Epoxy Injection in Gravel-Pack to Shut Off Water Producing Zones & Extend Production Lifetime
A Norwegian operator faced excessive water production in a subsea gas well due to issues in lower zones. Using CannSeal Annulus epoxy plug and a tubing ME plug, water was successfully shut off, enhancing well recovery.
Region
Year
Reduction of Water
Challenge
A Norwegian operator had a subsea gas producer with significant water production suspected to come from the lower producing zones. The water production rate was above expected levels leading to a declining pressure that could potentially result in a risk of not being able to re-start the well if the production of water was not reduced.
Some of the screens had water tracers installed but due to misplacement of the screens during completion the tally was off and therefore determining the exact location of the water production could be difficult.
The horizontal reservoir section was completed with 5,5” screens and a gravel packed annulus making it necessary to shut of water on the inside as well as the outside of the screens.
Solution
The solution was to set a CannSeal annulus epoxy plug in conjunction with an ME plug installed inside the tubing to effectively fulfill the objective of completely sealing off the lower zones.
Due to a reported 100% gravel pack in the annulus only one sealant injection at plug depth was deemed necessary. A standard ME retrievable bridge plug (RBP) plug was planned for setting at same depth of the epoxy plug.
Prior to the CannSeal water shutoff treatment a third-party PLT run with a caliper was performed with the aim of establishing where the liquid level was, origin of water production, potential presence of crossflow, as well as the integrity of the tubing wall for the CannSeal tool injection arms and sealing O-rings. This run showed no obstacles for the CannSeal operation, and it also concluded with the exact target depth for injection of the high viscous epoxy. The injection was performed in a long blank pipe between two screen sections.
Value Created
Together, the epoxy annulus injection and the tubing ME plug successfully shut off the water produced from the lower zones and drastically enhanced well recovery. The latest report from the operator states that the well is now producing as normal with a 99% reduction of water and the gas production rate at levels seen before the breakthrough.
Key Capabilities
- Rig-less water shutoff intervention
- Ultra-high viscosity epoxy designed for self-bearing properties in horizontal wells
- Instant measurable results post injection
- Two competent plugs established, each by a single injection strategy