Remote-Controlled Automated Foam Injection: A Digital Solution to Liquid Loading in a China Unconventional Gas Development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiang Wei Bo ◽  
Beryl Audrey ◽  
Uzezi Orivri ◽  
Nian Xi Wang ◽  
Xiang Yang Qiao ◽  
...  

Abstract Gas field C is an unconventional tight gas reservoir located in the central of China which has prominent characteristics, including thin formation, low permeability and poor reservoir connectivity which significantly impact on the field development. Horizontal wells multistage hydraulic fracturing has been proven to be an effective technique to recover the hydrocarbons from this gas field. However, with continuous production overtime, reservoir pressure declines which results in a decrease in gas production rate below the critical gas velocity, leading to accumulation of liquid in the wellbore (liquid loading), which further results in back pressure and damage to the formation. Currently, gas field C loses up to 1500 mmscf/year in gas production and associated revenue due to liquid loading. Some other factors which hinders effective deliquification of the gas wells include remote well pad locations, poor road conditions during harsh weather conditions, friction with local communities, limited manpower to daily effectively analyze over 200 wells for liquid loading diagnostics and operational risks during well intervention. To tackle these challenges, a new versatile intelligent dosing technology has been piloted to reduce liquid loading. This remote-control dosing unit is located at the well pad and is equipped with automatic valves that can dispense two different chemicals (soap and methanol) in one unit. A key new feature of this system is the ability to receive and implement instructions that optimizes the dosing rate and frequency. This remote-control functionality eliminates on-site operator intervention and HSE risks especially in winter when the well pads could be inaccessible with poor road conditions.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Yunzhao Zhang ◽  
Lianbo Zeng ◽  
Wenya Lyu ◽  
Dongsheng Sun ◽  
Shuangquan Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract The Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation is a typical tight gas reservoir in which natural fractures determine the migration, accumulation and production capacity of tight gas. In this study, we focused on the influences of natural fractures on the tight gas migration and production. We clarified characteristics and attributes (i.e. dips, apertures, filling degree and cross-cutting relationships) of the fractures based on image logging interpretations and core descriptions. Previous studies of electron spin resonance, carbon and oxygen isotopes, homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions analysis and basin simulation were considered. This study also analysed the fracture sequences, source of fracture fillings, diagenetic sequences and tight gas enrichment stages. We obtained insight into the relationship between fracture evolution and hydrocarbon charging, particularly the effect of the apertures and intensity of natural fractures on tight gas production. We reveal that the bedding fractures are short horizontal migration channels of tight gas. The tectonic fractures with middle, high and nearly vertical angles are beneficial to tight gas vertical migration. The apertures of fractures are controlled by the direction of maximum principal stress and fracture angle. The initial gas production of the vertical wells presents a positive correlation with the fracture abundance, and the intensity and aperture of fractures are the fundamental factors that determine the tight gas production. With these findings, this study is expected to guide the future exploration and development of tight gas with similar geological backgrounds.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-47
Author(s):  
Qingsha Zhou ◽  
Kun Huang ◽  
Yongchun Zhou

Background: The western Sichuan gas field belongs to the low-permeability, tight gas reservoirs, which are characterized by rapid decline in initial production of single-well production, short periods of stable production, and long periods of late-stage, low-pressure, low-yield production. Objective: It is necessary to continue pursuing the optimization of transportation processes. Method: This paper describes research on mixed transportation based on simplified measurements with liquid-based technology and the simulation of multiphase processes using the PIPEPHASE multiphase flow simulation software to determine boundary values for the liquid carrying process. Conclusion: The simulation produced several different recommendations for the production and maximum multiphase distance along with difference in elevation. Field tests were then conducted to determine the suitability of mixed transportation in western Sichuan, so as to ensure smooth progress with fluid metering, optimize the gathering process in order to achieve stable and efficient gas production, and improve the economic benefits of gas field development.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaowen Liu ◽  
Wei Pang ◽  
Jincai Shen ◽  
Ying Mi

Abstract Fuling shale gas field is one of the most successful shale gas play in China. Production logging is one of the vital technologies to evaluate the shale gas contribution in different stages and different clusters. Production logging has been conducted in over 40 wells and most of the operations are successful and good results have been observed. Some previous studies have unveiled one or several wells production logging results in Fuling shale gas play. But production logging results show huge difference between different wells. In order to get better understanding of the results, a comprehensive overview is carried out. The effect of lithology layers, TOC (total organic content), porosity, brittle mineral content, well trajectory is analyzed. Results show that the production logging result is consistent with the geology understanding, and fractures in the favorable layers make more gas contribution. Rate contribution shows positive correlation with TOC, the higher the TOC, the greater the rate contribution per stage. For wells with higher TOC, the rate contribution difference per stage is relatively smaller, but for wells with lower TOC, it shows huge rate contribution variation, fracture stages with TOC lower than 2% contribute very little, and there exist one or several dominant fractures which contributes most gas rate. Porosity and brittle minerals also show positive effect on rate contribution. The gas rate contribution per fracture stage increases with the increase of porosity and brittle minerals. The gas contribution of the front half lateral and that of latter half lateral are relatively close for the "upward" or horizontal wells. However, for the "downward" wells, the latter half lateral contribute much more gas than the front half lateral. It is believed that the liquid loading in the toe parts reduced the gas contribution in the front half lateral. The overview research is important to get a compressive understanding of production logging and different fractures’ contribution in shale gas production. It is also useful to guide the design of horizontal laterals and fractures scenarios design.


2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
J-F. Saint-Marcoux ◽  
C. White ◽  
G.O. Hovde

This paper addresses the feasibility of developing an ultra-deepwater gas field by producing directly from subsea wells into Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Carrier ships. Production interruptions will be avoided as two Gas Production Storage Shuttle (GPSS) vessels storing CNG switch out roles between producing/storing via one of two Submerged Turret Production (STP) buoys and transport CNG to a remote offloading buoy. This paper considers the challenges associated with a CNG solution for an ultra-deepwater field development and the specific issues related to the risers. A Hybrid Riser Tower (HRT) concept design incorporating the lessons learned from the Girassol experience allows minimisation of the vertical load on the STP buoys. The production switchover system from one GPSS to the other is located at the top of the HRT. High-pressure flexible flowlines with buoyancy connect the flow path at the top of HRT to both STP buoys. System fabrication and installation issues, as well as specific met ocean conditions of the GOM, such as eddy currents, have been addressed. The HRT concept can be also used for tiebacks to floating LNG plants.


2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
A.J. McDiarmid ◽  
P.T. Bingaman ◽  
S.T. Bingham ◽  
B. Kirk-Burnnand ◽  
D.P. Gilbert ◽  
...  

The John Brookes gas field was discovered by the drilling of John Brookes–1 in October 1998 and appraisal drilling was completed in 2003. The field is located about 40 km northwest of Barrow Island on the North West Shelf, offshore West Australia. The John Brookes structure is a large (>90 km2) anticline with >100 m closure mapped at the base of the regional seal. Recoverable sales gas in the John Brookes reservoir is about 1 Tcf.Joint venture approval to fast track the development was gained in January 2004 with a target of first gas production in June 2005. The short development time frame required parallel workflows and use of a flexible/low cost development approach proven by Apache in the area.The John Brookes development is sized for off-take rates up to 240 TJ/d of sales gas with the development costing A$229 million. The initial development will consist of three production wells tied into an unmanned, minimal facility wellhead platform. The platform will be connected to the existing East Spar gas processing facilities on Varanus Island by an 18-inch multi-phase trunkline. Increasing the output of the existing East Spar facility and installation of a new gas sweetening facility are required. From Varanus Island, the gas will be exported to the mainland by existing sales gas pipelines. Condensate will be exported from Varanus Island by tanker.


Author(s):  
Zhaozhong Yang ◽  
Rui He ◽  
Xiaogang Li ◽  
Zhanling Li ◽  
Ziyuan Liu

The tight sandstone gas reservoir in southern Songliao Basin is naturally fractured and is characterized by its low porosity and permeability. Large-scale hydraulic fracturing is the most effective way to develop this tight gas reservoir. Quantitative evaluation of fracability is essential for optimizing a fracturing reservoir. In this study, as many as ten fracability-related factors, particularly mechanical brittleness, mineral brittleness, cohesion, internal friction angle, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), natural fracture, Model-I toughness, Model-II toughness, horizontal stress difference, and fracture barrier were obtained from a series of petrophysical and geomechanical experiments are analyzed. Taking these influencing factors into consideration, a modified comprehensive evaluation model is proposed based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Both a transfer matrix and a fuzzy matrix were introduced into this model. The fracability evaluation of four reservoir intervals in Jinshan gas field was analyzed. Field fracturing tests were conducted to verify the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed evaluation model. Results showed that gas production is higher and more stable in the reservoir interval with better fracability. The field test data coincides with the results of the proposed evaluation model.


Author(s):  
Hualei Yi

Abstract In the marginal gas field development engineering, considering the low gas production with complex reservoir condition, it is difficult to develop independently because of the low economic efficiency. It is usually developed by relying on an existing offshore platform or facility nearby, in which hydrate inhibition is an important issue, and in order to inhibit hydrate formation in the subsea pipeline, hydrate inhibition method should be studied. Based on certain marginal gas field development project in South China Sea, which relies on nearby DPP platform, the paper studies methanol and MEG as inhibitor and application of double-layer insulated subsea pipeline. Finally by technical and economic comparisons, for the first time double-layer insulated pipeline is selected as the hydrate inhibition method to meet requirements of both relying on DPP and achieving better economic benefits, which is expected to provide reference for similar marginal gas field development.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-23
Author(s):  
Farhana Akter

Increasing demand of fuel globally formulates gas as one of the most valuable natural resources. There is lot of uncertainties in estimating hydrocarbon volume correctly from exploration to development stage of a gas field. The accuracy and reliability of data (reservoir geological model, fluid and rock properties) make the implement very hard-hitting. So estimating and updating the gas reserve has become vital issue, as it helps the planners for drawing mid-term and long-term development plan from field development level to national level. This paper presents the study of reserve estimation of a Narshingdi Gas Field in Bangladesh. In this paper, a dynamic reservoir simulation model has been used to perform a history match ?pressure and production? using commercial simulator for reserve estimation. The result of this study is expected to provide Gas Initially in Place (GIIP) and recoverable gas volume. Simultaneously three forecast scenarios have also been investigated. There is no strong aquifer pressure support in the producing gas zone, so gas production continues from the reservoir due to pressure depletion.Journal of Chemical Engineering, Vol. 29, No. 1, 2017: 19-23


2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 559
Author(s):  
Hassan Bahrami ◽  
M Reza Rezaee ◽  
Vamegh Rasouli ◽  
Armin Hosseinian

Tight gas reservoirs normally have production problems due to very low matrix permeability and significant damage during well drilling, completion, stimulation and production. Therefore they might not flow gas to surface at optimum rates without advanced production improvement techniques. After well stimulation and fracturing operations, invaded liquids such as filtrate will flow from the reservoir into the wellbore, as gas is produced during well cleanup. In addition, there might be production of condensate with gas. The produced liquids when loaded and re-circulated downhole in wellbores, can significantly reduce the gas production rate and well productivity in tight gas formations. This paper presents assessments of tight gas reservoir productivity issues related to liquid loading in wellbores using numerical simulation of multiphase flow in deviated and horizontal wells. A field example of production logging in a horizontal well is used to verify reliability of the numerical simulation model outputs. Well production performance modelling is also performed to quantitatively evaluate water loading in a typical tight gas well, and test the water unloading techniques that can improve the well productivity. The results indicate the effect of downhole liquid loading on well productivity in tight gas reservoirs. It also shows how well cleanup is sped up with the improved well productivity when downhole circulating liquids are lifted using the proposed methods.


2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (11) ◽  
pp. 793-801
Author(s):  
R. R. Kantyukov ◽  
D. N. Zapevalov ◽  
R. K. Vagapov

At the present stage of gas field development, the products of many mining facilities have increased content of corrosive CO2 . The corrosive effect of CO2 on steel equipment and pipelines is determined by the conditions of its use. CO2 has a potentially wide range of usage at oil and gas facilities for solving technological problems (during production, transportation, storage, etc.). Simulation tests and analysis were carried out to assess the corrosion effect of CO2 on typical steels (carbon, low-alloy and alloyed) used at field facilities. Gas production facilities demonstrate several corrosion formation zones: lower part of the pipe (when moisture accumulates) and top of the pipe (in case of moisture condensation). The authors have analyzed the main factors influencing the intensity of carbon dioxide corrosion processes at hydrocarbon production with CO2 , its storage and use for various technological purposes. The main mechanism for development of carbon dioxide corrosion is presence/condensation of moisture, which triggers the corrosion process, including the formation of local defects (pits, etc.). X-ray diffraction was used for the analysis of corrosion products formed on the steel surface, which can have different protective characteristics depending on the phase state (amorphous or crystalline).


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