The Experts below are selected from a list of 18 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

R. Travis - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Field Experiences and Guidelines for Using Non-Viscous Fluids in Frac-Pack Operations
    Spe Drilling & Completion, 1998
    Co-Authors: L. Capra, Giuseppe Ripa, G. Ferrara, R. Travis
    Abstract:

    In the Adriatic offshore area, conventional cased-hole gravel-pack Completions have generally produced low flow efficiencies (10 to 50%) from the multilayered reservoirs of low-to-medium gas permeability (1 to 50 md). This has been attributed to the poor communication between the wellbore and the producing layers, caused by limited exposure of the interval and poor filling of the perforation tunnels with gravel. This is confirmed by openhole gravel-pack (OHGP) Completions where much higher flow efficiencies are observed. The frac-pack technique, which combines gravel-pack nd fracturing technologies, can improve communication between the layers in perforated Completions by creating a vertical fracture with high conductivity and the injectivity necessary to fill the perforation tunnels. In addition, any existing near wellbore damage will be bypassed. This paper reviews the field experience gained from over 80 frac-pack operations that have been performed during the last 2 years in the thin, interbedded layers of poorly consolidated sand and shale commonly found in the Adriatic area. Owing to their relatively low permeability, these formations can be fractured with nonviscosified fluids at pump rates less than 1 bbl/min. Consequently, Completion Brine was selected as the treating fluid. To reduce operational time and costs, the frac-pack treatments were carriedmore » out with the gravel-pack assembly in place and injection rates of up to 7 bbl/min were used with gravel concentrations staged from 1 to 4 lbm/gal. Fluid losses were encountered after the frac-pack treatments and were controlled by spotting a small pill of drill-in fluid (containing calcium carbonate) that was sized to bridge inside the screens. This paper presents the production performance of the frac-pack Completions and establishes guidelines for future applications of frac-pack operations in similar reservoirs.« less

Andre Leibsohn Martins - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Building a Better Pack Using a Solid-Free Non-Aqueous Carrier Fluid for α-β wave gravel packs
    2020
    Co-Authors: Lirio Quintero, Alexander J. Mckellar, Jason Maxey, Allen D. Gabrysch, Lima Aragao, Agostinho Calderon, Andre Leibsohn Martins
    Abstract:

    The operational practice of drilling wells with a nonaqueous fluid (NAF) followed by traditional Completion Brine carrier fluid concerns the operators when the borehole section has interbedded shales. Also, a large number of production wells in sandstone reservoirs require sand control due to the poorly consolidated formations, and open-hole gravel pack (OHGP) is still a popular sand control method. Significant progress has been made in the development of fluid systems for gravel packing with either water-based or oil-based fluid. However, drilling of build-up and horizontal sections in a single step, followed by alpha-beta wave gravel pack, is still a challenge that requires a Newtonian NAF fluid. In order to guarantee superior wellbore stability, lubricity, and shale inhibition in those long sections, a new type of nonaqueous fluids with internal phase Brine were developed for use as a carrier medium to perform alpha-beta wave gravel packs. These fluids are designed to provide Newtonian behavior, minimum viscosity, proper gravel wetting and minimum formation damage. This article presents the results on the optimization of the low shear rheological behavior of the non-aqueous gravel carrier fluid. Selected carrier fluids formulations were evaluated for use as a gravel pack carrier fluid in a large-scale acrylic flow loop. The results showed that a proper alpha-beta wave gravel deposition is obtained with the designed NAF that have minimal viscosity variation at low shear rate.

L. Capra - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Field Experiences and Guidelines for Using Non-Viscous Fluids in Frac-Pack Operations
    Spe Drilling & Completion, 1998
    Co-Authors: L. Capra, Giuseppe Ripa, G. Ferrara, R. Travis
    Abstract:

    In the Adriatic offshore area, conventional cased-hole gravel-pack Completions have generally produced low flow efficiencies (10 to 50%) from the multilayered reservoirs of low-to-medium gas permeability (1 to 50 md). This has been attributed to the poor communication between the wellbore and the producing layers, caused by limited exposure of the interval and poor filling of the perforation tunnels with gravel. This is confirmed by openhole gravel-pack (OHGP) Completions where much higher flow efficiencies are observed. The frac-pack technique, which combines gravel-pack nd fracturing technologies, can improve communication between the layers in perforated Completions by creating a vertical fracture with high conductivity and the injectivity necessary to fill the perforation tunnels. In addition, any existing near wellbore damage will be bypassed. This paper reviews the field experience gained from over 80 frac-pack operations that have been performed during the last 2 years in the thin, interbedded layers of poorly consolidated sand and shale commonly found in the Adriatic area. Owing to their relatively low permeability, these formations can be fractured with nonviscosified fluids at pump rates less than 1 bbl/min. Consequently, Completion Brine was selected as the treating fluid. To reduce operational time and costs, the frac-pack treatments were carriedmore » out with the gravel-pack assembly in place and injection rates of up to 7 bbl/min were used with gravel concentrations staged from 1 to 4 lbm/gal. Fluid losses were encountered after the frac-pack treatments and were controlled by spotting a small pill of drill-in fluid (containing calcium carbonate) that was sized to bridge inside the screens. This paper presents the production performance of the frac-pack Completions and establishes guidelines for future applications of frac-pack operations in similar reservoirs.« less

Lirio Quintero - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Building a Better Pack Using a Solid-Free Non-Aqueous Carrier Fluid for α-β wave gravel packs
    2020
    Co-Authors: Lirio Quintero, Alexander J. Mckellar, Jason Maxey, Allen D. Gabrysch, Lima Aragao, Agostinho Calderon, Andre Leibsohn Martins
    Abstract:

    The operational practice of drilling wells with a nonaqueous fluid (NAF) followed by traditional Completion Brine carrier fluid concerns the operators when the borehole section has interbedded shales. Also, a large number of production wells in sandstone reservoirs require sand control due to the poorly consolidated formations, and open-hole gravel pack (OHGP) is still a popular sand control method. Significant progress has been made in the development of fluid systems for gravel packing with either water-based or oil-based fluid. However, drilling of build-up and horizontal sections in a single step, followed by alpha-beta wave gravel pack, is still a challenge that requires a Newtonian NAF fluid. In order to guarantee superior wellbore stability, lubricity, and shale inhibition in those long sections, a new type of nonaqueous fluids with internal phase Brine were developed for use as a carrier medium to perform alpha-beta wave gravel packs. These fluids are designed to provide Newtonian behavior, minimum viscosity, proper gravel wetting and minimum formation damage. This article presents the results on the optimization of the low shear rheological behavior of the non-aqueous gravel carrier fluid. Selected carrier fluids formulations were evaluated for use as a gravel pack carrier fluid in a large-scale acrylic flow loop. The results showed that a proper alpha-beta wave gravel deposition is obtained with the designed NAF that have minimal viscosity variation at low shear rate.

K. Smejkal - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Synthetic drill-in fluid for gravel packing depleted sands and pressured shale
    Petroleum engineer international, 1999
    Co-Authors: G. Griffith, T. Jones, R. Hinojosa, K. Smejkal
    Abstract:

    Weighted synthetic- or oil-base drill-in fluids offer an excellent solution to the problem of reactive, pressured shale. However, some operators remain uneasy about drilling into a reservoir with an invert emulsion drill-in fluid. This apprehension is partly due to the possibility of creating emulsion blocks or changing the rock matrix wettability. Either of these conditions may reduce the crude`s mobility by restricting flow. This formation damage is avoided with water-base drill-in fluids, but the borehole stability problem remains an issue. A synthetic drill-in fluid`s ability to stabilize reactive shales is well documented. There remains a concern that once reactive shales are exposed to Completion Brine, the inhibition imparted by a synthetic fluid is lost. If lost, the shale particles could spall (slough) freely into the wellbore, plugging the screens and resulting in an incomplete gravel placement. Another concern is the effective displacement of the synthetic fluid to the Completion Brine without creating undesirable emulsions and damaging the integrity of the synthetic-fluid filter cake. The key appears to be selecting a spacer system that prevents formation of viscous emulsions at the interfaces and would not aggressively attack the wellbore filter cake. The paper describes laboratory evaluation, simulated core tests, test results,more » a field case history in the South Timbalier field offshore Louisiana, and lessons learned.« less