US3863717A - Methods for forcing a liquid into a low pressure formation - Google Patents

Methods for forcing a liquid into a low pressure formation Download PDF

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Publication number
US3863717A
US3863717A US437651A US43765174A US3863717A US 3863717 A US3863717 A US 3863717A US 437651 A US437651 A US 437651A US 43765174 A US43765174 A US 43765174A US 3863717 A US3863717 A US 3863717A
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Prior art keywords
well
foam
formation
pressure
column
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US437651A
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English (en)
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Robert Ernest Cooper
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Compagnie des Services Dowell Schlumberger SA
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Compagnie des Services Dowell Schlumberger SA
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    • 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
    • E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
    • E21B41/02—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00 in situ inhibition of corrosion in boreholes or wells
    • 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
    • E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
    • E21B21/16—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor using gaseous fluids
    • 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
    • E21B43/25—Methods for stimulating production

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A method for driving a well fluid column indicating a liquid chemical agent into a low-natural pressure formation containing oil and gas, through the use of a lightweight foam as the driving fluid so that, after this driving, the low pressure within the formation will be sufficient to force the foam out of the well thereby allowing the oil and gas production of the well to re- [56] References Cited sume naturally.
  • One method for recompleting a well which is unproductive owing to insufficient formation pressure consists of reinjecting the degasified oil into the formations by means of a driving fluid consisting of a neutral gas (natural gas or liquefied nitrogen) injected under pressure into the well, the use of air being ruled out because of the risk of explosion.
  • This method has certain drawbacks, in particular that of being costlyand of requiring relatively 1 cumbersome liquid gas tanks.
  • owing to the very low hydrostatic pressure generated by the gas it requires relatively high injection pressure with all the attendant safety problems involved.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a novel method for stimulating and treating lowpressure oil and gas wells wherein stimulation operations may be accomplished readily and simply without creating the hazards that are attendant other methods of well stimulation.
  • pressure oil and gas wells which method is of simple nature, is reliable in use and low in cost.
  • the present invention provides a novel method for stimulating and treating low-pressure oil and gas wells which may conveniently take the form of injecting a light-weight driving fluid into such wells under sufficient pressure to force at least a substantial portion of a column of liquid formed by a mixture of a chemical agent and crude oil standing in the well back into the formation and closing the well at the surface where the column of light-weight fluid will prevent production fluid from rising within the well.
  • the lightweight fluid may take the form of a foam fluid that is mixed at the well site through the use of simple foam mixing apparatus. Gelatin liquid separators may be utilized if desired to separate the foam and/or the crude oil from any of the chemical agents.
  • FIGURE is a pictorial schematic representation of an oil and gas well extending to an oil bearing earth formation and having a tank of liquid chemical agent and a foam generating apparatus both connected'to the well head of the well and arranged for injection of chemical agent and foam into the well.
  • a compressible, low-density medium such as foam (emulsion of a gas air for example in a high-surface tension liquid) has been used as a circulation fluid either for the drilling of wells or for the cleanout of well debris.
  • foam emulsion of a gas air for example in a high-surface tension liquid
  • foam emulsion of a gas air for example in a high-surface tension liquid
  • the use of foam as a circulation fluid has been described in different publications and more particularly in the US. Pat. Nos. 3,463,231 and 3,410,344.
  • foam has not been proposed as a driving fluid for the stimulation of wells in lowpressure earth formations.
  • the present invention relates precisely to the conditions for the use of foam in such well stimulation operations.
  • the equipment necessary for foam production is well known to the prior art and is exemplified schematically in the FIGURE. It consists primarily of two alternately employed tanks and 12 containing a high-surfacetension liquid (sweet or salt water to which is added a surfactant l to 2 percent in general or even oil) in which tanks are immersed two conduits connected by a change-over valve 14 at the inlet of a foam compressor or pump 16 which can, for examle, by means of a gearbox l7 and a motor 19, generate two constant volume flow rates respectively V and V, dm /min, with a maximum output pressure of P, kg/cm It also includes an air compressor 18 with a variable delivery (for example from U, to v m /min) also having a maximum output pressure of P, kg/cm.
  • a high-surfacetension liquid sweet or salt water to which is added a surfactant l to 2 percent in general or even oil
  • a foam compressor or pump 16 which can, for examle, by means of a gearbox
  • foam generating equipment comprises a mixing chamber 20 of elongated cylindrical form one end of which has two inlet pipes 22 and 24 and the other end one outlet pipe 26.
  • This chamber is filled with slightly compressed stainless metal chips intended to ensure the effective mixing of the liquid and of the gas respectively delivered by the pump and the compressor to the two inlet pipes so as to produce a good quality foam.
  • a given foam is characterized by its liquid mass concentration d).
  • d liquid mass concentration
  • stable foams may be obtained (i.e., conserving their physical properties for at least 10 hours or so) from a liquid mass concentration d. of about 0.7 up to (b 0.98 which, for air and water, corresponds to volume ratios of 330 and 16 respectively under ambient conditions.
  • a suitable volume of the treating chemicals may be injected from a tank 28, through a pump 30 and a pipe 32 into the well (a few cubic meters for example), so that the same volume of oil is consequently reinjected into the formation 33.
  • degasifled oil or water all of which are fluids that, owing to their high densities, may cause the well to become unproductive due to insufficient formation pressure, foam is utilized as the injection medium.
  • the paratmeters of the foam to be injected are then determined according to the particular characteristics of the well.
  • an interval sufficient to allow the chemicals to act is then observed.
  • the valve of the well is opened and the natural recompletion conditions of the well are met, since the formation pressure is then higher than the hydrostatic pressure generated by the foam column.
  • Another utilisation of the method according to the invention is also of value. It concerns the application of a corrosion inhibiting or descaling product, depending on the case, to the metallic casing of the well.
  • Such inhibiting products are liquid chemical compositions well known to the art. As the density of these liquids is relatively high, in order to prevent them from falling to the bottom of the well in the form of drips of varying size, during a first phase, there may be introduced into the well, by pumping, a separating plug made up of a certain amount of gelatin which, owing to its very high viscosity, remains at the surface of all liquids (whatever their density).
  • the volume of inhibiting product considered necessary in accordance with the height of the well to be treated may be pumped into the well.
  • a second gelatin plug may be introduced into the well by pumping.
  • the chemical composition is regularly applied as a coating upon the casing wall. Besides during the injection then the ejection of the foam into and from the well, such a coating is not eroded because of the low viscosity of said foam.
  • Another procedure would consist, preferably after having introduced a gelatin plug into the well, of pouring into the well a sufficient volume of water to generate a make-up hydrostatic pressure which would proportionately relieve the injection pressure then required from the foam generator, provided however that the final hydrostatic pressure generated at the reservoir formation level is lower than the formation pressure.
  • volume of foam that is injected into the well is sufficient to force all of the liquids within the well back into the formation without injection of any of the foam into the formation.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
US437651A 1973-01-16 1974-01-29 Methods for forcing a liquid into a low pressure formation Expired - Lifetime US3863717A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7301379A FR2214037B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-01-16 1973-01-16

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US3863717A true US3863717A (en) 1975-02-04

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US437651A Expired - Lifetime US3863717A (en) 1973-01-16 1974-01-29 Methods for forcing a liquid into a low pressure formation

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US (1) US3863717A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BR (1) BR7400305D0 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (2) CA988413A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2214037B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1453356A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
OA (1) OA04681A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4614236A (en) * 1984-05-29 1986-09-30 Union Oil Company Of California Self-breaking foamed oil-in-water emulsion for stimulation of wells blocked by paraffinic deposits
US5135053A (en) * 1991-05-09 1992-08-04 Atlantic Richfield Company Treatment of well tubulars with gelatin
US5254366A (en) * 1992-04-06 1993-10-19 Atlantic Richfield Company Method of treating tubulars with ungelled gelatin
US5298281A (en) * 1992-05-01 1994-03-29 Atlantic Richfield Company Method of treating tubulars with a plurality of ablating gelatin pigs
US5300151A (en) * 1992-06-10 1994-04-05 Atlantic Richfield Company Method of cleaning a tubular with hardened layer gelatin pig
WO1995029322A1 (fr) * 1994-04-27 1995-11-02 Valery Petrovich Dyblenko Procede d'exploitation de la zone de fond d'une couche
US5865247A (en) * 1993-12-06 1999-02-02 Thermo Instrument Systems Limited Cellulose injection system and method
RU2127805C1 (ru) * 1998-04-09 1999-03-20 Закрытое акционерное общество "Стройтрансгаз" Способ освоения скважины
RU2146329C1 (ru) * 1999-08-09 2000-03-10 Открытое акционерное общество "НОКРАТОЙЛ" Способ обработки призабойной зоны скважины
US6142232A (en) * 1998-07-15 2000-11-07 Layne Christensen Company Method and apparatus for cleaning wells
RU2233377C1 (ru) * 2002-11-27 2004-07-27 Орлов Григорий Алексеевич Способ обработки призабойной зоны нефтяного пласта
RU2235868C1 (ru) * 2003-06-05 2004-09-10 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "ТюменНИИгипрогаз" Способ освоения скважины
RU2270334C1 (ru) * 2004-08-10 2006-02-20 Александр Анатольевич Дзюбенко Способ освоения скважины
RU2280155C2 (ru) * 2004-08-10 2006-07-20 Роберт Шакурович Муфазалов Способ воздействия на околоскважинное пространство продуктивного пласта
US20070144742A1 (en) * 2004-09-10 2007-06-28 Al Leduc Method of generating stable foam for oil and gas well cleanouts
US20070193737A1 (en) * 2006-02-22 2007-08-23 Matthew Miller Method of intensification of natural gas production from coal beds
WO2009129219A3 (en) * 2008-04-16 2009-12-03 Shell Oil Company Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
RU2399756C1 (ru) * 2009-06-16 2010-09-20 Алексей Викторович Кононов Способ освоения газовой скважины без пакера в условиях аномально-низких пластовых давлений
RU2399757C1 (ru) * 2009-06-16 2010-09-20 Алексей Викторович Кононов Способ освоения пакеруемой газовой скважины в условиях аномально-низких пластовых давлений
RU2451172C1 (ru) * 2011-03-01 2012-05-20 Открытое акционерное общество "Татнефть" имени В.Д. Шашина Способ освоения скважины созданием депрессии на пласт
RU2455477C1 (ru) * 2011-02-07 2012-07-10 Открытое акционерное общество "Газпром" Способ освоения газовой скважины в условиях аномально низкого пластового давления (варианты)
RU2485305C1 (ru) * 2011-12-14 2013-06-20 Открытое акционерное общество "Татнефть" имени В.Д. Шашина Способ вызова притока пластового флюида из скважины
CN103821470A (zh) * 2014-03-19 2014-05-28 盘锦新科工贸有限公司 油井注热氮气洗井工艺方法及系统
RU2630930C1 (ru) * 2016-08-09 2017-09-14 Публичное акционерное общество "Татнефть" имени В.Д. Шашина Способ освоения скважины после проведения гидроразрыва пласта
US20210032965A1 (en) * 2018-04-12 2021-02-04 Lift Ip Etc, Llc Systems and processes for performing artificial lift on a well
CN112796717A (zh) * 2021-04-12 2021-05-14 西安石油大油气科技有限公司 井下稠油开采用减少气窜的空气泡沫驱方法及其起泡剂
US11401787B2 (en) 2020-09-02 2022-08-02 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Systems and methods to chemically liven dead wells
US12163407B2 (en) 2022-01-13 2024-12-10 Lift Ip Etc., Llc Well production manifold for liquid assisted gas lift applications
RU2845675C1 (ru) * 2024-12-17 2025-08-25 Федеральное государственное автономное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Российский университет дружбы народов имени Патриса Лумумбы" (РУДН) Способ и установка для водогазового воздействия на пласт

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3100528A (en) * 1961-02-06 1963-08-13 Big Three Welding Equipment Co Methods for using inert gas
US3101115A (en) * 1956-10-16 1963-08-20 Bj Service Inc Well treating method and apparatus
US3136361A (en) * 1959-05-11 1964-06-09 Phillips Petroleum Co Fracturing formations in wells
US3170517A (en) * 1962-11-13 1965-02-23 Jersey Prod Res Co Fracturing formation and stimulation of wells
US3393741A (en) * 1966-05-27 1968-07-23 Gulf Research Development Co Method of fracturing subsurface formations
US3410344A (en) * 1966-07-25 1968-11-12 Phillips Petroleum Co Fluid injection method
US3583483A (en) * 1969-07-09 1971-06-08 Chevron Res Method for using foam in wells
US3612182A (en) * 1969-08-25 1971-10-12 Shell Oil Co Oil recovery process

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3101115A (en) * 1956-10-16 1963-08-20 Bj Service Inc Well treating method and apparatus
US3136361A (en) * 1959-05-11 1964-06-09 Phillips Petroleum Co Fracturing formations in wells
US3100528A (en) * 1961-02-06 1963-08-13 Big Three Welding Equipment Co Methods for using inert gas
US3170517A (en) * 1962-11-13 1965-02-23 Jersey Prod Res Co Fracturing formation and stimulation of wells
US3393741A (en) * 1966-05-27 1968-07-23 Gulf Research Development Co Method of fracturing subsurface formations
US3410344A (en) * 1966-07-25 1968-11-12 Phillips Petroleum Co Fluid injection method
US3583483A (en) * 1969-07-09 1971-06-08 Chevron Res Method for using foam in wells
US3612182A (en) * 1969-08-25 1971-10-12 Shell Oil Co Oil recovery process

Cited By (34)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4614236A (en) * 1984-05-29 1986-09-30 Union Oil Company Of California Self-breaking foamed oil-in-water emulsion for stimulation of wells blocked by paraffinic deposits
US5135053A (en) * 1991-05-09 1992-08-04 Atlantic Richfield Company Treatment of well tubulars with gelatin
US5254366A (en) * 1992-04-06 1993-10-19 Atlantic Richfield Company Method of treating tubulars with ungelled gelatin
US5298281A (en) * 1992-05-01 1994-03-29 Atlantic Richfield Company Method of treating tubulars with a plurality of ablating gelatin pigs
US5300151A (en) * 1992-06-10 1994-04-05 Atlantic Richfield Company Method of cleaning a tubular with hardened layer gelatin pig
US5865247A (en) * 1993-12-06 1999-02-02 Thermo Instrument Systems Limited Cellulose injection system and method
RU2128770C1 (ru) * 1994-04-27 1999-04-10 Дыбленко Валерий Петрович Способ обработки призабойной зоны пласта
WO1995029322A1 (fr) * 1994-04-27 1995-11-02 Valery Petrovich Dyblenko Procede d'exploitation de la zone de fond d'une couche
RU2127805C1 (ru) * 1998-04-09 1999-03-20 Закрытое акционерное общество "Стройтрансгаз" Способ освоения скважины
US6142232A (en) * 1998-07-15 2000-11-07 Layne Christensen Company Method and apparatus for cleaning wells
RU2146329C1 (ru) * 1999-08-09 2000-03-10 Открытое акционерное общество "НОКРАТОЙЛ" Способ обработки призабойной зоны скважины
RU2233377C1 (ru) * 2002-11-27 2004-07-27 Орлов Григорий Алексеевич Способ обработки призабойной зоны нефтяного пласта
RU2235868C1 (ru) * 2003-06-05 2004-09-10 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "ТюменНИИгипрогаз" Способ освоения скважины
RU2270334C1 (ru) * 2004-08-10 2006-02-20 Александр Анатольевич Дзюбенко Способ освоения скважины
RU2280155C2 (ru) * 2004-08-10 2006-07-20 Роберт Шакурович Муфазалов Способ воздействия на околоскважинное пространство продуктивного пласта
US7278488B2 (en) * 2004-09-10 2007-10-09 Al Leduc Method of generating stable foam for oil and gas well cleanouts
US20070144742A1 (en) * 2004-09-10 2007-06-28 Al Leduc Method of generating stable foam for oil and gas well cleanouts
US20070193737A1 (en) * 2006-02-22 2007-08-23 Matthew Miller Method of intensification of natural gas production from coal beds
RU2525406C2 (ru) * 2008-04-16 2014-08-10 Шелл Интернэшнл Рисерч Маатсхаппий Б.В. Система и способ добычи нефти и/или газа
US20110094750A1 (en) * 2008-04-16 2011-04-28 Claudia Van Den Berg Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
WO2009129219A3 (en) * 2008-04-16 2009-12-03 Shell Oil Company Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
RU2399756C1 (ru) * 2009-06-16 2010-09-20 Алексей Викторович Кононов Способ освоения газовой скважины без пакера в условиях аномально-низких пластовых давлений
RU2399757C1 (ru) * 2009-06-16 2010-09-20 Алексей Викторович Кононов Способ освоения пакеруемой газовой скважины в условиях аномально-низких пластовых давлений
RU2455477C1 (ru) * 2011-02-07 2012-07-10 Открытое акционерное общество "Газпром" Способ освоения газовой скважины в условиях аномально низкого пластового давления (варианты)
RU2451172C1 (ru) * 2011-03-01 2012-05-20 Открытое акционерное общество "Татнефть" имени В.Д. Шашина Способ освоения скважины созданием депрессии на пласт
RU2485305C1 (ru) * 2011-12-14 2013-06-20 Открытое акционерное общество "Татнефть" имени В.Д. Шашина Способ вызова притока пластового флюида из скважины
CN103821470A (zh) * 2014-03-19 2014-05-28 盘锦新科工贸有限公司 油井注热氮气洗井工艺方法及系统
RU2630930C1 (ru) * 2016-08-09 2017-09-14 Публичное акционерное общество "Татнефть" имени В.Д. Шашина Способ освоения скважины после проведения гидроразрыва пласта
US20210032965A1 (en) * 2018-04-12 2021-02-04 Lift Ip Etc, Llc Systems and processes for performing artificial lift on a well
US11401787B2 (en) 2020-09-02 2022-08-02 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Systems and methods to chemically liven dead wells
CN112796717A (zh) * 2021-04-12 2021-05-14 西安石油大油气科技有限公司 井下稠油开采用减少气窜的空气泡沫驱方法及其起泡剂
CN112796717B (zh) * 2021-04-12 2021-07-09 西安石油大油气科技有限公司 井下稠油开采用减少气窜的空气泡沫驱方法及其起泡剂
US12163407B2 (en) 2022-01-13 2024-12-10 Lift Ip Etc., Llc Well production manifold for liquid assisted gas lift applications
RU2845675C1 (ru) * 2024-12-17 2025-08-25 Федеральное государственное автономное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Российский университет дружбы народов имени Патриса Лумумбы" (РУДН) Способ и установка для водогазового воздействия на пласт

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2214037B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1975-10-31
OA04681A (fr) 1980-07-31
GB1453356A (en) 1976-10-20
CA988414A (en) 1976-05-04
CA988413A (en) 1976-05-04
FR2214037A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-08-09
BR7400305D0 (pt) 1974-08-22

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