We studied plugging of crossflow behind oil-well casing with nitrogen foam under reservoir conditions. We have experimentally demonstrated the feasibility of the gas—liquid injection mode and suggest injecting the foam into the water-producing layer. If the nitrogen is injected first, the pressure in the oil-producing layer exceeds the pressure in the water-producing layer. The nitrogen can displace some of the water from the pores, reducing dilution of the foaming agent. As the experimental results show, the plugging strength of the foam injected into the water-producing layer is reduced as the plugging time increases. When the plugging time is longer than 200 hours, the pressure gradient can exceed 1.22 MPa/m and as a result, the nitrogen foam continues to plug the water. However, the lifetime of the nitrogen foam in the oil-producing layer is limited. The experimental study of plugging crossflow behind the casing with nitrogen foam and the field tests conducted confirmed the feasibility of plugging crossflow behind the casing with nitrogen foam.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
D. Perez, “Applications of polymer gel for establishing zone isolations and water shutoff in carbonate formations,” SPE Drilling Completion, 16, No. 3, 182–189 (2001).
L. T. Doan, “Strategies for steam flooding marginal heavy oil reservoirs using horizontal wells: A laboratory study,” in: 48th Annual Technical Meeting, 8-11 June 1997, Calgary, Canada (1997); pp. 97–92.
Y. He, “The cement slurry inflating external casing packer technology and its applications,” in: IADC/SPE Asia Pacific Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition, 13-15 September 2004, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
G. D. Hartfield, “Treatment locks out water,” Global Exploration & Production News Technology Updated, Analysis, 79, No. 7, 55–57 (2006).
P. E. Mbaba, “Gel-block technique: A successful application for zonal isolation in a depleted reservoir,” SPE Production Engineering, 1, No. 6, 467–470 (1986).
D. L. Kuehne, “Design and evaluation of a nitrogen-foam field trial,” Journal of Petroleum Technology, 42, No. 4, 504–512 (1990).
S. Serightr, “Gel treatments for reducing channeling in naturally fractured reservoirs,” in: SPE Permian Basin Oil and Gas Recovery Conference, 23-26 March 1998, Midland, Texas (1998); SPE 39802.
C. J. Fanguy, “Improved method of cementing solid expandable tubular,” in: SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, 26-29 September 2004, Houston, Texas; SPE 90923.
T. C. Morris, “Innovative remedial cementing solution provides annular isolation in Du yong B-4 Petronas Cari-gali,” in: IADC/SPE Asia Pacific Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition, 13-15 September 2004, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; SPE 88017.
T. W. Nowak, “Shut-off of a geo pressured water channel behind casing via coiled tubing utilizing a dual slurry cement system,” in: SPE Production Operations Symposium, 2-4 April 1995, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; SPE 29474.
L. Portman, “Cementing through coiled tubing: common errors and correct procedures,” in: SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing Conference and Exhibition, 23-24 March 2004, Houston, Texas; SPE 89599.
Wen-Xiang Wu and Hai-Feng Jiang, “Investigation on divided flow of multivariate foam and factors influencing on its oil-displacement efficiency,” Oilfield Chemistry, 19, No. 2, 173–177 (2002).
Zhao-Min Li , Bin-Fei Li, Yong-Hui Xu et al., “Study on the flow-diversion characteristics of foam and its application,” Journal of Xi’an Shiyou University (Natural Science Edition), 22, No. 2, 100–102;106 (2007).
Shuang-Fei Zhong and Xin-Jun Gou, “Foam stability evaluation and experiment study of diverting effect,” Journal of Southwest Petroleum Institute, 25, No. 1, 65–66;76 (2003).
Zhao-Min Li, Mao-Sheng Sun, Ri-Yi Lin et al., “Laboratory study on foam plugging and selective divided-flow,” Acta Petrolei Sinica, 28, No. 4, 115–118 (2007).
Zeng-Lin Wang, EOR Technology of Enhanced Foam Flooding, China Science Press, Beijing (2007); pp. 20–23.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Translated from Khimiya i Tekhnologiya Topliv i Masel, No. 6, pp. 16 – 21, November – December, 2012.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yang, ZP., Gao, SS., Wang, YN. et al. Plugging crossflow behind oil-well casing with nitrogen foam. Chem Technol Fuels Oils 48, 440–448 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10553-013-0393-0
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10553-013-0393-0