Oil Gain from Successful Water Shut-Off Strategy

Abstract

Water Shut-Off (WSO) actions are remedial activities that are being implemented in the heavy oil N Field, with the objective of reducing the water inflow of the well by closing zones which are major contributor to the high water cut. WSO are commonly executed as a mitigation action in operating wells with previous economic value. The purpose of this study is to develop a thorough knowledge of the rate of success of WSO activities linked to the time of WSO implementation, type of well (either horizontal or vertical) and the presence or lack of PLT (Production Log Test). Success was evaluated by reviewing the net oil production rate before and after WSO activity with the gained net oil rate being converted to US Dollars. There is no significant difference found in the success ratios between horizontal wells and verticals. However, in the horizontal wells, 74% of the successful ones were the heel shut-offs. WSO activities are found to have a success rate of 100% if the activity is implemented within the first year of the start of high water cut. Moreover, wells with WSO implementation within the first three years of observing high water-cut have a success rate of 65%. Noticeably, the success rate decreased dramatically with time, with wells having high water-cut for seven years and up to eleven years to the time of WSO implementation. These wells show success rates of 50% and 33% for seven and eleven years respectively. A numerical sector model and well model were created to explain these findings. During oil production because of a localized decrease in pressure, the water-oil interface may rise up and deform into a conical shape near the well. This phenomenon is known as ‘water coning’. At the time of water breakthrough, the cone is observed to be narrower than more advanced stages when the water cut has risen to higher levels. At these times, the cone has broadened and, depending on spacing between adjacent wells, has lifted the overall level of the oil/water interface, decreasing the distance between the wellbore and the water. As a result, water shutoff becomes less effective with time. It is recommended to start WSO activities on wells within the first three years of high water-cut indications. In case there is no PLT or other data, heel shutoff for the horizontal wells have a better success rate.