GB2334539A - Process for reducing water flow into a hydrocarbon production well - Google Patents
Process for reducing water flow into a hydrocarbon production well Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2334539A GB2334539A GB9824739A GB9824739A GB2334539A GB 2334539 A GB2334539 A GB 2334539A GB 9824739 A GB9824739 A GB 9824739A GB 9824739 A GB9824739 A GB 9824739A GB 2334539 A GB2334539 A GB 2334539A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- chemical composition
- hydrocarbon
- water
- zones
- process according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 45
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 45
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 44
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 title claims abstract description 26
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 title claims abstract description 26
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 25
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 18
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 39
- 239000003607 modifier Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims description 36
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 125000002091 cationic group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920002401 polyacrylamide Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 14
- 239000000499 gel Substances 0.000 description 8
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N nitrogen Substances N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000004132 cross linking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003431 cross linking reagent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006735 deficit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003111 delayed effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002203 pretreatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000020681 well water Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000002349 well water Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
- C09K8/50—Compositions for plastering borehole walls, i.e. compositions for temporary consolidation of borehole walls
- C09K8/504—Compositions based on water or polar solvents
- C09K8/506—Compositions based on water or polar solvents containing organic compounds
- C09K8/508—Compositions based on water or polar solvents containing organic compounds macromolecular compounds
- C09K8/5086—Compositions based on water or polar solvents containing organic compounds macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/13—Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like
- E21B33/138—Plastering the borehole wall; Injecting into the formation
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/32—Preventing gas- or water-coning phenomena, i.e. the formation of a conical column of gas or water around wells
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Addition Polymer Or Copolymer, Post-Treatments, Or Chemical Modifications (AREA)
Abstract
A process for preventing water ingress into a hydrocarbon production well (4) firstly involves injecting a permeability modifier (14) into the hydrocarbon and water producing zones (6 and 8 respectively). Secondly a flow blocking composition (16) is introduced into both zones. The well is then shut in for a period long enough to allow for the reaction of the permeability modifier. Both the permeability modifier and the flow blocking composition are subsequently removed from the hydrocarbon producing zone only. This allows the production of hydrocarbons from this zone whilst the flow blocking composition forms a water shut-off in the water producing zone.
Description
Improvements in or Relating to Reducing Water Flow
This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to a process for reducing water flow from a hydrocarbon production well and is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with a process for forming a water shut-off in a gas well.
Known gas well water shut-off processes include the "Unocal" alternating polymer-nitrogen injection process which has been used with a degree of success.
The "Unocal" process uses a cross-linking polymer to produce a gel block to water production with nitrogen injection forming channels for gas flow. Testing of the "Unocal" process under laboratory conditions raised doubts regarding the reliability and durability of the process. It is also known to use relative permeability modifiers, i.e. chemicals that reduce the reservoir permeability to water with minimum effect on hydrocarbon permeability and while these rel. perm modifiers represent a low risk in terms of impairment of gas production they are not wholly effective as water shut-off means in addition to which their durability is somewhat limited.
The perceived difficulty in the known processes was the establishment of a permanent water shut-off mechanism by use of a durable polymer system. It was therefore realised that there could be unforeseen advantages over prior art processes viz. the "Unocal" process or processes using the rel. perm modifiers, in combining the attributes of the 'Unocal" system with the reliable "Maraseal" gel system and using the combination of processes to selectively place a reliable and durable water shut-off in a water zone of a gas well. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to mitigate or overcome the shortcomings of the prior art processes referred to herein.
Thus, the present invention conveniently provides a process for reducing water flow from a hydrocarbon production well comprising the steps of:
(a) injecting a first chemical composition into the hydrocarbon and water
zones of a reservoir;
(b) injecting a second chemical composition into said hydrocarbon and
water zones;
(c) effecting a "shut-in" for a reaction period of the first chemical
composition;
(d) producing the second chemical composition out from the hydrocarbon
zones prior to reaction of the second chemical composition; and
(e) maintaining the production of the first and second chemical
compositions from the hydrocarbon zones to facilitate the creation of a
passage for hydrocarbon flow therefrom whilst enabling the second
chemical composition to react in the water zones to form a water
shut-off.
Preferably step (b) of the process is effected immediately upon the completion of step (a) thereof.
In one preferred arrangement the first chemical composition is effective as a relative permeability modifier.
Conveniently, the first chemical composition comprises a cationic polyacrylamide and the second chemical composition comprises a cross-linkable polyacrylamide-chromium acetate system.
Preferably, any reaction period for the first chemical composition is less than the delay period prior to reaction of the second chemical composition.
The present invention also provides a process for forming a water shut-off including the injection of a relative permeability modifying chemical composition and a flow blocking chemical composition into hydrocarbon and water zones of a reservoir; characterised in that, the process also includes the production of the chemical compositions from the hydrocarbon zones concommitantly with the reaction of the flow blocking chemical composition in the water zones whereby a water shut-off is formed in the water zones.
Conveniently, the production of the chemical compositions from the hydrocarbon zones is facilitated by the reservoir pressure.
By way of example of the present invention, a novel water shut-off process will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates schematically a gas reservoir accessed by a gas production well;
Figure 2 illustrates schematically a first step of a novel process for establishing a water shut-off;
Figure 3 illustrates schematically a second step of the novel process;
Figure 4 illustrates schematically a third step of the novel process;
Figure 5 illustrates schematically a fourth step of the novel process; and,
Figure 6 illustrates schematically a fifth step of the novel process.
In overcoming the drawbacks of prior art water shut-off processes, the process provided by the present invention utilises the benefits derived from using rel. perm modifiers in combination with a reliable and durable gel blocking polymer.
A reservoir 2 to be accessed is comprised of two zones, i.e. an upper gas zone 6 and a lower water zone 8 located between upper and lower stratum 10 and 12.
After accessing the gas reservoir via the well bore 4, see Figure 1, the novel process of forming a water shut-off is effected in five steps as shown schematically in figures 2 to 6.
In the first step of the process a relative permeability modifier 14, viz. "Floperm 500 (RTM) is injected through the well bore 4 into the gas zone 6 and water zone 8 as indicated by the arrows in figure 2.
"Floperm 500" is a cationic polyacrylamide polymer including a cross-linking agent.
Immediately upon completion of step one of the process, step two is effected by injecting a blocking gel 16, viz. "Maraseal" through the well bore 4 into the gas zone 6 and water zone 8 behind the relative permeability modifier 14 as indicated by the arrows in Figure 3.
"Maraseal" is a polyacrylamide-chromium acetate system having a low viscosity (-15cp at 25"C), controllable gel times and cross-links to a "ringing gel" of proven durability.
Step three of the novel process involves a shut-in for the reaction period of the rel. perm modifier 14. The reaction period is typically of 16 to 24 hours duration for "Floperm 500"; however, the reaction period must be compatible with the delayed gellation times of the polymers utilised in the process.
In step 4 the polymers, i.e., the "Floperm 500" and the "Maraseal" are back produced from the gas zone 6 utilising the inherent pressure of the reservoir 2 to leave the pre-treatment rel. perm modifier 14 and the blocking gel 16 in the water zone 8, see Figure 5.
Back production of the polymers from the gas zone 6 is maintained into continuous gas production as indicated in Figure 6, by which time the "Maraseal" gels to a block in the water zone 8 to provide an effective and durable water shut-off.
Claims (11)
- CLAIMS 1. A process for reducing water flow from a hydrocarbon production well comprising the steps of: (a) injecting a first chemical composition into the hydrocarbon and water zones of a reservoir; (b) injecting a second chemical composition into said hydrocarbon and water zones; (c) effecting a "shut-in" for a reaction period of the first chemical composition; (d) producing the second chemical composition out from the hydrocarbon zones prior to reaction of the second chemical composition; and (e) maintaining the production of the first and second chemical compositions from the hydrocarbon zones to facilitate the creation of a passage for hydrocarbon flow therefrom whilst enabling the second chemical composition to react in the water zones to form a water shut-off.
- 2. A process according to Claim 1 wherein step (b) of the process is effected immediately upon the completion of step (a) thereof.
- 3. A process according to either one of Claims 1 and 2 wherein the first chemical composition is effective as a relative permeability modifier.
- 4. A process according to any one of Claims 1, 2 and 3 wherein the first chemical composition comprises a cross-linkable cationic polyacrylamide.
- 5. A process according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the second chemical composition comprises a cross-linkable polyacrylamide-chromium acetate system.
- 6. A process according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the second polymer composition has a low viscosity in the order of 15 cp at 25"C.
- 7. A process according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the reaction period of the first chemical composition is less than the delay period prior to reaction of the second chemical composition.
- 8. A process according to any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein the reaction period of the first chemical composition is in the order of 16 hours.
- 9. A process for forming a water shut-off in a hydrocarbon production well including the injection of a relative permeability modifying chemical composition and a flow blocking chemical composition into hydrocarbon and water zones of a reservoir; characterised in that, the process also includes the production of the chemical compositions back from the hydrocarbon zones concommitantly with the reaction of the flow blocking chemical composition in the water zones whereby a water shut-off is formed in the water zones.
- 10. A process according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 wherein the back production of the chemical compositions from the hydrocarbon zones is facilitated by the reservoir pressure.
- 11. A process substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (8)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US09/622,225 US6516885B1 (en) | 1998-02-18 | 1999-01-26 | Reducing water flow |
| EP99902645A EP1056926B1 (en) | 1998-02-18 | 1999-01-28 | Improvements in or relating to reducing water flow |
| IDW20001570A ID25899A (en) | 1998-02-18 | 1999-01-28 | IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATED TO REDUCED WATER FLOW |
| CA002320324A CA2320324C (en) | 1998-02-18 | 1999-01-28 | Improvements in or relating to reducing water flow |
| DE69916250T DE69916250D1 (en) | 1998-02-18 | 1999-01-28 | IMPROVEMENTS IN OR REDUCTION OF WATER FLOW |
| AU22865/99A AU747865B2 (en) | 1998-02-18 | 1999-01-28 | Improvements in or relating to reducing water flow |
| PCT/GB1999/000114 WO1999042700A1 (en) | 1998-02-18 | 1999-01-28 | Improvements in or relating to reducing water flow |
| NO20004157A NO319826B1 (en) | 1998-02-18 | 2000-08-18 | Process for reducing water flow from a hydrocarbon production well and method for forming a water barrier in a hydrocarbon production well |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9803331.9A GB9803331D0 (en) | 1998-02-18 | 1998-02-18 | Water shutoff treatment for gas wells |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9824739D0 GB9824739D0 (en) | 1999-01-06 |
| GB2334539A true GB2334539A (en) | 1999-08-25 |
| GB2334539B GB2334539B (en) | 2002-07-31 |
Family
ID=10827129
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9803331.9A Ceased GB9803331D0 (en) | 1998-02-18 | 1998-02-18 | Water shutoff treatment for gas wells |
| GB9824739A Expired - Fee Related GB2334539B (en) | 1998-02-18 | 1998-11-12 | Improvements in or relating to reducing water flow |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9803331.9A Ceased GB9803331D0 (en) | 1998-02-18 | 1998-02-18 | Water shutoff treatment for gas wells |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB9803331D0 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7084094B2 (en) | 1999-12-29 | 2006-08-01 | Tr Oil Services Limited | Process for altering the relative permeability if a hydrocarbon-bearing formation |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4034811A (en) * | 1975-11-20 | 1977-07-12 | Continental Oil Company | Method for sealing a permeable subterranean formation |
| GB1531142A (en) * | 1975-09-25 | 1978-11-01 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | Methods of reducing or suppressing aqueous penetration from underground formations into wells for oil and/or hydrocarbon gas production |
| GB1545410A (en) * | 1976-12-30 | 1979-05-10 | Elf Aquitaine | Prevention of inflow of water into wells or shafts |
| US5002127A (en) * | 1990-02-27 | 1991-03-26 | Halliburton Company | Placement aid for dual injection placement techniques |
-
1998
- 1998-02-18 GB GBGB9803331.9A patent/GB9803331D0/en not_active Ceased
- 1998-11-12 GB GB9824739A patent/GB2334539B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1531142A (en) * | 1975-09-25 | 1978-11-01 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | Methods of reducing or suppressing aqueous penetration from underground formations into wells for oil and/or hydrocarbon gas production |
| US4034811A (en) * | 1975-11-20 | 1977-07-12 | Continental Oil Company | Method for sealing a permeable subterranean formation |
| GB1545410A (en) * | 1976-12-30 | 1979-05-10 | Elf Aquitaine | Prevention of inflow of water into wells or shafts |
| US5002127A (en) * | 1990-02-27 | 1991-03-26 | Halliburton Company | Placement aid for dual injection placement techniques |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7084094B2 (en) | 1999-12-29 | 2006-08-01 | Tr Oil Services Limited | Process for altering the relative permeability if a hydrocarbon-bearing formation |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9803331D0 (en) | 1998-04-15 |
| GB9824739D0 (en) | 1999-01-06 |
| GB2334539B (en) | 2002-07-31 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) | ||
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20051112 |