Swelling Packer Technology Eliminates Problems in Difficult Zonal Isolation
in Tight-Gas Reservoir Completion

Antônio, Luiz; Barrios, Oscar; Rodriguez, German Martinez

doi:10.2523/107578-ms

Cited by 1 publication

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“…There are no operational difficulties in running the swelling packers. 3,4 The swelling is a thermodynamic absorption process. Contaminations in the wellbore fluids can affect the swelling of the 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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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%