SPE Applied Technology Workshop:

Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications

9-11 September 2013

Le Meridien Limassol Resort and Spa
Cyprus

Dual Lateral Open Hole Coiled Tubing Acid Stimulation in Deep HPHT
Sour Gas Producer Wells Field Experience and Lessons Learned from
the Ghawar Field
Mustafa R. Al-Zaid, Mohammed A. Al-Ghazal, Saad Al-Driweesh, Fadel Al-Ghurairi, Saudi Aramco;
Jose Vielma, Alejandro Chacon and Jose Noguera, Halliburton; all SPE

Outline

Brief Background.

Multilateral Well Intervention Challenges in the Ghawar Field:

Corrosion Concerns in Acidic Fluids and Sour Environments.

CT Lockup in the Open Hole Section.

Access to Multilaterals.

Selective Placement of Acid Treatments in Open Hole Completions.

Post Well Intervention Results.

Conclusion.

SPE Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications

Brief Background

Well Architecture:

Drilling open hole multilateral wells

has significantly increased in the
last few years.

Well architecture is a key factor in

determining the type and size of
the CT and downhole tools to be
used during well interventions.
Radial View of an Open Hole Multilateral Gas
Producer Well Construction

SPE Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications

Brief Background

4 Tubing with
3.688 minimum ID

9 Casing
with 8.535 ID

8.375 Open
hole Diameter

Maximum dogleg kept

under 10/100 ft

Schematic Examples of Typical Well Diagrams

SPE Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications

4 Tubing with
3.688 minimum ID

7 Liner with
6.094 ID

5.875 Open
Hole Diameter

Maximum dogleg kept

under 10/100 ft

Brief Background
Formation Description:

Consolidated carbonate formation.

The mineralogy is mainly calcite with streaks of dolomites.

Reservoir pressures and temperatures ranging from 4,500 psi to 6,500 psi and
250 F to 300 F, respectively .

Formation fluids: gas condensate of 40 to 45 API. Condensate gas ratio from

50 bbl/MMscfd to 150 bbl/MMscfd.

H2S Concentration varies from 1% to 10% and CO 2 concentration from 1% to 4%.

SPE Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications

Outline

Brief Background.

Multilateral Well Intervention Challenges in the Ghawar Field:

Corrosion Concerns in Acidic Fluids and Sour Environments.

CT Lockup in the Open Hole Section.

Access to Multilaterals.

Selective Placement of Acid Treatments in Open Hole Completions.

Post Well Intervention Results.

Conclusion.

SPE Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications

Challenge #1

The Main Challenge:

Dealing with extreme acidic fluid systems, in hot sour wells.

Tubular and CT string corrosion mitigation and prevention.

Introduced Actions:

Loading the well with treated water prior running CT in hole to minimize sour
formation fluid influx.

Circulating treated water loaded with SSC inhibitor while traversing the open hole
section for CT protection.

SPE Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications

Challenge #1

Introduced Actions:

Extensive corrosion tests on CT and completion material coupons.

Using a non-acidic solids-free diverter to minimize fluid losses from thief zones.

Loading acid systems with H2S scavenger.

Mixing acid blends before reaching targeted zones to minimize CT exposure to

sour and acidic fluid influx.

SPE Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications

Outline

Brief Background.

Multilateral Well Intervention Challenges in the Ghawar Field:

Corrosion Concerns in Acidic Fluids and Sour Environments.

CT Lockup in the Open Hole Section.

Access to Multilaterals.

Selective Placement of Acid Treatments in Open Hole Completions.

Post Well Intervention Results.

Conclusion.

SPE Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications

Challenge #2
The Main Challenge:

Pipe buckling due to higher friction coefficient in the OH section and large liner
and OH diameters.

Reaching the target depth due to CT lockup.

Introduced Actions:

Running larger OD CT.

Using friction reducer.

SPE Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications

Challenge #2
Introduced Actions:

Using friction reducer, viscoelastic surfactant (VES) commingled with N2 was

utilized to reduce the friction and CT weight.

Friction reducer used in horizontal open hole section

Using dynamic excitation tool.

SPE Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications

Outline

Brief Background.

Multilateral Well Intervention Challenges in the Ghawar Field:

Corrosion Concerns in Acidic Fluids and Sour Environments.

CT Lockup in the Open Hole Section.

Access to Multilaterals.

Selective Placement of Acid Treatments in Open Hole Completions.

Post Well Intervention Results.

Conclusion.

SPE Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications

Challenge #3
The Main Challenge:
Access to the target lateral in a multilateral

open hole completion.

Introduced Actions:

Using the controlled rotational sub.

Using the controlled bent sub.

Using the isolation sleeve to be able to use

orienting tools in tandem with the dynamic
diversion jetting tool.
Isolation sleeve system on dynamic diversion toll

SPE Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications

Challenge #3
BHA SCHEMATIC
Item
Operator

Client:

2.375" CT Unit

Rig/Platform:

Field/Well Number:

3.688"

Minimum Well Restriction:

Top of Cement/Fill/HUD:

262 F
5,000 psi

Quote Number:

Job Number:

Bottom Hole Temperature:

Bottom Hole Pressure:
Wellhead Pressure:

Hydrajetting + Dynamic Excitation Tool +

steering Tools

BHA Name:
Date Drawn:

4
Tool O/D Tool I/D
in Inches in Inches

T-Length
in Inches

Item

Tool Description

Tool Connections

CT Dimple
Connector for
2.375" CT

2.388 PAC Pin

3.125

1.1

MHA

2.388 PAC Box

2.388 PAC Pin

2.875

1.1

33

Cross-over

2.388 PAC Box

2.388 EUE Pin

12

HydraJetting tool
and sleeve
system

2.388 EUE Box

2.388 EUE Pin

3.06

1.2

22

Cross-over

2.388 EUE Box

2.388 PAC Pin

Dynamic
Excitation Tool

2.388 PAC Box

2.388 PAC Pin

2.875

N/A

84

Cross-over

2.388 PAC Box

1.5 AMMT Pin

N/A

Rotational Sub

1.5 AMMT Box

1.5 AMMT Pin

2.125

N/A

60

Controlled Bent
Sub

1.5 AMMT Box

1.5 AMMT Pin

2.125

N/A

20

10

Straight Bar

1.5 AMMT Box

1.5 AMMT Pin

2.125

1.1

48

11

Nozzle

2.5

1.5 AMMT Box

Minimum Tool-String ID:

10

11

3.125
1

Total Length of BHA in Feet:

Alejandro Chacon

Maxiumum Tool-String OD:

BHA Sheet prepared by:

Fish neck
type

25.17

BHA SCHEMATIC

SPE Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications

Tool Schematic

Outline

Brief Background.

Multilateral Well Intervention Challenges in the Ghawar Field:

Corrosion Concerns in Acidic Fluids and Sour Environments.

CT Lockup in the Open Hole Section.

Access to Multilaterals.

Selective Placement of Acid Treatments in Open Hole Completions.

Post Well Intervention Results.

Conclusion.

SPE Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications

Challenge #4
The Main Challenge:

Selective placement of the acid

5000 psi

treatment across the zone of interest

4800 psi 7000 psi

7600 psi

complex operation when in OH due to

large formation area exposed.

Introduced Actions:

8000 psi

6000 psi

Using the hydrajet acid injection

technique for dynamic divergence.

The technique was usually performed at

a rate of 3 bbl/min and 300 scfm of N2,
and at a speed of 10 ft/min.

Stagnation pressure can be up

to 3,000+ psi compared to
pressure at entrance to cavity.
Computational fluid dynamics simulation

SPE Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications

Outline

Brief Background.

Multilateral Well Intervention Challenges in the Ghawar Field:

Corrosion Concerns in Acidic Fluids and Sour Environments.

CT Lockup in the Open Hole Section.

Access to Multilaterals.

Selective Placement of Acid Treatments in Open Hole Completions.

Post Well Intervention Results.

Conclusion.

SPE Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications

Post Well Intervention Results

Post CT stimulation production results

Pre-stimulation
Well

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I

Gas Rate
(MMscfd)

FWHP (psig)

7
1,070
4
1,900
3
1,300
Unstable performance
9
1,087
3
1,300
9
1,230
6
970
0
240

Post-stimulation
Gas Rate
(MMscfd)

FWHP (psig)

Estimated Gas
Rate Gain
(MMscfd)

18
6
13.6
24
15.4
5
18
17
12

1,310
2,773
1,909
1,530
1,318
1,060
1,200
1,150
1,480

11
2
10.6
6
6.4
2
9
11
12

Total Gas Rate Increased =

SPE Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications

70

Outline

Brief Background.

Multilateral Well Intervention Challenges in the Ghawar Field:

Corrosion Concerns in Acidic Fluids and Sour Environments.

CT Lockup in the Open Hole Section.

Access to Multilaterals.

Selective Placement of Acid Treatments in Open Hole Completions.

Post Well Intervention Results.

Conclusion.

SPE Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications

Conclusion

Innovative solutions with solid engineering ground work were key to the success
of the interventions.

OH multilateral wells can be effectively stimulated in extremely acidic and sour

conditions without jeopardizing the CT string and well completion integrity.

Pumping the friction reducer yielded additional reach in the horizontal section.

The commingling of nitrogen in the stimulation fluid stream helped increase the
delta pressure across the nozzle as well as reduce treatment fluid flowback times.

The positive effect of the solids-free diverting agent for even distribution of
treatment fluids.

SPE Coiled Tubing: From Conventional to Advanced Applications