®
Originally appeared in FEBRUARY 2015 issue, pgs 101-104. Posted with permission.
DECOMMISSIONING
tion time period, or when a microfracture Fig. 1. Wellbore schematic for Well P1. Fig. 3. Representative stress versus strain
caused by stresses creates a flow path. plot for epoxy resin.
Squeeze cementing is the first option
for isolating or abandoning a problematic 14,000
annular zone. Squeeze cementing can be 12,000
zone because of a poor primary ce- gas passes through, and the system is able the brine, resin, and cement were pumped
ment job. to form a competent seal. Once cured, the continuously at 1-1.5 bbl/min below the
• Gas from the 95/8-in.–133/8-in. annu- compressive strength of the resin generally fracture pressure until reaching the entire
lus had a thermogenic origin associ- ranges from 10,000 psi to 20,000 psi. The string displacement volume, minus 2 bbl.
ated with oil (same gas composition magnitude of compressive strength and After the squeeze job, the 95/8-in.–133/8-
as from the Porquero reservoir.) Young’s modulus is dependent on temper- in. annulus surface pressure was moni-
As a result of low commercial gas pro- ature. Figure 3 shows a stress versus strain tored continuously. No gas migration was
duction, the operator decided to abandon plot for a resin cured and tested at 162°F. observed after 72 hr, which indicated the
the well to prevent the leakage of forma- In this test, the resin exhibited a com- treatment was successful.
tion gas/fluids to the surface, from the sen- pressive strength of 12,500 psi. However,
sitive formation. This type of permanent equally impressive is the point at which CONCLUSIONS
abandonment must be reliable to meet the measurement of compressive strength The following conclusions were
governmental requirements, and prevent occurred. This occurred at a compressive achieved as a result of this study:
future environmental problems. strain of 21%, illustrating the ability of res- • A gas shut-off job was performed suc-
ins to withstand high degrees of strain. cessfully by using a novel epoxy resin
RESIN SOLUTION ahead of a neat cement slurry.
Resin chemistry—including epox- FIELD APPLICATION • Pressure decreased with time until
ies, phenolics and furans—has been used Well P-1 had been inactive since 2009 0 psi was reached, no gas production
widely in a variety of applications in well because of poor production. Gas pressure was observed at the surface, and the
construction, completion and produc- (750 psi) was observed at the surface, well was brought back into compli-
tion.4 Epoxy resin systems are ideal for use 95/8-in.–133/8-in. annulus. A cement bond ance with governmental regulations
in shutting off unwanted gas flow. log was taken, which indicated poor ce- for proper well abandonment.
One of the main attributes of an epoxy ment bonding between the casing and for- • It was shown that gas bubbles can
resin system is its ability to formulate com- mation, from 6,200 ft to the surface, Fig. pass through the resin when it is in
pletely free of solids. This allows the system 4. A chromatography test and the cement a liquid state; however, once it sets, a
to overcome the effects of particle bridg- bond log indicated that the gas at surface competent seal is formed.
ing, which are often associated with parti- was coming from the Porquero Superior • The versatility of the system allows
cle-laden fluids, and permits deep penetra- reservoir (7,804 ft to 7,834 ft). for the mixing of large volumes in a
tion into the affected area. For example, Perforations were made across the in- batch mixer or for just a few barrels
during a remedial squeeze operation us- terval from 6,053 ft to 6,058 ft in the 95/8-in. in a tote tank. This presents an ad-
ing conventional cement, penetration of casing to create a communication path to vantage for remote areas, offshore
a channel is limited by the particle size of the annulus. A cement retainer was run to deepwater operations, locations with
the cement. When the slurry reaches a mi- 6,045 ft (8 ft above the upper perforation). insufficient space, or in situations
crochannel, fluid loss occurs. A filter cake An injectivity test was conducted, which where the transportation of heavy
forms, and only filtrate enters the micro- showed a maximum pressure of 1,450 psi equipment is prohibitive.
channel, potentially limiting the effective- at 2.5 bbl/min, indicating a void space ex- • Based on its properties—such as
ness of this approach. However, when an isted behind the casing. fluid immiscibility, suitable me-
epoxy resin is used for a remedial squeeze, The maximum working pressure, con- chanical properties, its ability to be
the resin effectively enters the microchan- sidering the fracture gradient and a pressure pumped in conjunction with water-
nel and seals the leak. In the case of annular limit for the job, was established at 1,500 based fluids (brine and cement),
gas flow, where pressure is observed at the psi. To penetrate more deeply through and high penetration capability be-
surface, a channel exists from the origin of microannuli, a low solids-free formulation cause of the solids-free design—the
the gas all the way to the surface, which can was designed. Using a special mixer, 5 bbl resin was the preferred strategy as an
be thousands of feet long. The resin is able of the resin was mixed in a tote tank. Fif- annular gas shut-off system for these
to penetrate this channel and travel for a teen bbl of 16-lbm/gal Class “G” cement kinds of wells. .
long distance to seal the leak. with latex were mixed in a batch mixer.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
After placement, the resin transforms Five bbl of calcium chloride brine were The authors thank the management of Gran Tierra Energy and
from a liquid to a high-viscosity liquid, to pumped at 3 bbl/min and 800 to 1,050 psi, Halliburton for permission to publish this work. They also thank the
a viscoelastic solid, and, finally, to a solid, as a preflush; 5 bbl of solids-free resin at 9.3 engineering personnel of both companies for their contributions to
this work. This article is an adaptation of SPE paper 169400-MS.
exhibiting high compressive strength with lbm/gal were pumped at 2 bbl/min and
the ability to withstand high strain with- 1,100 psi; followed by 15 bbl of 16-lbm/gal REFERENCES
out failure through a crosslinking reaction. Class “G” cement slurry at 3 bbl/min and 1. API RP 65 Part 2, Isolating potential flow zones during well
construction, First edition, Washington, API, 2010.
During the liquid state, the resin continu- 1,200 psi. Ten bbl of 15.2-lbm/gal spacer 2. Jones, P.J., B.A. London, L.B. Tennison, et al, “Unconventional
ously transmits hydrostatic pressure. In followed by 14.7 lbm/gal of water-based remediation in the Utica shale using advanced resin technologies,”
SPE paper 165699, presented at the SPE Eastern Regional Meet-
Fig. 2., an underbalanced situation is simu- mud (WBM) were used as displacement ing, Pittsburgh, Penn., Aug. 20-22, 2013.
lated, where the gas pressure exceeds the fluids. Initially, the stinger was out of the re- 3. King, G.E. and D.E. King, “Environmental risk arising from well-
construction failure—Differences between barrier and well fail-
hydrostatic pressure of the column of resin tainer. Once the spacer was near the end of ure, and estimates of failure frequency across common well types,
above. It can be observed that gas is able to the string, the stinger was plugged in the re- locations,” and well age, SPE Prod & Oper 28 (4): 323–344, SPE
paper 166142-PA, 2013.
bubble through the resin, but no channel- tainer to activate the valve and squeeze all of 4. Morris, K.A., J.P. Deville and P.J. Jones, “Resin-based cement
ing or residual flow path remains after the the treatment fluid into the formation. All of alternatives for deepwater well construction,” SPE paper 155613,
presented at the SPE Deepwater Drilling and Completions success in deep water, thermal, mature fields DR. PAUL JONES is a principal
Conference, Galveston, Texas, June 20-21, 2012. and HPHT wells. He has more than 13 years of scientist in Halliburton’s
5. Shryock, S.H. and K.A. Slagle, “Problems related to squeeze ce- experience in the oil and gas industry, including Cementing Applied Science
menting,” J. Pet Tech 20 (8): 801–807, SPE paper 1993-PA, 1968.
operational, supervisory and technical and Processes group. He is
management positions internationally responsible for research and
(Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia and the U.S.). He development of chemical
JUAN MANUEL ARROYAVE is holds a BS degree in petroleum engineering technologies pertaining to
an account representative in from the University of Zulia in Venezuela. wellbore cementing operations and is one of
Halliburton’s Business the developers of WellLock Resin System.
Development Cementing HENRY HERNANDEZ is Jones has worked with operations in both the
department. He has worked currently working with Gran U.S. and internationally to implement
with operations in Colombia to Tierra Energy Colombia as a successful remediation and wellbore
implement successful zonal drilling superintendent. Mr. construction strategies using advanced resin
isolation practices in producing oil and gas Hernandez is a graduated technologies. Applications have included
wells. Applications have included primary and petroleum engineer, and he has remedial operations for annular pressure
remedial operations for oil and gas wells as a more than 35 years of build-up and damaged casing as well as plug
field engineer and as a design engineer at experience in planning, programing and and abandonment. He earned a BS degree in
customer offices. Mr. Arroyave earned a executing all the drilling, completion, workover chemical engineering from the University of
petroleum engineering degree from the and well services related operations. Mississippi and a doctoral degree in polymer
National University in Medellin-Colombia. He is science and engineering from the University of
a member of SPE. Southern Mississippi.
JOSE LUIS AMAYA is a senior
operations engineer with Gran
JAVIER URDANETA is a Tierra Energy Colombia. He
technical advisor in holds a degree in petroleum
Halliburton’s Cementing engineering from the America
department. Mr. Urdaneta University in Bogota, Colombia.
delivers technical support for Mr. Amaya has worked in
field applications, and he has Colombia as a production and well intervention
been involved in many research engineer for more than 13 years.
and development projects for zonal isolation
Article copyright © 2015 by Gulf Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
Not to be distributed in electronic or printed form, or posted on a website, without express written permission of copyright holder.
104 FEBRUARY 2015 / WorldOil.com