Best Practices While Testing Sour GAS Wells
Authors: Mubashir Ahmad Mubashir , Zain Yousfi Fawad , Albadi Mohamed , Baslaib Mohamed , Alhouqani Shamsa , Olatunbosun Ibukun , Agarwal Anubhav , Ahmad Zeeshan , Al Hosani Abdulla , Pendyala Viswasri , Mandal Chandra , Gadelhak Abdelrahman , Shaker Ashraf , Alsaeedi Ayesha , Elabrashy Manar , Alzeyoudi Mohamed , Alsenaidi Shemaisa , Al Muhairi Bakheeta , Al Bairaq Ahmed , Yugay Andrey , Pimenta Gervasio , Al Mheiri Eissa , Al Jeelani Omar , Al Maria Noora , A Basioni Mahmoud , Sayed Sohdy , Yahya Al Blooshi Ahmed , Mahmoud Elmahdi Ahmed , Al Mansoori Ali , Ali Alloghani Jasim 
Published: December 2021

Objectives/Scope

The development of Abu Dhabi's sour gas is not without its challenges. Deep drilling in some fields presents its own set of difficulties due to high temp and pressures coupled with +30% H2S and +10% CO2.

Handling of these corrosive reservoir fluids both while drilling and then testing, requires deploying advanced technology to meet the specific requirements of these reservoirs, along with the infrastructure necessary to handle the toxic and corrosive products while testing in a brown field safely.

Methods, Procedures, Process

Developing local sour gas production is seen as the answer to resolve the ever growing energy needs for UAE but the technical requirements for the project is stretching the limits of the industry.

Results, Observations, Conclusions

What did we do different: Developed and implemented specific HSE procedures and SIMOPS due to close proximity with major populated facilities which could not be shut-down during the testing period. Conducted multiple audits and drills with the local authorities including Civil Defense and local Police. Additional 3rd part supervision was provided to ensure all personal are complying with the policy and procedures developed. Installed 2 green burners and 2 vertical 90 ft flare stacks at 180 degrees. This was to cater for the changing wind directions for continuous operations and as back ups. CCTV monitoring for green burners / flare stacks was conducted although this was a rigless operation 3 circles of H2S detectors and sensors were placed around the testing area and the flare stakes and green burners to detect any H2S gas. (Covering all 360° directions). Blowdown/Depressurization valve was installed at separator, storage tanks apart from Automatic and manual shutdown system upon H2S detection Installed Optic Fiber cable from wellhead to the main control room for monitoring purposes All piping connections used were flange-to-flange as welded joints could have caused stress cracking on the weak points For Sour well operation, used fully cladded X-mass tree & Inconel well completion Considered setting of compatible TTBP (Thru Tubing Bridge Plug) for staked reservoirs zonal isolation Instead of coil tubing cement plug for accurate depth calculations. Arranged Special chemical for any scale cleanout for handling of elemental Sulphur. Arab zones were stimulated with specialized acid recipe developed exclusively for this temperature, pressure and sour conditions downhole. Bottom hole measurements were recorded successfully and all the necessary data was acquired.

Novel/Additive Information

This paper highlights the major challenges identified and mitigated to test and produce the highly sour HPHT gas during the appraisal program complying with ADNOC 100% HSE in a brown field without disturbing the other major operations being performed in the vicinity.