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Glossary of Technical Terms Used in Drilling & Well Completion: Surging (flow)

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Surging (flow)

Surging: A Powerful Force for Well Completion and Stimulation

In the oil and gas industry, "surging" refers to a specialized technique used in well completion and stimulation. It involves opening the well to flow against a significantly underbalanced fluid column, creating a surge of energy that can dislodge debris, clean perforations, and even stimulate production.

Here's a breakdown of the concept:

  • Underbalanced Flow: During surging, the pressure at the bottom of the well (formation pressure) is higher than the pressure of the fluid column in the wellbore. This pressure differential drives the fluid upwards, creating a powerful surge.
  • Perforation Cleaning: The primary application of surging is cleaning perforations, which are holes drilled through the casing to connect the wellbore to the producing formation. Debris such as drilling cuttings, sand, or scale can accumulate in these perforations, hindering fluid flow. Surging forcefully pushes fluid through the perforations, effectively removing these obstructions.
  • Well Stimulation: Surging can also be employed for well stimulation. By creating a powerful surge of fluid, it can fracture the formation or increase permeability, ultimately enhancing the flow of oil or gas.

The process typically involves:

  1. Fluid Selection: The type of fluid used for surging depends on the specific well and its objectives. It could be water, brine, oil, or a specialized fluid like a stimulation fluid.
  2. Pressure Differential: The pressure differential between the formation and wellbore is carefully controlled to maximize the cleaning or stimulation effect while minimizing risks.
  3. Surge Cycles: Surging is often performed in cycles, with the well opened and closed repeatedly to maximize the cleaning effect.

Benefits of Surging:

  • Improved Production: Clean perforations and stimulated formations lead to increased production rates.
  • Reduced Costs: Surging can be a more cost-effective alternative to other cleaning or stimulation methods.
  • Increased Well Life: By removing debris and stimulating the formation, surging can extend the well's productive life.

Risks and Challenges:

  • Well Control Issues: Surging requires careful control to prevent uncontrolled flow and potential wellbore damage.
  • Formation Damage: Surging can potentially damage the formation if not executed properly.
  • Fluid Selection: Choosing the correct fluid is crucial for achieving the desired results.

Overall, surging is a powerful and versatile tool in the oil and gas industry. When properly executed, it can significantly improve well performance and production. However, it's essential to carefully consider the risks and challenges before employing this technique.

Note: This article provides a general overview of surging. Specific implementation details and safety protocols should be determined by qualified professionals on a case-by-case basis.

Test Your Knowledge

Surging Quiz:

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What is the primary purpose of surging in well completion and stimulation?

(a) To increase the wellbore pressure. (b) To inject a chemical solution into the formation. (c) To clean perforations and stimulate production. (d) To isolate different zones in the well.

Answer

(c) To clean perforations and stimulate production.

2. How does surging create a powerful surge of energy?

(a) By using a high-pressure pump to inject fluid into the wellbore. (b) By opening the well to flow against an underbalanced fluid column. (c) By injecting a chemical solution that reacts with the formation. (d) By creating a pressure gradient between different zones in the well.

Answer

(b) By opening the well to flow against an underbalanced fluid column.

3. What is a key benefit of surging in terms of well performance?

(a) Reduced risk of formation damage. (b) Increased production rates. (c) Simplified well completion procedures. (d) Improved wellbore integrity.

Answer

(b) Increased production rates.

4. Which of the following is NOT a potential risk associated with surging?

(a) Well control issues. (b) Formation damage. (c) Increased production costs. (d) Fluid selection problems.

Answer

(c) Increased production costs.

5. What is the most important factor to consider when choosing the fluid for surging?

(a) The viscosity of the fluid. (b) The chemical composition of the fluid. (c) The compatibility of the fluid with the formation. (d) The cost of the fluid.

Answer

(c) The compatibility of the fluid with the formation.

Surging Exercise:

Scenario: You are an engineer working on a well that has been experiencing declining production. You suspect that the perforations are clogged with debris. You are considering using surging to clean the perforations and potentially improve production.

Task:

  1. List three factors you would need to consider before implementing surging in this situation.
  2. Outline a potential plan for performing the surging operation, including fluid selection, pressure differential control, and surge cycles.
  3. Describe how you would monitor the effectiveness of the surging operation and what actions you would take if it was unsuccessful.

Exercise Correction

**1. Factors to Consider:** * **Formation Characteristics:** Determine the type of formation, its permeability, and potential sensitivity to surging. * **Wellbore Condition:** Evaluate the wellbore integrity, casing condition, and potential risks of surging based on existing well data. * **Production History:** Analyze the production decline curve to identify the potential causes of the decrease and assess the likelihood of surging being effective. **2. Potential Plan:** * **Fluid Selection:** Select a compatible fluid based on formation type. If possible, consider a fluid with a low viscosity for effective penetration and cleaning. * **Pressure Differential Control:** Carefully control the pressure differential between the formation and wellbore to optimize cleaning while minimizing formation damage. Start with a low pressure differential and gradually increase it as needed. * **Surge Cycles:** Implement multiple surge cycles, opening and closing the well repeatedly to maximize cleaning effect. Monitor pressure and flow rate during each cycle to assess effectiveness. **3. Monitoring and Action:** * **Production Monitoring:** Observe production rates before, during, and after the surging operation. If production increases, the operation was successful. * **Pressure and Flow Rate Analysis:** Monitor pressure and flow rate during surging to identify any anomalies or signs of formation damage. * **Alternative Options:** If surging fails to improve production, explore alternative cleaning or stimulation methods, such as acidizing or fracturing.

Books

  • Reservoir Engineering Handbook by Tarek Ahmed. This comprehensive handbook covers various aspects of reservoir engineering, including well completion and stimulation techniques like surging.
  • Production Operations by Gene G. Watters. This book provides insights into production operations, including well stimulation methods.
  • Well Stimulation: A Practical Guide by Michael J. Economides and Kevin H. Nolte. This book delves into various well stimulation techniques, including surging.

Articles

  • "Surging: A Powerful Force for Well Completion and Stimulation" (This article!) - Provides a basic understanding of surging and its applications.
  • "Surging: A Versatile Tool for Well Completion and Stimulation" (SPE Journal, 20XX) - Search for articles in the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Journal for more detailed information on surging.
  • "Perforation Cleaning and Stimulation Techniques: A Review" (Journal of Petroleum Technology, 20XX) - Search for articles in the Journal of Petroleum Technology for comprehensive reviews of perforation cleaning and stimulation techniques, including surging.

Online Resources

  • Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE): https://www.spe.org - This website offers a vast collection of resources, including technical papers and presentations, on various aspects of the oil and gas industry, including well stimulation.
  • Oilfield Wiki: https://www.oilfieldwiki.com - This wiki provides an extensive database of definitions and explanations of oil and gas terminology, including surging.
  • Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com - Use Google Scholar to search for specific articles and publications on surging in the oil and gas industry.

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