1

Nitrogen Foams
Applications & Calculations
Lesson Objectives
In this chapter the student will learn:

How foamed fluids are different from commingled fluids.

Benefits and calculations of acids when foamed.

How foams can be used for diverting.

Benefits and calculations for proppant laden fluids when foamed.

Effect nitrogen has on cement when foamed

Foam generators, what they are and how to use them.

Lesson Introduction
Background of Foam in the Oilfield
Foams are being used in a number of petroleum industry
applications that exploit the foams' high viscosity and low liquid
content. Some of the earliest applications for foam dealt with its use
as a displacing agent in porous media and as a drilling fluid.
Following these early applications, foam was introduced as a
wellbore circulating fluid for cleanout and workover applications.
In the mid-1970s, nitrogen-based foams became popular for both
hydraulic fracturing and fracture acidizing stimulation treatments.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, foamed cementing became a
viable service, as did foamed gravel packing.
The early widespread use of foams as fracturing fluids was to help
low-pressure gas reservoirs in returning the liquid phase of the

foam. The internal phase of the foam typically consisted of 65 to

80% by volume (quality) of nitrogen gas, with an external phase of
water and a foaming agent (surfactant). These simple nitrogen
foam fluids, coupled with the pumping technology of the 1970s,
were able to transport sand concentrations of 1 to 2 lb/gal into
fractures. Such low proppant concentrations gave beneficial results
in low-pressure sandstone, carbonate, and shale reservoirs. Much
of the success of the early treatments was due to the capability of
nitrogen gas to expand and remove substantial quantities of the
liquid phase from the reservoir.

Foam Rheology
The viscosity of a fracturing fluid is important because of its
influence in creating fracture geometry and in transporting
proppant. Adding linear polymers or crosslinked polymers to
water increases its viscosity. Viscosity of the fluid mixture is also
increased by adding nitrogen gas to create an internal phase (gas
bubbles), when a stabilizing surfactant (foaming agent) is present.
High-viscosity foam fluids can be prepared using low amounts of
water and gelling agents, thereby minimizing the liquid load
placed on a formation.
Foam viscosity depends on a number of variables, including
quality, viscosity of the external phase, and texture. The most
important parameter is foam qualitythe percent volume occupied
by the internal gas phase. Since gas volume is a function of
temperature and pressure, downhole conditions must be known.
As quality increases, foam viscosity increases. In addition, the yield
point characteristics of foams are an exponential function of
quality.
Higher quality foams have better transport properties, particularly
at very low shear rates, because of high yield points. The viscous
character of the external liquid phase is also a major parameter.
Flow of high-quality foam may be visualized as gas bubbles sliding
past one another on thin films of the liquid external phase. If the
liquid film contains a viscosifying agent, then the bubbles will
undergo greater drag forces because of the viscous thin films, and
flow will be more difficult, resulting in higher bulk viscosity.
Texture, or the bubble size distribution, plays an important but
lesser role in determining foam viscosity. Foams exposed to shear
for a sufficient time will equilibrate to a bubble size distribution
that is characteristic of that shear rate. Texture is also influenced by

the surfactant that must be present in sufficient concentration to

stabilize the foam under dynamic conditions.7,8

Terminology
Q - Quality - This term is used mainly when foaming a fluid. This like VLR has no units
due to being a comparison of the total mixture to just one additive (gas) in the mixture. It
differs from VLR in that the mixture is in the bottom part of the equation rather than the
top. Due to this, the Quality will always be less than one. The Tables in section III of the
Nitrogen Data for Oil Well Servicing manual uses Q. It can also be calculated using the
Tables in section VI.

Foamed Acid
As oil and gas wells age, many of them show similar
characteristics. One of the most obvious is, of course, reduced
bottomhole pressure that can contribute to the formation of
paraffins, asphaltenes, and scales. Many old wells have had
repeated acid treatments. Following conventional acid treatments,
large amounts of insoluble fines such as quartz, gypsum, and
feldspars may reduce fracture conductivity. All of these factors
related to old wells can be controlled through foamed acid
stimulation.
Treating wells with characteristics as outlined above with a
conventional nonfoamed acid treatment will probably be
beneficial. However, the high liquid content of conventional fluids
may increase clay problems. Also, low viscosity of the spent acid
may leave a large amount of insoluble fines in the well. In
addition, low bottomhole pressure may require swabbing to clean
up the well.
Nitrogen (nitrogen) is the most widely used material in foam
treatments. Volumetric gas content (foam quality) is generally
between 65 and 85% (comprising 65 to 85% gas and only 15 to 35%
liquid), although qualities as high as 95% have been used. The
liquid phase of the foam may contain 0.5 to 1.0% surfactant and 0.4
to 1.0% inhibitor.

Advantages of Foamed Acid

Foamed acid has widespread applications in both oil and gas wells
and offers the following characteristics to virtually eliminate the
problems mentioned in the previous section:
Low liquid content- Foamed acids used in fracture acidizing
generally range from 60 to 80 quality. The low liquid content is
extremely important when treating a liquid-sensitive formation
where large amounts of liquid may cause swelling in the formation
and reduce the permeability of the formation to the produced
fluids.
Reduced fluid loss- The high apparent viscosity of the foamed
acid results in reduced fluid loss, allowing deeper acid penetration
than a comparable nonfoamed or conventional acid system. In low
permeability reservoirs, the bubbles of the foam may be sufficient
to prevent leak-off to the matrix. This can reduce the affect of
wormholing (channeling). Also, since no fluid loss additive is
necessary in low permeability reservoirs, there is a reduced chance
of impairment of formation conductivity due to the solids in some
additives.
High apparent viscosity- Viscosity is difficult to obtain in a
nonfoamed acid system since the acid used frequently is not
compatible with the gelling agent. A viscous acid provides the
advantage of better pumpability, wider fracture, and improved
fluid loss when used in fracture acidizing. Increasing the viscosity
of the acid before it is foamed will give these benefits plus help to
increase foam stability.
Better cleanup- The built-in gas assist derived from using a
foamed acid treatment now makes recovery of treating fluids from
low-pressure reservoirs more effective than nonfoamed treatments.
The built-in gas assist plus the high apparent viscosity of the
foamed acid enable the acid insoluble formation fines to be
returned to the surface on flow back rather than stay in the
formation where they could hamper production. This means a
faster cleanup that reduces liquid damage to water-sensitive
formations. Also, it may eliminate the need to swab the well after
the treatment.
Improved solids transport- Another advantage of foamed acid is
its capability to suspend fines. Often in conventional acid
treatments, large amounts of insoluble fines such as quartz,
gypsum, and feldspars will be left behind because of the low

viscosity of the spent acid. This may reduce fracture conductivity,

but with the additional viscosity provided by foaming, more of
these fines are suspended and removed from the well during
cleanup.
Less formation damage- Foamed acid has a low liquid content.
Normally, foamed acid is 60 to 80 quality. Less liquid contacts the
formation, thus reducing the opportunity for damage to occur.
Minimum well shut-in time- Foamed acid treatments should have
minimum well shut-in time after pumping. The foamed acid
should be flowed back as soon as possible following the treatment
to reduce the chance of liquid and nitrogen separation. The longer
the foamed acid is allowed to remain in a static, nonflowing
condition, the easier it is for liquid to drain from the foam bubbles
and for suspended fines to settle out of the foamed acid.
Better control- Foamed acid also provides better control. Flow can
be better controlled by adjusting the amount of nitrogen, thereby
changing the acids density. Because acid is normally heavier than
the formation water, acid treatments tend to sink. Foamed acid can
be made to stay higher in the fracture by being less dense than the
formation water. Foaming the acid also helps control the reaction
rate by reducing its diffusion. Foam increases the viscosity of an
acid system, so the acid can be prevented from entering more
permeable or low-pressure zones. This allows for more uniform
coverage without the use of other diverters. Foamed acid can also
carry any of the conventional diverting systems such as Perf Pac
ball sealers or granular diverter.
Foamed acid offers other advantages. It has less thermal demand,
causing less thermal contraction in the tubing. In cold treatment
conditions, this can save having to reset the tubing due to tubing
shrinkage. Nitrogen-foamed acid systems reduce asphaltene
sludge by diluting the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2)
formed from acid reactions. In addition, foamed acid treatments
can be displaced with straight nitrogen, leaving the hole with no
hydraulic column to impede load recovery.

Foamed Acid & Foamed Water Calculations

CALCULATING TOTAL VOLUME OF FOAM
(When you know volume of water or acid)
Quality of Foam = Q
Volume of Water/Acid = W
Total Volume of Foam =

W
(1 Q)

Problem 1
Given:

W= 95 bbl Acid
Q=0.80 (80 Quality)

Find:

Total Volume of Foamed Acid

Solution:

Total Volume Foamed Acid =

95
(1 0. 80 )

95
0. 20

475 bbl Foamed Acid

Problem 2
Given:

W=200 bbl Acid

Q=0.70 (70 Quality)

Find:

Total Volume of Foamed Acid

CALCULATING VOLUME OF WATER NEEDED

(When you know volume of foam)
Quality of Foam
=Q
Volume of Foam
=V
Volume Water Needed = (V) x (1 - Q)

Problem 3
Given: V = 600 bbl Foam
Q = 0.75 (75 Quality)
Find: Volume of Water Needed
Solution:

Volume Water Needed

600 bbl x (1 - 0.75)

600 bbl x (0.25)

150 bbl Water

Problem 4
Given: V = 1000 bbl Foam
Q = 0.65 (65 Quality)
Find: Volume of Water Needed

CALCULATING RATE OF CLEAN WATER OR ACID

(When you know rate of foam)
Quality of Foam
Rate of Foam
Rate of Water

=Q
= Rf (in BPM)
= (Rf) x (1 - Q)

Problem 5
Given:

Rf = 24 BPM
Q = 0.75 (75 Quality)

Find:

Rate of Water

Solution:

Rate of Water =

(24 BPM) x (1 - 0.75)

(24 BPM) x (0.25)

(6 BPM Pumping Rate of Clean Water or Acid)

Problem 6
Given:

Rf = 40 BPM
Q = 0.85 (85 Quality)

Find:

Rate of Water

Calculating Nitrogen Pump Rate

Problem 7
Given:

A customer has called in a foamed acid job. He would like to pump 238
bbl of 80 Quality foamed acid into a reservoir with a BHTP of 2800 psi
at 6000 ft.

Find:

Amount of acid and nitrogen needed for the job.

Solution:

Using the previous calculation for volume of acid

Acid = (v)(1 - Q) = (238 bbl)(1 - .80) = 47.6 bbl
To find the nitrogen needed we will use Section III (pg. 11) in the Nitrogen
Data for Oil Well Servicing manual. When pumping foam into the
reservoir we will use the BHTP which is the pressure the fluids will be
seeing just outside the perforations. For the temperature we will also use
the temperature the fluids are seeing in the reservoir. In this case we will
use 80F. This temperature is determined by many variables such as fluid
temperature at surface, pump rate, tubing size, volume and bottom hole
static temperature. There are computer programs such as WTEMP and
TEMP which can give you more accurate temperatures when necessary.
On page 11, Section III, use a pressure of 2800 psi and a quality of 80 for a
gas liquid ration of 4007 scf/bbl.
Nitrogen needed is = (4007 scf/bbl)(47.6 bbl) = 190,733 bbl

Problem 8
Given:

A customer has called in a foamed acid job. He would like to pump 900
bbl of foamed acid at 10 bpm foam rate. The BHTP is 3600 psi and the
temperature at the perfs is 100F. Note: Cannot use Pg. 11 in Nitrogen
Data for Oil Well Servicing book due to temperature is not 80F.

Find:

Volume of acid and nitrogen and the pump rates for the acid and
nitrogen.

10
EXAMPLE TABLE
GAS-LIQUID RATIOS FOR FOAMED FLUIDS
Temperature = 80

Quality

Gas Liquid Ratio = SCF of N2

BBL of Liquid

60

65

70

75

80

85

90

250
300
350
400
450

149
177
205
233
261

184
219
254
289
323

231
275
319
363
406

297
354
410
466
522

397
472
547
621
696

562
668
774
880
987

892
1061
1230
1398
1567

500
600
700
800
900

289
345
402
458
514

358
428
497
567
636

450
537
625
712
800

578
691
803
916
1028

771
921
1071
1221
1371

1093
1305
1517
1730
1942

1735
2073
2410
2747
3084

1000
1200
1400
1600
1800

570
683
795
899
1005

706
845
984
1113
1244

887
1062
1237
1399
1563

1140
1365
1590
1798
2010

1521
1820
2120
2398
2680

2154
2579
3003
3397
3796

3421
4096
4770
5395
6030

2000
2200
2400
2600
2800

1108
1209
1307
1408
1503

1372
1497
1618
1744
1861

1724
1881
2032
2191
2338

2217
2418
2613
2817
3006

2956
3224
3484
3756
4007

4187
4567
4936
5321
5677

6650
7254
7839
8450
9017

3000
3200
3400
3600
3800

1594
1683
1769
1853
1933

1974
2084
2191
2294
2393

2480
2619
2752
2882
3006

3189
3367
3539
3705
3865

4252
4489
4718
4940
5154

6024
6359
6685
6999
7301

9567
10100
10617
11115
11596

4000
4200
4400
4600
4800

2010
2092
2166
2239
2303

2488
2590
2682
2772
2852

3126
3254
3370
3483
3583

4020
4184
4333
4479
4606

5359
5578
5777
5972
6142

7592
7902
8184
8460
8701

12059
12551
12999
13436
13819

5000
5500
6000
6500
7000

2370
2527
2671
2803
2932

2934
3129
3307
3471
3630

3686
3931
4155
4361
4561

4740
5054
5343
5607
5864

6319
6738
7123
7475
7819

8953
9546
10092
10590
11077

14219
15161
16028
16820
17592

7500
8000
8500
9000
9500

3048
3157
3257
3356
3446

3774
3908
4032
4155
4267

4742
4911
5066
5220
5361

6097
6314
6514
6711
6892

8129
8418
8685
8948
9190

11516
11926
12304
12677
13019

18291
18941
19541
20134
20677

10000
10500
11000
11500
12000

3531
3613
3690
3763
3834

4371
4473
4569
4659
4747

5492
5621
5740
5853
5964

7061
7226
7381
7525
7668

9415
9635
9841
10034
10224

13338
13650
13941
14214
14484

21184
21679
22142
22576
23004

EXAMPLE TABLE

11
GAS-LIQUID RATIOS FOR FOAMED FLUIDS
Temperature = 100

Quality

Gas Liquid Ratio = SCF of N2

BBL of Liquid

60

65

70

75

80

85

90

250
300
350
400
450

143
171
198
225
252

178
211
245
278
312

223
265
307
350
392

287
341
395
449
504

382
455
527
599
672

542
644
747
849
951

861
1023
1186
1348
1511

500
600
700
800
900

279
333
387
441
496

345
412
480
547
614

434
518
602
687
771

558
666
775
883
991

744
888
1033
1177
1322

1054
1258
1463
1668
1873

1673
1999
2324
2649
2974

1000
1200
1400
1600
1800

550
658
758
861
962

681
815
939
1066
1191

855
1024
1180
1340
1496

1100
1316
1517
1722
1924

1466
1755
2022
2296
2565

2077
2487
2865
3253
3634

3299
3949
4550
5167
5772

2000
2200
2400
2600
2800

1061
1157
1250
1349
1439

1313
1432
1547
1670
1782

1650
1799
1944
2098
2239

2121
2313
2500
2697
2878

2828
3084
3333
3596
3838

4007
4370
4722
5094
5437

6364
6940
7499
8091
8635

3000
3200
3400
3600
3800

1527
1613
1696
1777
1854

1891
1997
2100
2200
2296

2376
2509
2638
2764
2885

3055
3226
3392
3553
3709

4073
4301
4523
4738
4945

5770
6094
6408
6712
7005

9164
9678
10177
10660
11126

4000
4200
4400
4600
4800

1929
2009
2081
2152
2216

2389
2487
2577
2665
2743

3001
3125
3238
3348
3447

3859
4018
4163
4305
4432

5145
5357
5550
5740
5909

7289
7589
7863
8131
8371

11577
12053
12489
12914
13295

5000
5500
6000
6500
7000

2281
2436
2579
2711
2838

2824
3016
3193
3356
3513

3548
3789
4012
4217
4414

4562
4872
5158
5422
5675

6083
6496
6877
7229
7567

8618
9202
9743
10241
10720

13687
14615
15474
16265
17026

7500
8000
8500
9000
9500

2954
3063
3164
3262
3353

3657
3792
3917
4038
4151

4595
4764
4922
5074
5215

5908
6125
6328
6523
6705

7877
8167
8438
8698
8940

11159
11570
11953
12321
12665

17723
18375
18985
19569
20116

10000
10500
11000
11500
12000

3439
3519
3599
3673
3743

4257
4357
4455
4547
4634

5349
5475
5598
5713
5822

6877
7039
7197
7345
7486

9170
9385
9596
9794
9981

12990
13296
13595
13875
14140

20632
21117
21591
22036
22457

12

Foam Diversion
In most cases, formations will be comprised of zones possessing
different permeabilities or zones that may have sustained differing
degrees of damage during drilling, completion, or workover
operations. When acidizing treatments are performed on such
formations, the treating fluids naturally enter the zones that
present the least resistance to flow. This can result in placing the
acid in zones that require the least stimulation.
Diversion can be used to alter the fluid injection profile of a
treatment. Because fluids will choose the path of least resistance,
diversion is primarily a resistance problem; the goal is to alter
injection rate per unit of area so that all zones accept the proper
proportion of the treatment. Reservoir properties that can vary the
injection rate per unit of area are permeability, differential
pressure, and length; if these properties are not in the correct
proportion, diversion should be considered. This disproportion
can result from the following:
zones having differing permeabilities
zones having differing formation pressures
zones containing fluids with different compressibility
zones containing fluids with different viscosity
zones having natural fractures
A goal of acid treatment is to cause zones of similar permeability to
produce at higher rates by increasing the permeability in the
critical near-wellbore area. Diversion helps reach this goal by
forcing acid into damaged areas to allow the entire zone (assuming
near equal permeability distribution) to be productive.

Diverting Agents
Diverting agents have been used in stimulation treatments for
years to help ensure treatment distribution over the entire
perforated interval. In order to provide uniform placement of the
reacting fluids across the entire perforated interval, diverting
agents such as insoluble sand, benzoic acid flakes, solid organic
acids, deformable solids, mixtures of waxes and oil-soluble
polymers, acid-swellable polymers, and mixtures of inert solids
(silica flour, calcium carbonate, rock salt, oil-soluble resins, etc.) are
frequently used to form temporary filter cakes on the higher

13

permeability or least damaged zones. This then forces the

treatment into the rest of the interval. One concern when using
such materials is that the filter cakes are sometimes slow to
dissolve in the produced fluids, thus requiring remedial treatments
for diverting agent removal.
In the mid 1980s, foam was introduced as a diverting agent in place
of particulate-type diverting agents for acidizing through gravel
packs. Such foams achieve diversion due to their high apparent
viscosity and the plugging effect of the gas bubbles in the foam as
they enter the pore network of the formation. Diversions have been
accomplished with 60 to 80 quality foam. The better the quality of
the foam, the better its diverting ability.
Foams possess several distinct advantages over particulate
diverting agents. One main advantage is that since no solid
particles are used, and because foams degrade fairly rapidly, the
concern about diverting agent cleanup is eliminated. A second
advantage becomes evident when acid treatments are performed
on gravel-packed wells. If particulate-type diverters are used on
such wells, the particles have to be sized such that they will be able
to pass through the gravel-pack sand and still be able to
form a
filter cake on the formation. This dramatically limits
the types of
material that can be used. Foam, however, easily
passes through
the gravel-pack sand while still providing
effective diversion on the
formation without concern about sizing or
cleanup considerations.

Foam Fracturing w/ Proppant

In the Foam-Frac service, nitrogen gas injected downstream of the pumps into a
water-base fluid containing a foaming agent. In most jobs, nitrogen volume
ranges between 65 and 85 percent of the total volume. Proppant transport
characteristics of the foam are excellent. Friction pressure of the foam is much
lower than for the base fluid, so hydraulic horsepower requirements are greatly
reduced. The foam bubbles help block small pore spaces, so fluid loss is very
low without the use of fluid loss additives. That also helps reduce formation
damage that could be caused by the fluid loss additive. In many cases, the foam
helps create wider fractures than would equivalent volumes of conventional
liquids.
Because less liquid is used for an equivalent treatment volume, formation
damage caused by fluids is reduced. When pressure on the well is released,
the foam bubbles expand to provide a tremendous assist in treatment fluid

14

recovery. Usually, even in low pressure reservoirs, the need for swabbing is
eliminated. And the well will clean up much faster. In fact, cleanup times often
are measured in hours rather than weeks.
Foam Frac design programs are available to optimize results and establish the
treatment parameters.
Foam Fracturing w/ Constant Internal Phase
The addition of a proppant to a foam fluid has a greater effect on viscosity than
conventional frac systems. The proppant, in effect, increases the quality of the
system, which increases both viscosity and friction pressure. In a constant
internal phase foam, the volume of nitrogen gas is decreased by the volume of
proppant added. As a result the slurry stays similar to the pad fluid.

Concept
Fluid A is a conventional foam pad fluid (no proppant) containing a fixed volume
of gas and liquid. Fluid B is a proppant-laden fluid with solid added while gas
and liquid volumes are held constant. During a fracturing treatment, these
volumes are pumped in a given time, so the ratios also relate to pumping rates.
The volume of internal phase (gas plus solid) in Fluid B is greater than that of
fluid A, although the liquid is constant, and would result in higher viscosity and a
higher downstream rate. This condition has often led to excessive friction losses
higher wellhead pressures, and premature job termination. An attempt to reduce
solid, liquid, and gas rates proportionally to make the downstream rate the same
as the pad does not solve the overall problem. Although the ratios in Fluid C are
the same as in Fluid B, the internal phase ratio of Fluid C is higher than that of
Fluid A, so the viscosity of Fluid C is higher that that of Fluid A and will give

15

higher friction pressure. In addition, adjusting all three ratios increases

operational difficulty.
An example of the viscosity increase caused by proppant addition is shown in
the following calculation. The addition of 5 lb/gal sand to be 70-quality foam
containing 40 lb/1,000 gal bas gel will increase the internal-phase fraction to
75.6%. The apparent viscosity of the fluid will increase from 325 to 445 cp at 40
sec-1.

A solution has been proposed to keep both downstream flow rate and viscosity
constant. When solid proppant is added, a constant liquid rate should be
maintained, but the gas flow rate should decrease sufficiently to equal the
absolute solid flow rate. Application of the constant-internal-phase concept has
allowed much better control of foam fracturing treatments down small tubing.

Sand Washing with Foam

In some wells, the maximum velocity that can be achieved with
incompressible fluids is insufficient to carry the sand from the
wellbore to the surface. This may be due to the extreme depth, the
production tubing being large, the formation pressure being too
low, or a combination of these and other factors. In such cases, a
compressible fluid such as foam is required.
Foam can be generated in hydrostatic pressure gradients ranging
from 0.350 to 0.057 psi/ft, depending on wellbore pressures and
temperatures. Stable foam rheology most closely resembles
Bingham plastic fluids, where yield stress must be overcome to
initiate fluid movement.
The greater sand-carrying capacity of foam allows sand to be
washed from deep, large diameter holes with limited pump rates
and low velocities. This makes the use of coil tubing possible in
wells that might otherwise require a workover unit.
Foam is a gas-in-liquid emulsion consisting of 52 to 96% gas,
ideally nitrogen. For this application, the liquid can be aqueous or
oil-based. Surfactants are mixed with the liquid phase in
concentrations ranging from 1 to 5% by volume to reduce surface
tension. The wet liquid phase is then commingled with nitrogen
in a foam-generating tee. Turbulence created by nitrogen and wet
liquid mixing provides sufficient dispersion to form a
homogeneous, emulsified fluid.

16

Foam is generated by pumping a mixture of 99% water and 1%

surfactant through an atomizer tee where it is mixed with nitrogen
gas. Because foam is comprised mostly of gas, changes in pressure,
temperature, and solids loading affects the foam quality. As such,
compressible fluids have constantly changing rheology. It is well
understood that the compressible fluid has maximum carrying
capacity when the foam quality is maintained at 65 to 90.

Foam Cement
There have always been areas in which weak zones can support
only a limited height of a normal-density (11 to 18 lb/gal) cement
column without breaking down. Foam cement provides a means of
preparing 4 to 15 lb/gal cementing slurries that develop relatively
high compressive strengths in a minimum period of time, even at
low formation temperatures.
The use of foamed cement offers a low-density slurry that
develops relatively high compressive strengths and low
permeabilities
protects water-sensitive clay, shale, and salt formations
can control high-volume water flow in weak formations, when
mixed as a quick-set formula
enhances protection against annular gas invasion
is economically competitive
can be used from 28 to 600F
Halliburton Foam Cement is a stabilized system consisting of
cement with carefully chosen additives, a foam stabilizer, a gas
(usually nitrogen), and water. Success of foam cement comes from
the ability to maintain cement slurry density below the hydrostatic
breakdown of sensitive formations, which prevents lost circulation
and fallback problems. This density control flexibility allows a
wide latitude in designing the overall job before it is actually run in
the field. Appropriate computer-assisted programs are used for
prejob planning. If necessary, one can choose to change the density
as the pressure and circulation events vary during job execution.
To prepare a stable foam cement, the slurry should be conveyed
through an effective mechanical foam generating device that
imparts sufficient energy and mixing action with pressurized gas
to prepare uniform gas bubbles of the correct size. In nearly all

17

respects, regular cementing equipment is set up as for an ordinary

cementing job. The foam generator is inserted in the cement slurry
discharge line that is connected to the well head, and the nitrogen
unit is connected to the foam generator. The cement slurry is mixed
in a normal fashion, and foaming surfactants and stabilizers are
injected into the slurry as it is picked up by the displacement pump
unit. Fig. 6-1 on the previous page depicts a typical field job
equipment layout.

Foam Generators
The success of many foam treatments is dependent on the foam having the properties
that it was designed for. To ensure a stable foam with good texture, a foam generator
is recommended.

When to Use a Foam Generator:

Foam Cements.
Oil Based Stimulation Fluids.
Fluids w/ Blends of Alcohol / Methanol / Toluene / Xylene / condensate /
diesel etc.
High Linear Based Gel Systems.
Rapid Crosslinked Gel Systems.
Low Rate Pumping Jobs (Matrix Aciding) & Acid Foam Diversions.
Customer Request.
When in Doubt About Performance of Surfactant.
Pumping Down Large Casing Strings.

Foam Generator Problem

Given:
N2 Pump Rate

1,000 scf/min

Expected WHP

5,000 psi

Desired Nitrogen Back Pressure

800 psi

What Size Choke is needed in the Foam Generator?

18

Solution:
Q

1.64 (D2)(V/V) P/Gas Density

Use Nitrogen Data for Oil Well

Servicing Section VI on Page 2 for
5,000 psi & 80F the VS/V is 1580 scf/bbl.

Gas Density

Nitrogen Density is found in same booklet

on page 5 Section VI. Follow up from
5,000 psi to intersection of T = 80F line.
The density is 2.7.

Solve

Q=
D=
V
/V =
P =
Gas Density =
1,000 scf/min =
1,000 scf/min =
.0224 =
.15
=

/V

1,000 scf/min
?
1580 scf/bbl
800 psi
2.7
1.64 (D2)(1580 scf/bbl) 800/2.7
(D2) 44,603
D2
D

9/64 Choke is .14 inches

10/64 Choke is .16 inches

19

The Tee foam generator is a simple device that creates stable

foams with good textures (Fig. 18-1).
Note: There must be at least 8 to 10 feet of straight pipe following
the foam generator tee to serve as the mixing chamber.

Fig. 18-1: Schematic of foam generator.

The following guidelines apply when you select a nozzle size:

For foam cement, use a 16/64-in. nozzle.

For 0 to 40-lb water gel and acid foams with 600 psi nitrogen
pressure loss, use Figure 18-2.

For 40 to 80-lb water gel and oil foams with 1,200 psi nitrogen
pressure loss, use Figure 18-3.

To choose the proper nozzle size, determine the proper nitrogen

flow rate (scf/min), read up the chart until this line intersects with
the curve you selected based on your wellhead pressure. Upon
finding this point, read the nozzle size on the left-hand side of the
graph for your job.

20

Fig. 18-2: Nozzle sizes for 0 to 40-lb water gel and acid foams with 600 psi nitrogen pressure
loss.

FlowBacks of Compressible Fluids

Not our core business. Preference is not to be doing.

Do not use the iron we use in our daily treating operations.
Under no exception are hoses to be used.
When flowing back into tanks make sure MSDS sheets on N2 are left with
company man and that he is aware of potential asphyxiation with N2 in
confined spaces.
Make sure all flowback iron & connections have working pressures above
expected pressures.
Order of preference for connections:
Flanges
Square Threads
Round Threads
V-Thread ( break easier when subjected to lateral & cyclic strain)
Rigid steel lines. Swivel joints have more potential in parting.
Avoid turns whenever possible. Use bull plugged tees when necessary.
Use positive chokes rather than variable chokes when possible.

21

Double valve arrangement close to the wellhead & as close to the ground as
possible. Remote valve recommended.
Stay upwind of well when flowing back.
Use a Perfball Catcher in the line when Perfballs are used.

Is the restraint system capable of controlling the released energy?

The following formulas determine the maximum torque that can be created by a
system failure:
Force =
Torque =
Line I.D.
2
3
3
3
4

(Pressure) (Area)
(Force) (Length)
Area Sq.
3.14
7.07
7.07
7.07
12.56

Pressure
5,000
5,000
5,000
10,000
10,000

Force
15,700
35,350
35,350
70,700
125,600

Length
5
5
10
10
10

Fig. 18-2: Nozzle sizes for 40 to 80-lb water gel and acid foams with 1,200 psi nitrogen pressure
loss.

Torque
78,500
176,750
353,500
707,000
1,256,000

22

Computer Programs
Stimulation
StimWin - This is a Windows based program which allows you to plug in a few
numbers and get back results without having to interpolate off charts and graphs. The
program runs on a 386 DX PC with at least 8 mgs of memory. Instructions to get into
the program are: Click the StimWin GUI, click APP, then Nitrogen Calculations. Under
calculate, click Foam Quality & Density.. Fill in the Black & Pink lines & read the
results givin in the Blue lines. Foam schedules for fracturing applications can also be
determined by clicking foam schedules after clicking App.

PROP TPHASE -

Used in designing a sand laden foam stimulation treatment.

Useful in designing rates, friction pressures, WHPs etc with foams.

Washing
FoamUP -

Simulates a foam cleanout job when washing varies types of debris out
of vertical & horizontal holes.

Cementing
CJOBSIM FMCEM -

Used for simulating a foam cementing job under dynamic conditions.

Simulates a primary foam cementing job under static conditions.
Usually it is necessary to run both the above programs when designing a
primary foam cement job.
SQZSIM2 - Simulates a squeeze foam cementing job under dynamic conditions.

Chapter Feedback Exercises

DIRECTIONS: Complete the following exercise, using your workbook and notes as
references:
1.
Name two variables which effect foam viscosity? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
2.
What size nozzle should you use for foam cementing in a foam generator? --------------------------------.
3.

List six advantages of using a Foam Acid.

a.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

23

b.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

c.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

d.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

e.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

f.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4.

Which foam quality has a higher viscosity?

60 Q, 70 Q, 80 Q. ------

5.

In a 70 Q foam, what is the percentage of the mixture which is liquid? ------

24

Lesson Summary
We initially discussed what foam is and what are the advantages of using
foamed fluids. We found by adding a larger percentage of nitrogen and a
surfactant to the base liquid we could get a fluid which has a low density and a
high viscosity. In doing so we need to make sure enough energy is imparted
into the system by shearing through high velocities or a foam generator.
A fluid once foamed has many added benefits. In stimulating a reservoir it
allows us could fluid loss properties, improved cleanups, and excellent proppant
carrying characteristics. In wells were there is concern about loosing fluids in a
zone downhole, nitrogen foams can be utilized to circulate out debris or in doing
primary or secondary cementing jobs.