Completion

& Workover
Fluids

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 Definition

A completion or workover fluid is a fluid

placed against the producing formation
while conducting operations such as
Well Killing, Cleaning Out, Drilling In,
Plugging Back or Perforating.

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 Selection Criteria

Fluid density

Solids content

Filtrate characteristics

Fluid loss

Viscosity-related characteristics

Corrosion products

Packer fluid

Economics

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 Fluid density

Should not be higher than needed to

control formation pressure

A hydrostatic pressure of 200-300
psi over formation pressure should
be adequate

Balanced pressure workovers:
• are ideal from the standpoint of
formation damage
• are practical if performed with the
proper equipment

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 Solids content

Ideally, the fluid should contain no

solids to avoid formation and
perforation plugging

Particles larger than about 1/3 to ½

the average pore diameter should
bridge at the entrance to the pore
Ö Probably not detrimental

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 Filtrate characteristics

Characteristics of the filtrate

should be tailored to minimize
formation damage considering:
• Clays swelling
• Dispersion of clays
• Wettability changes
• Emulsion formation

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 Fluid loss

Fluid loss characteristics should be
such as to prevent loss of excessive
quantities of fluid to the formation

Properly sized acid-soluble particles
(CaCO3) is one approach to fluid loss
control:
• about ½ the average pore size, downward
• Larger particles bridge
• Smaller particles fill in to provide low
permeability

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 Viscosity-related characteristics

Gel strength, PV and YP must be

tailored to provide fluid lifting
capacity required

Lab tests show that many viscosity
builders cause permanent reduction
in permeability

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 Corrosion products

The fluid should be chemically

stable so that:
• reaction of free oxygen with
tubular steels is minimized
• Iron in solution is sequestered
and not permitted to precipitate in
the formation

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 Packer fluid

Fluids left behind the packer

and in the sump below the
perforations must be non
corrosive

Packer fluids must remain
stable over long periods of
time

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 Economics

One rule : the most economical

fluid commensurate with the
well’s susceptibility to damage
should be selected.

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 Types of fluids

Oil Fluids

Clear Water Fluids

Conventional Water-Based Muds

Oil-Based or Invert Emulsion Muds

Foams

Perforating Fluids

Packer Fluids

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 OIL FLUIDS

Crude oil:
• Availability makes its choice logical where
density is not critical
• Excellent packer fluid because solids-free

Diesel oil:
• Ideal where an especially clean fluid is
required for operations such as sand
consolidation
• Advantageous to work under pressure at
the surface (due to low density)

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 CLEAR WATER FLUIDS

Source of water:
• Formation saltwater
• Sea Water
• Prepared saltwater

Salt type:
• Should match the formation water
in cation type and concentration
• 5-10% NaCl
• 2% CaCl2 Will limit swelling
of clays in most cases
• 2% KCl

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 CLEAR WATER FLUIDS (2)

Emulsion Protection:
• The risk of stable emulsions with the
reservoir oil must be checked
• Usually a 0.1% concentration of
suitable demulsifier is enough to
prevent emulsions

Viscosity & Fluid Loss control:
• Guar gum ; 1-3 lb/bbl
• Synthetic polymers ; less damage
than natural polymers
• Starch ; permeability loss can be
significant

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 CLEAR WATER FLUIDS (3)

Comparison of solids-free fluids:
• 2.5 lb/bbl guar in SW:
PV=25/YP=65/API FL = 42.0 ml
• 2 lb/bbl polymer + 1 lb/bbl PAC in SW:
PV=27/YP=31/API FL = 14.6 ml
• 10 lb/bbl starch + 1 lb/bbl PAC in SW:
PV=20/YP=10/API FL = 10.0 ml

Salt solutions where increased
density is required

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 CONVENTIONAL WATER-BASED MUD

Solids may result in particle blocking

of the formation

In new wells, perforating in the
presence of mud can be avoided by:
• pumping the primary cement plug down
with saltwater or oil,
• Circulating mud out before perforating
using production tubing string

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 OIL-BASED OR INVERT-EMULSION MUD

Less damaging from the standpoint of

clay problems than conventional water-
based muds
• Filtrate is oil
• Low filtration rates

High cost

Justified with very water-sensitive clays

Good packer fluid due to low corrosion
impact

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 FOAMS

In low fluid level well, foams can be

used for workover operations such as:
• Washing out
• Drilling in
• Deepening

Simple mechanical mixture of air in
water containing surfactant

Stiff foam = foam + bentonite or polymer

Rheology of foam is very complex

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 PERFORATING FLUIDS

Perforating fluids are not a distinct

type of fluid but need to emphasize
the importance of perforating in a
solids-free fluid

Saltwater or oil do not cause mud
plugging

Acetic acid is an excellent
perforating fluids

Nitrogen is used as perforating fluids
for low pressure formations

Gas Wells
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 PACKER FLUIDS

Criteria for acceptable packer fluid:

• Must limit settling of mud solids and/or
develop high gelation characteristics
• Provide protection from corrosion or
embrittlement

Packer Fluid Recommendations:
• Condition A:
• No high strength pipe involved in completion
• Packer fluid density < 11.5 ppg

1. Use diesel or sweet crude + inhibitor

2. Use clear water + inhibitor + biocide
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 PACKER FLUIDS (2)

• Condition B:
• No high strength pipe involved in completion
• Packer fluid density > 11.5 ppg
• BHT < 300 F

1. WBM + biocide ; pH = 11.5

2. If not possible, turn to OBM
• Condition C:
• No high strength pipe involved in completion
• Packer fluid density > 11.5 ppg
• BHT > 300 F

Use properly formulated OBM

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 PACKER FLUIDS (3)

• Condition D:
• High strength pipe involved in completion
whatever BHT or fluid density is

1. Use oil treated with oil-soluble and

brine-dispersible corrosion inhibitor

2. If Temperature and density
requirements to tough turn to OBM

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