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SPE 54113
Field Experiences with Stable Mul TM, A Non Damaging Micro Emulsion Used as
Drilling Fluid for Heavy Oil Formations in Venezuela
E. Zabala, SPE, and A. Luongo, Integrated Petroleum Services, and E. Parra, J. Méndez, J. Arocha, J. Carrasquero,
SPE, PDVSA E&P
Copyright 1999, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.
This paper was prepared for presentation at the 1999 SPE International Thermal Operations
and Heavy Oil Symposium held in Bakersfield, California, 17–19 March 1999.
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, as
presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to
correction by the author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any
position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Papers presented at
SPE meetings are subject to publication review by Editorial Committees of the Society of
Petroleum Engineers. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper
for commercial purposes 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 where and by whom the paper was presented. Write Librarian, SPE, P.O.
Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435.
Abstract
The Stable Mul system is a unique water external micro-
emulsion. The internal phase can be 60-80% hydrocarbon,
with the preferred ratio being 70%. The basic components are:
water, oil of any type (mineral, vegetal, diesel, polyalpha-
olefins, etc.), emulsifier and stabilizers
Some characteristics of the Stable Mul system are:
• Low density system (solid free), initial mud weight
7.4 PPG
• No formation damage
• Excellent carrying capacity.
• Stable to temperature up to 300 oF.
The Stable Mul has been successfully used as drilling fluid
for horizontals, verticals and multilateral wells. Up to August
1998, more than 100 wells have been drilled, some of them
with horizontal section longer than 3000 feet. As Drilling
fluid, Stable Mul increases R.O.P. with minimum or not risk
of stuck pipe, lost of circulation or formation damage.
Wells drilled and/or completed with Stable Mul increased
their production rate about 30 % in comparison to wells drilled
with water base (polymer) or oil based mud. Due to the
excellent results obtained with Stable Mul as Drilling,
completion and work-over fluid in Venezuelan operations, we
believe that this valuable experience needs to be shared with
the rest of the world.
Introduction
The Field experiences with the Stable Mul System presented
in this paper will be mainly focused into the Orinoco Heavy
Oil Belt (O.H.O.B). The System has been used, however,
with resounded success in other areas of Venezuela such as
Lake Maracaibo where the crude produced is classified as a
Medium/light.
The Orinoco Heavy Oil Belt (O.H.O.B) is located at the
eastern side of Venezuela. It has a surface of 144,000 Km2 and
constitutes the main heavy and extra heavy crude reservoir in
Venezuela with reserves of one thousand two hundred Trillion
(1,200x1012) Barrels [1].
The main stratigraphic sections in this area are Mesa, Las
Piedras, Freites, Oficina, Merecure, and Basamento. The
target formations are the Oficina and top of Merecure with the
most productive reservoirs. These formations are characterized
as non-consolidated fluvial deposits [3] with heavy crudes of
8-12 A.P.I. gravity and permeabilities ranging from 0.2 to 2
darcies [2].
The Bare, Melones and Arecuna Fields are part of the
O.H.O.B, which have been very heavily oil produced.
Consequently they present low-pressure gradient (depleted
sands) and they require low-density fluids for their drilling,
completion and workover operations. Figure A-1 and A-2
show the stratigraphic column and Mechanical Desing of
wells drilled in Bare/Arecuna and Melones in O.H.O.B. The
Stable Mul System has been used in these fields because of its
low density, high carrying capacity and lubricity and minimun
to non- existing formation damage. The basic components of
the Stable Mul system are water, which is the external or
continuos phase, Oil of any type (mineral, vegetal, diesel,
polyalpha-olefins, etc.), and the surfactant Stable Mul which
gives the name to the System. The internal Phase (oil) may
occupy up to 80% by volume of the system. Depending of the
type of oil used, the density of this free solid system might be
as low as 7.2 PPG. The external Phase (Water) could be
inhibited with additions of different potassium salts. The
system can be viscosified by adding oil (internal phase) and/or
polymer; and dispersed with water
Background
The Stable Mul System was lab tested to study its aging and
thermal stability, rheological behavior and possible formation
damage.
The Time stability test (aging) showed that plastic
viscosity, yield point and gels were stable through out the
2 E. ZABALA, A. LUONGO, E.PARRA, J. MENDEZ, J. AROCHA, J.CARRASQUERO
timeline. In the field, This has been proven by storing the
system for six (6) months without any noticeable separation of
the emulsion.
To study the rheological behavior in the laboratory, the
oil/water ratio was varied from 60/40 to 80/20 with the result
that, as the oil portion was increased, the plastic viscosity and
yield point also increased because the oil acts as a pseudo-
solid. In the field, the system has been viscosified following
the same lab procedures.
At the beginning, the system was limited to temperatures
up to 270oF. Further investigation on the system allowed
incorporating products that made the System stable to
temperature of 300oF.
In the Stable Mul Field application at high temperature,
Well 33-AC-126 was an horizontal well drilled in the Acema
field at a measured depth of 14,406 feet with a temperature
close to 300oF correlated from offset well 33-AC-40 with a
BHT of 306 oF at TVD of 12,200 Feet. There were not
significant rheological variations in the Stable Mul System in
this field application. See appendix Figure A-3. Finally, to
study the return permeability on the Stable Mul, PDVSA gave
to INTEVEP a core sample from Soto field, which is a sandy
formation from the Oficina productive zone. This formation
has a porosity of about 30%. The core was invaded with crude
from the formation as well as with the drilling and completion
fluid that traditionally had been used in the area [3].
Figure A-4 shows the sequence of laboratory results on
Return of Permeability or percent formation damage. Initially,
the interaction between crude from Soto Field and the drilling
fluid (lignosulphonate) was studied, resulting in a percent
damage of 21%. Next, the interaction between crude, drilling
fluid filtrate and mechanic emulsion used by PDVSA as
completion fluid was studied, the result shows an 11.5%
damage. Finally, the interaction between crude, drilling fluid
filtrate and the Stable Mul System was studies resulting that
final mobility was higher than initial mobility producing a
negative percent damage of 11%, in other word, it stimulated
or removed any formation damage produced by the drilling
fluid.
The results of this test show that the Stable Mul improved
the mobility of the crude causinga a 100% return of effective
permeability and even a negative formation damage
(Stimulation).
These laboratory tests agree with the Orinoco Heavy Oil
Belt field results where an increase of about 30% has been
seen when compared with polymer mud (viscoelastic) using as
fixed parameters the same production method, the same sand
and the same reservoir.
The objective of the present work is to show the field
expieriences with Stable Mul as well as its comparison with
other fluids from the operational and production stand point in
the Orinoco Heavy Oil Belt following the same parameters
described above.
SPE 54113
Field Application
The field application that will be presented here have been
divided into work performed with Stable Mul as a drilling
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fluid at the OHOB and as workover and completion fluid in
different areas of Venezuela. The operation and production
results from wells drilled with Stable Mul into heavy crude
from The O.H.O.B. will be compared with the results obtain
by using traditional fluids (lignosulphonate and polymer) in
the same areas.
Results from other experiences with Stable Mul as
Workover and completion fluid will be compared with the
estimated and real production from the field in study.
Workover and Completion fluid. The Stable Mul System
was used in earlier applications as a workover and completion
fluid showing excellent result as shown in a technical paper
presented by PDVSA in II SEFLU in 1993. In this paper it
was reported that: 1. - A 50% reduction in time to ream
production section from 6 1/8” to 13” when compared to a
traditional fluid used to do the same work under same
operation conditions. This is because the Stable Mul System
presented excellent rheological properties, lubricity and low
filtrate. 2. – High productivity in the reentries wells 21-B-8
and 21-B-10 showing that there was no formation damage [3].
In these first applications, when the above paper was
presented, five (5) jobs had been performed. Three (3) of
these had been performed using Stable Mul as a reaming and
gravel pack fluid in the O.H.O.B, and two (2) as a perforating
and completion fluid at Budare field (medium crude). Since
that time, PDVSA has had very intense activity in workover
and completion operation using the Stable Mul System. Some
of this data is not available and it was only from August 1997
that we were able to get access to this data. From August 97
to September 98, a total of 101 workover jobs have been
made the among San Tome and Morichal areas. Most of the
workover jobs in Morichal area have been Re-liner in
horizontal wells. This work consisted on cleaning the original
liner and run one of smaller diameter into it, to restrict
incoming sand. Up to December 1998 there were 22 Re-liner
jobs and the production from them has been equal or higher
than the expected. Figure A-5 shows a well design for this
type of jobs. Jobs performed at the San Tome area were
basically workover and completion.
Some wells have been drilled with other fluids in different
areas others than The O.H.O.B. then gun perforated and
completed with Stable Mul. The results show that real
production have tripled and quadrupled the estimated
production for that particular sand and reservoir.
Figure 1 shows some examples of this behavior. Well 22-
O-51 which was drilled with lignosulphonate in the Oritupano
field into sand R3/ reservoir ORI51 with an estimated
production of 200 BPD. Once the well was completed and gun
perforated with Stable Mul, it produced 1135 Bbl (467%
higher than the estimated production). Well 22-O-73 in the
same field, was drilled with lignosulphonate, into sand I4/
 TM
SPE 54113 FIELD EXPERIENCES WITH STABLE MUL , A NON DAMAGING MICRO EMULSION
reservoir ORI-73 with an estimated production of 300 BPD.
When gun perforated with Stable Mul it produced 517 BPD
(72% higher production than expected).
Also, wells drilled into Acema field gave similar results.
Well 33-ACE-53 was drilled with lignosulphonate into sand
R2/reservoir ACE-53 and had an estimated production of 250
BPD when gun perforated with Stable Mul it produced 1242
BPD (397% higher production than expected). An offset well
(33-AC-63) drilled and completed with another fluid into the
same sand and reservoir produced only 37 BPD. Well 33-AC-
131 was drilled with oil mud into sand G/reservoir ACE-6
with an estimated production of 300 BPD. After gun
perforated with Stable Mul it produced 407 BPD. Two offset
wells (33-AC-116 and 33-AC-120) that were drilled and
completed with another fluid into the same sand and reservoir
produced only an average 277 BPD.
A similar behavior to that just described has been observed
in wells drilled in western Venezuela at Lake Maracaibo
where wells drilled and/or completed with Stable Mul have
shown a higher oil production than the estimated. Figure 2
shows the estimated and real production for each well. These
wells were drilled with different fluids and then gun perforated
and completed with Stable Mul. Figure 3 shows estimated and
real production of wells drilled, gun perforated and completed
with Stable Mul. Jobs at western Venezuela are of recent
application and information about offset wells is not available.
The slightly variation between the real and estimated
production observed from Figure 3 might be because of the
minimun or non existing formation damage when using Stable
Mul as a drilling fluid.
Stable Mul as a drilling fluid.After the excellent results
obtained with Stable Mul as a workover and completion fluid,
it was modified or adjusted in order to use it as a drilling fluid.
The basic system (water, oil and surfactant) was treated
with combinations of polymers and inhibitor agents to make
the system capable of drilling through troublesome shales and
clays at high temperature. This was made possible by
incorporating Stable Drill and Stable K (combination of
potassium salts and potassium formates). In cases where extra
inhibition is needed, KCL 99% purity may be added along
with Stable FRX to control the increased filtrate due to the
addition of the salts.
Unlike some other low-density fluids on the market,
mainly used as completion fluid, Stable Mul does not need an
alkali to control the pH or any biocida to control the bacteria
growth. This makes the Stable Mul a unique low-density
system to be used as a drilling, work over and completion
fluid.
In earlier field applications of Stable Mul as a drilling
fluid, data for different parameters were measured in order to
compare them with that of traditional fluids used in the same
area of evaluation. One of those parameters measured was
Effective ROP (Effective Rate of Penetration).
In Bare, Melones and Arecuna fields, the intermediate
section of 12 ¼” and 9 7/8” used to be drilled with
lignosulphonate and the productive section with polymeric
mud (viscoelastic). Field data was collected and the average
3
effective rate of penetration was determined and compared for
both sections. It was noticed that, when Stable Mul was used
and while keeping the rest of the parameters the same, those
sections were drilled faster (see tables 1 and 2). This
represented average savings of US$ 25,230 per well for the
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combination 12 ¼”-8 ½” and US$ 35,550 per well for the 9
7/8”- 6 1/8” design. See Figures 4, 5 and 6. The rig cost per
hour was US$ 960 including all services and the wells had an
average measured depth of 5,500 feet. Savings could be
greater if we consider or project deeper or longer drilling
sections. In the intermediate section of 12 ¼” there are savings
of US$ 5.11/foot and US$ 7.93/ foot for intermediate section
of 9 7/8”. Likewise for productive section of 8 ½”and 6 1/8”
there are savings of US$ 3.19/foot and US$ 2.57/foot
respectively.
In addition to the improvement in ROP, average
production from wells drilled with Stable Mul was compared
with that obtained from other fluids. Parameters such as sand,
reservoir and production method (Electro-sumergable pump
and progressive cavity pump) were kept constant in order to
make valid the comparison. Results from this study are
presented in Figures 7,8 and 9; and in tables 3,4,5 and 6 the
individual production of each well is presented from which
was calculated the average production related to the use of
each fluid (Stable Mul or Viscoelastic). Results show that,
when a comparison is made using the same production method
into the same sand and reservoir for wells drilled with Stable
Mul at the OHOB their production is about 30% higher than
those well drilled with polymeric mud. Also, it was observed
that 60% of the volume of the Stable Mul used at OHOB was
recovered and used in subsequent wells. In deeper and more
consolidated sand, recovery has been reported at up to of 87%
of the fluid volume being used.
Table 7 shows a comparison on production between wells
drilled and/or completed with Stable Mul vs. other fluids for
San Tome traditional area. Wells in this area are deep ranging
from 10,000 to 12,000 feet with low permeability consolidated
sand and medium to light crude. The low permeability of these
sands makes them very sensitive for formation damages.
Results show that when the Stable Mul is used in these low
permeability sands the difference on production with other
fluids, is even greater than the difference observed in the
O.H.O.B.
Out of one hundred and twenty (120) wells drilled with
Stable Mul up to December 1998, ninety (90) of them have
been drilled into heavy crude from the Orinoco Heavy oil Belt.
All ninety (90) of those wells have been horizontal; some have
horizontal extension longer than 3000 feet (e.g. MFB-552);
see Figure A-2.1, and 6 wells has been drilled from the
surface to T.D. using Stable Mul. In total, Stable Mul has been
used in the OHOB to drill 151,305 feet of productive zone and
24,065 of clays and shales with mud densities that have varied
from 7.4 PPG to 8.9PPG.
In general, including all the applications, mud density has
varied from 7.4 to 12.0 PPG and temperatures close to 300 oF.
Table 8 presents ranges and average mud properties of the
Stable Mul for the intermediate and productive section.
4 E. ZABALA, A. LUONGO, E.PARRA, J. MENDEZ, J. AROCHA, J.CARRASQUERO SPE 54113

It should be point out that, there have not been any 3. Rosas,J.L. y Parra E., “ Uso de Sistema de Baja Densidad en
operational problems imputed to this system. No drill bits or Trabajos de Ampliación y Completación de Pozos en el Campo
drill pipes have been left stuck in the hole, there has not been Bare”, II Seflu-93-07, Noviembre 1993, Caracas, Venezuela.

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any excessive torque or drag, and liners has been run without
any problem. No lost timet has been reported because of mud SI Metric Conversion Factors
conditioning. bbl x 1.59 E-01 = m3
3
Field results from the application of the Stable Mul cm x 1.0 E-06 = m3
system in the OHOB in low-pressure gradient formation show inch x 2.54 E+00 = cm
that, production is higher than that obtained when using a foot x 3.048 E-01 = m
viscoelastic system. These results are consistent with return of cp x 1.0 E-03 = Pa.s
permeability test where this fluid has been observed to psi x 6.894 E+00 = kPa
stimulate the transmissibility of the sand by generating an lb/100Ft2 x 4.788 E-01 = Pa
improved effective permeability. ppg x 1.198 E+02 = kg/m3
o
F (oF-32)/1.8 = oC
Conclusions
1. Wells are drilled and/or completed with minimun to
non-existing damage to the productive formations.
2. Crude production from The OHOB when using Stable
Mul is on average 30% higher than those using polymeric
mud.
3. At The O.H.O.B. Stable Mul recovery from one well to
the next is about 60% of the circulating volume and it has
been up to 87% in deeper and more consolidated sands.
4. Wells drilled with Stable Mul have exhibited higher
effective rate of penetration when compared with
lignosulphonate in the clay section and polymeric mud into the
productive section. This means big savings especially if we
project well deeper than 5,500 feet.
5. Wells drilled with Stable Mul have not had any
operational problem and no drill bits or drill pipes have been
left stuck in the hole.
6. Mud weight at field application has been varied from
7.4 PPG to 12PPG.
7. The Stable Mul System has been used as drilling,
completion and Workover fluid with excellent production and
operational results.

Acknowledgment
The authors wish to thank PDVSA for their permission,
contribution and support to finish and publish this paper. We
would especially like to thank Ing. Luis Bellorin for trusting in
the Stable Mul system and being the first one at PDVSA to
run it in a complete well (top to buttom). We also thanks
Teikoku Oil of Venezuela for running this system
(successfully) in their first multilateral well drilled in
Venezuela.

References
1. Conferencia sobre Crudos Pesados patrocinada por Foster
Wheeler, “Con Vapor Hidogenan crudos pesados”, Petróleo
Internacional, Julio/Agosto 1998, Vol. 57, No 5.pp. 18-24.
2. Corpoven,S.A., “Informe Anual de Reservas 1997”, Dtto. San
Tomé, Tomos IV/V, Jurisdicción Barcelona,Area Faja, Petróleo y
Gas.
 TM
SPE 54113 FIELD EXPERIENCES WITH STABLE MUL , A NON DAMAGING MICRO EMULSION 5

EST ESTIMATED. PRO D. ACTUAL PROD ANOTHER FLUID INTERMEDIATE SECTION (12 ¼”)
4000 FEET
160 SAVING: 21,3 HOURS
467%
1400 135,5
1242

EFFECTIVE DRILLING TIME (Hrs.)

140
1135 ORITUPANO

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1200 FIELD 114,3
ACEMA FIELD PRODUCTIVE SECTION (8 ½ ”)
120
1500 FEET
1000
PRODUCTION BPD

100
29,5 Ft/Hr.
35 Ft/Hr.
800 72% 80
SAVING: 5,0 HOURS
517
600 397% 36% 47% 60
407 38,5
33,5
300 300 40
400 250 277
209
20
44,8 Ft/Hr. 39 Ft/Hr.
200
37
0
0 STABLE MUL LIGNOSULPHONATE VISCOELASTIC
SAND: R3 I4 R2 G
RESERVOIR: ORI-51 ORI-73 ACE-53 ACE-6
FIGURE 4
PRODUCTION FROM WELLS DRILLED WITH OTHER
FLUIDS AND COMPLETED WITH STABLE MUL IN INTERMEDIATE SECTION (9 7/8”)
EASTERN VENEZUELA
4000 FEET SAVING: 33,10 HOURS
FIGURE 1 160
133,8

EFFECTIVE DRILLING TIME (Hrs.)

140
ESTIMATED PROD.. REAL PROD.
110,7 PRODUCTIVE SECTION (6 1/8”)
120
1500 FEET

700 100
620 29,9 Ft/Hr.
SAVING: 4,0 HOURS
80
600
39,7 Ft/Hr. 50,3
60 46,3
450
500 433
PRODUCTION B/D

397 40
32,4 Ft/Hr. 29,8 Ft/Hr.
400
20

300 0

200 140 STABLE MUL LIGNOSULPHONATE VISCOELASTIC

100

100 FIGURE 5
0
EFECTIVE DRILLING HOURS PER SECTION Vs.
WELL Nº: VLA-1271 VLA-1280 VLA-1283
AREA: I I I TYPE OF DRILLING FLUID
PRODUCTION FROM WELLS DRILLED WITH FIGURES 4 AND 5
OTHER FLUIDS AND COMPLETED WITH STABLE
MUL IN WESTERN VENEZUELA
FIGURE 2

ESTIMATED PROD.. REAL PROD. 40 35,6

35 31,8
1800
1500 1526
1600 30 25,2
THOUSAND US$

1400
25
PRODUCTION B/D

1113 20,4
1200
20
1000
9 7 /8
801
700
15 9 7 /8
800 12 ¼
6 1 /8
600 10
350 4,8 12 ¼ 3,8
400 8½
5
200
8½ 6 1 /8
0
0
1.500' 4.000' 5.500' 1.500' 4.000' 5.500'
WELL Nº: VLD-1310 MOT-51 MOT-37A
AREA: IV MOTATAN MOTATAN

SAVING PER WELL ACCORDING TO HOLE SIZES

PRODUCTION FROM WELLS DRILLED AND FIGURE 6
COMPLETED WITH STABLE MUL IN WESTERN
VENEZUELA
FIGURE 3
6 E. ZABALA, A. LUONGO, E.PARRA, J. MENDEZ, J. AROCHA, J.CARRASQUERO SPE 54113

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PROD. METHOD: P.C.P
STABLE MUL VISCOELASTIC
PROD. METHOD: E.S.P. STABLE MUL VISCOELASTIC

YEAR 96/97 YEAR 96/97

1400 1400

AVERAGE INITIAL PRODUCTION BPD

AVERAGE INITIAL PRODUCTION BPD

1118 73% 202% 8% 1141 19% 2%

1200 1200 1048 1075 1049
970 958
1000 1000
734
800 1 WELL 644 800
4
WELLS 13 3
600 600 WELLS WELLS 4 2 10
WELLS WELLS WELLS
1 WELL
1 WELL
400 243 400

200 1 WELL 200

0 0
SAND: F 7,8 TL SAND: U 1,3 S ,5 T R3
RESERVOIR: MFB-136 MFB-167 RESERVOIR: MFB-53 MEL-33 MFB-205

FIGURE 7
FIGURE 8

PROD. METHOD: PCP STABLE MUL VISCOELASTIC

YEAR 96/97
800 22% 29% 40%
683
AVERAGE INITIAL PRODUCTION BPD

663 656
700
558
600 513
470
500

400 4 9 4 14 7 6
WELLS WELLS WELLS WELLS WELLS WELLS
300

200

100

0
SAND: U 1,3 U1 S5, T
RESERVOIR: MFB-53 MFA-33 MEL-33

FIGURE 9

AVERAGE INITIAL PRODUCTION FOR HEAVY CRUDE IN

THE OHOB FROM SEVERAL SANDS AND RESERVOIRS
STABLE MUL Vs. VISCOELASTIC.
FIGURES 7, 8, 9.

P.C.P.= PROGRESSIVE CAVITY PUMP

E.S.P.= ELECTRO SUMERGIBLE PUMP
 TM
SPE 54113 FIELD EXPERIENCES WITH STABLE MUL , A NON DAMAGING MICRO EMULSION 7

TABLE 1 EFFECTIVE ROP WELL DIAM. 12 ¼” AND 8 ½”

WELL Nº RIG INTERMEDIATE SECTION PRODUCTION SECTION

NAME TYPE OF DEPTH TIME ROP TYPE OF HOLE DIAM. PROF.
HOLE DIAM. TIME ROP

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FLUID (INCH.) (FEET) (HOURS) (ft/hr) FLUID (INCH.) (FEET) (HOURS) (ft/hr)
MEL-143 FCO-36 STABLE MUL 12 1/4 4085 135,0 30,3 STABLE MUL 8 1/2 1757 34,0 51,7
MFB-413 CPV-10 ANOTHER FLUID 12 1/4 2928 93,5 31,5 STABLE MUL 8 1/2 1271 30,0 42,4
MFB-414 HP-158 ANOTHER FLUID 12 1/4 2975 126,5 23,5 STABLE MUL 8 1/2 1700 32,5 52,3
MFB-417 CPV-10 ANOTHER FLUID 12 1/4 3938 142,5 27,6 STABLE MUL 8 1/2 1618 29,5 54,8
MFB-418 CPV-11 ANOTHER FLUID 12 1/4 2885 94,5 31,0 STABLE MUL 8 1/2 1858 55,0 33,8
MFB-419 HP-158 ANOTHER FLUID 12 1/4 2901 81,0 35,8 STABLE MUL 8 1/2 1133 33,0 34,3
MFB-421 CPV-11 STABLE MUL 12 1/4 3149 94,5 33,3 STABLE MUL 8 1/2 2141 50,5 42,4
MFB-423 FCO-36 STABLE MUL 12 1/4 2897 60,0 48,3 ABANDONED
MFB-425 CPV-11 ANOTHER FLUID 12 1/4 3155 109,5 28,8 ANOTHER FLUID 8 1/2 1483 31,0 47,8
MFB-430 CPV-11 ANOTHER FLUID 12 1/4 2783 96,0 29,0 ANOTHER FLUID 8 1/2 2261 65,0 34,8
MFB-431 HP-158 ANOTHER FLUID 12 1/4 2951 87,0 33,9 STABLE MUL 8 1/2 1502 25,5 58,9
MFB-438 CPV-11 ANOTHER FLUID 12 1/4 3340 104,5 31,9 STABLE MUL 8 1/2 1533 31,5 48,7
CAZ-102 JUSTISS-22 VERTICAL WELL STABLE MUL 8 1/2 7882 347,0 22,7

EFFECTIVE ROP (AVERAGE)

Hole Diam. 12 1/4 '' (Intermediate Section) Hole Diam. 8 1/2 '' (Production Section)

ANOTHER FLUID : 24516 Feet ANOTHER FLUID : 3744 Feet

29,5 Ft/Hr. 39,0 Ft/Hr.
830,5 Hr 96 Hr

STABLE MUL : 10131 Feet 35,0 Ft/Hr. STABLE MUL : 12980 Feet
44,8 Ft/Hr
289,5 Hr 290 Hr

TABLE 2 EFFECTIVE ROP WELL DIAM. 9 7/8” AND 6 1/8”

WELL Nº RIG INTERMEDIATE SECTION PRODUCTION SECTION

NAME TYPE OF HOLE DIAM. DEPTH TIME ROP TYPE OF HOLE DIAM. DEPTH TIME ROP
FLUID (INCH.) (FEET) (HOURS) (ft/hr) FLUID (INCH.) (FEET) (HOURS) (ft/hr)
MEL-144 FCO-36 ANOTHER FLUID 9 7/8 4146 144,0 28,8 ANOTHER FLUID 6 1/8 1401 47,0 29,8
MEL-146 FCO-36 STABLE MUL 9 7/8 4657 124,8 37,3 STABLE MUL 6 1/8 1146 46,0 24,9
MEL-149 CPV-11 ANOTHER FLUID 9 7/8 3875 112,0 34,2 STABLE MUL 6 1/8 1530 38,5 39,7
MEL-150 CPV-10 ANOTHER FLUID 9 7/8 4011 140,5 28,5 STABLE MUL 6 1/8 1408 60,0 23,5
MEL-151 FCO-35 STABLE MUL 9 7/8 3196 106,5 30,0 STABLE MUL 6 1/8 1594 24,0 66,4
MEL-152 FCO-36 STABLE MUL 9 7/8 3900 91,5 42,6 STABLE MUL 6 1/8 2765 67,5 41,0
MEL-153 CPV-10 ANOTHER FLUID 9 7/8 4057 129,0 31,4 STABLE MUL 6 1/8 1789 86,0 20,8
MEL-157 CPV-10 ANOTHER FLUID 9 7/8 4197 131,5 31,9 STABLE MUL 6 1/8 2439 71,0 34,3
MFB-420 FCO-36 STABLE MUL 9 7/8 3077 50,5 61,0 STABLE MUL 6 1/8 1033 23,5 44,0
MM -580 NL-229 ANOTHER FLUID 9 7/8 3841 71,5 53,7 STABLE MUL 6 1/8 1810 32,0 56,6
MM -582 CPV-10 ANOTHER FLUID 9 7/8 4468 143,5 31,1 STABLE MUL 6 1/8 1294 46,0 28,1
MM -583 CPV-05 ANOTHER FLUID 9 7/8 4234 110,5 38,3 STABLE MUL 6 1/8 1832 83,5 21,9
MM -585 CPV-10 ANOTHER FLUID 9 7/8 4406 113,5 38,8 STABLE MUL 6 1/8 1653 48,5 34,1
MI - 08 CPV-04 ANOTHER FLUID 9 7/8 6989 325,0 21,5 STABLE MUL 6 1/8 810 64,0 13,0
GS -191 CPV-09 ANOTHER FLUID 9 7/8 5784 250,5 23,1 STABLE MUL 6 1/8 419 33,0 12,7

EFFECTIVE ROP (AVERAGE)

Hole Diam. 9 7/8 '' (Intermediate Section) Hole Diam. 6 1/8 '' (Production Section)

ANOTHER FLUID : 50008 Feet ANOTHER FLUID : 1401 Feet

29,9 Ft/Hr. 29,8 Ft/Hr.
1671,5 Hr 47 Hr

STABLE MUL : 14830 Feet STABLE MUL : 20293 Feet

39,7 Ft/Hr 32,4 Ft/Hr
373,3 Hr 626,5 Hr
8 E. ZABALA, A. LUONGO, E.PARRA, J. MENDEZ, J. AROCHA, J.CARRASQUERO SPE 54113

TABLE 3 COMPARISON OF AVERAGE INITIAL PRODUCTION

PER SAND AND RESERVOIR IN THE OHOB.
STABLE MUL Vs. VISCOELASTIC

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RESERVOIR: MFB-205 YEAR: 1996/1997
SAND: R3

PROD. METHOD: P.C.P PROD. METHOD: E.S.P.

PRODUCTION(BPD) PRODUCTION(BPD)

TYPE OF FLUID STABLE MUL VISCOELASTIC TYPE OF FLUID STABLE MUL VISCOELASTIC
WELL Nº WELL Nº
MFB-466 425 MFB-431 1243
MFB-452 200 MFB-440 1625
MFB-457 371 MFB-441 740
MFB-477 507 MFB-450 907
MFB-453 695
MFB-456 1467
MFB-459 1359
MFB-455 P/D
MFB-473 696
MFB-480 1421
MFB-476 387
MFB-481 527
MFB-484 1575
AVERAGE AVERAGE
AT 20/09/97 376 AT 20/09/97 1075 1049
Nº WELLS 0 4 Nº WELLS 2 10

TABLE 4

RESERVOIR: M FB-53 YEAR: 1996/1997

SAND: U 1,3

PROD. M ETHOD: P.C.P PROD. M ETHOD: E.S.P.

PRODUCTION(BPD) PRODUCTION(B PD)

TYPE OF FLUID STABLE M UL VISCOELASTIC TYPE OF FLUID STAB LE M UL VISCOELASTIC

WELL Nº WELL Nº
MFB-413 356 MFB-415 790
MFB-419 594 MFB-417 710
MFB-427 263 MFB-418 795
MFB-445 829 MFB-421 1898
MFB-463 485 MFB-424 1362
MFB-478 716 MFB-425 732
MFB-486 1005 MFB-428 1105
MFB-488 298 MFB-430 995
MFB-487 MFB-429 1418
MFB-482 423 MFB-433 1380
MFB-489 505 MFB-442 851
MFB-493 504 MFB-444 822
MFB-494* 885 MFB-446 888
MFB-498* 896 MFB-477 757
MFB-451 881
MFB-436 998
MFB-482 423
AVERAGE AVERAGE
AT 20/09/97 683 558 AT 20/09/97 1048 970
Nº WELLS 4 9 Nº WELLS 4 13

P.C.P.= PROGRESSIVE CAVITY PUMP.

E.S.P.= ELECTRIC SUMERGABLE PUMP.
 TM
SPE 54113 FIELD EXPERIENCES WITH STABLE MUL , A NON DAMAGING MICRO EMULSION 9

TABLE 5 COMPARISON OF AVERAGE INITIAL PRODUCTION

PER SAND AND RESERVOIR IN THE OHOB.
STABLE MUL Vs. VISCOELASTIC

RESERVOIR: MEL-33 YEAR: 1996/1997

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SAND: S 5, T

PROD. METHOD: P.C.P PROD. METHOD: E.S.P.

PRODUCTION(BPD) PRODUCTION(BPD)

TYPE OF FLUID STABLE MUL VISCOELASTIC TYPE OF FLUID STABLE MUL VISCOELASTIC
WELL Nº WELL Nº
MM-580 327 MM-585* 1628
MEL-152 525 MM-587* 1120
MEL-153 784 MEL-161 900
MEL-154 461 MEL-163 812
MM-582 998 MM-590 1401
MEL-156 620 MEL-169 720
MM-583 731 MEL-170 675
MM-584 448
MM-588 557
MM-589 671
MEL-164 310
MEL-167 281
MM-591 703
MEL-168 P/D
AVERAGE AVERAGE
AT 20/09/97 656 470 AT 20/09/97 1141 958
Nº WELLS 7 6 Nº WELLS 3 4

TABLE 6

RESERVOIR: M FA-33 YEAR: 1996/1997

SAND: U1

PROD. M ETHOD: P.C.P PROD. M ETHOD: E.S.P.

PRODUCTION(B PD) PRODUCTION(B PD)

TYPE OF FLUID STAB LE M UL VISCOELASTIC TYPE OF FLUID STAB LE M UL VISCOELASTIC

WELL Nº WELL Nº
MFA-166 470 MFA-190 721
MFA-167 415 MFA-193 600
MFA-169 530 MFA-195 501
MFA-170 1022
MFA-171 493
MFA-172 500
MFA-173 479
MFA-174 387
MFA-176 420
MFA-178 450
MFA-179 400
MFA-181 500
MFA-183 500
MFA-184 625
MFA-185 726
MFA-189 702
MFA-192 600
MFA-204 620
AVERAGE AVERAGE
AT 20/09/97 663 513 AT 20/09/97 607
Nº WELLS 4 14 Nº WELLS 3 0

P.C.P.= PROGRESSIVE CAVITY PUMP.

E.S.P.= ELECTRIC SUMERGABLE PUMP.
10 E. ZABALA, A. LUONGO, E.PARRA, J. MENDEZ, J. AROCHA, J.CARRASQUERO SPE 54113

TABLE 7 MEDIUM/ LIGHT CRUDE PRODUCTION

STABLE MUL Vs. OTHER FLUIDS

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FIELD WELL Nº RESERVOIR SAND BCPD API %W&S DATE STATUS MUD TYPE
GUARA GG-185 GG-14 M-2 698 17,6 55,0 07/97 PRB Stable - Mul
GUARA GG-186 GG-14 M-2 1492 16,0 30,0 07/97 PRB Another Fluid
GUARA GG-190 GG-14 M-2 539 2,0 07/97 PRB Another Fluid
GUARA GS-191 GG-14 M-2 2247 17,7 24,0 07/97 PRB Stable - Mul
GUARA GS-192 GG-129 02LP1 175 13,4 40,0 12/97 PRB Another Fluid
NIPA NV-129 NP-101 R1 1546 20,9 0,8 07/97 PRB Stable - Mul
NIPA NV-130 NP-101 R1 674 22,7 0,2 07/97 PRB Stable - Mul
NIPA NV-131 NP-101 R1 423 27,0 0,2 07/97 PRB Stable - Mul
NIPA NV-132 NP-132 J2L 1260 27,0 0,0 12/97 PRB Stable - Mul
LIDO LS-1 LS-1 R1L 67 19,2 - 07/97 PEB Another Fluid
LIDO LS-3 LS-1 R1L 975 29,0 1,0 07/97 PRB Stable - Mul
ACEMA 33-AC-126 ACE - 9 RO SSS Stable - Mul
ORITUPANO ORM-110 ORITUPANO A 1,3 2819 18,0 12/97 PRB Stable - Mul
ADAS ADM-529H ADM-503 R 1,2 500 14 28,0 11/97 SSS Stable - Mul

TABLE 8 VARIATION OF STABLE MUL FIELD PROPERTIES

PER TYPE OF FORMATION

F O R M A T IO N C LA Y SAN D
H O L E (IN C H ) 1 2 1 /4 8 1 /2
M U D D E N S IT Y (P P G ) 7 ,5 - 1 2 ,0 7 ,5 - 7 ,8
F U N N E L V IS C O S IT Y (S E C /Q t ga l) 80 - 160 70 - 125
P L A S T IC V IS C O S IT Y (C P S ) 35 - 55 30 - 45
Y E IL D P O IN T ( L b /1 0 0 F t 2 ) 25 - 45 20 - 35
G E L S (L b /1 0 0 F t 2 ) 6 /8 - 1 7 /2 0 4 /5 - 9 /1 2
S O L I D S (% ) 0 - 17 0 - 3
O IL /W A T E R 7 0 /3 0 - 5 5 /4 5 7 0 /3 0 - 6 2 /3 8
M U D F IL T R A T E (C C /3 0 M in) 5 M AX. 3 M AX.
T Y P E O F F L U ID S TA BLE M U L S TA BLE M U L
 TM
SPE 54113 FIELD EXPERIENCES WITH STABLE MUL , A NON DAMAGING MICRO EMULSION 11

MELONES
FORMATION LITHOLOGY THICKNESS

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BARE/ARECUNA ALUVION
FORMATION LITHOLOGY THICKNESS

ALUVION
MESA 600'

MESA 600'
SOLUBLES
LAS CLAYS 950'
PIEDRAS AND
SOLUBLES SAND
LAS CLAYS 200'
PIEDRAS AND
SAND FREITES CLAYS 1200'

FREITES CLAYS 870' SAND

OFICINA SECUENCES 1700'

SAND
OFICINA SECUENCES 1650'
MERECURE SAND 400'

MERECURE SAND 150'

EL TIGRE

BASAMENTO

CANOA

STRATIGRAPHIC COLUMN FROM OHOB

FIGURE A-1

1 0 3 /4" C S G 1 3 3 /8 ' ' C SG

1 3 3/ 8 " H o l e 1 7 1 /2 " H o l e
600' 600'

9 7 /8" H o le 1 2 1 /4 " H o le

C SG 7 " 2 3 # / F t 9 5 /8 ' ' C SG

6 1 /8 " H o le 4 1 /2 " L in er 8 1 /2 " H o le 5 1 /2 " L in e r

5 .5 0 0 ' 6 .4 0 0 '
4 .6 0 0 ' 4 .6 0 0 '

CHARACTERISTIC WELL DESIGN FOR BARE, MELONES AND ARECUNA

FIELDS IN THE OHOB.
FIGURE A-2
12 E. ZABALA, A. LUONGO, E.PARRA, J. MENDEZ, J. AROCHA, J.CARRASQUERO SPE 54113

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MUD PROPERTIES RANGE
MUD WEIGHT (PPG) 7,5 –7,6
20" @ 388'
FUNNEL VISCOSITY (Sec/QG) 90 – 160

17" Hole PLASTIC VISCOSITY (CPS) 40 – 48

13 7/8 " CSG YIELD POINT (Lbs/100 Ft 2) 32 - 42
1 0 3 /4 " C S G 7.452'
12 1/4" Hole GELS (Lbs/100 Ft 2) 5/6 – 9/10
1 3 3/ 8 " H o l e
600' 9 5/8" CSG FILTRATE (cc/30 min.) 0,2 – 1,0
SOLIDS (%) MAX. 1,0
11.507'
9 7 / 8" H o l e O/W RATIO: 70/30 – 72/28

C SG 7 " 2 3 # / F t 7" CSG

5 7/8" Hole

6 1 /8 " H o le 4 1 / 2 " L i n er 300 °F FOR CORRELATION

14.406'
13.544'
3 .2 0 4 ' 6.926'
3 . 7 2 5 ''

DESIGN FOR WELL MFB-552 IN BARE FIELD. DESING FOR WELL 33-AC-126 ACEMA FIELD.
FIGURE A-2.1 FIGURE A-3

REENTRY WELL

1 0 3 /4 '' C G S
1 3 3 /8 " H o le
600'

9 7 /8 " H o le

2276' 7 ' C G S, 2 3 # /Fo o t

6 1 /8 " H o le 4 1 /2 " L in er
2801'

3797' 4997'

RELINER JOB (2 3/8” INTO 4 ½”) – MORICHAL FIELD

FIGURE A-5
 TM
SPE 54113 FIELD EXPERIENCES WITH STABLE MUL , A NON DAMAGING MICRO EMULSION 13

LIGNOSULPHONATE FILTRATE
14

12

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MOBILITY, Md/cp
10

8
FILTRATE
6 INYECTION
CRUDE
4 INYECTION CRUDE RETURN
DAMAGE= 21.%

400
200

300
100
0

INYECTED VOLUME, CC
SOTO CORE

INTERACTION BETWEEN MUD FILTRATE AND MECHANICAL EMULSION

35

30
MOBILITY, Md/cp

25

MECHANICAL
20
EMULSION

DAMAGE = 11,5%
CRUDE RETURN
INYECTION
15 CRUDE INYECTION MUD
FILTRATE
10 INYECTION

0
0 10 0 20 0 30 0 40 0 50 0 60 0

INYECTED VOLUME, CC
SOTO CORE

INTERACTION MUD FILTRATE AND STABLE MUL

30

25
MOBILITY, Md/cp

20
(ESTIMULATION)
CRUDE RETURN
DAMAGE= - 11%

15
MUD STABLE MUL
CRUDE FILTRATE INYECTION
10 INYECTION
INYECTION

0
0 1 00 2 00 3 00 4 00 5 00 6 00

INYECTED VOLUME, CC
SOTO CORE

SEQUENCE OF RETURN OF PERMEABILITY TEST

FIGURE A-4