SPE 39654
Restriction of Gas Coning by a Novel Gel/Foam Technique
1.Lakatos, SPE, and J. Lakatos-Szab6, Research Institute of Applied Chemistry, Univ.
Miskolc, Miskolc-Egyetemv&os,
B. Kosztin and Gy. Pal&3hy, Upstream Div., Hungarian Oil and Gas Co., Szolnok, Hungary
Copy?ight l$Wt, Swii C4petroleum Engineers, Inc,
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Abstract
The laboratory and field studieswere fdeusedon development
of a well treatment technology which can be used for restric-
tion of gas coning in the Algy5 reservoir. The method is based
on simultaneous pIacementof a polymet%ilicate ge[ at the
(3OC and a supporting foam pillow into the oil bearing layer.
Ektensive laborato~ studies were carried out to tailor the
chemicaI system to the field conditions. Use of short chain
alcohol and natural protein as additives improved the effl-
ciency of chemical mechanism. Special attention was paid to
implementation of the technology. Two-point injection regime
was elaborated to develop a horizontal barrier between the oil
and gas bearing zones. The field test resulted only in a partial
suc~ the hydrodynamic measurement detiniteIy shown that
the barrier was correctly pla&d, the oil flow in the pay zone
was not effected, the (3OR temporarily improved and the
WOR positively changed. The long-term observations are,
however, discourages: the investment and the return rate of
expzmditure is not balanced. The Hungarian experts take a
stand on-extending the observation period for more cycles and
to coIlect abundant arguments to continue or to suspend the
R&D activities and the field projects.
Introduction
Restriction of gas coning is stiIl permanently in the f~us of
production engineering rind it forms an R&D area where little
progress has been made during the past decades. Earlier the
Iaborato~ and field studies aimed at determination of the
right position and length of perforation or/and the maximum
production rate which optimize the most profitable and per-
491
missible oil production without free-gas production [1]. That
fundamental concept changed only a little through many
years, although valuable results of physical modeling and
mathematical simulations came to light in literature [2,3]. A
real break-through, however, was not brought to sutiace de-
spite the facts that understanding and prediction of displace-
ment processes in gas capped systems became much more
precise [4,5]. In spite of valuable contributions to the topic the
field management of complex reservoirs having unfavorable
gatioil mobility and thin oil bearing layers still represents a
great challenge even today [6], though the operators have
high hopes on application of horizontal wells fl,g] in gas
capped reservoirs. However, it is also clear that improvement
of oil production rate is often limited, particularly when aqui-
fer is present. Thus, optimum placement of the horizontal
welhre and precise determination of the critical oil rate are
the mainstays of technology to prevent simultaneously the
gas and water coning,
As shown above, the majority of efforts to restrict gas coning
might be ranked among the conventional production engi-
neering solutions. Surprisingly, the chemical engineering
techniques used already successfully for selective fluid shut-
off or profile correction in hydrocarbon reservoirs did come
only partially into consideration. Obviously, the reason must
be sought in the reverse mobility ratio of gas/oi[ systems com-
pared to oil/water ones. Consequently, different theoretical
approach, and hence, diverse technical, hydrodynamical,
chemieal, etc. methods should be used if positive eftkets are
expeeted Despite these difficulties prospectfhl laboratory and
field results were published recently in the Literature.
SANDERS et al. [9] reported that selective placement of a
cross-linked polymer gel was successfully applied for lower-
ing of gas mobility and that technique couId profitably replace
the conventional cementing method routineIy used for zone
isolation. An other procedure proposed by HANSSEN et al.
[10-12] is based on application of an organic foam placed at
the GOC, which may restrict significantly the gas encroach-
ment into the oil bearing layer. Attractive feature of this con-
cept is that on account of the physical and chemical nature of
materials the foaming agent spreads automatically at the
phase boundary and the foam reversibly forms if the gas re-
peatedly penetrates into the foam-forming floating layer. Un-
2 1. IAKATOS, J. LAKATOS-SZABd,
fortunately, this method has not been used at large industrial
scale, but as a principle it is notable. Despite this fact the
foams undoubtedly are potential barrier forming materials and
its practical application is widening. Recently HOLT and
VASSANDEN [13] reported that the gas-water segregation
can be reduced by fmms, while AARRA et al. [14] presented
valuable data on GOR control by stability improved foams.
In the middle of the past decade an intensive research pro-
gram was initiated by the Hungarian Oil and Gas Co. (MOL)
to develop an appropriate technology for selective gas block-
ing. The project rooted in the fact that the largest Hungarian
oil field @ unthvorable structural properties: some of the
productive oil bearing layers are thin and they have substan-
tial gas cap. In the different stage of production history the
reserve in the gas caps was practically preserved, however,
that reservoir engineering concept resulted in an early vertical
break-through of gas into the oil bearing zones.
The preliminary investigations were focused on determination
of gas, water and oil perrneabilities in presence of gel-forming
materials. Since favorabIe fieId experiences were obtained by
the routine application of a combined polymer/silicate well
treatment technique in the same reservoir [15,16], this chemi-
cal system was used for restriction of gas production from the
gas cap. Special attention was paid to placement technology.
A two-point injection method was elaborated to develop a
horizontal barrier between the oil and the gas bearing zones.
The procedure was tested under field conditions in the early
nineties, but the field expqiences could not be evaluated cor-
rectIy because of technical failure caused mainly by the sup-
porting water pillow created in the oil bearing zone [17].
Since the gas coning still represents gradually worsening pro-
duction problem, the laborato~ and field studies were contin-
ued. The present paper deals with the new foam/gel method
tested also under field conditions in the same Csongrzid-D61-l
reservoir.
General Description of the Reservoir
The Algy6 field is the largest Hungarian hydrocartmn reser-
voir located on the southern part of Hungary. The general
description of the unique geological structure and production
technology was discussed already in detail by WEROVSKY et
al. [18], The occurrence was discovered in the early sixties.
The intensive exploration activity detected 76 individ@ lay-
ers between 1500 and 2600 m depth which are partially con-
nected through an aquifer, The system had roughly 150 106
m3 00IP and 110109 m3 gas reserves, but 90 XO of the oil and
70 % of the gas content was in layers located in the Upper-
Pannonian section, Seven of the oil bearing layers have thin
oil edge and large. gas cap. In this cases water is injected at
both the GOC and WOC to prevent or reduce extreme gas
encroachment. The efTorts resulted in a partial success even
though precisely controlled production regime is used to
maintain GOR under a cxxtain limit.
In the primary stage of production only formation energy was
492
B. KOSZTIN, GY. PAIJiSTHY SPE 39654
used. Later on the technology comprised partial water flood-
ing and gas-lifiing, Today a double-sided water flooding and
an extended gas-lifting are the main elements of recovery
methods applied. In the first period 5-10 A recovery effi-
ciency was attained, while it is proved that this figure is now
over 40 XO of the 00IP. The oil production topped in 1989
with more than 1 Mt/y. Since that time the annual oil produc-
tion shows decreasing tendency. In 1995 the oil production
totaled at about 0.7 Mt/y. The water production started at the
field in 1971 and it reached top rate with 4-5 Mm3/y between
1989 and 1994. Similarly, the water injection was at its
maximum in 1989 with 8-9 Mm3/y. Consequently, the oil
production was practically free of water until 1973, then the
water production gradually increased in the period of 1975-
1988. At the present time the average water cut stabilized at
75-80 VO, but there are hundreds of wells which already oper-
ate with water cut higher than 90 O/O. Similar difkulties come
from the fact that some oil producing wells are characterized
by high GOR and extensive water production is tested in the
gas producing wells.
Since 1975 the Algyi3 fieIds are the primary targets of dilTer-
ent EOR technologies. Among others medium size polymer
and polymer/micellar projects were accomplished, but chemi-
cal well stimulations proved only successful in economic
sense (polymer/siIicate well treatments [15,16,19,20] and
clay-stabilization [2 l]). Although an intensive research activ-
ity is still under way to fiend better alternatives of IOR and
EOR methods, the conventional but sophisticated and corn-
plex reservoir management applied at the Algy6 fieId will
probably remain the main guide-line of the production tech-
nology in the coming years.
Description of the Pilot Area
The field tests were performed in the Csongrdd-Ddl-l layer
which is one of the Upper-Pannonian reservoirs.- According to
the original prediction the system had 6.5 106 t 00IP, and its
gas cap stored 3.4109 m3 natural gas. The GOC and WOC
located at -1690 m and -1696 m, respectively. Consequently;
the ve~ thin (6-8 m thick) oil bearing pay zone ii in direct
contact with a relatively large gas cap and an active aquifer.
The ratio of the gas and oil containing tire spaces is 2.5
m3/m3. The core analysis revealed that the formation rock is
mainly sandstone with good petrophysical parameters. Its
thickness is 40 m, however, the porous s@tem is divided
horizontally by a 5-10 m thick chalky clay layer. The other
reservoir parameters are listed in Table 1.
The field is operated by a regular well pattern consisting of 65
wells with 400 m well distance on average. The production
started at the field in 1980 and the initial characteristics have
clearly shown that the wells can be operated o~y at high
GOR or WOR. On account of the favorable permeability
conditions gas coning was observed within short time in ma-
jority of wells. The gas production could not be decreased by
reducing the production rate. Therefore, the wells were peri-
SPE 39654 RESTRICTION OF GAS CONING BY A NOVEL GEIJFOAM TECHNIQUE
odically shut down to prevent extreme gas coning and gas
production. As a result of the cyclic operation the GOR was
roughly 200 m3/m3 on average during the past 10 years and
the controlled gas production contributed significantly to
stabilization of the oil saturated zone at its original place.
As mentioned the intensive gas coning and gas production
has resulted in unfavorable production characteristics. The
annual oil production was 10s t through a decade. During that
period 268106 m3 gas and 760 103 m3 water were also pro-
duced. Although 30 YO fhd recovery was predicted, only 17
% recovery factor is currently calculated. The cyclic operation
on the field is still going on and the wells are producing with
3970 water cut.
The reeent reservoir engineering survey has definitely shown
that the average production rate can be increased in measur-
able extend only by restriction of gas coning. In this case the
improvement of recovery efllciency and the shorter produc-
tion period may jointly yield much better technical and eco-
nomical performance. These initiatives constituted the basis
of further efforts to develop a local stimulation technique
which may overcome or partially eliminate the production
dilliculties.
Concept of Gel/Foam Method
Schematic of the gellfoam technique is shown in Fig. 1. The
basic elements of the concept are the following:
a) An effective restriction of gas flow needs a pe~anent
barrier between the gas and oil bearing zones. This task might
be solved efficiently by gels.
b) The primary aim is attained, if the barrier is deeply
penetrating, practically horizontal and it is located precisely
at or close to GOC. An other requirement is that the barrier
must be immobile and long-lasting, Consequently, such a
barrier can be created only by either sequential injection of
gel-forming materials or bulk phase injeetion with highly
retarded gelation.
c) Extension of a deeply penetrating horizontal barrier at
GOC is possible if a supporting media is simultaneously in-
jected into the oil bearing layer. The supporting pillow must
tidfdl various requirements: it must prevent gravity segrega-
tion of the gel-forming aqueous phases, its advancing front
velocity should be similar as of the barrier and after place-
ment of aII treating fluids the supporting media may not re-
striet the flow of oil in the zone previously invaded.
d) The basic preconditions mentioned above might be sat-
isfkd by special foams because they form high resistance
against gravitational sinking of gel-forming materials, con-
tain negligible amount of water, spontaneously break within
short time, decrease interfaciaI tension between oil and water
and they may also alternate favorably the nettability in the
vicinity of the active perforation. Namely, application of
f-s as a supporting pillow seems to be ideal and probably
they have negligible impact on oil production after treatment.
From technologicrd point of view, practical implementation of
493
3
the concept needs the following additional steps:
1. A new auxiliary perforation is needed at 2-3 m above
the GOC.
2, The structure of weIl must be modified according to the
requirements set by the simultaneous injection.
3. The mobile surface technology must be set up and de-
ployed according to the need of simultaneous injection, snr-
face foam generation, continuos preparation of all treating
fluids, etc. The complexity of technology, its control and labor
intensity exceeds the level routine in conventional well treat-
ment projects.
4. Prior to field test careful and precise laboratory studies
must be performed to select the most appropriate chemicals,
to formulate the treating solutions and to design the technol-
ogy.
The next chapter gives a brief summary of laboratory studies
including the characterization of gel and foam systems and
the results of the hydrodynamic measurements.
Laboratory Studies
Characterization of the Gel System. The general properties
of the polymer/silicate gel were already discussed in different
papers [15-17, 19, 20]. The most specific feature of that gel is
the double network of anionic polymers cross-linked by a
multivalent cation and polysilicates formed from sodium or-
tho-silicate in slightly acidic media. Accordingly, the gel can
be prepared by mixing the following solutions:
Solution A : 0.5-5.0 @t PHPAA
20-100 #l silicate (Si02 content)
Solution B : 1.0-5.0 ~ dUm (KA1(S04)2)
2.0-5.0 g/1 calcium chloride
Solution B also contains various amount of HC1 to prevent
spontaneous hydrolysis of alum and to control the gelation of
silicates. The solutions are preferentially injected sequentially
into the reservoirs, but they can be mixed at the surface too.
The solutions form a multifimctional chemical system because
mixing or dispersing the treating fluids the following proc-
esses take place leading to gelation or resistivity enhancement
in porous media:
bulk phase reactions:
- cross-linking of polymers,
- gelation of silicates,
- precipitation of polymers, silicates and metal hydroxides;
interracial effects:
- adsorption of all chemicals on rock surface,
- mechanical entrapment of microgel and hydroxides.
Some of the interactions are initiated by mixing, but some of
them, e.g. precipitation of silicates and hydroxides, take place
slowly and spontaneously in natural environment of forma-
tions, In this way the forced and the spontaneouschemieal
reactions jointly decrease the risk of technical failures oflen
encountered during deeply penetrating treatments.
Using the polymer/silicate gel the permeability of porous me-
dia can be decreased by 4-5 orders of magnitude. The residual
 4 1.LAKATOS, J. LAKATOS-SZAB6, B. KOSZTIN, GY. PALASTHY
permeability of a highly permeable, artificially consolidated
porous media is usually less than 0.1-0.5 103pm2. In such a
system the mass transport is mostly characterized by the dif-
fusiom although the gel behaves like a porous system up to its
mechanical stability (Fig. 2.). In conventional sense the sta-
bility of gel under reservoir conditions is excellent: the gel
strength is better than 10 bar/m and the blocking phase may
withstands thermal degradation up to 150 C. A unique fea-
the ture gel is that its properties might be easily modified
by proper selection of the type, concentration of chemicals,
slug size and cycle number of injected solutions, volume of
spacer and at last, but not least by addition of special addi-
tives. In the present studies short chain alcohols, as accelera-
tors were tested and applied in the field pilot.
Although the combined polymer/silicate well treatment tech-
nique has been intensively studies since 1975, the special cir-
cumstances arising in gas blocking made necessary to extend
the research activity. The special intentions were the follow-
ing:
a) retailoring the chemical receipt using new family of
polymers which is board enough to fidfill extreme reservoir
requirements;
b) fiuther improvement of the gelation probability;
c) assuring a compatibility between the original chemicaI
system and the water miscible organic solvent to be applied
for density lowering and accelerator; and
d) laborato~ analysis of different placement techniques
using special vertical sandpack models.
The investigations comprised complex theological measure-
ments in wide shear rate range, kinetic studies of the gel for-
mation and systematic flow experiments which made possible
to determine both the permeability change and stability of gel
front @reak-through pressure gradient) against the gas flow.
Parameters of the flow model are listed in Table 2. The resuhs
of the detailed physico chemical studies can be summarized as
foIlows:
1. By different polymem etllcient blocking can be realized
under great variety of permeability conditions, and infectivity
problem may not be encountered if the polymer is properly
selected. Compatl%ility exists ako between the polymers and
the siIicates in highIy concentrated solutions,
2. Using sequential injection of the treating solutions, both
partial and total gas blocking can be attained in natural sand-
stone with high permeability depending on the type of poly-
mer applied. Favorably, the pmneability reduction remains
significant even after forcedbreak-through (Table 3).
4. The short-chain alcohols are compatible yith both the
polymer/silicate and the cross-linking solutions up to 30 vol.
%. Thus the degsity of treating solutions may be lowered
slightly. SimuhaneousIy, the gel formation significantly ac-
celerates by addition of ahmhols, and apparently it leads to
complete blocking (Table 4.). Thus, reliability of the chemical
systems considerably improves.
5. Accor~ng to the experimental results the temperature
494
SP%3WS4
dependent feature of the chemical system is also positively
modified by the presence of short-chain alcohols. Conse-
quently, the application of i-propanol as an accelerator is evi-
denced by the laboratory studies.
The experimental results unambiguously proved that the effl-
ciency of gas bhcking enhances with the molecular weight
and hydrolysis of the polymer and by the addition of alcohols.
Absolute gas tightness was attained under the given pressure
conditions and min. 90 A permeability reduction could be
preserved even after forced break-through. However, one of
the most important conclusions drawn by the flow tests was
that the two-point injection technique has better cliance for
horizontal gas blccking than the single-point treatment has
and therefore it must be preferred in field application.
Characterization of the Foam System. Properties and be-
havior of foam are fundamental in respect to proper place-
ment of gel barrier. Therefore, extensive laboratory studies
were carried out to select the most convenient foam. The best
foam-forming system was selected by the following screening
criteria: formability, foam stability, theological properties in
bulk phase and in formation rocks, adsorption and retention
of chemicals and flow properties in porous media.
A great variety of surfactants were tested as foam-forming
agents. Detailed studies were extended to DDS, DDBS, Zala-
betain, F-78 and HC-2. The later materials are commercial
products made preferentially for drilling purpose, In order to
improve the foam quality different additives, including poly-
acrylamides, polysaccharides, cationic tensides and natural
proteins, were also investigated. In all experiment the foam
was generated by nitrogen. Composition of the foam-forming
solution was usually the following:
Tenside : 0.5- 10.0 fyl
Additive: 0.5- 2.0 gll
On the basis of the experiments finding the following conclu-
sions could be drawn:
1. All tested surfactants shown good or excellent form-
ability. The s.pecitlc formability was usually between 200-400
cm3/cm3. The foams generated from pure tenside solutions,
however, had poor stability even at ambient temperature.
2. The formability and foam stability are independent
variables, and no correlation was found between these two
parameter, The additives had diverse effect on formability:
some both positive and negative effects were tested. In gen-
eral, the different macromolecular materials influenced only
slightly the formability.
3. Some additives had very pronounced effect on foam
stability. In water saturated environment an appropriate foam
stability could be attained for days even at elevated tempera-
tures.
4. Converging experiences supported that application of
HC-2 foam-forming liquid jointly with a natural protein as
additive may satis& the field requirements (Figs 3-4).
5. The foam to be applied under formation conditions has
extremely high bulk viscosity and strongly non-Newtonian
SPE 39654 RESTRICTION OF GAS CONING BY A NOVEL GEUFOAM TECHNIQUE
flow behavior. The viscosity of fresh foams often exceeded 104
mpa s, but the aged ones were also characterized by viscosi-
ties higher than 2000 mPas (Figs 5-6).
6. The sorption loss of foam-forming materials in porous
media was tolerable. The adsorbed amount of tensides was
around 104 gig, while smaller values were obtained for mac-
romolecular additives (104-105 g/g).
7. On account of simultaneous chemieal and physical
processes signifiat amount of foam must be injected into a
porous media in order to get fully saturated conditions. The
break-through of fmm usually ensued afler 30-40 Vp foam
injection.
8. The apparent viscosity of foams in porous media at high
flow rate was between 10-3S mpa s, These values are much
less than the bulk viscosity of freshly prepared foams, but
much higher than the viscosity of pure gas or liquid (water,
oil) phases.
9. Presence of foam in porous media restricts considerably
the gas or liquid mobility. Using formation core samples with
initial gas permeability of 0.4- 1.1 pm2, the permeability was
reduced to 0.4-4.0103 pm2 when the pore space was tilled up
completely by a stable foam.
After all it can be state& that surface generated foams
made of HC-2 and natural protein meets the requirements and
its application as a supporting piIIow makes the placement of
gel barrier possible.
Field Studies
Although the first two tieId experiments closed with discour-
aging results five years ago [17], the promising new labora-
tory studies urged the operator repeatedly a pilot test. Mostly
the production characteristics served as a basis of well selec-
tion, however it was also an important circumstance that the
modified structure of Alg-480 oil producing well treated pre-
viously was preserved in good condition. Thus, a substantial
part of the exqxmditure could be saved. In addition, one of the
worst behavior was obsemed on this well: during the test pe-
riod prior to treatment a very steep increase in gas production
found, although it was a positive fact that the consecutive tests
resulted in an identieal characteristics,
Before treatment the well Alg-480 could be characterized by a
very low oil production (12- 18 m3/d, with 50-6070 water cut)
together with stable 7000-9000 m3/d gas production. Thus the
GOR was fluctuating systematically around 1400 within the
active period and the weIIat this stage had to be shut-of for
long periods. In active periods the gas production after two
weeks has been four times as much as it was when the well
was opened, meanwhile the oil production (18 m3/d) and the
water cut remained constant. On account of the accelerating
gas coning the well head pressure increased gradually from
58 to 108 bar when the well was deactivated on account of the
high GOR.
The modified structure of the well is shown in an earlier pa-
per [17]. As a preliminary measure the poor injeetivity of the
495
5
lower (oil producing perforation) was cured by acidizing.
Since there was merely 3.5 m difference between the original
and the new auxiliary perforation depth, erosion type petiora-
tion technique was applied in Iatter case. Prior to the actual
treatment a temporary packer was placed at -1775.9 m just
above the oiI bearing layer. The petiorations located at the
following depth:
Active perforation : 1773,5-1774.5 m
Auxiliary perforation : 1769.6-1770.0 m
Schematic view of the surface technology is shown in Fig. 7.
Mobile equipment was deployed at the well site and the dis-
solving units and the injection systems were operated by well
trained manpower aided by computer control and data ac-
quisition. New eIement of the method ~vas the speeial sup-
porting pillow, which was created by injection of surface gen-
erated foam. The foaming liquid was prepared in open tanks
equipped with paddle stirrer. The liquid nitrogen transpmmd
to the well site was evaporated first, then injected into the
well through the foam generator by a HP compressor. Injec-
tion of treating liquids started with the foam and sequential
injection of gel-forming materials begun only two days after-
wards. During the whole injection period the injeetion rates,
pressure, temperature, quality of liquids were controlled by
computer and the data were continuously recorded. In case of
any technological problems, e.g. unexpected pressure build-
up, the injeetion rate was corrected.
AU together the following amount of chemicals were injected:
Tenside (HC-2) :1000 kg
KC1 :2000 kg
Formaldehyde : 3001
Polymer : 200 kg
Silicate 17 t (17 % SiOz content)
CaC12 : 150 kg
Alum : 150 kg
CCHC1 :18001
Nitrogen : 125x103 m3 (normal state)
The injection of foam was continuous during the treating pe-
riod, meanwhile the gel-forming materials were injected se-
quentially in four cycles. The polymer/silicate and the cross-
Iinking solutions were separated by 5-6 m3 spacer. Originally
the injection rate of these solutions were over 100 m3/cLbut at
the end of treating it was about 50 m3/d. The program was
accomplished during 5 days. Atler placement of all chemicals
into the target zones the well was shut-off for 2 months,
The primary effeet gel barrier can be evaluated by the results
of the hydrodynamic measurements performed prior to and
after the treatment shown in Fig. 8. According to the pressure
build-up curves a good communication was between the active
and the auxiliary perforations. As a result of treatment such a
conductivity can not be detected when the weIl was opened
afIer the shut-off period. That reliable experience makes
probable that total blocking exists in the vicinity of the auxil-
iary perforation. Therefore, the upper perforation was not
excluded during the next production period. According to the
6 1. LAKATOS, J. LAKATOS-SZAB6,
first records 16 m3/d fluid production was obtained with 80 %
water cut. Encouragingly, the gas production was much lower
than it was regula~ly &fore ;he treatment. By the way, the
midual gas pr&luct~on was mainly attributed to production of
nitrogen used for foam generation. After a week of hopeful
o~tion the gas production started to increase steeply and
the GOR reached again a very high level (GOR>500). ParalIeI
with this change the water cut decreased and some times wa-
ter-free oil mxxluction was obtained (Fig. 9.). At the txesent
time the well is still in production stage and the observations
are-continued as planned. Since some facts make the correct
placement of barrier very probable, additional information is
needed to explain why the production characteristics show
only partial success. At the present time the experts take a
stand on extending the observation period for more cycles and
to collect abundant arguments to continue or to suspend the
R&D activities and the field projects.
Conclusions
Significant efforts have been made to develop an appropriate
well treatment technique for restriction of gas coning in gas
capped reservoim. On the basis of laboratory and field studies
the following conclusions can be drawn:
1. The production rate and the final recovery efficiency
can be increased in the target reservoir (A@5 field, Cson-
grAd-D&l-l layer) only by restriction of gas coning.
2. A complex gel/foam technology based on simultaneous
in situ gelation of polymers and silicates at the GOC and
placement of a supporting foam pillow into the oil bearing
layer offers a good theoretical possibility for efficient reduc-
tion of vertical gas mobility.
3. The detailed laboratory studies have been carried out to
improve the chemical system and to lower the risk of techni-
cal failure under field condition. From chemical point of view
new incentives of the novel technique are the application of
short-chain alcohols in the blocking phase and addition of a
naturaI protein to the foam-forming agent,
4. The method was tested under field condition. As one of
the most complex and expensive single-well pilot at the larg-
est Hungarian oil tiled, the project was characterized by
carefid preparation, well controlled implementation and pre-
cise evah3ation of results,
5. The available experiences definitely proved the exis-
tence of a barrier between the active and the auxiliary perfo-
rations. Temporary positive effkcts on GOR and oil produc-
tion were also detected. However, additional information is
needed to explain why the long-term production characteris-
tics show only partial success,
6. The expenditure and the return rate of investment is not
balanced at the present time. The Hungarian experts take a
stand on extending the obsewation period for more cycles and
to collect abundant arguments to continue or to suspend the
R&D activities and the field projects,
496
B. KOSZTIN, GY. PALkTHY SPE 39654
References
1. Chierici, G.L., Ciucci, G.M., Pizzi, G.: A Systematic
Study of Gas and Water Coning by Potentiometric Mod-
els, paper SPE 871 (1964)
2. MacDomld, R,C., Coats, K.H.: Methods for Nmerical
Simulation of Water and Gas Coning, paper SPE 2796
(1970)
3. Addington, D. V.: An Approach to Gas-Coning Correla-
tions for a Large Grid Cell Reservoir Simulator, paper
SPE 8332 (1981)
4. Konieczek, J.: The Concept of Critical Rate in Gas Con-
ing and Its Use in Production Forecasting, paper SPE
20722 (1990)
5. Urbanczyk, C.H., Wattenbarger, R.A.: Optimization of
Well Rates Under Gas Coning Conditions, paper SPE
21677 (1991)
6, Moralee, T.A., McDonald, B.J., Phillips, D.R.: Reservoir
Engineering of a Geologically Complex North Sea Eo-
cene/Paleocene Reservoir With Highly Unfavorable Mo-
bility Ratio and Gas/Water Coning, paper SPE 22916
(1991)
7, Guo, B., Molinard, J-E., Lee, R.L.: A General Solution of
Gas/Water Coning Problem for Horizontal Wells: paper
SPE 25050 (1992)
8. Peng, C.P., Yeh, N.: Reservoir Engineering Asp&ts of
Horizontal Wells - Application to Oil Reservoirs with Gas
or Water Coning Problems, paper SPE 29958 (1995)
9. Sanders, G.S,, Chemabers, M.J., Lane, R.H.: Successful
Gas Shut-Off with Polymer Gel Using Temperature
Modeling and Selective Placement in the Prudoe Bay
Field, paper SPE 28502 (1994)
10. Hanssen, J.E.: A New Method for Testing of Gas-
Blocking Foams, paper SPE 17362 (1988)
11. Hanssen, J.E., Dalland, M.: Foams for Effective Gas
Blockage in the Presence of Crude Oil, paper SPE 20193
(1990)
12. Hanssen, J.E,, Haugum, P.: Gas Blockage by Nonaqueous
Foams, paper SPE 21002 (1991)
13. HoIt, T., Vassenden, T.: Reduced Gas-Water Mobility
Segregation by Use of Foam, 9th European Symp. on
10~ Paper 030, The Hague (1997)
14. Aarra, M.G., Ormehaug, P.A., Skauge, A.: Foam for
GOR Control - Improved Stability by Polymer Additives,
9th European Symp. on 10~ Paper 010, The Hague
(1997)
15. Lakatos, I., Toth, J., Lakatos-Szab6, J., Munkdcsi, I.,
Tr6mb6czky, S.: A New Possibility in EOR: A Combined
Well Treatment Technique, 4th European Symposium on
EO~ Proc. p. 827, Hamburg (1987)
16. Lakatos, I., Lakatos-Szab6, J., Munkacsi, I., Trt$mb5czky,
S.: Potential of Repeated Polymer Treatments, paper
SPE 20996 (1990), SPEPF, 4,269 (1993)
17. Lakatos. I., Kristof, M., Tromb6czky, S., Bodola, M.,
MunMcsi, I., Lakatos-Szab6, J.: Res&ction of Gas Con-
SPE 39654 RESTRICTION OF GAS CONING BY A NOVEL GEUFOAM TECHNIQUE 7

ning by Polymer/Silicate Well Treatment, 6th European
Symposium on IOK Proc. Vol. 1., p. 395, Stavanger
(1991)
18. Werovsky, V., Trdmbdczky, S., MiM5s, T., Krkh5f, M.:
Case History of Algytl Field Hungary, paper SPE 20995
(1990) . Fluid Reservoirs, 4th European Symposium on EO~
19.Lakatos, I., Kretzschmar, H.-J., Czolbe, P., Bittkow, P.,
Wassermann, I.: Polymerinjektionen zur Stimulierung
oder Abdichtung von ~1-, Gas- oder Wasserbohrungcm,
Erddl-Erdgas-Kohle, 104, 19 (1988)
20. Lakatos, I., Lakatos-Szab6, J., Kosztin, B., Tr&imb&&,
S., Bodola, M., Pak+sthy, Gy.: Selective Fluid Shut-Off
Treatments at the A&@ Field, HungaV, 9th European
Symposium on 10~ Proc. Paper 003, The Hague (1997)
21. Doleschall, s., Milky, Gy., PaAl, T.: Control of Clays in
Proc. p. 803, Hamburg (1987)

TABLE 1. CHARACTERISTIC PARAMETERS OF THE

CSONGRliD-DkL-l LAYER
Porosity :0.3
Permeability vertical :0.409 pmz
horizontal :0.755 ~m2
Temperature 92 C!
Formation pressure ~ 167 bar
Oil : light parailinic
Viscosity : 0.4 mpas

I TABLE 2. PARAMETERS OF THE VERTICAL POROUS MODEL

Diameter 57 mm
Length : 400 mm
Porosity : 0.3-0.4
Permeability : 0.3-2.0 pm2
Solid phase : crushed formation rock
and silica sand
particle size : 63-200pm
Liquid phases
oil : formation
water : formation
gas : mtural
Temperature : 95 c
Pressure (static) : 20 bar

TABLE 3. EFFECT OF POLYMER TYPE ON EFFICIENCY OF GAS BLOCKING

Polymer Break-through Break-through Residual perme-
pressure pressure gradient ability reduction
bar barlcm %0

A 0.3 0.0154 21
B 0.4 0.0205 49
c 0.6 0.0308 75
D 0.9 0.0462 86

TABLE 4. EFFECT OF ALCOHOLS ON EFFICIENCY OF GAS BLOCKING

Alcohol Alcohol Break-through Break-through Residual perme-
content pressure pressure gradient ability re&ction
vol. ?/0 bar barlcm %
Methyl 10 0.3 0.0154 64
20 1.0 0.0512 93
i-Propyl 10 0.4 0.0205 92
20 2.0 0.1025 99

497
8 1,LAKATOS, J. LAKATOS-SZAi3d, B. KOSZTIN, GY. PALkTHY SPE 39854

Continuous iniection of
foam forming mate-rial + nitrogen

f---n

Sequential injection of

e)
gel-forming materials

Fig. 1. Schematic of the Gel/Foam methods

Pressure gradieng MPs/m

1.5

0.5 ....}.........................?................................................................................

0 ,
0 1 2 3 4 5
Volumetric ffow rate, mih
Fig. 2 Mass transport in porous media saturated by polymer/silicate gel
~ Specific foam voiume, ml/mi Specific foam volume, ml&d
m
Protein concentration, gn
+0,5 +1 +1.5 +2
)

2ml 1...
,, ......

lIXI

OT 1 I o I I
o 50 100 150 200 0 ti 160 lb 260
Time, min Time, min
Fig. 3. Formability of HC-2 containing solution Fig. 4. Formability of HC-2 containing solution
without natural protein in the presence of natural protein

498
SPE 39654 RESTRICTION OF GAS CONING BY A NOVEL GEL/FOAM TECHNIQUE 9

fiscosity, mPa s Viscosity, IOE+3 mPas

600 8

6
400

200
2

1
0 0 1
L

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 -1 -0.5 0 0.5

log shear rate (1/s) log shear rate (1/s)
Fig. 5, Viscosity of foam without protein Fig. 6. Viscosity of foam in the presence of protein

Gel unit Foam unit

Polymer/Silicate Protein
Solution
&K Solution

4E

Evaporator & compressor Liquid nitrogen

*
Well
2
Computer control and data acquisition
Fig. 7. Schematic of the surface technology

499
 .

10 1.LAKATOS, J. LAK4TOS-SZAB6, B. KOSZTIN, GY. PAlJ&3THY SPE 398S4

16.60

Before treatment
_I
Ye. * /---.___________
-1
/- -... --
------
.. ..,....
16.40
-!
(
I open

16.10 j
.3zsizcl 1 LQKR%!J .====

,~.~o 4... ,. ... . ... ,--r ____ ,e, . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .,., L ,,,...,____ ._.=____ . .... .. . .. ..
-50 -40 -30 -20 -lo 0 10 20

c *>
~ - --- -

I 6.4* !
After treatment
1---
36.46

16.44 1

I
16.42

16,+0
i
163s (

16.345 :

1634

16.32

16,30 4 . .. . . . . ,.. .... . ...

, .... _ . ..=. J..... -.....--?---- . -._ ---

-so 40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20

* (h>

Fig. 8. Results of the hydrodynamic measurements before and after treatment

Oil and emulsion content. %

100

1
80

80

40

20

o
1 11 21 31

1996.12.i9. Samples 1997.06.08.

Fig. 9. Oil content of the produced liquid after treatment

500