Well Completion and Simulation

During the life of Yeso horizontal oil producers, well intervention and remediation is an essential step to ensure the maximum inflow volumes are being obtained and recovered volumes are matching the established production decline curves. Utilizing a Jet Junk Basket BHA with stick pipe has enabled Concho to successfully clean out a wellbore without the added cost of energized fluids and minimize the risk from getting stuck due to lost circulation. Frac sand that migrates into the wellbore during production and scale precipitation can hinder the well’s drawdown.

This paper discusses Permian Basin examples of a modern epoxy resin system that is compatible with most water- and oil-based wellbore fluid systems. Its unique mechanical properties and resistance to contamination make it a good solution for issues too complex, costly, or difficult to resolve using traditional remediation methods and materials.

Perforating systems are rapidly adapting from the tools that originally evolved for vertical wells.  Many factors in the configuration of the perforating system impact fracturing efficiency and well performance.  Tools designed for clusters intended to be fracture treated have clear advantages over conventional well constant phase, constant shot density systems.

Reservoirs having clays that swell/migrate can potentially impair production. When these clays are present, it is advantageous to use clay stabilizers to mitigate this damage potential.  The industry has adopted several clay assessment methods including analytical procedures such as XRD, SEM and performance testing methods such as capillary suction test (CST) and roller oven test. This paper will describe a new performance test method for inhibitors used in shale reservoirs that complements the existing methods.

Understanding natural fracture systems plays a key role in tight carbonate fields where production is dependent on secondary porosity and pore connectivity. Locating geographic and stratigraphic areas with high natural fracture density and optimizing horizontal well plans to connect fractures can enhance well performance and asset value. A workflow to identify the influence of natural fractures on well performance was conducted in the stacked carbonate play in east Texas. Density, resistivity, and gamma ray logs were used to generate an index curve to identify natural fractures.

Multi-component, pliable plugging agents used to combat lost circulation are well known in the drilling industry. The role of these materials is to provide wellbore pressure containment and to allow for drilling ahead by sealing thief zones and stopping drilling fluid losses. This paper presents a unique method to model and quantify the optimal downhole mixing energy for multi-component, squeezable plugging agents. Understanding and controlling the mixing energy involved in placing these types of treatments is vital for success.