Formation fracturing kills Indonesian blowout
Dynamic killing methods without fracturing could not be applied in killing PT-29 blowout, due to the reservoir rock properties (shaley sand formation). A special fracturing and acidizing technique was required in order to allow the calculated kill rate of 40 bbl/ min. A low injection rate of 0.5 bbl/min with high injection pressure of 1,250 psi occurred due to a degree of formation damage and the mud cake covering the sand face. The calculated formation fracture pressure of 1,393 psi was a reliable value compared to actual fracture pressure of 1,400 psi. The designed killing rate of 40 bbl/ min could not reach the blowout well due to some leak-off of the injected fluid in unexpected directions of the induced fractures. Clearing PT-29 of all debris was very important for immediate well capping. The capping operation was done after the fire was extinguished; although the well was still flowing gas and water, no hazard of explosion was detected. The exact subsurface position of the blowout well of PT-29 was uncertain due to the lack of directional survey data. This problem reduced the effectiveness of the killing operation. A reliable water supply is important to the success of the killing job. Once the fracture had been induced, kill fluid had to be pumped continuously; any interruption might cause the fracture to heal. Deviation and directional survey data on every vertical or directional well are absolutely important for accurate relief well drilling purposes in case it is required.
- Research Organization:
- Pertamina, Jakarta
- OSTI ID:
- 6329012
- Journal Information:
- Oil Gas J.; (United States), Vol. 80:46
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
03 NATURAL GAS
BLOWOUTS
CONTROL
OIL WELLS
WELL DRILLING
ACIDIZATION
FLUID INJECTION
FRACTURING
INDONESIA
RESERVOIR ROCK
ROCK MECHANICS
SAND
WATER SUPPLY
ACCIDENTS
ASIA
COMMINUTION
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DRILLING
ISLANDS
MECHANICS
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
030300 - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing