SPE 39072 Ge Socety of Petleum Engineers Application of New Technologies to Horizontal Wells in Venezuela A. Guimerans, SPE, J. Tovar, SPE, and F. Pinto, Intevep, S.A., L. Bolivar and A. Martinez, Lagoven, S.A, caeyg 907. Soca Petoten Ener > evlaun Engranrng Conroe ard Eaton hat mR are, Bra 30 Avge Stormo 56 ‘i pga was ces sreanatn ty a SPE Praga Commitee own ae ‘rion anos nanacna sorted ye thre Coats he ow Ae Frees hr a bln be Soa o Puomom grass aa eo feetonchte Seca of uxaoon Eien, iret. ormenoee Pipes pouring tmeing estate paca” vow tos Covmtnee Sooo Abstract In Venezuela, at Maracaibo Lake (west) and Anzostegui- Monagas (east), there are reservoirs that have been under production for more than 30 years, which are presenting now Jow reservoir pressure. This situation has prompted the search {or new technologies to maintain or increase the production in these zones. So far the technology that has been more successful is horizontal drilling, including the use of aerated diilling Nuids and multilateral wels. Up to date there are some 700 horizontal wells in Venezuela, with an average initial production of 800-1000 BPD per well. The majority of these wells are drilled setting a casing on top of the productive zone and changing the 4rilling fuid to one designed to properly seal and minimized formation damage. There are areas in Lake Maracaibo where the equivalent reservoir pressure is less than the density of the horizontal section is drilled with a mixture of air and water based fluid to achieve 3.5 - 6.5 ppg. at bottom, Multilateral horizontal technique has started with the design of wells with two arms, each in a different sand and ‘opposite direction, Production can be commingled or set separately if needed, This paper provides details of field applications of these technologies, production data and future projections. Introduction Horizontal drilling, as an emerging technology, had made possible an improvement in production from depleted reservoirs or from remnant narrow sands. In Venezuela, horizontal wells are drilled in two main areas: Maracaibo Lake in the west region and Anzoétegui-Monagas in the east, 1/6 region, see Fig. I ‘Since the beginning of horizontal drilling in Venezuela, ‘more than 600 wells had been drilled and over 1500 wells are expected for the year 2000 as Fig. 2 shows. These horizontal wells include mostly reentry wells to increase production of depleted reservoir from new exposed sands and new wells in narrow sands in order to incorporate remnant crude from them’. From now on in this paper whenever horizontal wells are mentioned it should be taken as including both, new and reentry wells Due to the increase in horizontal drilling, technical aspects ofthe application of this technology in Venezuela are presented in this paper focused mainly in Maracaibo Lake Improvement of application of horizontal drilling with other technologies, as aerated drilling, will be included, Horizontal Wells. Miocene sands are poorly consolidated and start at an average depth of 2500 to 3500 feet, with an average reservoir pressure of 1100 psi, The firsts horizontal wells drilled in these sands were done setting a casing above the productive zone and continued drilling with an excessive density of barite densified fluid until the end of the horizontal section, ‘The production of these wells drilled up to 1994 was 1,5 times a vertical well, Laboratory Tests. Cuttings of these wells were examined using an electron diffraction microscope which showed that all the pore spaces, within certain depth, were invaded by barite. Formation damage from an inadequate formulation of drilling fluid, specially in the choice of kind and panicle size of the bridging agent, was causing the low productivity of these wells, Horizontal wells have substantially longer damaging contact time with the drilling fluid. Furthermore, draw down of the productive zone may not be enough to remove the damage. While the external filter cake is formed during the tilling process, a spurt loss occurs that carries fluid and solid particles into the face of the formation, thus forming an internal filter cake. Once the filter cake is formed, external and internal, only filtrate will penetrate in the formation due {to hydrostatic pressure. The internal filter cake and the filtrate should be expelled with the draw down of the well in order 102 . GUIMERANS, J. TOVAR, F. PINTO. L BOLIVAR, &, MARTINEZ have a good production. The bridging particle size to form a Quick proper external cake and minimum internal filter cake the amount of filtzate that goes in the formation and the draw down pressure to expel the particles and the filtrate are the factors to be studied in the laboratory in order to minimize formation damage in horizontal wells. ‘Modification of a conventional Hassler cell and the set up of the permeameter were done in order to evaluate the parameters established above. A diagram of the set up is shown in Fig. 3. The main modification done to the Hassler cell is the inclusion of two different ends; one, is a normal radial plate and the other was modified to have: two entries along the diameter of the plug and in the inner side with a hollow space in front of the plug face which allows circulation of the whole drilling fluid and formation of a filter cake. Tests done in the lab using 9.5 ppg drill-in fluids with bridging panicles properly sized of calcium carbonate or sodium chloride showed? that water based fluids could ‘minimize the formation damage to less than 10% Field results. Since the second half of 1995 till now, horizontal wells are drilled in Maracaibo Lake setting a 7 inch casing a few feet into the production zone and changing the fluid to a drillsin fluid properly formulated to drill the horizontal section, ‘The number of wells with production problems related to Grilling Nuids have come down to 6%, in comparison to 53% before mid 1995. The average production is now 3-4.5 times a vertical well. A total of 66 horizonsal wells has being drilled in the lake from the second half of 1995 to the end of 1996, Table 1 shows the number of wells, kind of fluid used and production for Maracaibo Lake horizontal wells; the benefits. Of the laboratory findings for 1996 are obvious, Horizontal Air Drilled Wells. Eocene consolidated sands have an average depth of 3500- 6500 feet and very low 10 moderate permeability. Even though they are deeper than the Miocene sands, they have 200-350 psi less pressure. Conventional drilling fluids, water for cil based, are not suitable 10 achieve the adequate coverbalance. Air drilling technigue was implemented for horizontal wells in these sands using a water based fluid, Drilling fluids. Two water based fluids were formulated 10 have enough viscosity and carrying capacity to trap air slugs. ‘The air trapped this way is liberated by expansion at surface General formulations for these fluids are shown in Table 2, one is used i the section where the angle is built, while the other is a drill-in fuid used in the horizontal section. Since air is used to drill, the proper conditions and additives 10 prevent corrosion had to be determined tov. Corrosion. One of the first steps to control corrosion was 10 determine the influence of the chloride concentration present SPE s9072 in the drilling fluid. As can be seen in Table 3, laboratory tests and measurements of the corrosion velocity showed that the total salinity of the fluid increased corrosion considerably’. The water used to prepare the drilling Muid was fresh water to ensure a minimum amount of chlorides The additives were tested for the presence of chlorides and ‘only those with non or low concentration were used. The total amount of chloride was monitored to be within 1000-1S00 ppm while drilling Anticorrosive additives of different chemical nature were tested to find the one that gives the best performance’. The ‘organic phosphate and the glycol based additives gave the best results, as shown in Table 4. The organic phosphate is the one currently used, Field Results. The first wells dried with air in 1995 were vertical’. A total of 17 vertical wells was ait-drilled and 65% of them showed a higher production thatthe initial estimated. These wells produced 1.5-2 times a conventional vertical well The horizontal air-drilled well is done by drilling the construction angle section between 5000-5800 feet, with the fluid that has asphalt and an equivalent circulation density of 6.5 ppg. A7 inch casing is cemented with a 13 ppg slurry, a few feet into the productive zone, The horizontal section, having an average 1000 feet long and 6/8 inch diameter, is drilled with the drill-in fluid using an ECD of 3.5-4.5 ppg, ‘The well is completed with a slotted liner using a water based Nluid with xanthan gum, anticorrosive and clay stabilizer. Some of the drilling parameters are Pump pressure 1100 psi Fluid flow 163 gpm Airflow 650 scfm Air-fluid ratio 30:1 Fluid density 8.6 ppe Motor speed 204 rpm Weight on bit 15/20 Mlb Dail bit 6l/stricone bit Last year two horizontal shor radius wells were drilled with an initial production of 800-1000 BPD. This year a torat of 5 wells have been air-dried, including one shor radius and one new well with 2000 feet horizontal section. Details of the short radius well are given in another paper Multilateral Wells. ‘There are actually three muilateral wells in Venezuela, one jn east Anzoategui-Monagas region and two in the west region; only one of these two wells is actually in production, All three were drilled using different Multilateral Systems. ‘The multilateral well in the East region and one in the ‘West have two horizontal arms: the first one in the same sand and the second in different sands of the same reservoir. In both cases the wells are in non consolidated sands, the drilling was successful but the integrity of the union of theSPE 0072 APPLICATION OF NEW ‘wo arms was not. Both wells have sanding problems in the ‘upper arm, even though they have slotted liners in both arms. One of the multilateral well of the West region is not in Maracaibo Lake, but in a limestone formation located inland near the lake. This well has one vertical and one deviated arm and was drilled with foam. After repairing the primary ‘cement job, both arms are producing. Future Horizontal Drilling in Venezuela ‘An increase in the number of horizontal wells drilled in ‘Venezuela is expecied as Fig. 2 shows. Near 1500 wells are expected to be drilled in the year 2000. At present time, slightly more horizontal wells are drilled in the East region since in Maracaibo Lake logistic considerations are more complicated. ‘Aerated fluids are going to be used increasingly more from this year on. New barges are equipped with air drilling for Maracaibo Lake, In the Anzodtegui-Monagas region this technology will also be applied starting this year. On the other hand, inland near Maracaibo Lake foam is being used for drilling and its application is expected to increase. Underbalanced drilling applications is also beginning this year. One well had been so far drilled in the East and, for the Second semester, this technique will start at Maracaibo Lake. Due to the low pressure of many reservoirs in Venezuela, the underbalanced technique is going to open new possibilities, these reservoirs, including horizontal and multilateral wells In addition, horizontal wells in arrangements for steam assisted gravity drainage are going to be drilled starting this ‘year. This technique will be implemented to further increase production of horizontal wells in heavy oil reservoirs. Multilateral wells are going 10 steadily increase in number. This year a total of six multilateral wells is scheduled, Different service companies are planning and making modifications 10 their systems 10 improve the itegrty between the arms, Conclusions ‘The horizontal drilling technology had been successful in increasing production from depleted or low pressure reservoirs in Venezuela, ‘Techniques like aerated fluid have reinforced the use of horizontal wells. It also opens the possibilty to incorporate ‘more sands to production Techniques like underbalanced drilling, steam assisted gravity drainage and multitaterals are expected to be applied jn Venezuela making possible an increase in productive horizontal wells Nomenclature [BPD= barrles per day ECD= Equivalent Circulating Density HNOLOGIES TO HORIZONTAL WELLS IN VENEZUELA 3 SI Metric Conversion Factors bol x 1.580873 E01 gpm = x4.40505 E400 inch x254 E02 Mlb x4.533333 E01 ppg x 1.19826 E402. = kg/m’ psi x6.894757 E400 = kPa sf x 1697128 «E400 = m'/hr References 1 0. Gonzalez, J. O J. Tovar, F. Quiroga, R. Guimerdns, A. Marquez and M. Freitas “Case Histories of Improving Productivity in Venezuelan Horizontal Wells” Proc, 7th Annual International Conference on Horizontal Well and Emerging Technology and Applications, Houston, 1995. R. Guimerdns, K. Aguilar, R. Colina, D. Fernéndez, A. Mirquez, E, Poleo, J. Inciarte y C. Boggio, * A Novel Lab Procedure to Evaluate Mud Invasion in the Formation ‘under Differential Pressure”, paper 96-83 presented at the 447th Annual Technical Meeting of the Petroleum Society, Calgary, Canda 1996, C. Boscan, $. Hemandez, C. Jimenez y A. Viloria, “Estudio de la Corrosién en OperaciGn de Perforacién con Aire” Report INT-STE-0944,96, INTEVEP, S.A., Los “Teques Venezuela, 1996. Perforacién de Pozos con Sistema de Lodo Aireado”, Proc., IIT Seminario de Fluidos de Perforacién y Terminacién de Pozos, Maturin, Venezucla, 1996. CC. Ingold, J. Salazar, f. Gonzéler. J. Vidal, F. Ramirez, B Gourges and J. Paredes, “A Successful Short Radius Re- Entry with Aerated Mud in venezuela”, paper SPE 39023 presented at the 1997 V LAPEC Conference, Rio de Taineiro, Brasil, 1997.|ANS, J, TOVAR, F, PINTO, L BOLIVAR, A. MARTI SPE 30072 Maracaibo Lake in 1996, tion Results of Horizontal Wells drilled in Table 4 Laboratory Tests to determine the Corrosion velocity with Different Anticorrosive Additives at a chloride ‘concentration of 3870 ppm. ‘Table 2.- General Formulation for Aerated Drilling Fluids used in Horizontal Wells Daillin Fluid Type | Number | Estimated | Initial cof wells | Production | Production “Rniicorrsive | Contosion Velocity | Eiiceney rp) | PD) _| | temp) %) Sai Mud A 7 23660 | 24653 Organic 3 ai Salt Mud B 2 1500 2160 Phosphate ‘CaCO; Mud A 7 3840 2736 cate 7B 7 Borate/Amine 150 7 Ethylenglyco! 96 6 ‘Amines 2a 0 Oxyalkilated 30 30 Alcohols “Aaaitive Drilling Fluid] Drillin Fluid (ppg) (ppg) Benthonite A ‘Xanthan Gum 1 15 Starch 2 4 Clay Inhibitor 4 ny Anticorrosive 35 35 Asphalt 3 Biocide aS) os Defoam 05, 05 Calcium 12 2 Carbonate ‘Table 3.- laboratory Tests to Determine the Importance of Salinity in the Corrosion Velocity. Solution Tested Chloride] Corrosion Velocity Concentration py) (opm) [C Fresh Water 375 nS, ‘Water with Salt 1915 195 Water! Salt 3870 283 JAdditives. with Chlorides‘SPE 99072 APPLICATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO HORIZONTAL WELLS IN VENEZUELA ozone FIG. 1. - Horizontal Drilling Areas in Venezuela. 1500 1500 1000 WELLS/YEAR 500 34g 420 2777 il 0 =. 1993 1994 1995 1996 2000 YEAR FIG. 2.- Horizontal wells drilled per year in Venezuela,6 F. GUMERANS, J. TOVAR, F. PINTO, L, BOLIVAR, &. MARTINEZ SPE 0072 Fig. 3. Diagram of the laboratory setting of the permeameter to run crill-in fluids permeability tests. A cylinder to place the drilling fluid; B cylinder to collect the sample that went thruogh the plug.