Successful Field Implementation of a Novel Solids-Free System to Control Fluid Loss during Overbalanced Work over Operations in Southern Argentina

1. SPE 164580
Successful Field Implementation of a Novel
Solids-Free System to Control Fluid Loss during
Overbalanced Work over Operations in Southern
Argentina
Julio Vasquez, Juan Bonapace, and Javier Gonzalez, Halliburton;
Rodrigo Quintavalla, Pan American Energy LLC
Presented By: Amr Mamdouh Abdel Baky, Halliburton

2. Agenda
SPE 164580
Slide 2
• Introduction.
• Fluid Loss control Mechanisms.
• Solid Free Fluid Loss (SFFL) system.
• Case Histories.
• Conclucion.

3. Introduction
Slide 3
SPE 164580

4. Controlling fluid loss
SPE 164580
Slide 4
Minimize near wellbore Damage invasion by the completion
fluid.
•Poor wellbore clean out.
•Loss of hydrocarbon reserve.
•Save Rig Time.
•Save cost of the remedial treatments.

5. Fluid loss control methods
SPE 164580
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1. Mechanical.
Temporary or permanently Devices to block the fluid flow.
• Valves.
• Plugs.
2. Chemical.
• Linear gels.
• Crosslinked Gels.
• Bridging particulate systems.
• Solid Free Fluid loss (SFFL) System.

6. Chemical Fluid loss (Solids Free Fluid loss System)
SPE 164580
Slide 6
• A hydrophobically Modified polymer.
• Attach to the surface of the rock by simple electrostatic attraction.
• Diminish the flow path for any Aqueous fluid (Completion Brine,
formation water or Acid).
• Provide Leak off control properties without Significantly affecting the
hydrocarbon flow path.
• Viscosity less than 2 cp.

7. Pore throat
Water
Hydrocarbon
SFFL System – Principle of Operation

8. Core Lab Test for ( SFFL) system
SPE 164580
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9. Core Lab Test for ( SFFL) system
SPE 164580
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10. SFFL system Impact on water, oil and gas
permeability
SPE 164580
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11. SPE 164580
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Solids-Free Fluid Loss (SFFL) System
 Temperature: up to 325o
F
 Permeability: 0.1 mD to 6 Darcy
 Applicable to sandstone and carbonate
formations
 SELECTIVE REDUCTION TO WATER
PERMEABILITY with no significant
damage to hydrocarbon flow
 Bullhead system

12. SPE 164580
Slide 12
Case Histories

13. Southern Argentina
SPE 164580
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• The Cerro Dragon is a sandstone oilfield that belongs to SJG basin.
• Field development is 65% onshore and the rest in the offshore.
• Sand bodies thickness from 2-10 m.
• Porosities varying from 17- 27 % and average permeability of 50 md.
• Under exploration and Development since 1959 so it is considered a
mature and depleted reservoir with marginal oil production.
• Currently under waterflooding.

14. Southern Argentina
SPE 164580
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Field Production Problems:
•Obstruction of perforations.
•Scale Generation.
•Fine sediments production.
•Deposit of organic Materials.
•Water Blocking.
Work Over Operation:
•Hydraulic Fracturing.
•Matrix Acidizing.
•Adding New Perforations.
•Isolation of water production
intervals.
•Artificial lift equipment repair.

15. Southern Argentina (Case History 1):
SPE 164580
Slide 15
• Operation:
1. CT Rigged up to total depth.
2. Circulation test shows fluid loss into
formation.
3. Increase circulation rate to
overcome losses (Same losses).
4. 5 bbl of SFFL placed using CT.
5. Circulation test (full circulation).
6. Main treatment was 47 bbl of solvent
based treatment pumped.

16. SPE 164580
Slide 16
Southern Argentina (Case History 1): Production History

17. Southern Argentina (Case History 2):
SPE 164580
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• Operation:
1. CT Rigged up to total depth.
2. Circulation test (No circulation to
surface).
3. Increase circulation rate to
overcome losses (No Circulation
again).
4. 10 bbl of SFFL placed using CT.
5. Circulation test (full circulation).
6. Main treatment was 47 bbl of solvent
based treatment pumped.

18. SPE 164580
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Southern Argentina (Case History 2): Pumping Chart

19. SPE 164580
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Southern Argentina (Case History 2): Production History

20. Conclusions
• This SFFL system is a low-viscosity solution that does not rely
on solids or viscosity to provide fluid-loss control. It
immediately decreases formation permeability to aqueous
fluids, limiting leakoff into the matrix of the rock.
• This system selectively decreases formation permeability to
aqueous fluids without significantly affecting hydrocarbon
permeability.
• This system does not require a breaker or shut-in time.
Slide 20
SPE 164580

21. SPE 164580
Conclusions
 This system has been successful in solving partial and total
losses to full circulation in overbalanced operations such as: (1)
lost-circulation events occurring during fracturing (2) well-
intervention cleanouts by CT and HWO, (3) gravel packing. (4)
replacement of artificial-lift equipment (i.e., electrical
submersible pumps), among others.
 To date, about ~200 jobs have been performed with this novel
SFFL system during overbalanced workover operations and
other applications where maintenance of a hydrostatic column
is necessary for well control.
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22. What Do you Think?
Paper # • Paper Title • Presenter Name
Slide 22
Questions/Comments
What do you think?