SPE/IADC 130324130324-PP

Understanding Multiphase Flow

Modeling for N2 Concentric Nitrogen
Injection Through Downhole Pressure
Sensor Data Measurements While
Drilling MPD Wells
Juan C. Beltran, SPE, Corrado Lupo, SPE, Leiro Medina, SPE,
Hermogenes Duno, SPE, Fernando Gallo, SPE, Jose Tang, SPE,
Jimmy Rojas, SPE, Schlumberger-Optimal Pressure Drilling; Efran
Rodrguez, Schlumberger-IPM; Hernn Melgares, SchlumbergerD&M; Jorge Bedoya, SPE, Gustavo Puerto, SPE, Blade Energy
Partners

SPE/IADC Managed Pressure Drilling and Underbalanced

Operations Conference and Exhibition
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2010

Outline
Reservoir Information
Concentric Annular Injection
Design Considerations & Methodology
Execution
Conclusions

Reservoir Information
Fractured carbonates and dolomites from
Lower Cretaceous
Common reservoir depths are in the 55505600 meters TVD range
Current Formation pressure = 0.37 g/cc,
3.06 ppg
Original Formation pressure = 0.73 g/cc,
6.12 ppg

Concentric Annular Injection

Rotating Flow
Head - RFH

Return Line (Inverse Emulsion+ N2 + Cuttings)

Nitrogen Injection N2
N2

N2
9"5/8 casing
7 5/8" casing (Tie Back)

N2

N2

Injection Ports ~ 30 m Above 7 " Liner Hanger

Legend
Inverse
Emulsion

N2

7" liner
4 3/4" BHA & 5 7/8" Bit

Inverse Emulsion+ Cuttings

Inverse Emulsion + N2 + Cuttings

Inverse Emulsion

Methodology

Feasibility to reach target pressure.

Optimize injection rate and pressure.
Establish operation parameters.
Ensure adequate hole cleaning and motor or
RSS performance.
Identify fluids flow rates required to achieve
the target pressure.
Define the operating envelope for the
Application.
Monitor drilling to determine changes to
operation parameters.

Planned Vs. Real Data

Comparsion
7 5/8" Tie-Back Injection Point

7" Liner Setting Point

Total Depth

Mud Weight

Well Head Pressure

Planned

Real

5400 m MD
5227 m TVD
42
5755 m MD
5468 m TVD
49
6331 m MD
5683 m TVD
77

5386m MD
5222m TVD
47
5830m MD
5513m TVD
47
6174m MD
5666m TVD
76

0.92 SG

0.92 SG

60 psi

> 120 psi

Operational Window Proposed

ECD Measured by
Bottomhole Sensor VPWD

Premises Considered for

Planned Simulator Runs
The fluid system was characterized as
inverse emulsion, specifying the density of
the oil to standard conditions and modified
density.
The model used was OLGAS 1992.
The temperature profile was calculated with
the initial circulation parameters.

Adjustments Made at
Rigsite in the simulation
The modified density of mud was varied and
adjusted manually in the simulator in order
to meet the real density of the mud at
entrance of the system and calibrating the
same value of mud density at the returns.
The real temperature profile provided by
VPWD tool was used to re-input this data to
the simulator.

Adjustments Made at
Rigsite in the simulation
In the BHA section, the real pressure losses
for the downhole tools at different flow
volumes were specified.
The outflow points were
circulation losses points
appeared.

specific as
once they

ECD VPWD vs. Wellflo

Simulated ECD

Conclusions
MWD/LWD/VPWD information was received
all the time at surface allowing keeping
directional control and adjusted the
multiphase simulator runs and calibrations.
Detailed design, modeling and simulations
are keys for success in the application of
concentric casing injection techniques.

Conclusions
VPWD tool allows real-time downhole reading
like internal and annular pressures, on this
way it was possible to perform a comparison
with the results delivered by the simulator and
adjust and calibrate the model to the real well
conditions.
Continue investigating the best option to
obtain
a
greater
integrity
of
the
MPD/LWD/VPWD signal for low liquid
injection volumes in order to be able to reduce
more the equivalent circulation density (ECD).

Conclusions
Use smaller internal diameter drillpipe, a
different combination of drillstring signal
boosters or inclusive the use of small
nitrogen injection volume through the
drillstring, keeping the percentage of gas
into the drillstring as low as possible and
without exceed the limits which can
debilitated or attenuated the MWD/LWD/
VPWD signal.

Thank You
Questions?