Quartz5.

School for to
Introduction Well
WellSite Supervisors
Stimulation

Module – 13
Work Over Operations

Section – 5
Introduction to
Well Stimulation

C. Alvarez
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Objectives of Well Stimulation

• Maximize the NPV on well drilling and completion investment
- Increase hydrocarbon production rate
- Increase the reservoir economical life
- Increase reserves

• Reduce, or overcome, near wellbore damage

• Stimulation for reservoir management

- Efficient drainage of laminated formations
- Delaying the onset of water production
- Sand control

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Post Stimulation Production Increase

600

500
Pre-stimulation Post-stimulation
production production
400
BOPD

300
Well Stimulation
200

100 Well Economic Limit

0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Time (months)

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation
Well Stimulation
Stimulation is a chemical or mechanical method of increasing
flow capacity to a well.

The Three methods of stimulation most used are:

1. Wellbore Clean-up : “ Fluids not injected into formation”

– a. Chemical Treatment
– b. Perforation Wash
2. Matrix Treatment : “ Injection below frac pressure”
– a. Matrix Acidizing
– b. Chemical Treatment
3. Fracturing: “ Injection above frac pressure”
– a. Acid Frac
– b. Propped Frac
C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Stimulation Techniques
„ Restores Flow Capacity:
– Wellbore Clean-up
– Matrix Treatment

These procedures are performed below fracture pressure.

„ Create New Flow Capacity:

– Hydraulic Fracturing (Acid and Sand)

These procedures are performed above fracture pressure.

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation
Areas of Reduction in Flow Capacity
1. Wellbore:
„ Scale Damage
„ Sand Fill
„ Plugged Perforations
„ Paraffin Plugging
„ Asphalt Deposits
„ Etc.
2. Critical Matrix:
„ Drilling Mud Damage
„ Cement Damage
„ Completion Fluids
„ Production
„ Native Clays/Fines
3. A naturally low permeable reservoir.
C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation
Wellbore
„ Primary Purpose :
Restore flow capacity by removing restrictive damage to fluid flow
in the wellbore.

Methods :
„ Mechanical
„ Chemical Treatment
„ Acidizing Treatment

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation
Critical Matrix
What is It?
„ The area of formation that
is 3' to 5' from the r % Pressure Drop
(Drainage Radius) P (psi) ΔP/ft (Pe - P) (Pe - Pwf) * 100
wellbore.
(Pe) 2,000 ft 5,000 0.07 psi/ft 0
Why is it critical? 1,000 ft
100 ft
4,934
4,719
2.5
10.8
50 ft 4,654 1.3 psi/ft 13.3
20 ft 4,568 16.6
10 ft 4,503 6.5 psi/ft 19.0
5 ft 4,439 21.5
3 ft 4,391 23.3
Pressure

2 ft 4,000 850 psi/ft 24.8

1 ft 3,150 27.3
Reduction in Near Wellbore (Pwf) 0 ft 2,000 1,150 psi/f 100
Pressure Drop

Distance

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Major Goals of Matrix Treatment

1. Restore Natural Permeability
„ By Treating the Critical Matrix

2. Minor Stimulation

3. Leave Zone Barrier Intact

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Matrix Acidizing
1. Sandstone:
„ Major Effects:
– Dissolves/Disperses Damage
– Restores Permeability
„ Minor Effects:
– Minor Stimulation

2. Limestone:
„ Major Effects:
– Enlarge Flow Channels/Fractures
– Disperse Damage by Dissolving Surrounding Rock
– Creation of Highly Conductive Wormholes

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Wormholes creation

C. Alvarez
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Etching Process

Increase pumping rate

C. Alvarez
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Applications For Matrix Treatment

„ High Permeability Formation with Damage.

„ Unproppable Formations.

„ Treating Limitations.

„ Thick Zones.

„ To Supplement Fracturing.

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Challenges of Matrix Stimulation Treatments

¾ Diagnostic and damage characterization

¾ Treatment Design
¾ Quality control during the treatment
¾ Tubing contamination
¾ Complete zone coverage
¾ Undesirable precipitates of reactions
¾ Complete damage removal
¾ Fines migration

C. Alvarez
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Darcy’s Equation

Oil Well : Gas Well :

q=
kh (P e - P wf) kh (P e 2 - P wf2 )
q=
141.2 βµ (In rrw
e + S)
1424 µzT (In rrwe
+ S)

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Skin (s)
The total Skin (ST) is the combination of mechanical and pseudo-skins. It is
the total skin value that is obtained directly from a well-test analysis.
Mechanical Skin:
„ Mathematically defined as an infinitely thin zone that creates a steady-
state pressure drop at the sand face.
„S>0 Damaged Formation
„S=0 Neither damaged nor stimulated
„S<0 Stimulated formation
Pseudo Skin:
„ Includes situations such as collapsed tubulars, partial penetration,
turbulence, and fissures.

The Mechanical Skin is the only type that can be removed by stimulation.

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation
Formation Damage
Damage Definition :
„ Partial or complete plugging of the near wellbore area which reduces the
original permeability of the formation.
„ Damage is quantified by the skin ( S ). Hawkins’ formula
vertical wells
⎡ ⎤ r
rs S= ⎢ k −1⎥ ln s
⎢k
⎣ s
⎥
⎦
rw
rw
horizontal wells
⎡ ⎤
⎢ k k
S =⎢ H V −1⎥⎥ ln rs
⎢ k k ⎥ rw
⎢⎣ HS VS ⎥⎦

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Formation Damage (Skin)

Matrix Acidizing:
„ Sandstone: skin value can be reduced down to 0 (best case)
„ Limestone: can generate negative skin values.
In Fractures:
„ A negative skin value is most likely.

Completion Skin (average range)

Fractura -6 to -2
StimPAC -2 to +4
Open hole 0 to +5
OH gravel pack +2 to +10
Cased hole +2 to +15
CH gravel pack +5 to +20
C. Alvarez
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Skin Example
Pseudo Skin:
„ Producing at high rates --> turbulence
„ Collapsed tubing, perforations
„ Partial penetration / Partial perforation
„ Low Perforation Density (Shots/ft)
„ Etc.
Formation Damage:
„ Scales
„ Organic/Mixed Deposits
„ Silts & Clays
„ Emulsions
„ Water Block
„ Wettability Change
C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Example
An oil well produces 57 B/D under the following reservoir and producing conditions:
k = 1 md / 10 md
h = 50 ft
ßo = 1.23 res bbl/stb
µo = .6 cp
Pr = 2,000 psi
Pwf = 500 psi
rw = .33 ft
re = 1,320 ft

What is the Skin Factor?

Is there potential for Stimulation?

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Introduction to Matrix Stimulation Treatments

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation
Formation Stimulation
Matrix Stimulation

• Inject acid at rates below fracturing pressures

• Overcome “damage” in the near wellbore region

- Invasion during drilling
- Completion fluids
- Native Clays/Fines

• Modify formation within a limited distance (inches to a few

feet) of the wellbore

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Formation Stimulation
Matrix stimulation - Near wellbore flow modification

Pressure
Reduction in Near Wellbore
Pressure Drop

Distance
Post Stimulation
Fluid Flow

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Formation Damage

Damage Definition :
„ Partial or complete plugging of the near wellbore area which
reduces the original permeability of the formation.
„ Damage is quantified by the skin factor ( S ).

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Types of Formation Damage

„ Emulsions
„ Wet ability Change
„ Water Block
„ Scale Formation
„ Organic Deposits
„ Mixed Deposits
„ Silt & Clay
„ Bacterial Slime

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Areas of Damage

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Emulsions
Definition:
„ Formed by invasion of filtrates into oil zones or mixing of oil-based
filtrates with formation brines.
„ Any two immiscible fluids
Keys to Diagnosis:
„ Sharp decline in production
„ Water breakthrough
„ Production of solids
„ Fluid samples
Treatment:
„ Surfactants
„ Mutual solvents
C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Wet ability Change

Definition:
„ Oil wetting of rock from hydrocarbon deposits or adsorption of an
oleophilic (attracts oil) surfactant from treating fluid.

Keys to Diagnosis: (Normally difficult to diagnose)

„ Rapid production decline
„ Water breakthrough
„ Water coning
„ Decrease or disappearance of gas

Treatment:
„ Mutual solvent followed by water-wetting surfactant.
C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Water Block
Definition:
„ Caused by an increase in water saturation near the wellbore which
decreases the relative permeability to hydrocarbons.

Keys to Diagnosis:
„ Rapid oil or gas production decline
„ Water breakthrough
„ Water out
„ Abnormally high water cut through lower perforations

Treatment:
„ Mutual solvents or surfactants

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation
Scale Formation
Definition:
„ Scales are precipitated mineral deposits. Scale deposition occurs during
production because of lower temperatures and pressures encountered in or
near the wellbore.
Keys to Diagnosis:
„ Sharp drop in production
„ Visible scale on rods/tubing
„ Water breakthrough
Treatment:
„ Carbonate (Most Common) „ Iron
– HCl, Aqueous Acetic » HCl with various iron control agents
„ Sulfate „ Silica
– EDTA » Mud Acid

– NARS
„ Chloride
– 1 - 3% HCl
C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Scales : Inorganic Mineral Deposits

Types of Usual Treating

Scale Occurrence Fluids Comments

Very
Carbonates CaCO 3 HCl
Common

CaSO 4•2H 2O
EDTA Common
(gypsum)
Sulfates
BaSO 4 /SrSO EDTA Rare
4

Chlorides NaCl H 2 O/HCl Gas Wells

Fe S HCl + EDTA CO 2 /H 2S
Iron Possible
Fe 2O 3 HCl + Sequestering
Produced
Agent

Silica SiO 2 HF Very Fine

Hydroxides Mg/Ca(OH) 2
HCl

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Organic Deposits
Definition:
„ Organic deposits are precipitated heavy hydrocarbons (paraffin or
asphaltenes). They are typically located in the tubing, perforations
and/or the formation.
„ The formation of these deposits are usually associated with a change
in temperature or pressure in or near the wellbore during production.
Keys to Diagnosis:
„ Sharp decline in production
„ Visual paraffin on rods and pump
„ Operator is "hot oiling"
Treatment:
„ Aromatic Solvents (Xylene, Toluene)
„ Mutual Solvents
C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation
Silts & Clays
Definition:
„ Damage from silts and clays includes the invasion of the reservoir permeability by
drilling mud and the swelling and/or migration of reservoir fines.
Keys to Diagnosis:
„ Sharp drop in production
„ Lost circulation during drilling
„ Production tests
„ ARC tests
Treatment:
„ HCl: Carbonate Reservoirs
„ HF Systems: Sandstone
„ Quaternary Amine Polymers (L55)
„ Cationic Surfactant (M38B)
„ Fusion (Clay Acid)

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation
Bacterial Slime

Definition:
„ Anaerobic bacteria grows down hole without oxygen up to
150°F. Bacteria may chemically reduce sulfate in a reservoir
to H2S.

Treatment:
„ M91 (Bleach)

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Sources of Formation Damage

„ Drilling
„ Cementing
„ Perforating
„ Completion and Work over
„ Gravel Packing
„ Production
„ Stimulation
„ Injection Operations
C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation
 5. Introduction to Well Stimulation

Successful Matrix Treatment

REQUIREMENTS :

„ Enough Treating Fluid Volume

„ Correct Reactive Chemicals

„ Low Injection Pressure

„ Total Zone Coverage

C. Alvarez Quartz School. Module 13: Work Over Operations / Section 5: Introduction to Well Stimulation