Downhole Video Services Enhance Conformance Technology
Authors: Maddox Steve , Gibling Glen  R. 
Published: October 2008

Conformance Technology can be defined as "theapplication of processes to reservoirs and boreholes to enhance recovery efficiencies." The purpose of these processes is not to increase production but to reduce and dispose of unwanted hi-products; i.e., water, gas, sand, etc., and the associated costs generated by their disposal.

Conformance technology has been practiced in the oilfield for many years, but it is gaining in importance because of environmental and economic constraints that limit operator options for the disposal of unwanted production. The successful practice of conformance technology is dependent upon a thorough understanding of the downhole conditions in each well, as misinterpretation of downhole data can result in the application of treatment that will not successfully address the problem.

This paper describes applications for downhole videoservices that facilitate:Planning of conformance technology treatmentsProvision of in-process treatment monitoringConfirmation of post-treatment success

Three case histories showing different applications of video services in conjunction with the planning and confirmation of treatments are presented. The first case determined fluid entry under flowing conditions and better defined which zones required treatment. The second case showed that the original well diagnosis was incorrect and that the planned treatments would not be effective, while the third case showed how a downhole video survey was used as a pretreatment analytical tool and later used to confirm a successful treatment.

INTRODUCTION

Unwanted fluid production in oil- and gas-producing wells is a factor that not only limits control and reduces production of the well but also presents major operational burdens from costs of disposal and compliance to environmental regulations. New, more stringent regulations now are in force to dictate how and where disposal can be made, and for this reason, producers have increased efforts to investigate new options to reduce unwanted production. The most commonly used water-control techniques have had relatively low success rates, and newer, more exotic treatments have not offered much improvement. Obviously, results such as these can not satisfactorily address a problem that has reached such magnitude. Several scenarios can be blamed for most water control treatment failures with the most common being:The source of the problem was not properly identified.The wrong product or treatment was used.The correct treatment was used improperly.

Because of recent technological improvements that allow downhole video to be-effective under flowing weli conditions, it can now be employed to assist the weil operator in identifying wellbore and reservoir problems that can be corrected with conformance technology processes. DHV services can also be used to monitor certain treatment processes in reai time and to verify that the treatment applications were successful.

CONFORMANCE TECHNOLOGY

By applying conformance technology techniques, well operators can reduce unwanted production and the associated operating costs caused from corrosion, sand production, additional well-lifting requirements, larger separation and treatment processes, and fluid disposal. Additionally, environmental protection is enhanced, subsequently enabling regulatory requirements to be met more easily. In most cases, ifunwanted production can be reduced or blocked, hydrocarbon deliverability of the reservoir.