Southeast New Mexico. Methanol foam fracs open up Delaware

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Drill Bit; (United States)

OSTI ID:6033267

Mickey, V

Part of the recent success in Brushy Canyon, Cherry Canyon, and Delaware formations in SE. New Mexico is being attributed to improved stimulation techniques. Historically, fracturing Delaware-age sands caused water sensitive clays within the formation to swell. Methanol foam fracs have been applied in Delaware-aged formations for the past year, and results are encouraging. Well potentials have been improved on some wells from under 10 bopd after acidization to 100 bopd after stimulation with methanol in nitrogen foam. The wells are cleaned up after perforation with 7.5% iron and clay control acid. Then the well is stimulated with a 75-quality nitrogen foam. The remaining 25% of the fluid is 50% methanol and 50% KCl water, 2% or 3% concentration. Additives required are minor, and typically include 1 gal/1,000/gal of some nonemulsifying agent and a special methanol foamer. The base fluid is a 30-lb gel system which gives stability to the foam and improves the foam's sand transport qualities. The gel also reduces friction pressures.

• OSTI ID: 6033267
• Journal Information: Drill Bit; (United States), Journal Name: Drill Bit; (United States) Vol. 32:10; ISSN DRBIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ALCOHOLS
COLLOIDS
COMMINUTION
DISPERSIONS
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FEDERAL REGION VI
FLUID INJECTION
FOAMS
FRACTURING
GELS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
METHANOL
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RECOVERY
RESERVOIR ROCK
USA
WELLS