SPE-194690-MS

A Blueprint to Manage Large Scale Unconventional Multistage Fracturing

Operations: A Case Study of Raniganj CBM Field.

Anjani Kumar and Rishiraj Goswami, Essar Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Limited

Copyright 2019, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Oil and Gas India Conference and Exhibition held in Mumbai, India, 9-11 April 2019.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents
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Abstract
Unconventional oil and gas reservoirs are being explored significantly around the globe nowadays. The
economical production of hydrocarbons from these unconventional oil and gas reservoirs like CBM requires
very advanced and cost effective technologies. Hydraulic fracturing is such a technology which is being used
in the oil and gas industry for many decades to create highly conductive channels in the formations having
very low permeability values. Multistage hydraulic fracturing has been proved to be a great achievement
in oil and gas industry to enhance the production from unconventional reservoirs. An effective hydraulic
fracturing planning & execution is a key to achieve the expected results in terms of production from
unconventional reservoirs such as tight gas, shale gas, coal bed methane or other very low permeability
reservoirs.
Unconventional reservoirs such as Shale & CBM require large scale hydraulic fracturing operations,
where multiple frac fleets, wire-line units, coiled tubing units; work-over rigs & ancillary services are
mobilized. A scheduling software based project management approach was followed at CBM Raniganj for
planning & modeling of operations. This paper aims to study how the operational resource deployed in
Raniganj field for hydraulic fracturing was optimized in terms of time, cost & load for fracturing operations.
The approach of modeling & planning the hydraulic fracturing operations is based on project management
& scheduling software. Assumptions were finalized based on experience. The loopholes, possible schedule
slippages and other deterrents which could cause a lag in the hydro fracturing campaign aimed to pump
over 1,600 frac jobs in CBM Raniganj field, over a period of 30 rig months, were identified clearly. The
scope, time, budget & quality standards were clearly defined and a schedule was prepared with the help
of the scheduling software to run the fleets in a clockwork manner. Activities like perforation, Acidizing,
data fracturing, main fracturing, flowback, sand plug and finally sand cleanout were defined as series &
simultaneous operation.
Keywords: Coal Bed Methane, Hydraullic Fracturing, Project Management
2 SPE-194690-MS

Introduction
In India, the ‘demand vs. supply’ gap in energy sector has increased the focus on developing all possible
energy sources. Unconventional gas resources, including CBM & shale gas may offer the potential to
contribute significantly to meet clean energy demand for a few decades. Production from any CBM reservoir
has always presented a challenge in every area where it is performed. Starting from drilling, fracturing,
completion and well putting on production for dewatering, there are a lot of challenges involved. Like any
other activity to complete a CBM wells hydro fracturing operation plays a key role for any CBM field
development because it is very difficult to get optimized gas and water production rates due to inherent very
poor permeability. Hence hydro fracturing technique is essential for well activation. Hydro fracturing is a
process of creating artificial fractures in the reservoir rock by pumping high pressure sand laden fluid which
has less damaging effect to the formation and is cost effective.
Raniganj field hydraulic fracturing operations involved 4 fracturing fleets, 4 coiled tubing units, 2 wire-
line units, 2 work-over rigs & several support services for water supply, sand transportation etc to achieve
a target of pumping over 1,600 frac jobs in 194 CBM wells within 30 rig-months was scheduled. The
operational schedules were prepared using scheduling software to minimize the turnaround time, reduce
the number of inter-location movements as well as non-operational hours with (SIMOPS) Simultaneous
different operation (like drilling, fracturing and workover on different well on same pad) on same pad.
It resulted in successfully completing the frac campaign timely and within budget. The gas production
in May-2014 before the start of frac operations was ~0.2 mmscmd & by June-2017, it ramped up by
5 times: upto ~1 mmscmd due to operator’s organized approach in managing frac operations. Sand
procurement schedules were tied in with the resource mobilization plan keeping the logistical constraints
under consideration. A resource allocation in various well pads was made according to each fleet’s capacity
and was leveled to even out the loading. The project management approach entwined with best fracturing
practices enabled the operator to have clear sight of the magnitude and timeline of the operation which
influenced the contracts terms & timely mobilization/demobilization of the resource.

Hydraulic Fracturing: An Overview

Objectives of Hydraulic Fracturing
In general, hydraulic fracture treatments are used to increase the productivity index of a producing well.
The productivity index defines the volumes of oil or gas that can be produced at a given pressure differential
between the reservoir and the wellbore.
Productivity Index = PI = Flow rate/Draw down
There are many different objectives of HF depending upon certain situations. For instance, HF is used to:
1. Increase the flow rate of oil and/or gas from low permeability reservoirs
2. Increase the flow rate of oil and/or gas from wells that have been damaged.
3. Connect the natural fractures in a formation to the wellbore
4. Decrease the pressure drop around the wellbore
5. Increase the area of drainage or the amount of formation in contact with the wellbore
6. Connect the full vertical extent of the formation to the wellbore
7. To Increase the Conductivity in Lower permeable Formation.
8. To generate high conductive fluid path near Well bore as shown in figure 1.
SPE-194690-MS 3

Figure 1—Hydraullic Fracturing Process

Hydraulic Fracturing Process

Hydraulic fracturing jobs are carried out at well sites, using heavy equipment including truck-mounted
pumps, blenders, fluid tanks, and proppant tanks. A simplified equipment layout in hydraulic fracturing
treatments of oil and gas wells is illustrated figure 2. A hydraulic fracturing job is divided into two stages:
the pad stage and the slurry stage as shown in figure 3. In the pad stage, only fracturing fluid is injected
into the well to break down the formation and to create a fracture geometry. The pad geometry is created
because the fracturing fluid injection rate is higher than the flow rate at which the fluid can escape into the
formation. Pumping rate should be equal to rate at which fracture extensions can happen which can be find
out from step rate test during data frac. Percentage of pad volume should be around 30-35 percent of total
frac volume. After the pad grows to a desirable size, the slurry stage is started. During the slurry stage, the
fracturing fluid is mixed with proppant in a blender and the mixture is injected into the pad/fracture. After
filling the fracture with proppant, the fracturing job is over and the pump is shut down. Generally we have
design job for 4000 lbs/ft with 10 percent of resin coated sand in tail slurry.
4 SPE-194690-MS

Figure 2—Typical Site layout in HF Operation

Figure 3—Pressure vs Time plot of HF Operation in well X

Planning for large scale fracturing operations in CBM Raniganj

Raniganj field in West Bengal is the largest producing coalbed methane reservoir in India, belonging to
the Gondwana Super Group. Block RG (East)-CBM-2001/1 is located in the eastern-most part of Raniganj
coalfield. The block was awarded to Essar Oil Limited under the CBM Round I of the Government of India
in 1997. More than 1700 hydraulic fracturing jobs in nearly 300 wells, perforations using CTU or wireline
before hydrofracturing, 70 Acidizing, 200 wells sand cleanout with CTU using nitrified gel and Refracturing
in 9 wells have been carried out in last three years with four fracturing units, four coil tubing, two wireline
unit and one workover to achieve the target on time. Fracturing treatment plans for each well in this block
comprises of more than one hydraulic fracturing job since this coal-bed reservoir is made up of a number
of laminated sequences of coal seams separated at variable distances. Due to a very strong heterogeneity
SPE-194690-MS 5

between these seams, it is essential to understand the basic procedure and methods to achieve maximum
frac length and conductivity with economical design.
Raniganj Coal has different properties at different depths but has same type of coal properties in whole
area. On the basis of this, for fracturing, best practices can be defined for a single block.
The problems which are associated with the Raniganj CBM formation during fracturing are:-

Table 1—Hydrofracturing Challenges with Raniganj Coal Seams

Also after fracturing, during production, well seams shows different problem which need to be solved to
sustain steady production and dewatering, which are as follows:-

Table 2—Post fracturing Challenges and solutions with Raniganj Coal Seams

Planning and scheduling

So to achieve the target gas productions on time we have make a proper planning and scheduling of different
services and material required for achieving 30 frac jobs per month with each frac fleet. Supply of water is
very important for execution of frac job on time, Average 1000bbls of water per job required to complete
one frac job. For this we have hired one different service company who supply water for 24 hrs so that we
can complete average 3-4 jobs per day. Like water sand is also very important material required to get on
site timely, Average 25 MT 20/40 sand with 10 percent RCS required to complete one frac job. For sand
handling we have hired one service company there scope is to transfer sand from warehouse to site through
closed silos. Every month we have stock nearly 5000 MT sand in our warehouse for uninterrupted frac job
operation. We have purchase sand from reputed sand supplier in India after proper sampling, bonding and
testing with third party lab in presence of Essar company man to make sure of good quality sand received in
warehouse as per API standard. We have hired three different best services company for pressure pumping
equipment and chemicals required for fracturing and other related jobs for optimized well productivity.
6 SPE-194690-MS

Fracturing Campaign Schedule Assumptions

• It has been assumed that the perforations with the first HF fleet will be done by wire-line conveyed
perforation guns with switches. The wire-line unit & work-over rig will be required to support the
operation. The second HF fleet will operate with a coiled tubing unit.
• The efficiency of HF jobs with wire-line unit has been assumed to be ~20 Jobs per month and with
CT unit ~30 Jobs per month assuming twelve hour of operations.
• It has been assumed that the well will be prepared with wire-line perforations and set bridge plug
before ILM of HF unit to the well pad.
• For executing stimulation jobs on existing wells, nearby producing wells may need to be stopped
at some locations due to space constraint.
• Sand requirement has been considered to be ~25 MT per job assuming 4 meter of coal seam propped
at ~4,000 lb/ft and 10% of this value has been considered for RCS.
• Availability of a dedicated work-over / service rig has been assumed at all times during the
fracturing campaign.
• Availability of cementing unit for carrying out remedial cement jobs prior to HF.

• Well sand clean out would be done by Nitrogen pumping unit with Coiled tubing unit).

• Total approx. 37,500 MT 20/40 normal sand, 5000 MT Resin Coated Sand and 2000 MT 100 mesh
sand required for planned 1500 frac jobs in 31 months. Always we have to keep nearly 5000 MT
sand in stock.

Table 3—Requirement for fracturing operations

Risks and Challenges

• Local issues during operation / ILMs can increase the time frame and cost per well drastically since
more than one fleets might be under simultaneous ILMs.
SPE-194690-MS 7

• Space constraint on some well sites can pose a problem in spotting equipment. Production may
need to be stopped at some locations with removal of surface facilities.
• Work-over process includes the installation of work-over ancillaries - Retrievable packer & wire-
line conveyed bridge plug. Proper installation of completion equipment should be ensured.
• First time use of visco-elastic fracturing fluids: Aqua-star (Clear frac fluid) will be used for HF
through tubing jobs and potentially all the work depending on Baker’s pricing structure.
• No. of fracturing stages may increase due to requirement of flow-back after each job, which may
increase the time taken per well.
• Running of perforation guns with switches to perforate entire frac stage in one run will improve
the perforation time. However there is a risk that switches might fail if not properly assembled.
• Changing the size of the perforations & increase in the number of perforations to lower the fracture
pressure.
• In tubing frac, quantity of propped sand will be less, so in some seams more sand might be required
for maximum gas production.
• Production losses, due to de completion of wells (to carry out Frac jobs and Work over jobs), will
be a challenge.
• Procurement of required quantity of sand will require a number of reliable vendors to receive supply
of material continuously. Moreover, storage space for roughly 4,500 MT of sand will be required.
• Transportation of sand from the warehouse to site will be a challenge. Transportation equipment
like stationary and mobile silos, hydras, cutting pods, air compressors and manpower for 24 hr
operation will be required.
• Availability of required RO water requirement at peak operations will be a challenge.

• Discharge of HF water (app. 525 CUM per well) will have to be handled. Special services to empty
the pits in time will be required.
• Resources to cater to ILMs of 4 frac fleets during simultaneous operation will be a challenge as
average no. of wells per pads is ~2.
• Simultaneous different operations like perforation, fracturing and work over jobs on different wells
in same pad have a logistic challenge.

Hydro fracturing and related jobs

Hydro fracturing Operations
Hydro fracturing is a process of creating artificial fractures in the reservoir rock by pumping high pressure
sand laden fluid which has less damaging effect to the formation and is cost effective. There is a need for
an improved hydraulic fracturing process that provides an increased hydrocarbon production without the
short coming of the known processes. In the CBM Raniganj field, several modifications were incorporated
in the existing HF design to suit operational requirements. Following are the details of modifications in HF
(Hydraullic Fracturing) design and execution:
1. Increase fluid efficiency: Fluid leak-off during hydraulic fracturing can exceed 80% of the injected
volume if not controlled properly resulting chances of early screen-out, shorter fracture and poor
productivity. Our target is to decrease the leak-off or increase fluid efficiency with the help of
following changes in frac design.
2. Addition of 100 mesh sand as 0.25 or 0.5ppg in pad stage: In pad stage small amount (0.25 ppg or
0.5 ppg) of 100 mesh sand with viscous frac fluid plug the thief zone/natural fishers resulting better
fluid efficiency and optimum frac geometry created in pad stage.
3. Increased Pumping rate and ramping sand slowly: It was seen in some thicker zone (> 10m) got
early screen-out because of low pumping rate and sand bridging across perforation. We have increased
8 SPE-194690-MS

pumping rate to 50 bpm and ramping up sand slowly to get proper fracture extention rate which can
make geometry and carry sand up to tip of fracture.
The positive impact of modification in HF design has been illustrated through a case study:
Case 2: Stage 1 having thickness of 12m in X well on same pad was re-treated with 50 bpm pumping
rate with same linear frac fluid system. Job got completed as per design with good packing shown in flush
stage, net pressure increase by 1500 psi as per below figure.

Table 4—Treatment Schedule of HF operation in well X

The overall summary of the major milestones and innovations in HF operations performed in CBM
Raniganj field is as follows:

• Switched from 16/30 Frac sand to 20/40 Frac sand, which is smaller in size than previous sand,
due to which fine generation of sand has been decreased.
• Started using of 20/40 Resin coated sand which has reduced sand flow back percentage drastically.

• Carried out Tubing frac job which made possible to frac coal seams which have been left in previous
frac campaign.
• Switching from 20/40 sand to 100 mesh sand in sand jetting perforation has decreased time take
in coil operation (coil efficient).
• Refrac through tubing to increase well productivity from the seam got damage because of broken
gel residue or some unexploited seam.
• By changing job design (adding 0.5 sand stages) and high pumping rate (50bpm), by these changes
we have increased the fluid efficiency with less polymer loading to carry Proppant in formation.
Decreases the chances of early screen out.
• Started sand clean out of well with CTU just after completing fraccing a well and put the well in
flowback broken gel to surface as soon as possible which has drastically decreased time to put
well on production.
• Put two wells on production by carrying out fishing of wells which were idle due to fish in the well.

• Managed and worked with 4 Frac fleets and in 1 year carried out almost 900 Frac jobs.
SPE-194690-MS 9

• Increased avg. no of Frac jobs/day compare to previous years.

• By treating well with acid, scale problem in producing wells has been resolved and gas production
has increased.
• By ISAP (CTU) would able to treat individual seams with 15% concentrated HCL acid and scale
inhibitor.
• By power clean jobs, producing wells guar residue problem has been solved which contributed in
increase production.
• By Roto jet or spin cat tool, scale problem inside production casing has been solved due to which
production casing life and well production has increased.
• By Nitrogen pumping unit, would able to do well clean out of well which are sub hydrostatic or has
loss returns. In some wells nitrogen based foamer required to block depressurized zone temporary
to get return on surface.
• IFT and data frac jobs helped in project to get data on coal seam are situated at high depth (1600
—1800). It helped us to get reservoir propertied and to design frac job in better way.
• Used Pressure control equipment (PCE) to perforate in pressurize well just after getting closure,
not waiting for pressure come down to zero.
• Uses switches with wire line explosive gun to perforate multi coal seams in a single run.

• Design and execute sand aid treatment to sand control during production stage.

• Decrease the cost by 20% from last campaign by effective planning and execution.

• On a single pad simultaneous run frac fleet with drilling and work-over activity safely.

• In last three years completed more than 2000 frac jobs, 70 Acidizing using proper isolation with
ISAP or foam diverter or sand plug, two sand consolidation jobs on trial basis using sand aid
chemical, more than 300 well cleanout using CTU with high flow rate and different fluid system.

Acidization
Acidization is primarily used in CBM wells to bypass the near wellbore damage due to scale and improve
the near wellbore permeability. In the Raniganj-East coalfield operated by EOGEPL, four different types of
Acidization jobs have been performed to enhance the near wellbore permeability. The type of jobs performed
are as follows:
1. Bullheading : 15% (wt/wt) concentrated HCl is pumped and squeezed through the casing to the
formation at a rate of 2-3 BPM.
2. Spot and Squeeze: In this technique, acid is spotted across the perforation using Coil Tubing Unit
(CTU) and squeezed in to the formation through annulus.
3. Selective Treatment using ISAP: Here, the zone to be stimulated is isolated by using a straddle
packer and the acid is squeezed into the isolated zone using CTU at 2-3 BPM.
4. Selective treatment using foam diverter: In this method, foam is spotted and squeezed across
multiple perforated zones. The foam acts like a congealing agent which temporarily blocks the
formation (Half-life ~2 hrs). Then defoamer is spotted across selective zone to open up the formation
and negate the congealing effects. Thereafter acid is squeezed into the formation followed by water
as post flush.

A detailed description of Selective Acidization using ISAP (inflatable straddle acidizing packer) is
as follows:
Objective. In some scale forming tendency wells, Spot and Squeeze acidization job is not effective as one
seam which has lower reservoir pressure, will take all the fluid while the other coal seams (which required
10 SPE-194690-MS

high squeezing pressure) will not be treated with acid-SI. To solve this problem, individual seam treatment
is required which is why ISAP tool came in picture and it is cost-time effective.
The Thru-Tubing Inflatable Straddle Acidizing Packer (ISAP) is a resettable, coiled tubing conveyed
selective stimulation tool system. It’s designed to allow the operator a means of mechanically diverting
(acid, chemicals, scale inhibitors, water control agents, such as polymer treatments, etc.) into a short section
of formation.
ISAP setting procedure. The tool string consists of a coiled tubing connector, pressure compensating back
pressure valve, injection control valve (ICV), spotting valve, and straddle packer assembly. After testing the
lubricator, the assembly is run in the hole to setting depth. The ISAP is inflated the first time by circulating
a setting ball to the ICV. After the ball seats, pumping on the coil will inflate the packers and the fluid will
exit the tool between the packers. A bypass flow path allows fluids pumped to go above the top packer
(spotting) until tension is applied to close this flow path and place the tool in the injection position. After
the interval is treated, release tension on the tool to reopen this bypass, stop pumping and release tubing
pressure to deflate the packers. After elements deflate, tool may be moved for treatment of the next interval.
ISAP Simulation data.

Figure 4—Example of ISAP Simulation Data

Recommendations and lessons learnt.

• As ISAP setting procedure depends on differential pressure of the tool, so it is important to get
exact water level in well (hydrostatic pressure). W/L tool RIH is best method to get exact water
level in wells.
• Blank pipe test is compulsory before running in coiled tubing unit.

• Before running in ISAP, Spin Cat tool job and scrapper running in are very important.

• Always tag bottom with W/L for depth correlation for ISAP setting depth.

Sand Control Techniques

One of the most pertinent issues concerning the CBM industry is the issue of proppant flowback. Owing
to the shallow depth wells with less overburden pressure, the sand (proppant) injected into the formation
during HF operations flows back in the well when drawdown is created using artificial lift to dewater the
SPE-194690-MS 11

wells. This flowback have cause severe operational issues in the proper functioning of PC and ESP pumps.
This necessitates action towards controlling the sand flowback to the well. In the Raniganj–East coal field,
several measures have been undertaken in the direction of controlling proppant (sand) flowback.

Basic Fracturing Treatment

According to A.R.I specification:

• Pad Stage: Minimum 30% of total Clean Volume is pumped in a particular job

• Proppant Stage: We pump 90% Normal sand

• Resin coated sand: We pump 10% of total normal sand used in fracturing job

• Sand concentration for each job is approximately kept 4000 lbs/ft.

• 30 lbs linear gel is used in each fracturing job

Several methods have been used to prevent proppant flowback for several years in oil and gas wells.
However, flowback problems still exist. According to the survey and research findings, no techniques,
howsoever efficient it may be cannot totally eliminate the cause of sand production.

Causes of Sand Production

• Drawdown Pressure

• Drawdown Rate

• Drag Forces

• Proppant embedment

• Grain of Fracture well size distribution

• Relative inclination

Remedies

• Force closure

• Reduction of production rates

• Fracture design Optimization

Wells comparison WRT Depth

Shallow wells of less than 1000 m.
Wells without RCS

• We observed 7 non-RCS wells of less than 1000 m for 26 months

• Total sand column of 603m was observed from 7 wells.

• Hence, we conclude that the non RCS wells with less than 1000m depth is more likely to produce
to sand
Wells with RCS

• We observed 9 RCS wells of less than 1000 m for 13 months

12 SPE-194690-MS

• Total sand column of only 53 m was observed from 9 wells

• The reason for 0.54% flowback in EDC-409-D2 is that out of 9 jobs in this well, RCS was not used
in 2 jobs in the well due to early screen out
• Hence, we conclude that the RCS wells with less than 1000m depth does not produce sand

Wells from 1000 to 1200 meters (MD).

Non RCS wells

• We observed 3 wells between 1000-1200m for 10 months.

• Total sand column of 73 m was observed from 10 months

• Hence, we conclude that these wells without RCS are also producing more sand.

RCS wells

• We observed 12 wells between 1000-1200 m for 51 months

• Total sand column of 79 m was observed in 51 months.

• Hence, we conclude that RCS wells was observed for much greater time than non-RCS wells and
produced lesser sand than non RCS wells at same depth.
Wells beyond 1200 m.
Non RCS Wells

• We observed 5 wells at a depth of more than 1200 m for 16 months.

• Total sand column of 22 m was observed in 16 months

• Hence, depth of the wells play a vital role in sand production

RCS Wells

• We observed 8 wells at a depth of more than 1200 m for 20 months

• No sand was observed in the period of 20 months

• Hence, deeper wells with RCS application completely eliminates the chances of sand production.

Innovations in direction of sand control used in the Raniganj-East Coal Field.

• Addition of 10% RCS in tail slurry in deep wells (greater than 1000 m) with high closure pressure.

• Addition of 20% RCS in tail slurry in deep wells (less than 1000 m) with less closure pressure.

• Sand Aid : This is a technique used in wells where RCS is not used during HF job. The Sand Aid
technique works on the principle of Zeta Potential.

The following case study illustrates an example of a successful Sand Aid Job Performed in
Raniganj Coal Field.
Well Summary.
Drilling History
The Directional well Y located in the north - central part of Raniganj CBM block at an elevation of 75m
above MSL was drilled down to the depth of 955 m in MD from GL dated on 2nd Feb 2016. Drilling String
SPE-194690-MS 13

got stuck at 932m, 75m fish left in open hole. Finally Casing was lowered up to 847.07m, cement tag in
casing is 828.3m. Presently sand tag in casing is 806m. Final directional data at 913m depth is, Incl. 32.58,
Azi. 193.82, V.S. 339m. Formations encountered in this well are Top soil followed by Tertiary, Panchet and
Raniganj formation. Frac Seams in this well are Local, RN-3, RN-4L, RN-4U, RN-5 & RN-6. Resin Coated
sand was not used in this well (due to non-availability).
Workover History

Table 5—Workover history of well Y

Production History
The well was put on production on 20th May 2016. The well was unable to run continuously and gradual
fluid level drop was not observed, which remains stagnant @ 562 meters since Nov 2016. The well had
produced a peak gas production of 7000 scmd. There has been a decline in gas & water production was
observed due to the frequent choking of the pump intake & sand being accumulated in wellbore. Before
de-completion of the well, it was producing 3500 scmd of gas and 40m3/d of water with a 25m3/d@100
RPM pump, running at 295 RPM. Post Chemical treatment job 100% increment of 3500 scmd of gas is
expected out of this well.
Objective. To stop/minimize proppant flow back and coal fines migration from Well Y which is already
fractured and currently under production.
The subject location is a directional well stimulated in Local, RN-3, RN-4L, RN-4U, Local, RN-5 and
RN-6. The zone isolation will be carried out by Mechanical packer and sand plug job.
Job Details
Zone-1 Treatment
(Local+RN-3-786.1m to 788m & 773.4m to 774.6m)
14 SPE-194690-MS

Figure 5—Completion Diagram of Well Y

Procedure.

• De complete the well (pull out all sucker rods and tubing). Carry out scrapper running in till bottom
(before running in mechanical packer).
• RIH mechanical packer with 2-7/8" tubing to treat zone-1 (Local+RN-3). Set the mechanical
packer at 764m. Slack off string weight to check packer has been set or not.
• R/U 2" high pressure line with 2-7/8" tubing. Also rig up coil pump, acid tank, BMT.

• Mix Preflush, Acid and sand aid chemical according to following concentration:-
SPE-194690-MS 15

Table 6—Recipe of the treatment fluid used in well Y

Pumping Schedule as per follow:-

Table 7—Pumping Schedule followed in Well Y

• Pump all chemicals volume according above mentioned table with max rate which do not cross
limit of frac gradient of 0.68 psi/ft (BHP).
• If pressure is not leaking off then give minimum 4 hrs of soak time and after slowly flow back
the well.
• After completing pumping, unset the mechanical packer and pull out tubing up to surface.

Wellbore Cleanout
The sand fill accumulated in the sump should be cleaned out periodically to ensure smooth well operations.
CTU (coiled tubing units) are primarily used in wellbore cleanout jobs. CTU offers numerous advantages
over conventional W/O rigs which can be used for C/O in terms of economics as well as job efficiency.
16 SPE-194690-MS

The following four types of clean out jobs have been primarily employed in the Raniganj-East Coal
Field:
1. Sand Clean out with Coil Tubing Unit using 15cp linear gel. This technique is used where the issue
of establishing sand returns to the surface is non-existent.
2. In wells with sand losses in the range of 20-30% during circulation, nitrified gel is used to clean out
the wells.
3. Nitrogen (N2) cleanout is a technique which is also predominantly used in this field. This is a far
superior method of cleanout owing to the fact that the damage to the formation is minimal.
4. In wells with severe 100% lost circulation, defoamer is used to plug the payzones and the sand is
circulated out of the borehole using fresh water at a high pumping rate.

The following case study illustrates the usage of N2 and acid to clean out sand in a wells of the
Raniganj East Coal Field.
Objective. The vertical and directional wells have been fraced with 20/40 mesh sand. During initial
production phase, some sand came out from formation and settled down in wells, Due to which PCP get
chocked or we receive high torque at surface which can lead to pump failure. To avoid this failure, sand
need to be taken out from well for which we do sand clean out job in directional and vertical wells.
During workover operations, no returns observed on surface when water is pumped at high pumping rate
(~5 bpm – 6 bpm). Due to losses in the well, sand cleanout with water is not feasible as the reservoir pressure
is insufficient to support column of water. Nitrogen has to be introduced to lighten the fluid column and
perform sand cleanout operation using nitrogen-fluid combination.
Nitrogen clean out job can be executed using two combinations:- Nitrogen + Water & Foam diverter
+ Nitrogen + Water (in case of heavy losses in well).
Engineering Tools. OrionNETTM Data acquisition system utilized that acquires and stores sensor data
in a database.
Combined with CerberusTM software, OrionNETTM monitor real-time measured values compared to
predicted values and monitor real-time fatigue life calculations
SPE-194690-MS 17

Figure 6—Diagram of CTU stack

Full Bore nozzle BHA.

18 SPE-194690-MS

Figure 7—Full bore nozzle BHA used for the job

Cerberus Database.

Figure 8—Simulation data using cerebrus

Recommendations and lessons learnt.

• While running in hole, keep pumping water at 1 bpm or 2 bpm to kill the well.
SPE-194690-MS 19

• Ensure sufficient availability of water at all times for effective sand cleanout operation.

• Wiper trip at optimum speed works best for efficient sand cleanout with deviation above 32 degrees.

• Only Nitrified fluid should be pumped while conducting wiper trip to surface.

• Once coil tags sand, it is necessary to establish returns on surface before penetrating into the sand.

• In case of no returns observed on surface, increase the Nitrogen rate. If loss returns still persists,
pulled CT to re-establish returns.
• Pump at least 1.5 time annular volume once CT reaches target depth.

• Flush coil with water after pumping Nitrogen through it.

Scaling Treatment
During water production from wells, with time scale (due to high TDS in water and pressure difference)
is formed around the tubing and inside of production casing. Due to this scale, chances of tubing stuck
and pump stuck increase. To mitigate this stuck, removal of hard scale from inside of casing is important.
The predominant method of removing scale in the Raniganj East Coal Field is by using a five port rotating
nozzle (spin cat tool).

A detailed summary of a Scale treatment job using rotojet and spin cat tool has been described as
follows:
Procedure. During workover operations when PCP pump assembly is pulled out, heavy deposits of Cacl2
scales are found on PCP pump and 2-7/8’’ tubing’s also no returns observed on surface when water was
pumped at 5 bpm. Removal of scale deposits in casing by jetting action of Spin Cat tool followed by nitrified
bottoms up to circulate out the cuttings. Due to losses in the well, nitrogen had to be introduced to lighten
the fluid column and perform scale cleanout operation using 15cP gel.
Acid job is performed to remove calcium carbonate scale deposition across perforations. 15% HCL is
worldwide accepted solution for scaling problem in CBM wells. Acid solution generally used in CBM
reservoir is a mixture of 15% HCl. 15% HCl is used because of its easy availability, easy inhibition and less
hazardous. Scale Inhibitor will inhibit scale formation in coal formation.
Acid & SI Fluid Recipe:-.

Table 8—Acid and SI fluid Recipe

Recommendations and lessons learnt.

20 SPE-194690-MS

• Ensure sufficient amount of Nitrogen and gel volume before commencing sand cleanout operations.

• For effective removal of scale, RIH speed for coil should be 10m/hr normally but near coal
formation it should be 1-2 m/hr.
• Monitor returns continuously while conducting sand cleanout with Nitrified Gel.

• In case no returns on surface, station CT and increase nitrogen pump rate to maximum rate to re-
establish returns.
• Wiper trip at optimum speed works best for efficient scale cleanout with deviation above 32
degrees.
• Only Nitrified Gel should be pumped while conducting wiper trip to surface.

• Pumping rate of fluid and Nitrogen should be increased once CT reaches bottom of the well.

• Once coil tags sand, it is necessary to establish returns on surface before penetrating into the sand.
Pull test should be conducted at regular intervals to check weights.
• CT should be flushed with water post conducting nitrified gel cleanout job.

• It is recommended to pump water at minimum 2 bpm when running and pulling out CT to kill the
well and avoid gas pockets on surface.

Dosing Activity
In wells with Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) concentration more than 5000 ppm, periodic dosing is needed
to prevent the precipitation of scale in the wellbore or near matrix. This necessitates chemical dosing to
be carried out in CBM wells. The standard practice is to dose phophonate based SI periodically through
CTU or macaroni pipe and inhibit chances of scale formation. For SI dosing to be effect the MIC (minimum
inhibitory concentration) of the Scale inhibitor in the produces water should be more than 20 ppm. Another
important parameter through which a quantitative estimate of the scaling tendency can be estimated is
through the LSI (Langmuir Saturation Index) value. For the scale inhibition process to be effective, a
negative LSI value must be maintained.
The detailed summary of the scale squeeze treatment design implemented in Raniganj East coalfield is
described below:

Scale squeeze treatment-

Scale squeeze treatment comprises of 3 stages-
a. Preflush 15% HCl :-
To clear the already deposited scale in the well/near well bore area, before the main Treatment.
b. Main treatment:-
Injects the main scale inhibitor pill into the formation at a specific concentration (typically 5 to
20%); quantity of product is dependent on water production and minimum inhibitor concentration
required
c. Overflush:-
Deploys scale inhibitor into an appropriate location inside the formation, that is lets the chemical
reach a desired squeeze radius.
d. Shut-in:-
Allow the scale inhibitor to adequately adsorb in the formation. Duration is typically 12-24 hours.

Treatment Design-
1. Pre-flush-15% acid stage-24 bbl
2. Main Treatment-
SPE-194690-MS 21

Design basis-Considering a net pay thickness of 20 m in a well and producing an average of 370
BWPD.
Target squeeze basis-370 bbl. of water
Return concentration – 20 ppm (desired SI concentration in flowback)
Target life - 365 days
Total scale inhibitor squeeze- = 365*20*370*3/1000000 =8.1 bbl, i.e. 0.4 bbl per meter of coal.
Total water required-45.9 bbls
Total scale inhibitor at 15% concentration-8.1+45.9= 54 bbl.
3. Over flush – Treated produced water
Considering 3 ft penetration into the formation and 35% proppant pack porosity:-
= (3.14*20*3.28*.35*3.3*3.3*7.48)/42
= 140 bbls of water.
Solid Scale Inhibitor. Solid scale inhibitors are controlled-release additives that slowly desorb from the
proppant pack to provide immediate and long-term protection against scale deposition. Solid scale inhibitors
material comprises a dry, solid particle onto which a specialty chemical has been adsorbed. The product is
nominally within the mesh size of 20/40 proppant. It is placed in the formation via a fracture, Frac-pack,
gravel-pack, or pre-packed screen system.
The amount of material added to the proppant is based on crush and conductivity tests done in preparation
for the job, and the expected life of the treatment. When the well begins to produce, the scale inhibitor
slowly desorbs into the water phase of the production, inhibiting scale deposition in the near-wellbore area
and tubing. Because the product is dry and inert, it can be easily cleaned up and will not contribute to
chemical runoff if spilled. This is environmentally preferable to conventional liquid additives or batch- and
continuous-injection liquid chemical systems.

Benefits-

• Provides excellent long term inhibition against scale deposition.

• Reduces downtime caused by scale buildup in the near wellbore.

• Improves protection because substrate is inert and remains an integral part of proppant

• pack.

• When compared to liquids squeeze the solid inhibitor adsorbs better and has a lower release rate.

Power Clean Jobs

Power clean jobs are used to bypass the near wellbore guar damage which is prevent in wells which were
shut with cleaning the sand after HF job.
The organic surface of coal has the potential of being damaged from adsorption of ingredients of the
fracturing fluid (or drilling fluid) in a manner unlike that of the inorganic surfaces of conventional reservoirs.
Adsorption and physical entrapment of polymer molecules in the coal obstructs butt and face cleats, tertiary
fissures, and micropore openings to restrict methane desorption, diffusion, and Darcy flow.
22 SPE-194690-MS

Table 9—Fomulation of power clean job fluid

Job Execution Plan

• Pull out the existing completion out of the well with the help of work-over rig.

• Rig up Coil Tubing Unit with its standard rig up procedures as being done presently.

• Pressure-test the coil on surface.

• RIH coil to tag the bottom.

• Circulate filtered produced water or RO water to clean the wellbore.

• Mix EZ clean Enzyme system recipe as proposed in Acid Tank.

• Set the coil across centre the bottom-most seam.

• Pump the system (twice of fracture pore volume) at matrix rate below recorded frac pressure from
job history available
• Pull up the coil tubing to next zone and repeat the above two steps.

• POOH the coil tubing once system is spot across all the zones. Rig down CTU.

• Give overnight soak

• Move the equipment to the next well.

• Re-install the completions with work-over rig.

Benefits of Power Clean Jobs

• Ease of addition

• Easily prepared with existing chemical inventory available at Durgapur base

• Enhances dewatering rate

• Increases gas production rate, lead to faster ROI for Essar

Refracturing Activities
Re-fracturing is a secondary fracture treatment in the same approximate reservoir volume as the initial
fracture treatment, typically after an extended period of production. In CBM Raniganj field it was found that
original fracturing treatment was inadequate or an existing proppant pack deteriorates over time in some
producing wells and resulting production was found declining drastically from their peak production after
3 to 10 years of initial completion.
SPE-194690-MS 23

Case Study of a Re-Fractured well in CBM Raniganj Field

Demonstrate via a case history the productivity enhancement and recovery improvement after re-fracturing
on well WA-D1. Resulting increase in gas production rate from WA-D1 where we have executed re-
fracturing and also shown productivity enhancement from adjacent wells (WA-D2) on same pad. The
directional well WA-D1 is located in the Raniganj East CBM block. It was drilled down to the depth of
986m in MD from GL. Six regional coal seams were encountered in the said well with cumulative coal
thickness of 23m in TVD.

Figure 9—WA-D1 Well production history before re-fracturing.

This well was taken up for fracturing in Nov-2011, total five jobs were planned with cutoff density of
2gm/cc. all five seams was perforated with an objective of lesser pressure drop due to perforation friction
and tortuosity followed by fracturing with nearly 4000 lbs/ft with nearly 30bpm pumping rate. The said well
was put on production after 8 months of fracturing. We have selected this well for re-fracturing because
of formation damage due to broken polymer used in fracturing due to delayed completion and some jobs
have less frac half-length due to early screen-out. The said well WA-D1 had produced peak gas production
of 9600 SCMD and after four years its production declined to 1227 SCMD shown in figure 2, suspecting
formation damage near perforation and shorter frac half-length in some previous frac jobs. This well pad
has two more wells with an average gas production rate of 6000 SCMD. After re-fracturing all stages in
WA-D1 well gas & water production increases three times of initial production as shown in Figure 10.
24 SPE-194690-MS

Figure 10—WA-D1 well production history post re-fracturing.

Conclusion
The success of the multistage fracturing operations in the Raniganj East coal field can be well seen by the
incremental gas production from 0.1 MMSCMD in 2012 to a peak production of 1 MMSCMD in 2017 as
shown in Figure 11. The success of the entire operation is the result of meticulous planning and execution.
The dual objective of technical and economic optimization of the project was achieved through carefully
planned activities and their through execution in the field. The success of this project in CBM Raniganj block
can serve as a base for major E&P players and show the way forward for planning large scale operations
with proper economic feasibility.

Figure 11—Production increment in the Raniganj East Field after Fracturing Operations
SPE-194690-MS 25

Acknowledgement
The authors would like to thank Mr. Vilas Tawde, MD & CEO, and Mr. C.D Narayanswamy, COO, Essar Oil
& Gas Exploration & Production Limited (EOGEPL), Durgapur for their constant support and motivation
in the preparation of this manuscript. We would also like to extend our thanks to Mr. Santu Roy, Well
Stimulation Engineer, EOGEPL for his help in proper collection and validation of field data. We are
grateful to our organization, Essar Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Limited, Durgapur for giving us
the opportunity and allowing us to utilize the field data for the preparation of this manuscript. Last but not
the least, we extend our gratitude to the entire team of CBM Raniganj for their support and help.