Laboratory and Field Evaluation of Aqueous Retarded Acid System for Carbonate Gas Field, Offshore Borneo Island
Authors: Ravichandran Tenamutha , Sidek Sulaiman , Zakaria Ahmed Nabil , Ahmed Shata Karim , Sapiee Zool Nasri , Abdul Rahman Hazrina , Foo Kwang Hui Nicholas , Wan Mohamad Wan Amni , Yahaya Fadzil , Abdul Razak Affandi , Maharon Diana , Jadid Maharon 
Published: December 2021

Objectives, Scope

This paper provides valuable insights on aqueous retarded acid system evaluation based on laboratory testing, literature review and engineering analysis prior to the field application for a candidate well in a gas field, offshore East Malaysia (Figure 1). The field is a reefal carbonates build-up overlayed by a thick shale sequence and is one of the deepest fields in Sarawak Asset, in which the produced fluid contains up to 3,500ppm H2S, 20% CO2 and bottomhole temperature up to 288°F. Production enhancement for this carbonate reservoir requires application of a more effective approach to address challenges associated with acid placement and reservoir contact in long pay zones of complex diagenetic facies high temperature carbonate reservoirs, thereby improving return on investment. Figure 1Structural map of Central Luconia carbonate platform offshore Sarawak, Malaysia (Janjuhah et al. 2016)

Methods, Procedures, Process

The workflow adopted for the stimulation job involves thorough historical production data analysis, detail petrophysical review to evaluate reservoir properties, in-depth production performance analysis (i.e. nodal and network modeling), completion review to ascertain damage mechanism and economic evaluation that include decision risk analysis to evaluate all range of probabilistic outcome. Initial selection of stimulation fluids was based on the mineralogical composition of the main producing formation. A detailed study of reservoir rock and its reaction to various acid systems has been based upon software modeling where sensitivity analyses involving multiple treatment schedule scenarios incorporating various acid and diverter fluid systems are considered. Coreflood experiment was then performed to determine the Pore Volume to Breakthrough (PVBT) comparing emulsified acid with aqueous retarded acid at temperature of 250°F, injection rate of 3ml/min and at confining pressure of 1,500psi.

The low PVBT values (i.e. 1.125 and 0.521) and unique breakthrough features obtained from the coreflood confirmed that aqueous retarded acid is effective to stimulate the carbonate reservoir. Compatibility testing was also conducted to assess the stability of the retarded acid recipes and potential reaction with reservoir fluids (i.e. water and condensate), downhole completion and surface equipment.

Results, Observation, Conclusion

An established stimulation software was used to refine the acid volume calculation and placement analysis. Field trial was made using combined application of the aqueous retarded acid and viscoelastic diverting acid. Considering several case scenarios, the remedial treatment was performed via bullheading to achieve optimum injection rate within 5bpm to 7bpm. Total of 197bbls acid and 197bbls diverter was be pumped during the treatment that will be split in several stages to achieve average invasion profile of 2.8ft and -1.3 skin value.

This paper presents aqueous retarded acid system as alternative to widely used emulsified acid systems. Field application of the approach supports the theoretical findings based on substantial improvement in well production, pressure matching of the remedial treatment and calibrated nodal analysis assessment. This demonstrates the value of holistic approach of laboratory testing, comprehensive software modeling and application of enhanced stimulation fluids to overcome complex technical challenges

Novel, Additive Information

The field production was previously constrained by its high CO2 levels and the supply gas ratio agreement. The information and lessons learnt from this paper will be applicable as evident of practical improvements to achieve sustainable production from the field since it has a strategic importance as production, processing and export hub to other four gas fields. Recent CO2 blending project has allow a better distribution of gas across the network and therefore demand higher production from the field, thus further unlock it potential to achieve economic optimization.