Formation damage

Chemical Stimulation at a Heavy-Oil Field: Key Considerations, Work Flow, and Results

This paper presents the planning and execution of a matrix-stimulation pilot project in the heavy-oil Chichimene Field in Colombia.

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Fig. 1—Typical FO device.

Because of current oil and gas industry economics, evaluating the return on investment for any well-intervention campaign is crucial, as is applying an assurance process to help quantify desired production improvement. This paper presents the planning and execution of a matrix-stimulation pilot project in the heavy-oil Chichimene Field in Colombia. The approach is based primarily on a work flow that includes characterizing formation damage, reviewing laboratory tests, validating well selection, and determining economically viable placement and diversion techniques.

Damage Mechanisms

Heavy-oil reservoirs are prone to almost every formation-damage mechanism known. Damage mechanisms encountered include fines migration, paraffin and asphaltene deposition, various forms of scale, and clay swelling.

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