Application of foam systems for removing water from the bottom of oil wells

Abstract

Objective. Evaluation of the possibility of using foam checkers based on surfactants (SAS) for the purpose of removing water from the well bottom and intensifying the inflow by reducing the bottomhole pressure.

Materials and methods. Laboratory studies of SAS on foaming on the formation fluid of a test well showed high efficiency. The search for candidate wells was based on the analysis of pressure and density distribution curves along the wellbore, analysis of previously performed activities and geological and engineering operations  (GEO), as well as on the analysis of the results of modeling multi-variant solutions of nodal analysis.

Results. The test results showed high efficiency of using foam checkers based on SAS in wells after highvolume killing of gas-lift  wells, while the time of bringing to the mode is reduced by an average of 2 times. In the fund operating in the mode with water inflow from the formation and with a confi rmed column of water at the bottomhole, a short-term eff ect of 5 to 10 days was observed. Further, repeated treatment of wells with checkers was required.

Conclusion. Current characteristics of foam checkers based on surfactants allow their use to accelerate the well recovery after technological treatments. In a fund operating in a steady state, the use of foam checkers is possible provided that it is economically feasible. Also, one of the possible improvements may be the use of foam checkers together with design changes to the gas lift with a shank.