Changing the Status Quo: Cases of Production Restoration in Inactive Offshore Oil Wells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arlen Sarsekov ◽  
Salem Ali Al Kindi ◽  
Manal Albeshr ◽  
Yin Luo ◽  
Bulat Kamaletdinov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Acid Content ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Gas Reservoirs ◽  
Pumping Rate ◽  
The Status ◽  
Modeling Software ◽  
Pumping Rates ◽  
Line Pressure ◽  
Reduced Rate

Abstract The United Arab Emirates oil and gas reservoirs are continuously intersected with a growing number of horizontal wells and longer drains at varying bottomhole static temperatures. This results in a variety of naturally flowing and more challenging wells where stimulation is required for sustainable flow. Hence it became important to not only rely on plain acid systems for production gain, but to also include more sophisticated acid stimulation systems that can provide improved results in more challenging environments where plain acid may be found lacking. These results were recently achieved via the introduction of single-phase retarded acid (SPRA) as well as viscoelastic diverting acid (VEDA) in inactive wells offshore. The application of SPRA and VEDA was subsequent to extensive laboratory testing including core flow tests, solubility tests, and emulsion tendency testing to the performance of these blends against existing acid recipes such as plain HCl and polymer-based diverting acid. These tests proved that a combination of SPRA and VEDA would allow maximizing lateral coverage in heterogenous reservoirs due to the chemical diversion capabilities from thief zones without imposing further damage that polymer-based diverted acids may cause. The combined SPRA and VEDA would also enhance acid wormhole penetration due to the reduced rate of reaction caused by acid retardation. Such tests were supported with software simulations that provided acid dosage, pumping rate, and pumping method sensitives. Proposing SPRA and VEDA at higher pumping rates enabled the delivery of previously unattainable production influx at sustainable wellhead pressures. In addition, 28% acid content typically used for dolomitic reservoirs was considered unnecessary as 20% retarded acid proved sufficient in such environments. This allowed bullheading treatments, which was previously not possible due to the restriction on pumping 28% acid content across wellheads to avoid causing corrosive damage. Other treatment parameters such as volumes, rates, and acid/diverter sequence and ratio were also adjusted for optimal wormhole penetration across all zones using a fit-for-purpose carbonate matrix acidizing modeling software. The success of SPRA and VEDA was clear in post-treatment evaluation for the cases of previously shut-in wells. These wells were able to produce sustainably at the required tubinghead pressure (production line pressure) after unsuccessful attempts to flow prior to stimulation. The novelty of this paper is the assessment between legacy carbonate stimulation results in UAE using plain HCl acid and polymer-based diverting acid (PDA) and using SPRA and VEDA in shut-in or inactive wells. It also highlights the game-changing solutions that suit the increasing challenges observed in offshore inactive wells including well placement, lithology, bottomhole static temperature, and permeability contrast.

Diverting from the Status Quo: Leveraging Acid Retardation for Production Enhancement in Offshore Carbonates in UAE

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yin Luo ◽  
Philippe Enkababian ◽  
Leah Hrab ◽  
Anas Najy ◽  
Ahmed Shokry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Gas Wells ◽  
The Status ◽  
Modeling Software ◽  
Pumping Rates ◽  
Offshore Oil And Gas ◽  
Reduced Rate ◽  
Offshore Oil ◽  
Acid Retardation

Abstract With the expanding offshore rig activity in United Arab Emirates leading to an increased number of horizontal wells and longer drains, coupled with changing rock fabrics, it became imperative to diverge from the existing stimulation methods to deliver more consistent and reliable results. These results were achieved via the introduction of single-phase retarded acid (SPRA) and viscoelastic diverting acid (VEDA) to both active and shut-in wells offshore. The introduction of SPRA and VEDA was possible after extensive laboratory testing including core flow tests, solubility tests, emulsion tendency testing, and corrosion inhibition tests to evaluate and benchmark the performance of these blends in comparison to the existing acid recipes such as plain HCl and polymer-based diverted acid. These tests showed that a combination of SPRA and VEDA would allow maximizing lateral coverage and enhance acid penetration due to the reduced rate of reaction and chemical diversion capabilities from thief zones. Combining the introduction of SPRA and VEDA with a shift to bullheading and higher pumping rates enabled the delivery of previously unachievable production results at sustainable wellhead pressures or even well revival of shut-in wells. In addition, reduction of acid content for dolomite stimulation was possible due to the implementation of acid retardation, which also allowed protecting wellheads from exposure to higher acid concentrations while bullheading. Treatment parameters such as volumes, rates, and acid/diverter sequence and ratio were then adjusted for optimal wormhole penetration across all zones using a new carbonate matrix acidizing modeling software. Post-treatment evaluation for the cases of previously shut-in wells has proven the success of the SPRA and VEDA combination. Shut-in wells that were unable to produce sustainably at the required tubing-head pressure (production flowline pressure), were able to produce sustainably with a 100% increase in production compared to prestimulation testing. Similarly, for gas wells, the combination of SPRA and VEDA resulted in a 50% increase in production at a similar bottomhole pressure. In addition, water injectors have also exhibited sustainably increased levels of injectivity compared to prestimulation levels, leading to better sweepage. The novelty of this paper is the comparison between historical carbonate stimulation results in UAE using plain HCl acid with polymer-based diverted acid and using SPRA with VEDA. It also sheds light on the game-changing solutions that suit the ever-increasing challenges observed in offshore oil and gas wells including well placement, lithology, permeability contrast, and type of hydrocarbon within the various target sublayers.

Varied Responses to Human-Induced Seismicity in the City of Azle, Texas

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sarmistha R. Majumdar
Keyword(s):  
State Government ◽  
Induced Seismicity ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
The United States ◽  
The State ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Small Community ◽  
Regulatory Policies ◽  
The Status

Fracking has helped to usher in an era of energy abundance in the United States. This advanced drilling procedure has helped the nation to attain the status of the largest producer of crude oil and natural gas in the world, but some of its negative externalities, such as human-induced seismicity, can no longer be ignored. The occurrence of earthquakes in communities located at proximity to disposal wells with no prior history of seismicity has shocked residents and have caused damages to properties. It has evoked individuals’ resentment against the practice of injection of fracking’s wastewater under pressure into underground disposal wells. Though the oil and gas companies have denied the existence of a link between such a practice and earthquakes and the local and state governments have delayed their responses to the unforeseen seismic events, the issue has gained in prominence among researchers, affected community residents, and the media. This case study has offered a glimpse into the varied responses of stakeholders to human-induced seismicity in a small city in the state of Texas. It is evident from this case study that although individuals’ complaints and protests from a small community may not be successful in bringing about statewide changes in regulatory policies on disposal of fracking’s wastewater, they can add to the public pressure on the state government to do something to address the problem in a state that supports fracking.

scholarly journals Accessibility in Inclusive Tourism? Hotels Distributed Through Online Channels

Societies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Eva Martin-Fuentes ◽  
Sara Mostafa-Shaalan ◽  
Juan Pedro Mellinas
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Distribution Channel ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
The United States ◽  
Travel Agency ◽  
International Studies ◽  
The Status ◽  
Accommodation Sector

There is a lack of comprehensive international studies on accommodations for people with disabilities; only small, local-level studies exist. This study aims to show the status of the tourist accommodation sector through the online distribution channel in terms of accessibility to offer more inclusive tourism. A descriptive analysis has been carried out with more than 31,000 hotels from the online travel agency Booking.com, in the 100 most touristic cities in the world. For the first time, an accurate picture of adaptation in the hotel sector for people with disabilities is presented. Results show that the adapted hotel infrastructures by countries are uneven. The main adaptations are those that help to avoid mobility barriers, and in contrast, hotels offer very few adaptations for sensory disabilities such as visual disabilities. Moreover, this study shows that, worldwide, countries with the highest income per capita, such as the United States of America, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Qatar or the United Arab Emirates, have the highest degree of hotel adaptation.

scholarly journals Monitoring geological storage of CO2: a new approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manzar Fawad ◽  
Nazmul Haque Mondol
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Synthetic Data ◽  
Leak Detection ◽  
Hydrocarbon Exploration ◽  
Water Flooding ◽  
Storage Site ◽  
Gas Reservoirs ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Coal Beds ◽  
Spatial Coverage

AbstractGeological CO2 storage can be employed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. Depleted oil and gas reservoirs, deep saline aquifers, and coal beds are considered to be viable subsurface CO2 storage options. Remote monitoring is essential for observing CO2 plume migration and potential leak detection during and after injection. Leak detection is probably the main risk, though overall monitoring for the plume boundaries and verification of stored volumes are also necessary. There are many effective remote CO2 monitoring techniques with various benefits and limitations. We suggest a new approach using a combination of repeated seismic and electromagnetic surveys to delineate CO2 plume and estimate the gas saturation in a saline reservoir during the lifetime of a storage site. This study deals with the CO2 plume delineation and saturation estimation using a combination of seismic and electromagnetic or controlled-source electromagnetic (EM/CSEM) synthetic data. We assumed two scenarios over a period of 40 years; Case 1 was modeled assuming both seismic and EM repeated surveys were acquired, whereas, in Case 2, repeated EM surveys were taken with only before injection (baseline) 3D seismic data available. Our results show that monitoring the CO2 plume in terms of extent and saturation is possible both by (i) using a repeated seismic and electromagnetic, and (ii) using a baseline seismic in combination with repeated electromagnetic data. Due to the nature of the seismic and EM techniques, spatial coverage from the reservoir's base to the surface makes it possible to detect the CO2 plume’s lateral and vertical migration. However, the CSEM low resolution and depth uncertainties are some limitations that need consideration. These results also have implications for monitoring oil production—especially with water flooding, hydrocarbon exploration, and freshwater aquifer identification.

Geo-Thermo-Mechanical Modeling of Pre-Drilled Wellbores to Extract Geothermal Energy from Subsurface to Produce Cleaner Energy for United Arab Emirates

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ubedullah Ansari ◽  
Najeeb Anjum Soomro ◽  
Farhan Ali Narejo ◽  
Shafquat Ali Baloch ◽  
Faiz Ali Talpur
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Mechanical Model ◽  
Geothermal Energy ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Thermal Recovery ◽  
Abandoned Wells ◽  
Single Well

Abstract The middle eastern countries including United Arab Emirates (UAE) have enjoyed the energy production from hydrocarbon resource for a very long period. Indeed, now various countries in this region has shifted to alternative resources of power generation with cheaper and cleaner sources. Geothermal is the top of the list among those sources. Therefore, this study presents an ultimate model converting abandoned oil and gas wells into subsurface geothermal recovery points. Fundamentally, this study offers a geo-thermo-mechanical model of abandoned wellbore which can help in developing an optimistic geothermal energy not only from subsurface thermal reserve but also from abandoned casing and pipes installed in Wellbores. In this approach the source of heat is thermally active rock formations and the metallic pipes that are present in wellbores drilled through hot dry rocks. In the model the already drilled wells are incorporated as medium of heat flow in which water in injected and brought back to surface along with thermal impact. The results of this study revealed that, at the depth of 6000 m of high temperature wellbore the temperature is above 85°C and at this temperature the metallic casings further rise the reserve temperature thus the conversion of water into steam can be processed easily. Moreover, at high depths the stability of wellbore is also issue in high temperature formation, so mechanical model suggests that injection of water and conversion into steam in already cased wellbore can sustain up to 6 MPa stress at around 100C. Thus, the geo-thermo-mechanical model of wellbore will illustrate the possibility of converting water into steam and it will also reveal the average amount of heat that can be generated from a single well. henceforth, the thermal recovery from abandoned wells of UAE is best fit solution for clean energy. The abandoned wells are used as conduit to transport heat energy from subsurface by using water as transport medium, as water at surface temperature is injected in those wellbores and let thermal energy convert that water into steam. Later the steam is returned to surface and used as fuel in turbines or generators.

APPLICATION OF A MULTIDIMENSIONAL DETERMINISTIC-STATISTICAL NUMERICAL CORRELATION MODEL TO REFINE THE STRUCTURE OF THE AS11 HORIZON OF THE ZAPADNO-KAMYNSKOYE FIELD

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 123-135
Author(s):  
Anatoly M. NIKASHKIN ◽  
Alexey A. KLIMOV
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Geological Structure ◽  
Correlation Model ◽  
Gas Reservoirs ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Correlation Models ◽  
Complex Geological Structure ◽  
Geophysical Information ◽  
Well Correlation ◽  
Clay Layers

One of the primary and significant tasks in the construction of geological models of oil and gas reservoirs and development facilities is the problem of correlation of productive layers. This task, as a rule, is reduced to the identification and areal tracing of presumably even-aged oil and gas strata, horizons, and layers characterized by clear boundaries between sand strata and clay layers overlapping them. The practice of work related to modeling the structure of oil and gas horizons, layers and strata indicates that the correlation is not always unambiguous. The ambiguity is especially noticeable when correlating strata characterized by a clinoform structure, one of the examples is the Achimov strata. The most reliable basis for well correlation is GIS materials and lithological features of the interlayers forming individual layers. Clay interlayers and clay strata separating productive deposits provide valuable information when choosing a correlation model in sedimentary sections. These interlayers are characterized by the greatest consistency in area and are most clearly displayed on geophysical diagrams by the nature of the drawings of GIS curves. However, even in this case, i. e. when using the entire accumulated volume of the most diverse lithological and field-geophysical information, the correlation models of the sections turn out to be different and often even opposite. In this paper, the authors had to face a similar situation when correlating the horizon AS11 of the Zapadno-Kamynskoye field. The paper describes a method for clarifying the position of the chops of the productive horizon of oil and gas deposits using a multidimensional deterministic-statistical numerical model of the correlation of sedimentary strata. The proposed approach allows us to uniquely determine the positions of the chops in the conditions of a complex geological structure of the object, high thin-layered heterogeneity. A concrete example shows the advantages of the proposed approach in comparison with the traditional one.

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