New Fluid Technology Improves Performance and Provides a Method To TreatHigh-Pressure and Deepwater Wells

摘要

For a number of years, visco-elastic surfactant (VES) fluidshave been used for a variety of stimulation treatmentapplications, including hydraulic fracturing, acid diverting,and gravel packing. VES fluid systems typically offer higherretained permeability and conductivity of the formation sandand proppant pack than polymeric systems. However,preliminary cost, a 200oF temperature limit, excessive leakoff,and no internal breaker mechanism for dry gasapplications have limited VES use.New VES fluid technology has been developed thatsubstantially improves product performance and costeffectiveness. The temperature range has been extended to300oF by using newly developed VES stabilizer technology.The system works with high-density brines up to 14.4 ppg.Internal breakers have been developed that permit controlledviscosity break from ambient to 300oF. Laboratory tests havedetermined that an internally broken fluid rapidly achieves>90% returned permeability and conductivity of the formationsand and proppant pack without the presence or need forcontacting hydrocarbons. Fluid loss control technology hasbeen developed that reduces VES fluid leak-off similar towall-building fluids, but without filtercake damage.This paper discusses the development of the new VESsystem chemistry and its properties. The paper also addressesthe merits of a viscous fluid that can work in a variety of basefluids for high-pressure applications such as managing surfacetreating pressure or for gas hydrate inhibition in deep gas ordeepwater environments. Breaker technology discussionaddresses the ability to ensure and enhance VES fluidviscosity breaking. Fluid loss control technology effective toat least 2000 md is presented. This paper also presentsrheological, return permeability and conductivity, fluid losscontrol, treating pressure, and financial results.