion must be analyzed to select the most efficient completion for certain applications. The primary purpose of this paper is to discuss these benefits and considerations and how they compare in different applications from an operations point of view.

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First Application of Cemented Sliding Sleeves with Degradable Drop Ball Technique Optimizes Horizontal Multistage Fracturing Operations in the Middle East: Egypt Western Desert Case Study

Salah¹,

ElSebaee

Raouf

et al. 2015

All Days

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The ultimate goal of increased production has led to exploring new techniques to stimulate unconventional reservoirs in an efficient and economical manner. Globally, the trend towards horizontal drilling is increasing to enhance production by increasing the contact area with the producing interval. Likewise, operators are looking to maximize the volume of reservoir rock that is fracture stimulated, using horizontal drilling to create lateral sections and combining this with the efficient placement of propped fracturing treatment. Nevertheless, individual fracturing of numerous zones with bridge plug isolation or the conventional perf-and-plug method poses several concerns regarding cost and operational efficiency in horizontal wells. A new multistage stimulation technique has been successfully deployed in the Western Desert, Egypt, for the first time allowing for multiple stages to be fracture stimulated in one continuous operation.The technique using cemented fracturing sliding sleeves and degradable-ball drop was successfully implemented. This technique utilizes valves with preset seats and matching degradable balls to achieve zonal isolation. The balls are dropped from the surface, to isolate the stimulated interval. Once the ball lands on the seat, applying surface pressure activates the sleeve and opens up the fracturing port at the next target zone of the formation to be stimulated.This completion system allows for maximum operational efficiency because it eliminates the need for and risks associated with the use of wireline for perforations or coiled tubing services to mill out a bridge plug or clean up a sand plug. Fewer needed services and personnel allows for reduced operating time and lower cost. In one well, implementation of the cemented sliding sleeves with degradable ball technique was successful in efficiently completing seven hydraulic fracturing stages efficiently. The subject well, 3H Pinot was drilled to a measured depth of 10,330 ft with a lateral length of over 3,300 ft. This well provides a model for the completion strategy, operational procedures, adeptness of the isolation, and time frame. Another benefit that was demonstrated during the execution was precise fracture placement in utilizing the innovative fracturing ports. Implementation of the fracturing sliding sleeves system resulted in achievement of completions and stimulation goals while significantly increasing operational efficiency by means of reduced time between fracture stages and effective isolation. Enumeration of operational setbacks encountered during the execution of the multistage fracturing treatment provides areas for future improvement and recommendations for future field operations. In the subject well, the technique impacted production because immediate and simultaneous flowback of all the stages was possible.

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Advancements in Openhole Completion Technology Increase Efficiencies and Production in the Williston Basin

Cited by 5 publications

References 5 publications

Application and Benefits of Degradable Technology in Open-hole Fracturing

Application and Benefits of Degradable Technology in Open-hole Fracturing

Unconventional Completions - an Operational Comparison

First Application of Cemented Sliding Sleeves with Degradable Drop Ball Technique Optimizes Horizontal Multistage Fracturing Operations in the Middle East: Egypt Western Desert Case Study

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