CO sub 2 -foam fracturing with methanol successfully stimulates canyon gas sand

Journal Article · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992 · SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Production Engineering; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/20119-PA· OSTI ID:5358046

Craft, J R; Waddell, S P ^[1]; McFatridge, D G ^[2]

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1. American Cometra Inc. (US)
2. Halliburton Services (US)

Successful stimulation using CO{sub 2} foam with methanol has revived the economically marginal Canyon gas-sand reservoir of Sterling County, TX. Field experience in the Conger (Penn) field demonstrated that CO{sub 2} foam (1) lessened the water required in the fluid and (2) provided a gas assist to help remove water and lower interfacial tension (IFT). The low pH of the fluid, combined with additional clay stabilization, iron control, and enhanced water recovery additives, proved helpful in initial well response and subsequent performances. Since the CO{sub 2}-foam fracture treatments were administered, production from Sterling County Canyon gas sands met or surpassed initial rates, even though formation pressure in the field declined 33.2%. Stimulation is essential for commercial production in these sands. However, water blockage, caused by stimulation, was encountered in designing an effective completion technique for a tight formation with reduced bottomhole pressure (HBP). Production in tight, low-pressure gas wells can be completely blocked if formation pressure does not exceed the capillary pressure increase caused by injected fracture fluid. Original stimulation techniques consisted mainly of gelled-water fracture treatments containing 65,000 lbm of 20/40-mesh sand with a maximum concentration of 2 1/2 lbm/gal. In many cases, several weeks of swabbing were required to ensure continuous flow. After the fracture treatments, about 40% water recovery was realized throughout the field. This paper discusses CO{sub 2}-foam fracture treatments and job design and presents case histories from several Conger (Penn) field CO{sub 2}-foam fracture treatments.

• OSTI ID: 5358046
• Journal Information: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Production Engineering; (United States), Journal Name: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Production Engineering; (United States) Vol. 7:2; ISSN SPENE; ISSN 0885-9221
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ALCOHOLS
CAPILLARY FLOW
CARBON DIOXIDE INJECTION
COLLOIDS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISPERSIONS
FEDERAL REGION VI
FLUID FLOW
FLUID INJECTION
FLUID INJECTION PROCESSES
FLUIDS
FOAMS
FRACTURING FLUIDS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
METHANOL
MINERAL RESOURCES
MISCIBLE-PHASE DISPLACEMENT
MIXTURES
NORTH AMERICA
OIL FIELDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PH VALUE
RESERVOIR PRESSURE
RESOURCES
TEXAS
USA
WELL COMPLETION