Unique Solution to Repair Casing Failure in a HP/HT Wellbore Allows for Successful Multistage Stimulation Treatment in an Unconventional Reservoir

Wellhoefer, Benjamin; Stegent, Neil; Tunstall, Karl M.; Veillette, Christian Patrick; Frazier, Garrett L.

doi:10.2118/162852-pa

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 4 publications

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“…Existing technology (swell packer) was used to adapt the new non-traditional application. Wellhoefer et al (2012) document an example of the non-traditional application of this technology.…”

Section: Phase 2-swell Packer Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conditioning Pre-existing Old Vertical Wells to Stimulate and Test Vaca Muerta Shale Productivity through the Application of Pinpoint Completion Techniques

Forni¹,

Bonapace

Kovalenko

et al. 2015

All Days

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One of the most promising targets for resource rock stimulation in South America is the Vaca Muerta (VM) shale in western Argentina. Because of high initial costs and also the typical reservoir information that must be acquired, it is common practice for operators to begin exploration projects with vertical wells. This is also the case for unconventional reservoirs, so initial vertical wells are used for reservoir characterization/initial comprehension and also to test the productivity of the different intervals.Within the Neuquina basin, existing vertical wells were typically drilled to produce reservoirs below the VM source rock. Presently, with these reservoirs depleted in many areas, existing wells are often a great opportunity to investigate this upper unconventional target. Unfortunately, most of these wells are not viable candidates because they were designed to be completed through tubing. Casings and wellheads, in general, are not sufficiently strong to support pressure requirements for fracture stimulation of unconventional reservoirs. This paper discusses the preparation of a well originally drilled in 1974 to allow for the new objective of hydraulic fracturing the VM shale to test the productivity of its different intervals. A coiled tubing (CT) assisted pinpoint completion technique (hydrajet perforating and annulus fracturing) was used to independently stimulate small intervals. To help assure that most of the reservoir was indeed stimulated, 12 single-zone fracturing stages were used for 130 meters of gross interval.To isolate the upper (weakest) section of the wellbore, a 4 1/2-in. P-110 casing and swellable packer were installed.

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Section: Phase 2-swell Packer Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conditioning Pre-existing Old Vertical Wells to Stimulate and Test Vaca Muerta Shale Productivity through the Application of Pinpoint Completion Techniques

Forni¹,

Bonapace

Kovalenko

et al. 2015

All Days

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Bicentric Milling Approach Enables the Recovery of the Horizontal Section of an Unconventional Well in Turkey

Delgado

Jahn

Weir

et al. 2021

Day 4 Thu, March 25, 2021

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During the completion phase of an unconventional well in Turkey, casing deformation represented a challenge to the operator and Coiled Tubing (CT) service provider due to the potential loss of almost 70% of the horizontal section. The deformation obstructed the path to continue the milling the remaining plugs. The implementation of bicentric mills and Multi-Cycling Circulation Valve (MCCV) incorporated in the milling assembly allowed efficient recovery of the horizontal section. The tubing condition analysis done by the engineering team showed that symmetric mills would not be beneficial. Conformance tubing was not an option. Bicentric milling approach was deemed the most viable solution. This approach consists of using offset mills where rotation causes the cutting head to cover an area larger than the mill's frontal face. However, this approach could lead the CT pipe getting stuck due to big junk left. The use of a MCCV, limiting the number of milled plugs, and performing a fishing run between milling runs were key to the success of the bicentric milling approach. The Turkish well was completed with ten stages isolated by nine aluminum plugs. During the fracturing of stage seven, an abnormal pressure drop was observed while keeping the same pump rate, indicating possible casing damage. After all the stages were fractured, the CT proceeded to mill the plugs using a 4.63-in Outside Diameter (OD) mill. After three plugs were milled, an obstruction was detected, indicated by frequent aggressive motor stalls at the same depth. A tapered mill was run to perform a tubing conformance, and after several hours of unsuccessful penetration, the tool was recovered. At the surface, the tool showed signs of wear around 4.268 in. A 4.0-in OD mill was used to drift this section, and it passed free. An analysis of both the plug anatomy and the casing condition was done to determine the most viable solution. A 4-in OD bicentric mill was designed to pass across the restriction with an adjusted eccentricity to allow higher contact area. Three bicentric milling runs were made with the limit of a maximum of two plugs per run to avoid a CT stuck situation due to the larger cuttings as a result of the mill's asymmetry. The sparsity of information on using bicentric mills for plug milling required research into unpublished practices for such scenarios. This paper documents bicentric milling approach, the use of offset mills, and the mitigation measurements taken during this project to avoid a stuck situation due to large debris generated.

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Study of Packer's Swelling Rate in Different Liquids

Gullu Jabbarova, Lamiya Rustamova

2023

PAHTEI

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Cementing is currently the only method used in oil fields to establish zonal isolation. Another method for zonal isolation involves the use of swellable packers. Swellable packers are designed using elastomeric components that have a unique swelling property when exposed to water, water-based fluids or oil. The swelling of the elastomer creates a tight seal. Swellable packers offer several advantages in well construction and maintenance. They can be used for a variety of purposes including preventing gas migration, shutting off water flow, and facilitating fracturing operations. Swellable packer technology involves the selection of elastomers that can expand in the presence of water, oil, or certain brines. It is assumed that the degree of swelling and rate of expansion depends on factors such as elastomer composition, conditions in the wellbore, and the salinity of the surrounding fluids. The use of swellable packers requires careful consideration of well conditions and the fluids present. Matching the packer's swelling properties to the intended well’s fluids is essential to achieve effective zonal isolation. Proper elastomer compatibility testing and evaluation is recommended prior to field deployment to ensure successful and reliable packer operation. in this regard, the purpose of this study is to experimentally confirm the possibility of expanding packers in fluid with different salt concentrations and oil. The study highlights the importance of conducting a comprehensive quality assessment of elastomers prior to their use in field operations. Keywords: cementing, zonal isolation, swellable packers, swelling property, salinity, elastomers, crude oil, swelling rate.

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Unique Solution to Repair Casing Failure in a HP/HT Wellbore Allows for Successful Multistage Stimulation Treatment in an Unconventional Reservoir

Cited by 4 publications

References 4 publications

Conditioning Pre-existing Old Vertical Wells to Stimulate and Test Vaca Muerta Shale Productivity through the Application of Pinpoint Completion Techniques

Conditioning Pre-existing Old Vertical Wells to Stimulate and Test Vaca Muerta Shale Productivity through the Application of Pinpoint Completion Techniques

Bicentric Milling Approach Enables the Recovery of the Horizontal Section of an Unconventional Well in Turkey

Study of Packer's Swelling Rate in Different Liquids

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