Removal of oil-phase muds from wells in the Anadarko Basin

Conference · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5570838

Goode, D L; Phillips, A M; Stacy, A L; Williams, D A

Diesel/mutual solvent remedial treatments have been used in the Anadarko wells to remove oil-phase mud from the wellbore area and fractures. These treatments reduce the mud viscosity in a reversible manner such that subsequent exposure of the mud to water can cause an increase in mud viscosity and potential plugging of the well. The diesel/mutual solvent leaves the exposed zone in an oil-wet state which can lower the productive capacity of the well. In addition, the diesel/mutual solvent treatments are expensive and particularly hazardous at the high surface treating pressures encountered. A laboratory investigation was performed in which alternative mud removal systems were tested. An Aqueous-Based Cleanup System has been developed to remove oil-phase muds following drilling. The system incorporates 2% KC1 with an organic solvent and a surfactant blend. The treatment irreversibly reduces oil-phase mud viscosity while suspending mud solids for removal from the reservoir. The Aqueous-Based Cleanup System restores the mud-damaged zone to a water-wet state for maximum hydrocarbon productivity. This system offers a less expensive and safer alternative to the diesel/mutual solvent treatments. This paper presents laboratory data comparing the effects of several mud removal systems on oil-phase muds and their associated wetting tendencies. Anadarko Basin case histories of Aqueous-Based Cleanup System treatments are presented. Significant production increases were achieved with the treatments.

• Research Organization: Western Co. of North America
• OSTI ID: 5570838
• Report Number(s): CONF-830236-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Journal Volume: SPE 11568
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
BOREHOLES
CAVITIES
CLEANING
CUTTINGS REMOVAL
DATA
DISPERSIONS
DRILLING
DRILLING FLUIDS
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLUIDS
FORMATION DAMAGE
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
INFORMATION
MIXTURES
NATURAL GAS WELLS
NUMERICAL DATA
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
PRODUCTIVITY
REMOVAL
SOLVENTS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
WELL DRILLING
WELL SERVICING
WELLS