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A. T. Jardim Neto, C. A. M. Silva, R. S. Torres, R. L. Farias, F. G. M. Prata, L. A. M. Souza, Baker Hughes; and A.
Z. I. Pereira, A. Calderon, E. F. Sandes, Petrobras
Abstract
The stimulation history in offshore Brazil is undergoing into a deep transformation. The requirements of technology, before
focused on sandstone reservoirs demand, are being expanded by the need for techniques to stimulate carbonate reservoirs,
specially the pre-salt carbonates. In this scenario, a self-diverting acid system based on a viscoelastic surfactant (VES)
technology was introduced for carbonate reservoir stimulation.
The Self-Diverting VES (SD-VES) promotes viscosity development when the acid comes in contact with the carbonate
formation. The mechanism of viscosity development is simple: In concentrated acid, the system presents low viscosity, which
results in friction reduction while pumping; however, when the fluid reacts with the formation and the acid concentration
decreases, the micelle spherical structures combine, transforming into rod-like micelles that convert to a 3-D structure, which
increases the fluid viscosity. The high viscosity generates a temporary barrier across the high-injectivity zones, diverting the
subsequent fluid to treat other reservoir zones.
Generally the SD-VES is associated with several placement techniques that aid in achieving good treatment distribution
through the entire producer interval. Regardless of the placement technique applied, the SD-VES is generally used as the
main acid fluid and is bullheaded into the well. Because of its rheological behavior, the SD-VES is pumped as a single fluid
during bullheading, aiming to achieve formation stimulation and good treatment distribution throuth the entire productive
interval.
Since the SD-VES was introduced in 2009 to treat carbonate reservoirs in offshore Brazil, more than 40 wells have been
treated using the system in the various acid placement techniques presented in this paper. Three case histories are presented
to better illustrate the different scenarios where the SD-VES was applied.
1. Introduction
Despite Brazils history of carbonate reservoir development, the discovery of giant sandstone fields offshore Brazil
during the 1980s and 1990s led to technology developments focused more on sand control techniques and chemical
treatments for those reservoirs. After the discovery of the pre-salt carbonates during the 2000s the focus has been expanded to
dealing with the new challenges. The Brazilian pre-salt play is characterized by giant carbonate reservoirs with high
heterogeneities and generally localized in deep to ultradeep water depths. The exploration and development of these
reservoirs constitute the main focus of the local operator in offshore Brazil. The need for new stimulation technologies appear
among the different challenges. Selection and placement of the optimal stimulation fluid are crucial to maximize well
production after treatment and consequently increase reservoir recovery.
Matrix acidizing is frequently used to stimulate carbonate reservoirs offshore Brazil. In matrix treatments the acid is
injected into the formation below the fracturing rate and pressure. When the acid comes in contact with the formation, it will
follow the path of least flow resistance and enter zones with highest injectivitytypically the high-permemeability or less
damaged zones. The acid dissolves carbonate minerals as it enter the formation, creating high-conductivity flow channels
called wormholes, which further increase the injectivity. Subsequent acid will flow through the same wormhole, leaving
other zones of interest unstimulated, Taylor et al. (2003).
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Proper diversion technique is required in order to direct the treatment fluid to lower-permeability or more damaged
zones and ensure the treatment of the entire production interval. Several materials and methods have been applied to enhance
acid diversion across the treated interval. Each technique has some merits, and the basic goal of all is to temporarily shut-off
a higher-permeability zone, forcing the stimulation fluid into the lower-permeability zones. As with many situations however,
too much diversion can cause undesirable results.
The chemicals developed and used as diverting agents over the years include polymer gels, foams, oil-soluble resins,
and rock salt among others. In offshore Brazil polymer-based systems have been applied successfully over the years. Such
systems are easier to handle than particulates, and diversion is achieved via the formation of natural resistance to viscous
flow. Generally the treatment is divided in three phases: a regular 15 wt% HCl is pumped first, followed by a gelled 15 wt%
HCl, and finally by a pill of in situ crosslinked gelled 3 wt% HCl. Generally several stages are pumped, repeating the three
phases in order to cover the entire interval.
Despite the success with polymer systems, concerns about the potential damage to the formation provided an
impetus for the successful introduction of viscoelastic acid system in Brazil. The first matrix acidizing operation using
viscoelastic acid system was performed Brazil in 2009 to treat albian carbonates in the Campos Basin.
2. VES Diverting Agent
Surfactant-based acids constitute systems called viscoelastic (VES). These systems have been studied and extensively applied
over the last decade to overcome potential disadvantages of in situ crosslinked polymer-based systems (Chang et al. 2001; Qu
et al. 2002; Nars-El-Din et al 2003b; Fu and Chang 2005). The concerns related to such polymer systems include the
precipitation of the crosslinker [Fe(III)] in the formation and the permeability loss observed in core flow tests explained in
terms of polymer retention in the core (Lynn and Nars-El-Din, 2001; Nars-El-Din et al. 2002; Taylor and Nasr-El Din, 2002
and 2003). Unlike conventional crosslinked acids, VES fluids do not require a metallic crosslinker and were successfully
used in both matrix stimulation (Al-Mutawa et al. 2005; Nars-El-Din et al. 2006a; Lungwitz et al. 2007) and acid fracturing
(Al-Muhareb et al. 2003; Nars-El-Din et al. 2003a).
In most of the treatments performed outside of Brazil using VES, the system has been applied as a diversion pill, pumped
intercalated with conventional HCl acid. In some cases VES acid systems foamed with nitrogen have been successfully
applied in matrix acidizing treatments. Although those treatments produce good results, they create some operational issues
because of the multi-fluid combination; in the case of foamed VES, the operation requires nitrogen tanks and pumps.
The VES acid (SD-VES) introduced in Brazil in 2009 has been pumped as a self-diverting acid system, which means that a
single fluid is used to stimulate and to divert.In most of the applications the system is bullheaded as the main acid fluid, and
no other fluids are intercalated with the system. This approach has been applied in several wells, with very good results.
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Regarding the shear rate effect on the apparent viscosity, was observed a power-law relationship with the viscosity
decreasing with the shear rate as illustrated by the Fig. 3. This behavior is important in minimizing friction losses during
placement, when the fluid is submitted to higher shear rate, resulting in lower viscosity. The shear rate decreases significantly
as the acid enters in the formation, and the injected acid will continue to gain viscosity as it spends, to achieve a maximum
value as the formations natural resistance causes the fluid to approach a static state.
Figure 3 Apparent Viscosity vs Shear rate for spent 15 wt% HCl with 4 vol% surfactant.
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Abundant amounts of primary and dissolution porosity were noted. The black and white coloration visible in the Fig. 4 is due
not only to the vugular nature of the limestone, but also due to the pores/vugs being lined by a black, solid hydrocarbon
residue (bitumen). The bitumen indicates that live oil which had migrated into this reservoir was cooked in place due to
elevated reservoir temperature. The lighter ends of the hydrocarbon were eventually discharged from the reservoir over
geologic time, and a second round of hydrocarbons was emplaced. An alternative explanation is that the oil in the reservoir
was deasphalted by the introduction of large amounts of natural gas.
Figure 4 Coreplug inlet and outlet / pre and post Self-Diverting VES injection.
A sub-sample from one coreplug was selected for mineralogical definition by x-ray diffration (XRD). Sub-samples were also
taken for acid solubility analysis. Immersion of the sample in 15 wt% HCl at room temperature yielded an immediate acid
reaction and digestion of most of the sample. Mineralogical analysis performed on an acid-insoluble residue, excluding
organic-based bitumen, indicates quartz as the dominant insoluble mineral with lesser amounts of potassium feldspar
(microcline). A significant amount of barium sulfate was also present, which is believed to have been sourced from the
drilling mud. The minerals and their relative percentages are shown in Table 2.
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The coreflood test was conducted at 150 F and under 1500 psi of net pressure against 200 psi of backpressure. Testing was
conducted with 6 vol% of viscoelastic surfactant in 10 wt% HCl. Effective permeability to oil at irreducible water saturation
(KoSwi) was significantly improved by the acid treatment (500% improvement in K oSwi). Degradation of the sample endfaces,
particularly the injection endface, was minimal. No large cavernous connected pathways (wormholes) typically associated
with HCl systems in limestone was observed as shown in Fig. 4, and computed tomography images show enlargement of
existing pores as shown in Fig. 5.
Figure 5 Computed tomography image of the coreplug after the Self-Diverting VES acid injection.
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Same technique applied for case 1.a), a preferential injection zone is created using coiled tubing, placing a small
volume of acid through the sliding sleeve positioned in front of the zone with highest permeability. In sequence,
the main treatment is bullheaded through the slide sleeve positioned in front of the lowest-permeability interval,
generally using the SD-VES Fig.
8 Case a).
b) For a well completed in two zones,
the treatment can also be
bullheaded, without using coiled
tubing, keeping both slide sleeves
open. In this case, a lower zone
below the packers was already
treated and is used as a preferential
injection zone to direct the pre-flush
acid to the bottom of the packed
interval. When the main acid
reaches the upper interval, the lower
zone is mechanically isolated.
Generally the SD-VES is used as
the main acid Fig. 8 Case b).
Figure 8 Placement techniques for well isolated by packer:
Cases a) and b).
3) Horizontal well Two approaches have been used:
a) A combination of diverting liner and the creation of a preferential injection zone as mentioned on case 1.a).
After pumping a small volume of acid through coiled tubing, the main treatment is performed, generally
bullheading the SD-VES Fig. 9.
b) A combination of conventional perforated liner and diverting washpipes placed in front of the treated zone. The
main treatment generally is performed bullheading the SD-VES Fig. 10.
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Figure 9 Placement technique for a horizontal well using a diverting liner Case 3.a)
Figure 10 Placement technique for a horizontal well using diverting washpipes Case 3.b)
4. Case Histories
The first acidizing operation using the SD-VES was performed in Brazil in the middle of 2009. Due to ease of pumping a
single fluid to stimulate and chemically divert the treatment
and the good results obtained from post-treatment logging,
more than 40 jobs were performed using the system. Below
are presented three case histories of SD-VES applications
for different completion scenario and placement technique.
4.1 Case Histories #1 Well A
The placement approach used to treat Well A is the same
presented in Case 3a above.
The well was an oil producer with 4,959 ft of horizontal
length completed with a 7-in. uncemented diverting liner.
The formation was a calcarenite of the Albian with
permeability ranging from 1 to 100 mD and porosity of
12%. The well temperature was considered 226 F,
information obtained from an offset well. The formation
presented natural faults, and the oil viscosity ranged from
1.2 to 1.6 cP. Table 3 presents reservoir and completion
information for Well A.
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After the coiled tubing treatment, a total of 2,000 bbl of SD-VES (15 wt% HCl with 6 vol% of viscoelastic surfactant) was
pumped to treat the entire perforated interval. While bullheading, the pumping rate was increased at steps to 15 bpm. After
pumping 200 bbl of the SD-VES, the operations personnel began to launch water-soluble perforation ball sealers. These
organic-based balls slowly dissolve in all aqueous fluid. A total of 1,800 ball sealers were distributed during the treatment.
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The PLT performed on the Well B after the acid treatment is presented in Fig. 11. The temperature log presented reduction in
the upper zone, indicating fluid production. The oil rate curve confirms the main production contribution from the upper,
higher-permeability zone (16,072 to 16,232 ft). The production from the lower zone (16,232 to 16,367 ft) was almost
insignificant. The high permeability contrast between the zones probably was responsible for the lower zones poor response
to treatment. For Well B, the placement technique presented in Case 1b could represent a better approach to direct the acid to
the lower zone.
In general terms the acidizing was successful, as confirmed by a six-month production test that indicates production of
12,578 bbl/day (2,000 m3/day) with a gas/oil ratio of about 250. No water production was observed during the test (water cut
less than 0.1%).
Cumulative Production
Contribution
Oil Rate
(m3/day)
Higher
Permeability
Zone
Temperature Log
Lower
Permeability
Zone
10
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The PLT run after the acid treatment indicates production through the lower 508-ft of perforations, which corresponds to
77.5% of the perforated interval. It is an impressive result, considering the high permeability contrast presented by the
perforated interval. Fig. 12 presents the PLT results.
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11
Cumulative Production
Contribution
Production
Contribution from
Individual Layers
High Permeability
Zone
Table 9 summarizes the production contribution of the perforated interval, divided by zones. Zones 5 and 6, located in the
lower portion of the perforated interval, and presented 50% of the production. They were expected to contribute considerably
to the production because of their higher permeability. Despite their much lower permeability, Zones 2, 3 and 4 also
presented impressive production contributions. Zone 1, another low-permeability zone, presented very low production
contribution.
Considering the perforation length and high permeability heterogeneity presented by the reservoir, the operator classified the
treatment as successful. As a strategy for future treatments in similar scenarios (wells where lower zones have much higher
permeability than upper zones), pumping the initial barrels of the bullheaded acid at lower rate could improve the treatment
distribution, giving the acid more contact time with the upper zone.
12
SPE 165089
An SD-VES acid system was introduced in 2009 to treat carbonate formation offshore Brazil. Since the first job,
more than 40 wells were treated using the system.
The SD-VES system has provided good post-treatment results in both Albian and pre-salt carbonates, which
constitute the main carbonate reservoirs offshore Brazil.
Several acid placement techniques have been applied offshore Brazil to achieve treatment diversion. The SD-VES
system can be used as a main acid fluid and chemical divergent in many placement techniques.
The SD-VES is generally bullheaded in a single phase as a self-diverting system, requiring no intercalation with
other fluids. The high acid concentration and rheological behavior as the acid spends at the formation is responsible
for stimulation and chemicaly diversion of the treatment.
Three case histories of well treated using the SD-VES demonstrate very good production results, especially for Well
#3, where post-treatment PLT indicated a production distribution and therefore treatment distribution.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the management of Petrobras and Baker Hughes for the permission to publish this paper.
Equations
The Damage Ratio can be defined by the equations below:
DR= (PE - Pwf)/(PE-Pwf-PS)
Damage Ratio compared to Skin:
Positive Skin: DR > 1
Skin = 0: DR = 1
Negative Skin: DR < 1
Nomenclature
BPM =
CT =
Computed Tomography
DR =
Damage Ratio
FT =
Feet
ID =
Internal Diameter
IN=
Inches
LBM =
Pounds
PLT =
PSI =
PE =
Static Pressure
Pwf =
Flow Pressure
SD-VES =
Wt% =
Percent by weigth
Vol% =
Percent by volume
PS =
Skin Pressure
SI Metric Conversion Factors
bbl
1.589 873 E 01 = m3
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cP
lbm
mD
ft
in
psi
bbl/day/psi
13
1.0* E 03 = Pa . s
4.535 E-01 = kg
9.869 233 E 04 = m2
3.048* E 01 = m
2.54* E +012 = mm
6.894 757 E + 00 = kPa
2.26 m3/day/kgf/cm2
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