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Project Number 306
Date of Summary October 31, 2000
Subject Low Viscosity Fluids for Plugging Microfine Fractures
Performing Activity Westport Technology Center International
Principal Investigator Dr. Cyrus Irani
Contracting Agency Minerals Management Service
Completion Complete
Description Gas migration through channels formed in cement sheaths is a major problem in producing oil and gas.  This problem can cause gas pressure on the casing annulus, inter-zonal communication with lost production, or a blowout.  One remedial technique is to perform a squeeze job to inject an extremely fine cement slurry. The cement may block some channels, but, there are problems with penetration and vertical migration. Another option is to use solids-free materials, like epoxy resins or polymer gels. These materials can't block all of the channels where the gas may migrate. The goal of this project is to develop a mechanism for dissolving a high viscosity polymer in a continuous low viscosity solvent phase. When this fluid is injected into the sheath, it can follow the fracture paths. The mixture can be destabilized by increasing the temperature or decreasing the pressure, once it has penetrated the migration channels.
Progress The project is complete.

Reports
AA (34 pages) PDF Irani, Cyrus A.  Mitigating the Problem of Gas Migration Final Report CEA-96,  Westport Technology Center International. June 26, 2000.

 

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Last Updated: 07/23/2008, 08:02 AM