Improved Understanding of Acid Wormholing in Carbonate Reservoirs through Laboratory Experiments and Field Measurements

SPE Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (02) ◽  
pp. 587-608
Author(s):  
Robert C. Burton ◽  
Manabu Nozaki ◽  
Nola R. Zwarich ◽  
Kenji Furui

Summary A comprehensive study on wormholing has been conducted to improve the understanding of matrix acidizing in carbonate reservoirs. This work is a continuation of the previous work by Furui et al. (2012a, 2012b). An analysis of additional experimental results, as well as field measurements, is provided to reinforce and extend the wormhole-penetration model and productivity benefits provided by Furui et al. (2012b). A series of small-block tests and one large-block test under geomechanical stresses have been conducted to characterize wormholing in outcrop-chalk samples. In addition, field data including acid-pumping data and post-stimulation pressure-falloff data have been collected and analyzed to evaluate stimulation effectiveness. Pressure-buildup data from stimulated wells have also been analyzed to evaluate the sustainability of the acid-induced skin benefits. Production-logging data have been used to investigate whether created wormhole networks have remained stable or have collapsed under production stresses. To statistically analyze the data more comprehensively, the new data were also compared to field data available in the literature. The following conclusions are drawn from an analysis of the laboratory data and field data: (1) A skin value of −4 is achievable in carbonate reservoirs by matrix acidizing; (2) the negative acid skin is relatively stable under production stresses; (3) the wormhole-penetration model is proved to successfully simulate matrix-acidizing processes in both laboratory-scale and field-scale work; (4) the small- and large-block laboratory tests reconfirmed wormholing efficiency, which was discussed as a scale effect in the previous studies; and (5) an understanding of the possible range of wormhole penetration has allowed us to improve field acid treatments and reduce the risk of connecting to water. This comprehensive study includes acid-linear-coreflooding tests, small-block tests, large-block tests, and field measurements to thoroughly analyze acid wormholing in carbonate rock. The database can be very useful information for understanding, benchmarking, and optimizing future completion/stimulation design.

1998 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-162
Author(s):  
Flemming Schlütter ◽  
Kjeld Schaarup-Jensen

Increased knowledge of the processes which govern the transport of solids in sewers is necessary in order to develop more reliable and applicable sediment transport models for sewer systems. Proper validation of these are essential. For that purpose thorough field measurements are imperative. This paper renders initial results obtained in an ongoing case study of a Danish combined sewer system in Frejlev, a small town southwest of Aalborg, Denmark. Field data are presented concerning estimation of the sediment transport during dry weather. Finally, considerations on how to approach numerical modelling is made based on numerical simulations using MOUSE TRAP (DHI 1993).


Author(s):  
Julie Paprocki ◽  
Nina Stark ◽  
Hans C Graber ◽  
Heidi Wadman ◽  
Jesse E McNinch

A framework for estimating moisture content from satellite-based multispectral imagery of sandy beaches was tested under various site conditions and sensors. It utilizes the reflectance of dry soil and an empirical factor c relating reflectance and moisture content for specific sediment. Here, c was derived two ways: first, from in-situ measurements of moisture content and average NIR image reflectance; and second, from laboratory-based measurements of moisture content and spectrometer reflectance. The proposed method was tested at four sandy beaches: Duck, North Carolina, and Cannon Beach, Ocean Cape, and Point Carrew, Yakutat, Alaska. Both measured and estimated moisture content profiles were impacted by site geomorphology. For profiles with uniform slopes, moisture contents ranged from 3.0%-8.0% (Zone 1) and from 8.0%-23.0% (Zone 2). Compared to field measurements, the moisture contents estimated using c calibrated from in-situ and laboratory data resulted in percent error of 3.6%-44.7% and 2.7%-58.6%, respectively. The highest percent error occurred at the transition from Zone 1 to Zone 2. Generally, moisture contents were overestimated in Zone 1 and underestimated in Zone 2, but followed the expected trends based on field measurements. When estimated moisture contents in Zone 1 exceeded 10%, surface roughness, debris, geomorphology, and weather conditions were considered.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.A. Baloch ◽  
J.M. Leon ◽  
S.K. Masalmeh ◽  
D. Chappell ◽  
J. Brodie ◽  
...  

Abstract Over the last few years, ADNOC has systematically investigated a new polymer-based EOR scheme to improve sweep efficiency in high temperature and high salinity (HTHS) carbonate reservoirs in Abu Dhabi (Masalmeh et al., 2014). Consequently, ADNOC has developed a thorough de-risking program for the new EOR concept in these carbonate reservoirs. The de-risking program includes extensive laboratory experimental studies and field injectivity tests to ensure that the selected polymer can be propagated in the target reservoirs. A new polymer with high 2-acrylamido-tertiary-butyl sulfonic acid (ATBS) content was identified, based on extensive laboratory studies (Masalmeh, et al., 2019, Dupuis, et al., 2017, Jouenne 2020), and an initial polymer injectivity test (PIT) was conducted in 2019 at 250°F and salinity >200,000 ppm, with low H2S content (Rachapudi, et al., 2020, Leon and Masalmeh, 2021). The next step for ADNOC was to extend polymer application to harsher field conditions, including higher H2S content. Accordingly, a PIT was designed in preparation for a multi-well pilot This paper presents ADNOC's follow-up PIT, which expands the envelope of polymer flooding to dissolve H2S concentrations of 20 - 40 ppm to confirm injectivity at representative field conditions and in situ polymer performance. The PIT was executed over five months, from February 2021 to July 2021, followed by a chase water flood that will run until December 2021. A total of 108,392 barrels of polymer solution were successfully injected during the PIT. The extensive dataset acquired was used to assess injectivity and in-depth mobility reduction associated with the new polymer. Preliminary results from the PIT suggest that all key performance indicators have been achieved, with a predictable viscosity yield and good injectivity at target rates, consistent with the laboratory data. The use of a down-hole shut-in tool (DHSIT) to acquire pressure fall-off (PFO) data clarified the near-wellbore behaviour of the polymer and allowed optimisation of the PIT programme. This paper assesses the importance of water quality on polymer solution preparation and injection performance and reviews operational data acquired during the testing period. Polymer properties determined during the PIT will be used to optimise field and sector models and will facilitate the evaluation of polymer EOR in other giant, heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs, leading to improved recovery in ADNOC and Middle East reservoirs.


1976 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 825-842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald J. McQueen

Field data from a demographic study of the terrestrial isopod Porcellio spinicornis Say were analyzed and compared with laboratory data reported by McQueen and Carnio. On the study area, which covered 482.8 m2, it was observed that reproduction began when average temperatures were > 13 °C, and that about 86% of the individuals produced one brood and about 30% produced two broods. During 1972, 25 654 offspring were produced and during 1973, 27 664 offspring resulted from reproduction, which took place during May, June, July, and August. By October of both years, these animals attained sizes ranging from 10 to 30 mg and exhibited 42 to 47% survivorship. During the next summer, females grew to between 30 and 50 mg and males to between 20 and 40 mg, and survivorship ranged from 15% in May to 2% in August. During the third summer, females attained sizes ranging from 80 to 100 mg and males from 40 to 70 mg. Survivorship during this period ranged from 1% in May to 0% in August. All rates of growth, reproduction, and survival, as well as reproductive periodicity, agreed with independent laboratory studies conducted under controlled conditions. During the 3 years studied the field population remained relatively constant and appeared to be limited by temperature conditions.


Author(s):  
Thuy Chu ◽  
Tan C. Nguyen ◽  
Jihoon Wang ◽  
Duc Vuong

AbstractElectrical Submersible Pump (ESP) is one of the major Artificial Lift methods that is reliable and effective for pumping high volume of fluids from wellbores. However, ESP is not recommended for applications with high gas liquid ratio. The presence of free gas inside the pump causes pump performance degradation which may lead to problems or even failure during operations. Thus, it is important to investigate effect of free gas on ESP performance under downhole conditions. At present, existing models or correlations are based on/verified with experimental data. This study is one of the first attempts to develop correlations for predicting two-phase gas–liquid pump performance under downhole conditions by using field data and laboratory data. Field data from three oil producing wells provided by Strata Production Company and Perdure Petroleum LLC. as well as experimental data obtained from experimental facility at Production and Drilling Research Project—New Mexico Tech were used in this study. Actual two-phase pump differential pressure per stage is obtained from experiments or estimated from field data and was normalized using pump performance curve. The values are compared to pump performance curve to study the relationships between pump performance and free gas percentage at pump intake. Correlations to predict ESP performance in two-phase flow under downhole and experimental conditions was derived from the results using regression technique. The correlation developed from field data presented in this study can be used to predict two-phase ESP performance under downhole conditions and under high gas fraction. The results from the experimental data confirm the reliability of the developed correlation using field data to predict two-phase ESP performance under downhole conditions. The developed correlation using the laboratory data predicts quite well the two-phase pump performance at the gas fraction of less than 15% while it is no longer reliable when free gas fraction is more than 15%. The findings from this study will help operating companies as well as ESP manufacturers to operate ESPs within the recommended range under downhole conditions. However, it is recommended to use the proposed correlation on reservoirs with conditions similar to those of the three presented wells.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2638 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-121
Author(s):  
Stephen T. Benedict ◽  
Thomas P. Knight

The Hydraulic Engineering Circular 18 (HEC-18) pier scour prediction equation is the most widely used pier scour prediction equation in the United States, if not the world, and understanding the equation’s performance is of interest to the bridge engineering community. Previous evaluations of the equation’s performance were limited to smaller sets of laboratory and field data. In 2014, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Transportation, published a U.S. Geological Survey pier scour database, consisting of 569 laboratory and 1,858 field measurements of pier scour. This extensive database is a valuable resource for evaluating the HEC-18 pier scour equation, which is the primary focus of the investigation presented in this paper. Although comparing predicted and measured values is a common method for evaluating the performance of a prediction equation, the present investigation used a different approach and evaluated the HEC-18 equation by comparing selected data from the USGS database with the dimensionless relationship used to develop the original equation. This alternative approach highlighted some of the strengths and weaknesses of the equation, which are not as evident in the more common approach of comparing predicted and measured values. The findings of the investigation are presented in this paper.


1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 545-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Wang ◽  
Hugh M. French

Field measurements of frozen soil creep in the upper 3.0 m of permafrost indicate that creep occurs in both winter and summer. Between 1992 and 1993, the mean rate of creep ranged from 0.44 cm at 1.6 m depth to 0.16 cm at 2.8 m depth but there was extreme variability. Creep parameters n and A, as defined by the power flow law, were calculated from field data. Parameter n ranged between 1.96 and 2.29 and increased with depth, while A decreased with depth. Comparisons of creep rates for different permafrost environments suggest that ground temperature largely controls the magnitude of permafrost creep. Key words : permafrost, creep parameters, Tibet Plateau.


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