Delayed Action Micro-Emulsion Breaker and Its Applications to Improved Completions Operations – An NNPC/FEPDC JV Approach During Completions Operations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebuka Ifeduba ◽  
Bernard Ainoje ◽  
Tunde Alabi ◽  
John Akadang ◽  
Ena Agbahovbe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Filter Cake ◽  
Drilling Process ◽  
Well Control ◽  
Drain Hole ◽  
Open Hole ◽  
Micro Emulsion ◽  
Delayed Action ◽  
Isolation Device ◽  
Mild Acid

Abstract In horizontal open hole wells, the formation of filter cake while drilling the open hole section of the well is desirable. This filter cake serves the purpose of forming a semi-impervious layer around the reservoir drain-hole. This layer helps reduce losses considering the overbalance required for well control during drilling. It also serves as an additional structural support to keep the open hole stable when the drilling bottom hole assembly (BHA) is pulled out of hole and the screens and lower completions accessories are being run in hole. However, when thewell is put into production, the filter cake becomes a contributor to skin and poor reservoir productivity. It is therefore required to get rid of the filter cake after running the screens and the lower completion. Having procured and prepared the sand screens for deployment after drilling the open hole section, it is important that they are run to the bottom successfully with minimal damage and plugging. Usually, the open hole section of the horizontal well is drilled with specially formulated drill-in-fluids (DIF). Since this section is drilled in over balanced mode, the exerted pressure keeps the hole open so that the sand screen can be run successfully. The DIF replaces the drilling mud used to drill the earlier hole section(s) but in addition to providing well control via overbalance and transporting cuttings from the hole to surface, it also minimizes invasion damage to the reservoir pay zone. A commonly used weighing material when densities up to 11.5ppg are required for well control is calcium carbonate (CaCO3). When densities above 11.5ppg are required (for deeper, abnormally pressured reservoirs), it becomes necessary to weight up the mud with a heavier material, usually barite + CaCO3. During the drilling process, this overbalance pressure exerted on the reservoir forces the CaCO3 out of the DIF solution and it forms a semi-impervious filter cake on the sand face of the reservoir. This desirable filter cake helps minimize excessive fluid losses into the reservoir hence limiting invasion and damage. It also contributes to the structural integrity of the open hole, keeping it stable prior to running of the screens. Depending on the weighting material used in the drilling of the reservoir drain-hole, the micro-emulsion breaker (MEB) can be designed to break down the filter cake and any undisolvedparticulates can be mobilized and water-wetted and can be then flowed during production or injection. The challenge is that depending on the lower completion configuration, it may take some time to get the wash pipe and work string out of the lower completion and close the formation isolation device. In some cases, it is possible for the formation isolation device to fail. If the Micro-emulsion Blend (MEB) is quick acting, any of these scenarios can lead to uncontrollable losses and serious difficulties in continuing the completion operation. This elucidates the need for a delayed acting MEB treatment. Lab tests and analysis involving the exact DIF /filter cake and various compositions of the MEB at downhole conditions to arrive at the required delay in action. It is critical to ensure that the delayed action does not result in reduced efficacy of the treatment. Hence, the MEB is not diluted for slow action but rather it is engineered combinatorially with a retarder and downhole mild acid generating microemulsion chemistry that gradually generates the necessary mild acid that will slowly dissolve the bridging materials (eg. calcium carbonate) in the mud withtime and allows the full strength of the MEB to take effect after the stipulated delay period. This paper will focus on the lab analysis and iterations to arrive at an optimal MEB blend.

Delayed Reaction Micro-Emulsion Fluid to Clean Oil Base Mud Filter Cake Damage in Open Hole Completions

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajay Kumar V. Addagalla ◽  
Balraj A. Kosandar ◽  
Ishaq G. Lawal ◽  
Prakash B. Jadhav ◽  
Aqeel Imran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Filter Cake ◽  
Delayed Reaction ◽  
Open Hole ◽  
Micro Emulsion ◽  
Emulsion Fluid

Failure Analysis of the Tripping Operation and its Impact on Well Control

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majeed Abimbola ◽  
Faisal Khan ◽  
Vikram Garaniya ◽  
Stephen Butt
Keyword(s):  
Human Error ◽  
Integrated Control ◽  
Fault Tree ◽  
Fault Tree Analysis ◽  
Well Control ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Critical Elements ◽  
Open Hole ◽  
Critical Components ◽  
The Cost

As the cost of drilling and completion of offshore well is soaring, efforts are required for better well planning. Safety is to be given the highest priority over all other aspects of well planning. Among different element of drilling, well control is one of the most critical components for the safety of the operation, employees and the environment. Primary well control is ensured by keeping the hydrostatic pressure of the mud above the pore pressure across an open hole section. A loss of well control implies an influx of formation fluid into the wellbore which can culminate to a blowout if uncontrollable. Among the factors that contribute to a blowout are: stuck pipe, casing failure, swabbing, cementing, equipment failure and drilling into other well. Swabbing often occurs during tripping out of an open hole. In this study, investigations of the effects of tripping operation on primary well control are conducted. Failure scenarios of tripping operations in conventional overbalanced drilling and managed pressure drilling are studied using fault tree analysis. These scenarios are subsequently mapped into Bayesian Networks to overcome fault tree modelling limitations such s dependability assessment and common cause failure. The analysis of the BN models identified RCD failure, BHP reduction due to insufficient mud density and lost circulation, DAPC integrated control system, DAPC choke manifold, DAPC back pressure pump, and human error as critical elements in the loss of well control through tripping out operation.

Modeling of Multi-Agent System for Drilling Simulation

2011 ◽  
Vol 383-390 ◽  
pp. 1555-1561
Author(s):  
Wu Li Wang ◽  
Yan Jiang Wang
Keyword(s):  
Simulation System ◽  
Drilling Process ◽  
Multi Agent System ◽  
Agent System ◽  
Oil Drilling ◽  
Well Control ◽  
Existing Problems ◽  
System A ◽  
Multi Agent ◽  
Drilling Simulation

In view of the characteristics of the oil drilling process and the existing problems of traditional simulation system, a new distributed drilling simulation model was established based on Multi-Agent system (MAS) technology. By means of autonomous, cooperative and reactive characteristic of Agent, the drilling laws and phenomenon can be reflected promptly and accurately under any circumstances. The MAS modeling for oil drilling simulation, the structure and knowledge representation of each Agent and the communication among Agents are described in detail. Finally, an Agent-based normal drilling well control simulation training example was given. The simulation results show that the simulator based on Multi-Agent system has better performances than traditional drilling simulators, and enhances the integrated training function of the drilling simulation system.

Analysis of Riser Gas Pressure from Full-Scale Gas-in-Riser Experiments with Instrumentation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahendra R Kunju ◽  
Mauricio A Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Full Scale ◽  
Drilling Process ◽  
Control Methods ◽  
State University ◽  
Gas Migration ◽  
Well Control ◽  
Louisiana State University ◽  
Managed Pressure Drilling ◽  
Upward Transport ◽  
Minimal Fluid

Abstract As the use of adaptive drilling process like Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) facilitates drilling of otherwise non-drillable wells with faster corrective action, the drilling industry should review some of the misconceptions to produce more efficient well control methods. This paper discusses results from full-scale experiments recently conducted in an extensively instrumented test well at Louisiana State University (LSU) and demonstrate that common expectations regarding the potential for high/damaging internal riser pressures resulting from upward transport or aggregation of riser gas are unfounded, particularly when compressibility of riser and its contents are considered. This research also demonstrates the minimal fluid bleed volumes required to reduce pressure build-up consequences of free gas migration in a fully closed riser.

Challenging Catenary Coiled Tubing Thru Tubing Screen Deployment Operation Offshore Borneo

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seng Wei Jong ◽  
Yee Tzen Yong ◽  
Yusri Azizan ◽  
Richard Hampson ◽  
Rudzaifi Adizamri Hj Abd Rani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Wells ◽  
Well Control ◽  
Coiled Tubing ◽  
Open Hole ◽  
Catenary System ◽  
Offshore Oil ◽  
Gravel Pack ◽  
Emergency Measures

Abstract Production decline caused by sand ingress was observed on 2 offshore oil wells in Brunei waters. Both wells were completed with a sub-horizontal openhole gravel pack and were subsequently shut in as the produced sand would likely cause damage to the surface facilities. In an offshore environment with limited workspace, crane capacity and wells with low reservoir pressures, it was decided to intervene the wells using a catenary coiled tubing (CT) vessel. The intervention required was to clean out the sand build up in the wells and install thru-tubing (TT) sand screens along the entire gravel packed screen section. Nitrified clean out was necessary due to low reservoir pressures while using a specialized jetting nozzle to optimize turbulence and lift along the deviated section. In addition, a knockout pot was utilized to filter and accommodate the large quantity of sand returned. The long sections of screens required could not be accommodated inside the PCE stack resulting in the need for the operation to be conducted as an open hole deployment using nippleless plug and fluid weight as well control barrier. A portable modular crane was also installed to assist the deployment of long screen sections prior to RIH with CT. Further challenges that needed to be addressed were the emergency measures. As the operation was to be conducted using the catenary system, the requirement for an emergency disconnect between the vessel and platform during the long cleanout operations and open hole deployment needed to be considered as a necessary contingency. Additional shear seal BOPs, and emergency deployment bars were also prepared to ensure that the operation could be conducted safely and successfully.

Novel Dual Function Surfactant Package Helps Shaped-Memory Polymer to Activate and Remediate the Filter Cake in Open Hole Completions

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajay Addagalla ◽  
Ishaq Lawal ◽  
Balraj Kosandar ◽  
Parvez Khan ◽  
Hedy Suherdiana
Keyword(s):  
Filter Cake ◽  
Dual Function ◽  
Open Hole

Study on Influx Risk Evaluation of Horizontal Gas Wells With High-Pressure High-Temperature in the South China Sea

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Luo ◽  
Deli Gao ◽  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Yuan Chen ◽  
Yupeng Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
South China Sea ◽  
Risk Evaluation ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Control Design ◽  
Gas Wells ◽  
Well Control ◽  
High Pressure High Temperature ◽  
Open Hole

Abstract The South China Sea has rich natural gas source with typical high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) and the extremely narrow drilling window, which leads to frequent influx, even borehole abandonment. However, horizontal gas wells have been placed in the area to develop the gas reservoir, which presents greater well control challenges. Therefore, the influx risk evaluation is quite necessary to guide the well control design. Firstly, the influx mechanism is analyzed based on gas intrusion to provide a theoretical basis for well control design. It is found that influx usually occurs when drilling the high-temperature stratums and target layers. Secondly, the relationship between horizontal open-hole length and influx volume is calculated under different reservoir permeability, reservoir thickness, negative bottom hole pressure and horizontal open-hole section length. Thirdly, the characteristics of gas-liquid two-phase flow are described. Fourthly, the inflow risk evaluation and well control strategies of the target horizontal gas wells are proposed, and the influx risk evaluation envelope was established. The influx risk evaluation and well control strategies have been successfully applied to the DF gas field featuring offshore HPHT. Horizontal gas wells were drilled in the micro pressure window without accidents and the well cost was significantly reduced.

Effect of Sand Content on the Filter Cake Properties and Removal During Drilling Maximum Reservoir Contact Wells in Sandstone Reservoir

2015 ◽  
Vol 138 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Badr S. Ba geri ◽  
Mohamed Mahmoud ◽  
Saleh. H. Al-Mutairi ◽  
Abdulazeez Abdulraheem
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Filter Cake ◽  
Flow Line ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Horizontal Section ◽  
Fluid Properties ◽  
Porosity And Permeability ◽  
Sand Particles ◽  
Sandstone Reservoir ◽  
Sandstone Formation

The drilling mud program contains many tests such as filtration rate and filter cake properties to select the proper drilling fluid additives that yield the standard ranges of the viscosity, filtration rate, etc. However, the physical and chemical changes in the mud composition during the mud circulating will cause changes to the filter cake properties. The changes in the filter cake properties should be considered in the mud design program to prevent the problems associated with the change in the drilling fluid properties. For long horizontal wellbores penetrating plastic formations, the two sources of solids in filter cake are drilling chemical additives and formation cuttings (sand particles in the case of sandstone reservoir). This study focuses on the effect of introducing sand particles from the drilled—formations on the filter cake properties. Real drilling fluid samples from the field were collected at different location during drilling a 3600 ft of the horizontal section of a sandstone formation. Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) was used as weighting material in this filed. The drilling fluid samples were collected at two different points: the flow line coming from the well after shale shaker and the flow line going to the well to verify the effect of separation stages on filter cake properties. The primary drilling fluid properties of the collected samples were measured such as density and rheological parameters. High pressure high temperature (HPHT) filter press was used to perform the filtration and filter cake experiments at 300 psi differential pressure and room temperature (25 °C). The mineralogy of the external filter cake formed by fluid loss cell is determined using SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and XRD (X-ray diffraction). Finally, solubility test was conducted to evaluate the effect of sand particles on filter cake removal (containing Calcium Carbonate as weighting material) using chelating agent: glutamic diacetic acid (GLDA) at pH 4. The results showed that for long horizontal sections, the effect of introducing sand particles to the composition of the filter cake can cause significant change to the properties of filter cake such as mineralogy, thickness, porosity, and permeability. For instant the thickness of filter cake increased about 40% of its original thickness when drilling sandstone formation in horizontal well due to fine sand particle settling. The filter cake porosity and permeability increment in the first 2000 ft part of the horizontal section was observed clearly due to the irregular shape of the drilling particles. However for the points after the first 2000 ft of horizontal lateral, the porosity and permeability almost remained constant. Increasing the sand content up to 20% degrade the dissolution rate of calcium carbonate in the GLDA (pH = 3.8) to 80% instead of 100%.

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