Energized Fluid Perforation for Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional perforation techniques in subsurface formations often result in a 'shock damaged region' with low permeability and debris, which hampers hydrocarbon production, especially in low-pressure reservoirs, and existing underbalanced perforating methods are not fully effective.
Innovation Solution
The method involves disposing an energized fluid in the formation and creating a local underbalance condition by reducing wellbore pressure below the formation pressure to liberate gas and remove debris from perforation tunnels, using techniques such as foams, liquefied gases, or pressure manipulation tools to enhance reservoir communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional perforation techniques are used to create tunnels in subsurface formations, then perforation tunnels are created to enable hydrocarbon flow, but a low-permeability shock damaged region with debris forms surrounding the tunnels which hampers production
Solution Approach 1:
An energized fluid is disposed in the formation before creating the tunnel, so that when the tunnel is created and pressure is reduced, the gas is already in position to be liberated and remove debris from the perforation tunnel, preventing the shock damaged region from forming
Solution Approach 2:
The explosive force that creates the tunnel and shock damaged region is followed by a pressure reduction that liberates gas from the energized fluid, converting the harmful shock damaged region into a beneficial cleaning action that removes debris and improves permeability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If underbalanced perforating is used to reduce shock damaged region, then cleaner perforations are obtained, but the method is relatively ineffective in low-pressure reservoirs
Solution Approach 1:
The method changes the pressure parameter dynamically by first disposing the energized fluid at formation pressure, then reducing wellbore pressure below formation pressure to liberate gas, creating a controlled underbalance condition that is effective even in low-pressure reservoirs
Solution Approach 2:
The energized fluid acts as an intermediary medium that carries gas which, when liberated by pressure reduction, serves as the active agent to remove debris and clean the perforation tunnel, making the process effective in low-pressure reservoirs
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively breaks down bonding between sand grains, removes debris, and improves well productivity by creating a cleaner pathway for hydrocarbon flow, particularly in low-pressure reservoirs.
Implementation Method 1
reducing pressure in a region of the wellbore below pressure in the surrounding formation to liberate a gas in the energized fluid near a tunnel created in the formation
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for use in a subsurface formation traversed by a wellbore. An energized fluid, which when subjected to a low pressure environment liberates or releases gas from solution, is disposed in the formation. Reduced pressure in a region of the wellbore below pressure in the surrounding formation liberates a gas in the energized fluid near a tunnel created in the formation.