SPE 153213

A Thorough Diagnostics-Solution Approach to Increase the Recovery Factor

from Horizontal Wells in Complex Dolomites
Benoit de la Fouchardiere, Ronaldo Sapon, and Diana Valencia, Perenco Guatemala, and Rodrigo Aviles, SPE,
Jose G. Flores, SPE, Tadeo Resendiz,SPE, Igork San Roman, Manuel A. Quevedo, Luis E. Davila, Luis Vaquero,
and Alvaro Paz, Schlumberger

Copyright 2012, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference held in Mexico City, Mexico, 16–18 April 2012.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been
reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its
officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to
reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright.

Abstract
Xan is Guatemala’s largest oil field, accounting for more than 90% of the country’s production. Xan produces from a complex
dolomite reservoir at average rates of 10,500 BOPD, with most of the production coming from 8 horizontal wells with typical
open-hole completion lengths of 1,500 ft. The majority of the horizontal wells at Xan do not produce at their fullest potential
because of near wellbore damage, associated to drilling fluid residues, and problems related to the high production of water,
averaging 90% water cut at the field level.

This paper presents an innovative approach combining diagnostics supported with fiber optics distributed temperature
survey data feedback and matrix stimulation systems, tailored to address specific needs, including viscous-highly retarded
emulsified acid systems, multifunctional solvents, and surfactant visco-elastic diverting agents, all deployed through coiled
tubing to remove the damage and maximize the treatment penetration in the reservoir. The solution was tested in two
horizontal wells with severe formation damage and water production problems. The use of coiled-tubing deployed fiber optics
facilitated monitoring and evaluating the stimulation treatments and fluids behavior in realtime, by capturing a sequence of
temperature profiles and temperature responses to the acid injection at different times through the treatment. As a result, zonal
coverage and effectiveness of the stimulation and diversion systems could be quantified as the treatment was pumped;
allowing optimization of the stimulation program and pumping variables to accommodate to the actual well’s response.

Production results have been outstanding, oil production increased by 54% from the two horizontal wells, which is
equivalent to the production of a brand-new development well in this field, at a much lower cost. The diagnostics-solution
approach developed for this reservoir helped accurately diagnosing the problem and implementing a fit-for-purpose
stimulation treatment that actually improved oil production. The proposed methodology has substantially changed the process
of stimulating horizontal sections in the Peten basin of Guatemala.

Introduction

Xan is the largest oil field in Guatemala. It is located in the north side of the Peten basin, in the Arco de la Libertad, in the
northwestern part of the country. Transgressive and regressive episodes in the repetitive series created carbonate platforms
and evaporite deposits in the Coban formation. A significant number of areas have been identified in the Coban formation,
which mark the periods of exposure and karstification. Xan dolomites were developed with the Cenomanian cycle B-8 of the
Coban formation. Figure 1 shows a generalized stratigraphic column of the Peten Basin.

Xan consists of a long-reef structure with two dominant rock types, namely dolomites and carbonates. The upper stratum
is composed of a dolomite with large vuggy porosity and high matrix permeability, in the Darcy range. The lower sequence
corresponds to carbonates, specifically dolomites and limestones, with lower porosities and permeabilities on the order of 400
md. The reservoir is a carbonate reef Xan regionally restricted, developed on the Cretaceous shelf.
2 SPE 153213

The production of Xan is supported by a regional aquifer,

aquifer which acts laterally on the wells,, as a result of a high horizontal
to vertical permeability ratio.. The reservoir pressure varies among the different areas of the field. The higher pressure areas
are generally located towards the north and east,east in contrast with the central and southern regions,
region which exhibit lower
pressures. Figure 2 is a structural map of Xan field at the Coban formation level, highlighting the horizontal wells.

Fig. 1 Generalized stratigraphic column of the Peten Basin Fig. 2 Structural map of Xan field

Xan was mainly developed with horizontal wells to benefit from the water drive, but also resulting in a more difficult well
operation, as high levels of water production are observed across the entire field. Figure 3 shows the actual trajectory of the
horizontal wells drilled in Xan. Early stimulation treatments intended to remove the formation damage, generally associated to
drilling mud residues, were generally unsuccessful,
unsuccessful primarily due to the lack of reservoir information to design the treatments
and because of a poor fluid placement, as the treatments were generally bullheaded, resulting in low incremental productions.

Fig. 3 Xan field horizontal well trajectories

A new approach was proposed in order to improve the production results in the horizontal well stimulation treatments in
Xan. The new approach combined diagnostics supported with fiber optics distributed
distributed temperature survey data feedback and
matrix stimulation systems, tailored to address specific needs, including viscous-highly
viscous highly retarded emulsified acid systems,
multifunctional solvents, and surfactant visco-elastic
visco diverting agents, all deployed through
rough coiled tubing to remove the
damage and maximize the treatment penetration in the reservoir.
reservoir

Fluids selection
In order to maximize the treatment penetration in the reservoir and increase zonal coverage erage through coiled tubing,
tubing four fluid
systems were selected, namely, a viscous-highly
highly retarded emulsified acid,
acid a main acid system, a multifunctional solvent, and a
surfactant visco-elastic diverting agent. In the interest of completion, a brief description of each of the four systems follows.

1. Viscous-highly
highly retarded emulsified acid system
It is a viscous, concentrated acid system designed with an oil external emulsion formed with a 70:30 HCl acid-to-
solvent ratio, stabilized with an emulsifier. It is typically pumped in concentrations ranging
rang from 7.5% to 22%. This
SPE 153213 3

system helps bypass the damage via deeper wormholes, and attacks both organic and inorganic deposits with solvent
and acid phases.

2. Main acid system, mud and silt removal

It consists of an HCl-based system designed to improve the petrophysics of the rock by dissolving inorganic deposits,
particularly calcite, dispersing and suspending the not soluble solids trapped in the pores and improving the
communication between the formation and the wellbore.

3. Multifunctional solvent
Used to dissolve and disperse asphaltene and paraffin deposits, break emulsions, re-establish the original wettability
of the rock, and prevent a direct contact of the treatment with the reservoir oil. This system is mainly used as a
cleanout system for the open-hole sections before the main stimulation treatment.

4. Surfactant visco-elastic diverting agent

This system increases its viscosity to temporarily plug the flow channels, wormholes, and fissures within the matrix,
creating a diversion in order to evenly stimulate all the zones of interest. The system maintains high viscosity while
the acid is being spent, and diminishes its viscosity drastically and breaks to a linear fluid when the acid contacts the
formation oil. This system does not leave residues that could damage the flow channels, resulting in better
production. It has excellent diverting capabilities due to its instant and longer periods of viscosity when the acid
starts to be spent, and makes possible to optimize diversion to result in an uniform stimulation across the entire pay
zone.

Diagnostics-Solution approach
An innovative approach combining diagnostics supported with fiber optics Distributed Temperature Survey (DTS) and matrix
stimulation systems were proposed to improve oil production and reserves from the conventional stimulation treatments in
Xan. The coiled tubing-deployed fiber optic system is a non-obtrusive, high data rate and engineered downhole measurement
tool, to collect the following bottomhole data in real time: temperature, coiled tubing internal pressure, coiled tubing-wellbore
annulus pressure, casing collar locator (CCL), and DTS across the fiber optic. The DTS, used broadly in the oil industry, is
used in this case as an instantaneous temperature profile of the entire well using the fiber optics as the sensor. The DTS allows
detecting transient phenomena along the fiber and to relate it to well and reservoir events, monitoring treatment fluid
placement and well production performance.

Case Examples

Case 1
The first successful implementation of the diagnostics-solution approach refers to a horizontal well located in the southwestern
portion of Xan field. The horizontal section, as in most wells in this field, is oriented in a SW-NE direction facing higher flow
units existing at the site. This well was completed with a 9-5/8 in. casing at 8,268 ft MD, and has an 8-1/2 in. open-hole
section to produce from the Xan dolomite reservoir to a TD of 10,500 ft MD (Figure 4). A 3-1/2 in. tubing was run to 8,250 ft
MD to ease penetration of the coiled tubing string in the wellbore due to high angle deviation and dogleg severities at the
open-hole section. Table 1 shows basic well data.

Fig. 4 Well diagram Table 1 Well data

4 SPE 153213

This wells’ PI was found smaller than comparable offset wells in the field, suggesting an opportunity for production
enhancement. Further analysis confirmed the presence of near wellbore damage associated to drilling fluid residues and
damage associated to the production of water. Earlier stimulation treatments in this fractured dolomite reservoir lacked
adequate zonal coverage, and according to the operator, well analyses were not properly conducted. A Nodal analysis using
available data resulted in an estimated Skin of +6.2 and a productivity index (PI) of 7 BOPD/psi. The analysis concluded that
if all damage could be removed, the well’s production could increase from 4,134 BFPD to 6,819 BFPD, assuming a constant
water cut of 91%, and a gain of 238 BOPD, or 64%.

Coiled tubing was the preferred conveyance technique for this application as it improves the placement of the treatment
across the zones of interest in the horizontal section of the well, with respect to bullheading or to the use of drill pipe. The
treatment was designed to consist of a sequence of 9,600 gallons of a multifunctional solvent, 9,300 gallons of an emulsified
acid system, 19,000 gallons of the main treatment acid, and 7,900 gallons of a visco-elastic diverting system. The objective
was to remove the damage and to stimulate the non-producing portions of the open-hole section, from 8,518 ft MD to 10,240 ft
MD. A nitrified fluid system was required as the static reservoir pressure of about 1,300 psi, was not sufficient to sustain a full
column of fluid. The treatment consisted of the following sequence.

1. Cleanout and Fluid level

The open-hole section was cleaned with a multi-functional solvent using a high pressure nozzle at average rates of 0.5
bpm and 900 scf/min through the coiled tubing. The coiled tubing was then pulled back to surface while maintaining
Nitrogen rates to clean out the target zones and improve the returns to the surface. The fluid level was found at about
4,650 ft MD.

2. Stimulation
The coiled tubing was placed at 10,240 ft MD to measure the baseline temperature profile with the fiber optic system.
An emulsified acid system was then pumped at rates ranging from 1.3 bpm to 1.7 bpm through the coiled tubing,
while maintaining Nitrogen rates of 900 scf/min through the annular space. Several passes across the open-hole
section were needed, and the coiled tubing string was stationed at 10,240 ft MD to give the fluids time to soak, while
recording downhole variables of the well’s performance.

The treatment continues with a revised pumping schedule, combining the main acid treatment and diverting agent for
specific portions of the open-hole section. A diverting agent was placed between 10,240 ft MD and 9,280 ft MD, and
the main acid treatment between 9,280 ft MD and 8,518 ft MD. The string was placed back at 10,240 ft MD and
continous monitoring of DTS was performed; a revised treatment was pumped with final volumes placed across the
same zones as above. A final DTS was acquired while placing the coiled tubing string at 10,240 ft MD (Figure 5).
Circulating Pressure
CoilCAT* SECOND REVISED PUMPING STAGE
Wellhead Pressure
SPE 153213
Bottomhole Anular Pressure
CASE 1
Bottomhole CT Pressure
5000 10400 160
Depth RIH to Last DTS
Bottomhole Temperature Revised Main Acid System
4500 10200 156

4000 Revised Diverting System 10000 152

3500 9800 148

Temperature - degF
Pressure - psi

3000 9600 144

Depth - ft

2500 9400 140

2000 9200 136

1500 9000 132

1000 8800 128

500 8600 124

0 8400 120
14:53:43 15:23:43 15:53:43 16:23:43 16:53:43 17:23:43 17:53:43 18:23:43 18:53:43 19:23:43 19:53:43
Time - hh:mm:ss

Fig. 5 Pressure and temperature variation during the stimulation treatment

3. Nitrogen lift
Once DTS data was recorded, the coiled tubing string was pulled to 7,500 ft MD and Nitrogen was circulated to clean
out the well from stimulation fluids at rates ranging from 500 scf/min to 700 scf/min.

4. Analysis and Results

The DTS revealed 4 portions of the horizontal section exhibiting higher admission rates (Figure 6). The blue line in
Figure 6 is the temperature response right after pumping the emulsified acid system, and the red line corresponds to
the well’s response after 20 hours of stand by. While soaking the emulsified acid stage, the cooler areas are
SPE 153213 5

associated to portions of the horizontal well with higher admission rates, typically corresponding to natural fractures,
also confirmed by the exothermic reaction of the acid with the rock. These zones also correspond to the least damage
zones in the well.

CASE 1

SXE
Emulsion

Fig. 6 Temperature variation during the stimulation treatment, schematics (left) and actual well’s data (right)

With this information, the stimulation treatment volumes and target zones were modified to allow the diverting viscoelastic
system to achieve more even distribution across the well. The DTS profile (Figure 7) shows an uniform temperature
distribution at the end of the treatment, that resulted in zero Skin, for an improved PI, calculated in 20 bfpd/psi.

Fig. 7-A Three-Dimensional DTS plot Fig. 7-B Two-Dimensional DTS plot

The well was tested to evaluate the treatment, resulting in an oil production gain of 68% (Figure 8). The PI increased from
7 bfpd/psi to 20 bfpd/psi. Figure 9 shows the cumulative oil production versus time after the stimulation treatment,
highlighting the recovery gain.
6 SPE 153213

Case 1
XAN-45 BNP GPD DEMULSIFICANTE

700 1

1
600

500
1

gpd Demulsificante
400

300
0

0
200

100
0
Barrels/day

0 0
3/1/2011 3/25/2011 4/18/2011

Fig. 8 Oil production plot

Fig. 9 Cumulative oil vs. time showing the incremental production

pro gap

Case 2
The second case refers to a horizontal well located in the central part of Xan field, oriented to the west and drilled through
faults of small magnitude. The well produces from the dolomite reservoir, which has natural fractures of high permeability
that promote the production of water. This horizontal well was completed with a 7 in. liner at 8,250
8,2 ft MD and has a 6-1/8 in.
open-hole section to a TD of 9,486 ft MD.. It happens to be the shallowest well in the field (TVD 7,435
7 ft) and the one with
the shortest horizontal section. As in the previous case, a 4-1/2 in. tubing was run to facilitate the operation of the coiled
tubing. Figure 10 and Table 2 show basic well data and the mechanical well diagram, respectively. This well started
producing with the assistance of artificial lift due to a low-energy reservoir.

From a petrophysical stand point, there is a significant contrast in both, porosity and permeability along the well path
(Figures 11 and 12). In the case of permeability, it was found ranging from 80 md to 180 md. Analysis suggests portions of
the reservoir with favorable admission attributes,
attributes anticipating a challengee for the stimulation treatment. In order for a
stimulation treatment to be effective it is essential to anticipate the sections with the higher admission in order to design the
treatment for adequate zonal coverage.

The stimulation in this well was planed ed with the objective to remove the damage associate to drilling fluid residues,
estimated in a Skin of +9, in order to increase the production of oil without increasing the production of water. As in the
previous example, historical treatments have not met the production expectations. A complete removal of the Skin will bring
an additional 68 BOPD, or a 24% gain at a constant water cut of 94%.
SPE 153213 7

WELL DATA CASE 2

Formation Dolomite XAN
Interval 8250-9362 ft
BHSP 1293 psia
BHST 142 deg F
Permeability 496 md
Tubing 4 1/2 @8250 ft
Casing 7 @ 8250 ft
Well Deviation 90.37
Qo 284 bopd
Qliq 4747 bpd
Water Cut 91%

LITHOLOGY
Dolomite 0.9
Calcite 0.03
Clays 0.07
Fig. 10 Well diagram Table 2 Well data

Fig. 11 Porosity profile Fig. 12 Permeability profile

The stimulation methodology applied in Case 1 was also applied in this well. The treatment was designed to consist of
6,700 gallons of a multifunctional solvent, 6,800 gallons of an emulsified acid system, 12,750 gallons of the main acid
treatment acid, and 4,250 gallons of a visco-elastic diverting system.

1. Cleanout and Fluid level

The fluid level was detected at about 4,010 ft MD using a real-time downhole pressure sensor. A nitrified fluid with a
multi-functional solvent was pumped while running the coiled tubing in the hole from 8,513 ft MD to 9,363 ft MD,
with pumping rates of 0.5 bpm and 850 scf/min. The well was successfully cleaned out while keeping returns to the
surface.

2. Stimulation
The base line temperature survey was obtained while keeping the coiled tubing static at 9,363 ft MD. The emulsified
acid system was then pumped at about 1.5 bpm. The string was run back to 9,363 ft MD to obtain a DTS to measure
the well’s response to the acid (Figure 13). After analyse the well and fluids response, it was decided to place 2,500
gallons of the diverting system from 9,363 ft MD to 8,780 ft MD, followed by the main treatment from 8,780 ft MD
to 8,400 ft MD. The string was then positioned at 9,363 ft MD to monitor the well’s response to the treatment with
the DTS.
8 SPE 153213

The second stage consisted of 1,680 gallons of diverting system placed from 9,300 ft MD to 8,780 ft MD, followed
by 6,300 gals of the main treatment acid placed from 8,450 ft MD to 8,750 ft MD. The string was run back again to
9,363 ft MD to monitor the well’s response. A final DTS was recorded to help design a third stimulation stage
consisting of 1,680 gallons of diverting system placed from 9,300 ft MD to 8,780 ft MD, followed by 6,300 gallons of
the main treatment acid placed from 8,450 ft MD to 8,750 ft MD. Finally, the coiled tubing was run back to 9,363 ft
MD for a final DTS data acquisition (Figure 14).

CoilCAT*
Circulating Pressure DTS & EMULSIFIED ACID STAGE
Wellhead Pressure SPE 153213
Bottomhole Anular Pressure CASE 2
Bottomhole CT Pressure
6000 10000 150
Depth
Bottomhole Temperature
5400 9800 148
Emulsified Acid Stage
4800 9600 146

4200 9400 144

Temperature - degF
Pressure - psi

3600 9200 142

Depth - ft
3000 9000 140

2400 8800 138

1800 8600 136

1200 8400 134

600 8200 132

Baseline DTS Profile DTS Evaluation Profile
0 8000 130
06:57:57 07:14:37 07:31:17 07:47:57 08:04:37 08:21:17 08:37:57 08:54:37 09:11:17 09:27:57 09:44:37
Time - hh:mm:ss

Fig. 13 Pressure and temperature variation during the emulsified acid stage

CoilCAT* Circulating Pressure LAST REVISED STIMULATION STAGE

Wellhead Pressure SPE 153213
Bottomhole Anular Pressure CASE 2
Bottomhole CT Pressure
5000 10000
Depth 159
Bottomhole Temperature RIH to Last DTS
4500 9800
156
Revised Diverting System
4000 9600
153
3500
Revised Main Acid System 9400
150

Temperature - degF
Pressure - psi

3000 9200
147
Depth - ft

2500 9000
144
2000 8800
141
1500 8600
138
1000 8400
135
500 8200
132
0 8000
01:10:28 01:55:28 02:40:28 03:25:28 04:10:28 04:55:28 05:40:28 06:25:28
Time - hh:mm:ss

Fig. 14 Pressure and temperature variation during the third stimulation stage

3. Nitrogen lift
After acquiring DTS, the coiled tubing was pulled back to 8,000 ft MD and Nitrogen was circulated at rates of 550
scf/min to 900 scf/min to remove the spent stimulation fluids.

4. Analysis and Results

The DTS revealed 3 portions in the horizontal section with higher admission rates (Figure 15). The blue line in
Figure 15 corresponds to the temperature response after pumping the 6,800 gallons of emulsified acid system, and the
red line corresponds to the well’s response after 12 hours of stand-by and continouos monitoring of DTS. These three
zones are considered the least damage zones in the well.
SPE 153213 9

CASE 2

SXE
Emulsified
Emulsion
Acid

Fig. 15 Temperature variation during the stimulation treatment, schematics (left) and actual well’s data (right)

The identification of the sections of the well exhibiting exothermic reactions permits to adjust the portions of interest for
the main treatment. The original treatment program was adjusted based on the analysis of Figure 16 to divert the acid to the
damaged zones. DTS was fundamental in this case to determine the damage zones and spots with higher permeability along
the open-hole section (Figure 17 A and B); zones that were not stimulated previously were now properly treated with acid
diverted from zones of higher admission. It was estimated that 85% of the open-hole section was stimulated due to an
improved zonal coverage. Zones that were not contributing to oil production in the past were stimulated, resulting in an
improved production profile and higher production.

After the treatment, the PI increased from 5 bfpd/psi to 18 bfpd/psi, resulting in 22% of incremental oil (Figures 18 and
19). Evaluation concluded that the key variable for increasing this well’s PI was accurately pinpointing the regions of higher
permeability in the open-hole section, to be able to placing diverting systems and improving zonal coverage. Analysis of
production data indicate an improvement in recovery and addition of reserves that otherwise will not be produced.

Start soaking the

emulsified acid

Fig. 16 Three-dimensional representation (temperature, time, depth) of DTS data

10 SPE 153213

Fig. 17-A Two-dimensional DTS plot Fig. 17-B Three dimensional DTS plot

XAN-46
Case 2 BNP GPD DEMULSIFICANTE

400 1

1
350

300

250
1

gpd Demulsificante
200 1

0
150

100

50
0
Barrels/day

0 0
3/1/2011 3/25/2011 4/18/2011

Fig. 18 Oil production plot

Another conclusion drawn from this case is that the incremental oil comes not only from the natural fractures but also from
zones that were not contributing to oil production before. Figure 24 shows a change in the cumulative oil production trend
before and after this job.

Case 2

Fig. 19 Cumulative oil vs. time showing the incremental production gap
SPE 153213 11

Conclusions

This paper presents an innovative methodology to increase production and reserves from a complex dolomite reservoir
environment. The following conclusions are drawn:

• The two case studies presented in this paper demonstrate the value of the diagnostics-solution approach based on
distributed temperature surveys. The DTS provided critical information to re-design pumping schedules according to
the diagnostics at every stage of the treatment.

• The stimulation fluids need to be tailored to address specific reservoir needs. In the two cases presented, it was
required to remove the damage and to stimulate deeper zones in the reservoir. The presence of an active aquifer
brings an additional complication that needs to be taken into account during the job design and execution phases.

• It was confirmed that coiled-tubing conveyed stimulation provided superior results when compared with tradicional
mechanisms, such as bull-heading or via drill pipe.

• Production and reserves were increased in the two horizontal wells in a complex dolomite formation in Xan field,
where high water production and near wellbore damage were preventing the wells from producing at expected levels.
Results from the two case studies were considered outstanding, as the wells produced at levels near reached in prior
well interventions.

• The incremental production achieved by the stimulation of the two wells presented in this paper eliminated to drill
additional development wells in Xan field, at a significant lower cost.

Acknowledgement
The authors would like to thank Perenco Guatemala and Schlumberger for granting permission to present and publish this
paper. Appreciation is extended to all the professionals in both companies who have contributed to this success.