A s o c ia c ió n C o lo m b ia n a d e In g e n ie ro s d e P e tr ó le o s

ACIPET

Gas Shutoff in a Depleted Carbonate Formation in South Mexico: A Rigless Field Case
History
Carlos Caballero, Luis Solis, Eduardo Soriano, Halliburton; Miguel Angel Lozada, Modesto Mercado, Juan Carlos Acuňa,
PEMEX

Copyrights 2007, ACIPET

Introduction
This Technical article was chosen by the technical commitee of the congress in order to be
presented in the “XII Colombian Congress of Petroleum And Gas” organized by ACIPET. It The Jujo-Tecominoacan field is formed by a geologic
takes place in Bogotá D.C. Colombia, from the 23rd to 26th of October 2007, based upon the
information held in an abstract sent by the author(s).
structure with an asymmetric anticlinal form and direction
NW-SE, affected by normal and inverse faulting with presence
Abstract of saline intrusions in the north and the south of the structure.
Increased gas production coming from a gas-injection The rocks are from different stratigraphic levels from the
enhanced recovery technique has become a major problem in a geologic column formed in an environment of deposit of sea
mature oil carbonate field located in South Mexico. Oil opened with the exception of the Upper Jurassic
production has decreased significantly because of the high Kimmeridgiano, which is of continental platform. The gross
gas:oil ratios (GORs) produced in some wells, leading the thicknesses of the rocks that lodge the deposit vary from 418
operator to consider gas shutoff treatments as a viable to 1595 m, whereas the net thickness varies of 332 to 1341
alternative to improve oil production and extend the life of the m.(Fig.1).
wells. In addition, gas conformance control becomes a J- J- J- J- J- J-
challenge, especially in fractured reservoirs. N
This paper presents the first historical field case of a gas
shutoff treatment performed in Mexico using an organically
crosslinked polymer system bullheaded in combination with a
“tail” of cement slurry. This organically crosslinked polymer *
JST1
jun
2315- 450
1.8 -
Feb/03
KI
abr * 4818- 121 JST1
(OCP) is a low-viscosity solution capable of propagating KI
JST1
84 0.1 -
Feb/03
96
*
abr
84
Np 5.695
Gp 9.120 JSK5
feb
6567- 180
0.5 -
JST2
KI
JST1
Wp 0.0 Feb/03
83
through the rock matrix and also throughout the net of natural KI
abr
96
*
15

JST2
0 - 220
- (26,000)
Sep/01
P.T. 5395
JSK5
/JSK6
JSK7
Np 51.908
Gp 60.937
Wp 0.0
JST3
JST4
JST2
JST3
JST3
JSK6 P T 5525 JSK5 767- 200

fissures in the formation. It reacts to the high temperature of JST1

JST2
JST4
Np 19.859
P T 5750 JSK6
* jun
0.0 -
Feb/03
*Np 38.058
Gp 42.838
sep
97 **
Feb/97: Tomó PLT Sep/94: Tomó PLT JSK7 83 JSK5 ** Np 0.437

the well, forming a three-dimensional gel structure. The “tail” JST3

JST4
mzo
84
Gp 23.383
Wp 0.400
feb/96
fw = 62 %
aportación de
5081-5105 m.
produce de 5280 y 4657
m. P T 5930
Wp 0.0
Oct/01
ene
JSK6 96
*
ene
Gp 0.469 fw = 30 %
Wp 0.033 (230,000)
mzo/97
fw = 100 %
(250,000)

of cement slurry was used to provide a positive pressure JSK5

JSK6
P.T. 6015 m
ANHIDRITA
JSK7
85

P T 6200
(210,000)
ene/96

response at the surface to avoid overdisplacement of the C A/A ORIGINAL 6426 Intervalo Aislado

* Np 0.201 Qo (BPD) - RGA * Np 12.996

treatment. The depleted condition of the reservoir was taken SIMBOLOGIA

Np ( MMBLS )
Gp 0.131
Wp 0.009
Dic/01
*
Np 48.1 * Np 20.050
% AGUA - SAL
Gp 14.791
Wp 0.056
sep/95
Gp ( MMMPC ) Gp 56.2 Gp 21.842 Intervalo Productor
into account because it was decided to foam the crosslinked Wp ( MMBLS )
Dic/95: operó
BEC s/exito.
Sep/01: retiró
Wp 0.0
Dic/03
Wp 0.0
jun/96 Intervalo Obturado
compresor
polymer system to avoid overdisplacement of the treatment, Fig. 1—Structural map of Well J22A.
which would leave the near-wellbore region untreated. This
particular well had a bottomhole temperature (BHT) of 300º F. The extension of the producing area is 73.2 km2, including
The polymer system has been proven to be thermally stable up the Lower Cretaceous formation and the Upper Jurassic
to 350º F. Kimmeridgiano. These are naturally fractured deposits,
The GOR was significantly reduced, improving the oil formed by limestones and dolomites, whose permeability
production of the well (GOR was decreased from 1250 to 230 varies from 10 to 120 md, with gross thicknesses average
m3/m3). This polymer system has been widely used with a between 1000 and 1200 m. The reservoir is located at depths
high rate of success in this geographic area, specifically for of 4600 to 6400 m. The reservoir holds a volatile oil deposit of
water-control operations. The success of this technique is 38° API, with an initial pressure of 707 kg/cm2 and a bubble
encouraging and will allow the operator to consider other pressure of 262 kg/cm2. Currently the reservoir is under
candidates with similar problems for improved gas depleted conditions with an actual reservoir pressure of 220
management in this field and other fields subject to gas kg/cm2 and an average bottomhole temperature is of 307°F.
flooding.
2 C.Caballero, L.Solis, E.Soriano, M.A. Lozada, M. Mercado, J.C Acuňa
Most of the wells in the field are producing by using a gas-
lift system. At the moment 70 MMscf/D of natural gas is
injected as a method of reservoir pressure maintenance; it is
expected that for October 2007, 90 MMscf/D of nitrogen will
be added to the natural gas currently injected.1
Gas Shutoff Challenge
Several techniques and systems have been applied worldwide
to shut off gas-producing zones. Some of these techniques are
mechanical means that involve casing patches, bridge plugs,
straddle packers, scab liners, cement retainers, etc. Chemical
systems2 used for gas shutoff purposes include sodium
silicate-activated solutions,3 foams,4 and polymers.5,6 Each
system has advantages and disadvantages; however, some key
factors were prevalent when the decision was made in this
case to select the system to perform a gas shutoff treatment:
• A thermally stable system with suitable gelation
times at temperatures above 300°F.
• A system that could be bullheaded, avoiding use of a
workover rig or coiled tubing unit for placement of
the treatment.
The system selected for this purpose was an organically
crosslinked polymer previously used in southern and offshore
Mexico for water-shutoff treatments in carbonate formations
with BHST above 300°F7,8 and for sealing unwanted gas
production in the North Sea.9
Description of the OCP System
Development10-12
The OCP system was developed to improve the properties of
the crosslinked systems available. The following features were
identified as the minimum requirements for the system:
• Low-viscosity fluid system—A thin fluid system that
can be easily injected deep into the matrix of the
formation.
• Adequate pumping times—A fluid system capable of
controlling crosslinking time (phase change from
liquid to gel state) to obtain adequate placement time
for a wide temperature range.
• Effective water permeability reduction—A system
that provides sufficient strength for resisting
drawdown pressure inside the wellbore and stopping
water flow.
• Thermal stability—A system capable of keeping its
three-dimensional gel structure for extended periods
of time to provide an effective water shutoff at
elevated temperatures.
The viscosity of the OCP system is approximately 25 cP at
room temperature. Gelation time of the system is controlled by
the concentration of the polyethyeneimine (PEI) crosslinker.
As will be shown in the following discussion, at temperatures
higher than 260°F, a recently developed retarder is used to
obtain longer gelation times. Sufficient strength and thermal
stability are obtainable at least up to 350°F, based on
laboratory studies. In addition, the OCP system is nonsensitive
to formation fluids, lithology, and/or heavy metals. Another
advantage of the OCP system is the predictable viscosity
profile that can be used to improve diversion over long
treatment intervals. The OCP system meets all the
requirements identified during the development stage.
Main Components
The primary components of the OCP system are:
• Base polymer—Copolymer of acrylamide and t-butyl
acrylate (PAtBA), a high-activity liquid with
enhanced thermal stability.
• Crosslinker—Polyethyleneimine, a high-activity
liquid that forms strong covalent bonds with the base
polymer.
• Mixing brine—KCl brine, NaCl brine, or seawater.
Typically 7% KCl water is used.
• Retarder—A water-soluble carbonate retarder only
used for applications in which the bottomhole
injecting temperature exceeds 250°F.
The OCP components are easily diluted in the mixing
brine. The crosslinking rate is dependent upon temperature,
salinity, pH, and base polymer and crosslinker concentrations.
Laboratory Testing
During the development of the OCP system, comparisons
were made to a chrome crosslinked polyacrylamide system
(the chrome source was chromium propionate). In this study, a
stainless steel tube with multiple pressure taps filled with
silica or silica/carbonate was used. The pack was taken to
residual oil saturation, one pore volume of the gellant was
injected into the tube, and it was then shut in for
approximately 16 hours (far in excess of the gelation time of
the formulations used). The testing temperature was 212°F.
After curing, brine was injected to determine the level of
permeability reduction inflicted by the treatment (reported as
residual resistance factor, or RRF; this is simply the initial
permeability to brine before treatment divided by the final
permeability to brine after treatment).The OCP penetrated and
provided a gel for the entire length of the tube, while the
chrome crosslinked system obviously did not penetrate the full
length of the tube. Other tests carried out in this study showed
similar results.
Two of the most demanding scenarios for a gel system are
stopping gas production and stopping water production
through a fracture. Both of these scenarios were tested with
the OCP system, with outstanding results.
For gas shutoff tests, a stainless steel tube was tightly
packed with 100-mesh sand. The pack was saturated under
vacuum with degassed API brine. The permeability to brine
was 7.4 md. The pack was then heated to 270°F overnight.
Crude oil was injected to bring the pack to residual water
saturation. Subsequently, the oil was displaced by nitrogen to
bring the pack to residual water and oil saturation. The
ACIPET Gas Shut off in a Depleted Carbonate Formation in South Mexico: A Rigless Field Case History 3

displacement of oil and water by nitrogen simulated a porous the presence of high-permeability streaks. These caused a
medium that produces gas at residual water and oil saturations. premature communication between injector and producer (Fig.
The pack was then treated with about 1.5 pore volumes of 2). This increase of GOR that reached values near 1500 m3/m3
OCP. The treatment was injected from the opposite direction had negatively influenced the oil production of the well
of the water, oil, and nitrogen injection. After treatment, the because (1) it was choked in an attempt to reduce the
pack was shut in overnight to cure the gel completely. The test excessive gas production, and (2) pressure in the discharge
showed that the gel was able to hold 450 psi for one month lines of the wells converged at the same production header,
with no gas flow. After one month, the test was stopped. After causing the overpressure of the system of neighboring wells.
about 18 days, the pressure drop was increased from an
average of 450 psi to about 550 psi. The pressure drop
decreased slightly, but no gas flow was observed. No residual
permeability determination was performed because the pack
was completely shut off to gas.
Fracture testing was carried out using a chalk core with
almost immeasurable permeability. An 8.4-cm long core with
a diameter of 2.3 cm was sawed in half lengthwise. A 0.005-
cm spacer was placed between the two halves and the core
was glued together with epoxy. The core was then flowed with
seawater at 265°F, and the permeability was found to be 302
md. The temperature was lowered to 200° F, and the core was
treated with OCP. The temperature was then raised back to
265°F, and the core was shut in overnight. The following day,
seawater flow was resumed and breakthrough occurred at 196
psi. However, flow was continued, and the permeability
reduction was 99.9%.
Fig. 2—Plane of location of the producer and injector well.
12
Retarder for the OCP System
Although the OCP system has been successfully applied in The point of gas contribution was previously located by means
field operations, some features needed improvement for high- of production logging (PLT) where the gas entrance is
temperature applications. As mentioned before, the upper observed clearly in curves (spinner and temperature). The
temperature limit of the OCP system was ~260°F because cooling effect is evident and noticeable on the BHFT by the
placement times were short above this temperature. A recently entrance of gas to the wellbore at depth of 4500 m (Fig. 3).
developed water-soluble carbonate retarder allows adequate
gelation times up to 350°F without the need of cooling down
the formation to obtain an acceptable gelation time.
In addition, the thermal stability of the system was
evaluated at 350°F in a sandpack flow experiment. The
objective of this extended flow test was to evaluate the
effectiveness of the OCP system in reducing permeability of
water as a function of time. In this test a stainless steel tube
was packed with a mixture of sand, silica flour, and bentonite,
giving permeability to API brine of 1069 md at residual oil
conditions. The pack was then treated with 10 pore volumes of
the OCP system plus the retarder and shut in overnight. The
following day, the pressure on the pack was raised to 100 psi,
and no brine flow was observed. This procedure was repeated
every 2 days for the following 30 days, and no brine flow was
ever observed. Thus it appears that the retarder was able to
extend the working temperature range without detrimental
effect on the gel strength and capability of the gel to stop fluid
flow.

Historic Field Case

The GOR in the J22A well had increased considerably
Fig. 3—Results from the production log.
because of the increase of gas production caused by the
program of pressure maintenance that consists of the injection
On the basis of the previous diagnosis, the operator
of natural gas, the proximity of one of the well’s injectors, and
4 C.Caballero, L.Solis, E.Soriano, M.A. Lozada, M. Mercado, J.C Acuňa

decided to make a gas shutoff of the perforated interval

(4950–4980 m) by means of injecting an OCP followed by a
cement tail for sealing off perforations and leaving the end of
this cement tail formulated as acid-soluble for its later removal
with coiled tubing. To avoid contact with the lower perforated
intervals at 5215–5230 m and 5280–5350 m, these were
temporally isolated by means of a salt plug to direct all the
treatment toward interval 4950–4980 m. Because the reservoir
was already depleted and any liquid treatment would generate
a high hydrostatic pressure that could cause an
overdisplacement of the treatment, leaving no proper seal of
the zone near the perforations, the operator decided to foam
the main treatment as well as the displacement. Laboratory
tests were performed to aid in selection of the foamer (Fig. 4). Fig. 5— Production history, before and after treatment .

Results
The results obtained after the treatment fulfilled the planned
objectives:
• Isolate the interval 4950–4980 m, which contributed
the greatest amount of gas production as a result of
the communication with the gas injector well.
• Diminish the GOR (Fig. 5). The GOR was
diminished drastically from the initial values before
the treatment of 1250 m3/m3 (although in some points
reached readings up to 2000 m3/m3) falling to values
of near 230 m3/m3.

Fig. 4—Foaming tests of the OCP.

Treatment Placement
The treatment was displaced as follows:
1. Well loaded with 40 m3 of water, continued pumping
30 m3 of foamed water at 3.5 bbl/min and 35 m3/min
of nitrogen rate.
2. 50 m3 of foamed OCP, pumped at 3.5 bbl/min and 35
m3/min of N2 for a foam quality of 75, P=3,500 psi.
3. 1.5 m3 of Class “H” cement 1.95 gr/cc for sealing
perforations.
4. Pump 2 m3 of acid soluble cement with Q=3.5
bbl/min, P=350 psi.
5. 5 m3 of linear gel to flush remaining on the tubing
and casing.
6. 23 m3 of foamed water, pumped at 3.5 bbl/min and
35 m3/min, P=1,430 psi.
7. WOC for 24 hours (Fig. 7).
8. With CT, remove cement remaining inside casing,
flush and clean salt plug, and continue lifting the well
by jetting with N2.
Fig. 6— Wellhead history, before and after treatment.
Another benefit obtained was the reduction of the wellhead
pressure, which was reduced from 70 kg/cm2 to values below
the 20 kg/cm2 and single 2 kg/cm2 in the downstream line
(Fig. 6). Additionally the overpressure at producction head
was reduced, with the benefit of relieving backpressure in the
rest of wells. The oil production of the well increased slightly
(Fig. 5) because of the isolation and gas shutoff of the upper
interval, which caused a choking effect toward the lower
interval.
One of the main objectives was to conduct this bullheading
operation without a workover rig and without the use of a
cement retainer to place the treatment.
ACIPET Gas Shut off in a Depleted Carbonate Formation in South Mexico: A Rigless Field Case History 5

3. Herring, G.D., Milloway, J.T., and Wilson, W.N.:

“Selective Gas Shutoff Using Sodium Silicates in the
Prudhoe Bay Field,” paper SPE 12473 presented at the
1984 Formation Control Damage Symposium, Bakersfield,
California, February 13-14.
4. Stanislav, A.Z., Amiyan, A.V., Surguchev, L.M., Castanier,
L., Hansen, and J.E.: “Application of Foam for Gas and
Water Shutoff: Review of Field Experience,” paper SPE
36914 presented at the 1996 SPE European Petroleum
Conference , Milan , Italy, October 22-24.
5. Sengupta, T.K., Singh, R and Singh, K.: “Succesful Gas
Shutoff Using Latest Gel Technology In an Indian Offshore
Carbonate Field—A Case Study,” paper SPE 72118
presented at the 2001 Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference,
Cancun, Mexico, October 8 - 9.
6. Llamedo, M.A., Mejias, M., Gonzalez, R., Espinoza, J.,
Valero, E., Calis, N., Maestre, M.: “Successful Gas Shutoff
Fig. 7— Treatment graph. With Gel: Evaluation and Implementation, Northeast
Venezuela,” paper SPE 96696 presented at the 2005
Offshore Europe Conference, Aberdeen, Scotland , U.K.
Conclusions Sept 6-9.
• Laboratory tests demonstrated that OCP thermal 7. Ortiz Polo, R., Rodriguez, R., Toledo, N., Dalrymple, D.,
stability can be extended up to 350°F. Eoff, L., Everett, D.: “Field Applications of Lower
• OCP can be bullheaded to save time. Molecular-Weight Polymer Activated with Organic
Crosslinker for Water Conformance in South Mexico,”
• OCP showed good results for gas shutoff purposes paper SPE 90449 presented at the 2004 SPE Annual
under BHST above 300°F. Technical Conference and Exhibition, Houston, Texas,
Sept 26-29.
Nomenclature 8. Vasquez, J., Jurado, I., Santillan, A., Hernandez, R.:
OCP = Organic crosslinked polymer “Organically Crosslinked Polymer System for Water
PLT = Production log Reduction Treatments in Mexico,” paper SPE 104134
GOR = Gas-oil ratio presented at the 2006 SPE First International Oil
md = millidarcies Conference and Exhibition in Mexico, Cancun, Mexico,
BHST = Bottomhole static temperature August 31- Sept 2.
9. Bach, T., Wennberg, K.E., Mebratu, A., Hendriks, W.,
BHSP = Bottomhole static pressure Warren Jr., J., Rolfsvaag, T.: “Polymer Sealant for
BHFP = Bottomhole flowing pressure Unwanted Gas in Openhole Gravel Pack Completion,”
paper SPE 68975 presented at the 2001 Europec
Acknowledgements Conference, the Hague, The Netherlands, May 21-22.
The authors would like to thank Petroleos Mexicanos and 10. Hardy, M., Botermans, W., and Smith, P.: “New
Halliburton management for their support and permission to Organically Crosslinked Polymer System Provides
publish this paper. Competent Propagation at High Temperature in
Conformance Treatments,” paper SPE 39690 presented at
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