The Importance of the Stimulation Vessels in the Brazilian Offshore Basins: History of Technological Evolution

Torres, Ricardo Sadovski; Prata, Fernando Gaspar Miranda

doi:10.2118/94753-ms

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 9 publications

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“…Even though the benefits of vessel-based fracturing fleets are well documented across the industry [for example, Torres and Prata (2005), Cooper and Marshall (1984), and Weirich et al (2012)], the use of a vessel for this campaign was initially dismissed as too costly, too complicated, and superfluous given the previous successful campaigns. The original plan was to assemble two rig-based fracturing fleets with each rig having its own dedicated fleet and personnel.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sand Control from a Supply Vessel: Mobile Fracturing Fleet Saves Rig Time in Subsea Completions

Agee

Sutherland

Syifaa'i

et al. 2016

Day 3 Thu, March 24, 2016

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This paper presents an overview of switching from rig-based sand control pumping equipment to a semipermanent vessel-based pumping setup. The design, installation, and implementation of a fracturing vessel for subsea sand control and stimulation will be covered in detail. The approach taken includes an analysis of benefits and drawbacks associated with rig-based and vessel-based pumping setups as well as the design and implementation of a vessel-based fracturing package. Additional topics discussed include determining specifications for appropriate vessel selection and best practices for vessel layout design to maximize the pumping fleet functionality while minimizing the health, safety, and environmental (HSE) exposure.We analyzed a case study in which a fracturing fleet based on a platform supply vessel (PSV) was implemented in place of rig-based equipment. Use of the methodology described here eliminated 17.7 rig days, 1540 offshore lifts, 46 helicopter flights, and 55 supply vessel trips over 11 wells in a subsea campaign. Additionally, due to the enhanced mobility of the vessel-based equipment package, it was possible to service two rigs with a single fracturing fleet. The switch from rig-based to vessel-based equipment resulted in an average savings of USD 1.3 million per well including rig day rates, fracturing equipment rental, and other associated costs.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sand Control from a Supply Vessel: Mobile Fracturing Fleet Saves Rig Time in Subsea Completions

Agee

Sutherland

Syifaa'i

et al. 2016

Day 3 Thu, March 24, 2016

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Safety in Offshore Frac Hose Rig Hookups

Arceneaux¹,

Dekerlegand

2009

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Large volume sand control and reservoir stimulation methods in the offshore market require connecting a heavy, low-yielding flexible hose from the service company stimulation vessel to the drilling rig or platform (Henceforth referred to as "rig"). From there it is typically connected to rigid high pressure treating line routed to a manifold. The use of a flexible hose anchoring point pre-installed on the rig greatly reduces exposure to accidents by eliminating dangerous chaining up methods to secure the hose to the rig. This device may remain on the rig for future pumping events. The use of a flexible hose rig-anchoring point provides an engineered solution to reduced human, hands-on interaction when securing the treatment hose to the rig prior to a sand control or stimulation pumping event. Pinch points for hand and foot interactions are eliminated. Placing workers in precarious situations on the outboard of the rig's handrail, high above the water surface is prevented by use of a "drop-in and lock-in" landing plate that supports the flexible hose and its connection flange in a vertical position. This process saves time by eliminating repositioning measures when having to secure the flexible hose to some fixed object on the outboard side of the rig such as handrail posts or mooring cleats using chains. Introduction As offshore well treatment options evolved from small volume, low rate acid stimulations and gravel packs to formation fracturing treatments, the size and scope of equipment requirements grew as well. For years, portable skid mounted pumps and blenders were delivered to location, spotted on the pipe deck and connected to the treatment point with rigid high pressure treatment lines.1 That process is still in use today for smaller-scale treatments. It's much more common for the operator to contract specialized stimulation vessels capable of pumping hundreds of thousands of pounds of manufactured proppant for frac treatments in excess of 10,000 psi.4,5 Lower pressured treatments may exceed 50 barrels per minute.2 The latest generation of stimulation vessels must remain on location without mooring to the rig for longer than twelve hours in order to rig up, test lines, and perform numerous treatment evaluation routines before pumping the actual treatment. Dynamic positioning systems on the vessels use satellite global positioning and rotating thrusters on the boat all tied together by computers to control the position of the vessel during the treatment. Although Chicksan® swivels can be made up on rigid, high pressure treatment lines, the constant movement of the boat in even moderate sea conditions would make it impossible to perform a treatment safely or efficiently. Multi-layered high pressure flexible hoses were designed and built for the application described above. (For the purpose of this paper the flexible high pressure hose, frequently called coflex hose in the field, will be referred to as the frac hose.)1 Frac hoses are constructed with multiple non-bonded layers of thermoplastic linings resistant to acids and solvents, steel armor sheaths, cross wound synthetic fibers and steel wire shrouded with a stainless steel outer wrap. Stimulation vessels most often employ three or four inch internal-diameter hose.2 The industry has begun to incorporate five inch internal diameter. frac hoses on some vessels, primarily in deepwater applications. Due to the specialized multi-layered construction, the outside diameter of the frac hose can exceed seven inches and weigh as much as 60.6 pounds per foot empty. The end fittings of the hose include handling collars and integral connectors.

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A New Acid Treatment Procedure to Improve Injectivity in Brazil Offshore Horizontal Wells

Farias¹,

Prata²,

Souza³

et al. 2010

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The Importance of the Stimulation Vessels in the Brazilian Offshore Basins: History of Technological Evolution

Cited by 4 publications

References 9 publications

Sand Control from a Supply Vessel: Mobile Fracturing Fleet Saves Rig Time in Subsea Completions

Sand Control from a Supply Vessel: Mobile Fracturing Fleet Saves Rig Time in Subsea Completions

Safety in Offshore Frac Hose Rig Hookups

A New Acid Treatment Procedure to Improve Injectivity in Brazil Offshore Horizontal Wells

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