Formation Damage and the Importance of a Rigorous Diagnostic: a Case History in Nigeria Deep Water

Abstract

Total operate a field located 150 kilometers off the Niger Delta at a water depth of 1,400 meters. This field is the first deep-offshore development involving light oil with high gas content. In the field's Miocene reservoir the fluid is under saturated (~ 80 bar) and in 'critical conditions', i.e. the gas and liquid hydrocarbons are in a single phase, at high pressure and temperature.Several turbiditic-type reservoir layers are developed with 22 oil producer wells, 20 water injector wells and 2 gas injector wells.Reservoir G is a lobe sand body with good petro-physical characteristics (Permeability = 300 to 500 mD, Porosity ~ 20%). This reservoir is developed with 2 producer wells, well 7 and well 9, completed with frac-packs, and 2 water injector wells for pressure maintenance.In September 2009, six months after first oil, well 7 and well 9 lost 70% of their potential following the decline of their productivity index. The impact was 20,000 bpd production shortfall. This paper describes the investigation process that was conducted to identify the cause of the decline. The process included pressure transient analysis, geochemical analysis, core flooding tests and scale modeling. A trial and error approach was adopted when designing well intervention in order to get as much information as possible and firm up the most realistic cause of production damage. This paper also highlights the fact that a proper diagnostic requires a multi-discipline approach, an open mind and a comprehensive risk analysis.

Effects of reservoir rock pore geometries and ultrasonic parameters on the removal of asphaltene deposition under ultrasonic waves

“…These problems have the potential to deter or completely stop the flow of oil, which will have a significant negative impact on oil recovery [1] . To treat or prevent asphaltene deposition, chemicals are frequently introduced into the formation [12] , [13] , however, the method has some drawbacks, including environmental pollution, chemical compatibility with formation rock/fluid, chemical flammability issues, treatment longevity, chemical volume requirements, and human health concerns [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] .…”