Abstract
The work completed was a comprehensive approach of understanding and treating formation damage to further redevelop a mature asset through successful remediation operations. The identification of skin was completed with slickline techniques and reservoir and production flow profile monitoring. Primary formation damage mechanisms were naturally occurring scales in the near wellbore, damage caused by water blockages and workover fluids. Redesigned completion fluids, acid pumping and innovative coiled tubing tools were used in the remediation works which were all firsts in the basin. A modified decline curve analysis technique was used to economically justify treatment of nearly all wells in the field and led to substantial production increases.
In 2003, an Association was formed to manage a mature Romanian gas field producing since 1970. Production skin was evident and in 2010 a well failed due to halite formation. Consequently, liquid and solid sampling tools were deployed within suspect wellbores. In 2010, a new workover fluid formulation was introduced but despite improvements formation damage was still induced. From 2010 to 2013, there had been an increased focus on understanding and treating calcite, halite and water block damages to boost field-wide productivity.
Formation damage was observed as being both naturally occurring and induced in the field. An initial assessment and pilot treatment of 10% of the wells led to a near 40% incremental gain in those wells. After which, the campaigns were further expanded to over 75% of the field. Technically, the investigation into formation damage changed the development plan for the field going forward. Operationally, the intervention procedures introduced were new to the basin and have been adopted by the Association's partners in other assets.
A major limit on ultimate recovery from depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs is declining well productivity. Salt formation, scale deposition, and water blockage restricts flow, reducing production rates and ultimate recovery of reserves. Therefore, economic formation damage management is an essential tool for extending field life, increasing profitability, and improving recovery of aging assets. Impressive results led to a strategic shift in local field production management and the techniques are useful worldwide in similar fields.
