SPE 128043

Stimulation of Multilayered High-Carbonate-Content Sandstone Formations

in West Africa Using Chelant-Based Fluids and Mechanical Diversion
M. Parkinson, SPE, T. Munk, SPE, J. Brookley, SPE, and A. Caetano, SPE, Chevron; M. Albuquerque, SPE, and
D. Cohen, SPE, Schlumberger; and M. Reekie, Weatherford

Copyright 2010, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2010 SPE International Symposium and Exhibition on Formation Damage Control held in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA, 10–12 February 2010.

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 of the paper have not been
reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its
officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to
reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright.

Abstract
Matrix stimulation of high-temperature sandstones using hydrochloric acid (HCl) is difficult to achieve due to its fast reaction,
possible sand deconsolidation, clays destabilization, and tubular corrosion. These problems are common in stimulating wells
completed across the Pinda formation in West Africa. This formation is a multilayered formation with a wide range of
carbonate content (varying from 2% to nearly 100%) and bottomhole temperatures in the range of 300°F. In addition, most of
the wells have up to 1,500 ft of perforated intervals producing together from different layers. Stimulation treatments in the area
historically have been performed using 7.5% HCl pumped through coiled tubing and using foam diversion.
In 2008 a different approach was taken to stimulate producing zones across this formation, using a low-pH chelant (pH 4)
as the main stimulation fluid and straddle or inflatable packers for mechanical diversion, whenever applicable. Six wells were
treated in a stimulation campaign using the chelant solution. Mechanical diversion was used in three of the six wells treated;
two were treated with a mechanical straddle packer and one with an inflatable packer. Low bottomhole pressure (BHP) or
wellbore configuration precluded the use of mechanical diversion for the other three wells; foam diversion was used instead.
The results of these stimulations were encouraging, with the combined production of all six wells almost doubling. The good
post-job results confirm the effectiveness of low-pH chelant in stimulating carbonate and carbonate-rich sandstones at high
temperature, with the added value of low corrosion rates and reduced risk of sand deconsolidation and clays destabilization.
This stimulation campaign also tested current technological limits of mechanical and inflatable packers. The combination
of high expansion ratio, low BHP, and high temperature requirements precluded the stimulation of three of the six wells with
mechanical diversion. With the increasing need to stimulate depleted high-temperature formations, these challenges must be
addressed in the future.

Introduction
The Pinda formation is a multi-layered formation on the Angola coast with carbonate content varying from 2% to 100%.
Producing zones can be as long as 1,500 ft, with an average temperature of 300°F. As expected, reservoir permeability also
varies significantly throughout the formation layers. In spite of this variation, long perforated intervals (up to 1,500 ft),
producing together from different layers are common. A common type of damage in this reservoir is pore-clogging and pore-
lining minerals, such as calcite, dolomite and chlorite. Historically these formations have been treated by injecting 7.5% HCl
across the perforated intervals. This type of treatment not only has shown ineffective in maintaining sustained increased
production, but has also caused sand production due to sand deconsolidation, and several coiled tubing failures during the
treatments due to acid corrosion.
To avoid these problems, a chelating system consisting of aliphatic amine acid and nitriloacetic acid, with pH of 4, was
decided to be used. This system was initially proposed in 2004 and laboratory tests with Pinda cores described by Ali et al
(2005) using a low-pH solution of Na3HEDTA (pH 4) showed that this fluid was quite effective in stimulating cores with
medium amount of carbonate contents at the field temperature of 300ºF. After this study, two wells in the same Angolan
concession were stimulated using this system with good results (combined production increase of over 1,000 BOPD sustained
for more than 1 year). However no further chelating system usage or development was made and subsequent wells continued
to be treated with 7.5% HCl. It was after a sequence of job failures, with constant problems of tubular corrosion and low
production gains with HCl treatments, that it was decided to reexamine the use of chelating agents to treat this formation. New
core flow tests were performed and six wells in an offshore Angola field were chosen to be stimulated. This document
describes these treatments and the results achieved.
2 SPE 128043

Chelating Agents
Chelating agents are compounds that form soluble, complex molecules with metal ions, inactivating the ions so that they can
not normally react with other elements or ions to produce precipitates or scale. Chelating agents have been used in the oilfield
for quite some time, their main function being as iron sequestering agents in acid treatments. Ethilenediaminetetraacetic acid
(EDTA), Hydroxyethilenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA) and Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) are the most common chelating
agents used in the oilfield. Although the main application of these chemicals has been as iron sequestering agents, they have
also been used in the past as the primary active components in fluids used to stimulate calcite and dolomite formations.
Shaughnessy and Kline (1983) demonstrated by laboratory tests the ability of Na2H2EDTA to dissolve Calcium Carbonate
(CaCO3) scale and discussed successful field application results in wells stimulated in 1979 in Prudoe Bay.
Ali et al (2002) demonstrated the ability of HEDTA and EDTA to form wormholes in stimulating carbonate at
temperatures up to 400ºF, as well as their ability to stimulate some sandstone formations with less risk of byproduct
precipitation and less corrosion to tubulars. A study performed by Frenier et al (2004) showed that a low pH HEDTA was
more effective than acetic acid in creating wormholes in limestone cores at 350ºF. In the same study, core flow tests were
performed with Na3HEDTA, HCl and 9-1 Mud Acid (9% HCl – 1% HF) at 350ºF through Berea core. The results showed that
Na3HEDTA was more effective in stimulating Berea core than HCl and 9-1 Mud Acid.

Laboratory Tests
The Pinda formation is composed of complex, interlayered sandstone and carbonate zones. Sandstone zones may have layers
containing significant concentrations of carbonate (ranging from 2% to 42%), while limestone zones can include beds with up
to 80% quartz grains. Therefore a high carbonate zone can be immediately adjacent to a zone with lower carbonate content. A
typical distribution of layers and their mineralogy is shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Mineralogy vs. Depth from Core Analysis

Measured Vertical Quartz K- Plagioclase Total Calcite Dolomite Porosity Permeability

Depth Depth (%) feldspar (%) Clay (%) (%) (%) to gas
(MD) (TVD) (%) (%) (mD)
(ft) (ft)
10300.4 8670.3 26 4 10 38 16 2 11.8 6.73
10382.7 8738.3 51 7 21 11 7 1 14.1 2.20
10384.6 8739.8 7 3 7 2 80 0 5.9 0.68
10396.0 8749.2 1 1 2 2 92 0 18.1 315
10648.4 8957.9 36 7 11 3 42 0 6.6 0.71
10650.3 8959.5 76 7 11 2 1 1 24.6 155
10666.5 8972.9 41 16 26 8 5 2 12.1 0.21
10674.5 8979.5 45 8 20 10 11 4 11.4 0.23
10698.6 8999.4 45 15 28 5 5 2 18.3 20.9
10740.6 9034.1 51 8 12 1 25 1 10.2 44.2
10742.8 9035.9 46 18 21 7 4 2 15.5 2.7
10752.4 9043.9 45 10 16 4 25 1 11.9 0.53
10754.6 9045.7 33 11 21 11 20 2 15.3 3.5
10792.5 9077.0 31 6 16 30 8 7 8.8 0.59
11002.2 9250.9 5 2 3 2 88 0 11.6 42.1
11010.7 9258.0 65 9 12 5 5 2 19.7 53.9
11012.8 9259.7 73 8 9 1 6 1 23.1 190
11016.8 9263.1 1 1 0 2 96 0 10.6 0.87
11033.0 9276.5 56 8 9 14 5 1 9.6 0.24
11045.0 9286.4 80 5 5 2 5 1 18.6 133
11051.0 9291.4 10 4 9 6 70 0 4.7 2.8
11054.0 9293.9 34 10 16 12 19 6 10.6 0.44
11063.0 9301.4 14 5 11 2 66 0 20.6 481
11066.0 9303.9 9 5 8 9 69 0 21 113
11078.0 9313.8 7 2 5 2 84 0 22.4 117
11148.8 9372.5 57 9 11 8 5 9 17.1 17.3

As most of the wells producing from the Pinda formation have open perforations in different layers of sandstone and
carbonate formations, the fluid chosen to stimulate these wells would have to be capable of stimulating zones with different
grades of carbonate content.

Core Flow Tests. To help determine the effectiveness of chelant based fluids in stimulating the Pinda formation, a series of
core flow testing analysis was performed. Eight cores from this formation were taken at different depths and were divided into
three groups, based on mineralogy: high carbonate content (>65% CaCO3), medium carbonate content (10% to 25% CaCO3)
and low carbonate content (<10% CaCO3). The core flow tests were conducted with two different types of proprietary
HEDTA-based chelant formulations, with one of them containing 0.4% of hydrofluoric acid (HF). The tests were conducted at
SPE 128043 3

reservoir conditions (290ºF, 2,000-psi confining pressure, and 500-psi backpressure) and at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. A few
tests were conducted at 5 mL/min to induce wormholing, and one test was conducted at 0.5 mL/min due to low permeability of
the core sample. The results of these tests are presented in Table 2.

Table 2: Core Flow Test Results

Core CaCO3 Treatment Flow Initial Brine Final Brine ICP Max. ppm for
Measured Group Fluid Rate Permeability Permeability Ca, Si, Al
Depth and CaCO3 / (ml/min) Production Injection Production Injection
(ft) Clay Content Comments
(%)
10650.5 Low CaCO3 pH 4 1 53 48 104 85 Ca=25000, Si=490, Al=510
1% / 2% HEDTA No wormholes
10754.6 Low CaCO3 HEDTA w/ 5 119 123 158 169 Ca=10000, Si=1000,
8% / 7% 0.8% HF Al=1700
Plug face deconsolidation
11010.5 Medium pH 4 1 2.5 3.5 4.6 5.8 Ca=16000, Si=350, Al=150
CaCO3 HEDTA No wormholes
18% / 2%
10740.9 Medium pH 4 1 90 80 185 160 Ca=23000, Si=500, Al=510
CaCO3 HEDTA No wormholes
25% / 1%
10698.4 Medium HEDTA w/ 0.5 0.4 0.4 3.7 2.8 Ca=20500, Si=400, Al=1400
CaCO3 0.4% HF No wormholes
24% / 1%
11077.7 High CaCO3 pH 4 1 150 130 Test failure – boot burst Ca=33000, Si<10, Al<10
84% / 2% HEDTA Face dissolution
11063.0 High CaCO3 HEDTA w/ 5 43.1 45.1 Test failure – boot burst Ca=18000, Si=20, Al=11
77% / 1% 0.4% HF Wormholes
10396.0 High CaCO3 pH 4 5 178.1 185.6 1464 1550 Ca=14000, Si=320, Al=11
94% / 2% HEDTA Wormholes

Observations from the tests were:

• The low-carbonate-content cores had improved permeability with both chelant only and chelant with HF fluids. One
of the cores tested with chelant with HF (core from 10,754.6 ft), which had a higher clay concentration (7%) than the
others (1% to 2%), had much of the clays dissolved, producing a much cleaner pore system. However, the core plug
treated with chelant with 0.8% HF de-consolidated at the injection face of the core plug. This was likely due to the
increased concentration of HF present, as in this test 0.8% HF was injected as opposed to 0.4% HF in other tests.
• The medium-carbonate-content cores also had increased permeability with both chelant only and chelant with HF.
• The high-carbonate-content cores showed evidence of wormholing with both chelant only and chelant with HF when
pumped at 5-mL/min rates. At the slower 1-mL/min rates, wormholing was not observed. Face dissolution was
observed at these lower rates, and both fluids enlarged any vuggy porosity.
• Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) results showed higher calcium ion concentration in test fluids, suggesting adequate
calcite and dolomite dissolution. In addition, ICP results for the chelant with HF fluid showed higher concentrations
of aluminium and silicon, suggesting the fluids’ dissolving abilities in clays.

As both formulations showed to be effective in increasing permeability in low-, medium-, and high-carbonate-content
zones in the Pinda formation, it was decided to use the pH 4 HEDTA fluid with no HF content as the fluid to be used in the
field test.

Corrosion Tests. Before this study the conventional fluid used to stimulate the Pinda formation was a 7.5% HCl with
corrosion inhibitors, surfactants, iron-control agent and mutual solvent. The use of this system caused several corrosion-related
coiled-tubing failures using acid formulations from two different service companies. One of the reasons for seeking a
replacement fluid for HCl in stimulating the Pinda formation was to find a fluid that was less corrosive to the coiled-tubing
and wellbore tubulars. Corrosion tests were conducted with the pH 4 chelant formulation and are presented in Table 3,
together with similar tests performed with a 7.5% HCl formulation previously used to stimulate this formation. The tests were
performed at 300ºF and 2,600 psi, being the chelant test for 24 hr at 300ºF and 1 hr heating time, while the 7.5% HCl test was
run for 16 hr at 300ºF and 1 hr heating time. The chelant and acid formulations were as follow:

• Chelant: proprietary pH 4 HEDTA formulation with 0.2% corrosion inhibitor, 0.2% surfactant and 0.4% de-
emulsifier.
• Acid: 7.5% HCl with 1.5% corrosion inhibitor, 5.0% corrosion inhibitor aid, 0.4% surfactant, 0.2% de-emulsifier,
2.5% iron chelating agent, 25-lbm/1000-gal iron-reducing agent and 3.0% mutual solvent.
4 SPE 128043

Table 3: Corrosion Tests for HEDTA formulation and 7.5% HCl at 300ºF

Formulation Test Test Coupons Corrosion Results

Test
Time Coupon Initial Final Pitting Corrosion Rate
Number Fluid Temp. Metal
Number Mass (g) Mass (g) Index lbm/ft2 Average mpy
1 7.5% HCl 300ºF 16 Hs Coiled Tubing 63 21.9009 21.5384 0 0.0341 0.0343 306.155
2 7.5% HCl 300ºF 16 Hs Coiled Tubing 64 22.0375 21.6678 0 0.0346 310.300
3 7.5% HCl 300ºF 16 Hs L80 42 37.7391 37.2577 0 0.0355 0.0350 318.410
4 7.5% HCl 300ºF 16 Hs L80 43 36.8877 36.4282 0 0.0346 310.940
5 HEDTA 300ºF 24 Hs Coiled Tubing 68 31.8257 31.3491 0 0.0329 0.0324 295.0820
6 HEDTA 300ºF 24 Hs Coiled Tubing 69 32.7879 32.3121 0 0.0319 285.9417
7 HEDTA 300ºF 24 Hs L80 95 36.9220 36.6049 0 0.0239 0.0235 213.8453
8 HEDTA 300ºF 24 Hs L80 96 41.3425 40.9991 0 0.0231 206.8199

In spite of the longer test period for the chelant formulation and less corrosion inhibitor in the formulation, the results
shown in Table 3 indicate the less corrosive condition of the chelant formulation.

Field Trial
To test the use of chelating agents in stimulating the Pinda formation, six wells from the same field producing from this
formation were chosen. The system chosen was the pH 4 HEDTA formulation. With the Pinda formation’s tendency to retain
water-based fluids and the ability of mutual solvents to reduce water block, a pre-flush of 6% potassium chloride (KCl) brine
with 10% mutual solvent was used.
From the six wells chosen for stimulation, four had 4 ½-in. and 3 ½-in. completions in 7-in. casing, and two were 4 ½-in.
monobore wells. Wellbore schematics of the six wells are presented in Fig. 1−6 of the Appendix. Perforation intervals varied
from 483 ft in Well No. 3 to 1,402 ft in Well No. 5, making diversion a difficult task.

Diversion Techniques. The initial plan to provide diversion in stimulating these wells was to use inflatable straddle packers in
the wells with perforations in 7-in. casing (Wells No. 1, 2, 3, and 5), and mechanical straddle packers in the two monobore
wells (Wells No. 4 and 6). Due to the low BHP, high hydrostatic pressure of the stimulation fluid (9.7 lbm/gal, or 0.504 psi/ft)
and high temperature in the wells planned to be stimulated with inflatable packers, no inflatable straddle packer was found that
could be used under the job conditions. For the only inflatable straddle packer feasible for these conditions, the elastomer was
tested for compatibility with the stimulation fluids, and the rubber was shown to be incompatible with the preflush with mutual
solvent at bottomhole conditions. Therefore foam diversion was used in Wells No.1, 2 and 3; a single-set inflatable packer was
used in Well No. 5; and mechanical straddle packers were used in Wells No. 4 and 6. Table 4 shows a summary of well
conditions and diversion techniques chosen.

Table 4: Well conditions and diversion techniques used

Well BHP Vertical Pressure Bottomhole Completion Diversion Technique

Number (psi) Depth Gradient Temperature Type
(ft) (psi/ft) (ºF)
1 2,514 8,472 0.30 297 4 ½-in. and 3 ½-in. tubing and 7-in. casing Foam diversion
2 1,318 8,710 0.15 291 4 ½-in. and 3 ½-in. tubing and 7-in. casing Foam diversion
3 1,580 8,789 0.18 293 4 ½-in. and 3 ½-in. tubing and 7-in. casing Foam diversion
4 1,926 9,166 0.21 290 4 ½-in. monobore Mechanical straddle packer
5 3082 8,244 0.37 290 4 ½-in. and 3 ½-in. tubing and 7-in. casing Single-set inflatable packer
6 2300 8,717 0.26 300 4 ½-in. monobore Mechanical straddle packer

Well No. 1. This well is completed with a 7-in casing with a 4 ½-in and 3 ½-in tubing string, perforated from 10,335 to
11,626 ft for 1,291-ft net perforated zones. This long perforated interval spread across all zones of the Pinda formation, with
lithology varying from low-carbonate-content sandstones to limestone and dolomite zones. Well No. 1 was producing at 114
BFPD (114 BOPD), with 269 MCFD through a 3-in. choke, and was chosen for stimulation by jetting its perforations with
2,000 gal of 6% KCl brine with 10% mutual solvent preflush and 6,000 gal of the pH 4 HEDTA formulation. These fluid
volumes are well below industry-recognized requirements of 3- to 5-ft radial penetration for matrix stimulation, and the intent
was only to clean out possible scale buildup in the perforations.
The job was performed in August 2008, using 1.75-in. coiled tubing and a high-pressure nozzle. First, the 2,000 gal of 6%
KCl brine with 10% mutual solvent preflush was injected across the whole perforated interval. The pH 4 HEDTA formulation
was injected across the perforated interval in three 2,000-gal steps, with an 8-bbl batch of foamed 6% KCl brine between the
first and second steps, with the objective of providing some diversion during injection. The stimulation fluids were then over-
flushed with 53 bbl (2,226 gal) of 6% KCl brine with 10% mutual solvent, and the coiled tubing was displaced with nitrogen.
After the treatment the well was lifted back to production with nitrogen. Since then the well’s production has been maintained
between 200 and 300 BLPD, with the last well test result from August 2009 being 208 BLPD (207 BOPD) and 139 MCFD.
SPE 128043 5

Well No. 2. This well is also completed with a 7-in. casing with a 4 ½-in. and 3 ½-in. tubing string, perforated from 8,756 to
9,700 ft. The well had only 1,318-psi bottomhole static pressure and quit producing as a result of its low BHP. Since then the
well had been a candidate for installation of a velocity string, and it was decided to stimulate this well with the HEDTA
chelant formulation before installation of the velocity string. The intent was to stimulate only the zones between 9,420 and
9,700 ft for 238 ft of net perforations, as these zones were known to be the more prolific. The initial plan called for using an
inflatable packer to provide diversion, but no inflatable packer was found to work with such a low BHP at these depths while
pumping a 9.7-lbm/gal fluid (density of the HEDTA formulation).
The stimulation was then performed in September 2008, using coiled tubing and foam for diversion. The perforated
intervals between 9,420 and 9,700 ft, or 238 ft of net perforations, were stimulated with 5,040 gal of 6% KCl brine with 10%
mutual solvent preflush (21 gal/ft) and 10,500 gal of pH 4 HEDTA formulation (44 gal/ft). All fluids were pumped with 400
scf/min of nitrogen to help with the post-job cleanout and increase penetration. The coiled tubing was kept moving across the
perforated interval and 10 bbl of foamed 6% KCl brine were pumped after each 25 bbl of HEDTA pumped, with the objective
of providing some diversion during injection. The stimulation fluids were then over-flushed with 40 bbl (1,680 gal) of 6% KCl
brine with 10% mutual solvent, and the coiled tubing was displaced with nitrogen. After the treatment the well was lifted back
to production with nitrogen, but would stop flowing after nitrogen lifting stopped.
In November 2008, a 2-in. coiled tubing string was run and installed as velocity string, hanging at 850 ft and with its
bottom at 8,300 ft. Just after the installation of the velocity string, the well started producing at 765 BLPD (759 BOPD). On a
well test conducted in March 2009, the well was producing 762 BLPD (749 BOPD).

Well No. 3. This well is also completed with a 7-in. casing with a 4 ½-in. and 3 ½-in. tubing string, perforated from 9,594 to
10,077 ft, with nine different sets of perforations and a total of 239 ft of net perforations. Well No. 3 was flowing at 840
BFPD (830 BOPD) and 2,385 MCFD through a 1.5625-in. choke and was chosen for stimulation with the HEDTA
formulation. There were 110 ft of net perforations between 9,821 and 10,077 ft, which were not planned to be stimulated, as
production logs showed the interval to have high water saturation. To avoid increasing the gas-oil ratio, it was also desired to
not stimulate the perforated interval from 9,594 to 9,660 ft. The remaining interval to stimulate consisted of 101-ft of net
perforations between 9,698 and 9,799 ft. The zones in this interval varied from low- to high-carbonate-content sandstone
layers. Again, the initial plan was to use an inflatable packer to isolate the lower zone, but with the low BHP of 1,580 psi at
8,789 ft MD, no inflatable packer could stand the differential pressure with the coiled tubing full of 9.7- lbm/gal fluid.
The stimulation was then performed in August 2008, using coiled tubing and foam for diversion. The perforated intervals
between 9,698 and 9,799 ft, with 101 ft net perforations, were stimulated with 5,040 gal of 6% KCl brine with 10% mutual
solvent preflush (50 gal/ft) and 10,080 gal of pH 4 HEDTA formulation (100 gal/ft). All fluids were pumped with 400 scf/min
of nitrogen to help with the post-job cleanout and increase penetration. The coiled tubing was kept moving across the
perforated interval and 7 bbl of foamed 6% KCl brine were pumped after each 48 bbl (2,016 gal) of HEDTA pumped, with the
objective of providing some diversion during injection. The stimulation fluids were then over-flushed with 40 bbl (1,680 gal)
of 6% KCl brine with 10% mutual solvent, and the coiled tubing was displaced with nitrogen. After the treatment the well was
lifted back to production with nitrogen.
The immediate post-job well production results were 1,354 BLPD (1,342 BOPD) and 1,441 MCFD through a 1.5625-in.
choke. In a well test conducted in September 2009 the well was producing at 1,108 BLPD (1,059 BOPD) through the same
choke size, still above the pre-stimulation rate.

Well No. 4. This well is a 4 ½-in. monobore, perforated from 8,152 to 9,420 ft in 28 selected intervals, with 426 ft of net
perforations in sandstone and limestone zones. In July 2008, before the stimulation job, the well was producing at 770 BLPD,
with 7,800 MSCFD, through a 3-in. choke. A memory production log run before the job showed that the zones above 8,876 ft
were producing only gas. Based on this log, a decision was made to selectively stimulate 11 different intervals (nine sandstone
intervals and two limestone intervals), between 8,876 and 9,359 ft, with lengths varying between 8 and 24 ft and a total of 184
ft net perforations.
The stimulation was conducted using coiled tubing and a mechanical straddle packer with packing elements set 26 ft
apart. Each zone was stimulated with 100 gal/ft of 6% KCl with 10% mutual solvent preflush, followed by 100 gal/ft of the
HEDTA chelant formulation. The stimulation was performed in two straddle packer runs: on the first run the five upper
intervals were stimulated, and in the second run the six lower intervals were stimulated. In both runs the packer arrived on
surface with damaged elements; however, this problem does not seem to have affected the results of the operation. The
expected result of the operation was to bring the well production from 770 to 1,270 BOPD. The actual well production after
the first stimulation run was 2,340 BLPD (2,338 BOPD). After the second stimulation run, the well production increased to
2,674 BOPD, giving a total production gain of 1,904 BOPD. Gas production after the treatment was still in the range of 6,000
to 8,000 MCFD, indicating that the gas-producing intervals above 8,876 ft were not stimulated. In a production test conducted
in September 2009, twelve months after the treatment, the well was producing at 1,263 BLPD (1,262 BOPD), still well above
the pre-stimulation rate of 770 BLPD.

Well No. 5. This well is also completed with 7-in. casing with a 4 ½-in. and 3 ½-in. tubing string. The well has 564 ft of net
perforations distributed between 9,304 and 10,780 ft in 30 perforated intervals. In 2003 this well was killed by bullheading
6 SPE 128043

synthetic-oil-base mud with calcium carbonate (CaCO3) due to tubing-casing communication. Two years later the well
underwent a major rig workover to replace the tubing, and more CaCO3 pills were pumped. This operation severely damaged
the well; and the lowermost set of perforations, from 10,744 to 10,780 ft, previously known to produce, was shown not to be
producing by a production log performed in 2006.
This well was stimulated in October 2008 by first spotting 80 bbl of the HEDTA formulation across the perforated
interval and letting it soak for 2 hr to dissolve any CaCO3 deposits in the perforation tunnels. After this treatment, it was
planned to selectively stimulate the well by using coiled tubing with an inflatable packer in two runs. According to the plan,
the first run involved setting the packer at 10,200 ft and injecting 6,300 gal (150 bbl) of 6% KCl brine with 10% mutual
solvent preflush, followed by 12,600 gal (300 bbl) of the HEDTA formulation below the packer. Then, for a more selective
stimulation of the lower set of perforations, there would be a second coiled tubing and inflatable packer run, setting the packer
at 10,660 ft and stimulating the perforated intervals below this depth with 2,750 gal (65-bbl) of 6% KCl brine with 10%
mutual solvent preflush, followed by 6,300 gal (150 bbl) of the HEDTA formulation below the packer.
During the first step of the stimulation, with the packer set at 10,200 ft and after having pumped 97 bbl of the preflush, the
packer burst and was pulled out of hole. A second packer was run and set at the same depth, and the treatment continued. This
second packer lasted for 11 hr after inflated, but also burst after the remaining preflush and 265 bbl of the HEDTA formulation
were pumped. The remaining 35 bbl of the HEDTA formulation and its displacement were pumped with the burst packer in
hole. Subsequent analysis of this incident showed that the packer was set across perforations, the actual formation bottomhole
pressure was 270 psi less than the estimated formation BHP, and the packer was on its limit of differential pressure−−only 49
psi safety margin.
As a result of the two failures with the inflatable packer, the initial plan of using an inflatable packer to further stimulate
the lower set of perforations was aborted. The planned stimulation of the perforations from 10,660 to 10,780 ft was performed
by injecting 2,750 gal (65 bbl) of 6% KCl brine with 10% mutual solvent preflush, followed by 6,300 gal (150 bbl) of the
HEDTA formulation, jetting the fluids across the perforated intervals with a high-pressure jet. Three slugs of foamed 6% KCl
brine were used when pumping the chelant, with the objective of providing diversion.
Before the job this well was producing 218 BLPD (217 BOPD) and 331 MCFD through a 3-in. choke. Just after the
treatment, the production increased to 529 BLPD (518 BOPD) and 303 MCFD through the same choke size. This production
has been maintained; and in the last production test, performed in September 2009 the well was producing at 490 BLPD (472
BOPD) and 663 MCFD through the same choke size.

Well No. 6. This well is a 4 ½-in. monobore well with 573 ft of net perforations spread between 9,115 and 10,309 ft, for a
1,194-ft gross perforated interval. The well had a perforation guns module and a guns hanger fish in hole, with the top of the
fish at 10,289 ft, covering 14 ft of net perforations between 10,289 and 10,309 ft. Before stimulation, this well was producing
1,056 BLPD with 28% water cut (761 BOPD). From the 573 ft of net perforated intervals, 273 ft of perforations was chosen
for stimulation. The well was stimulated in November 2008 with 50 gal/ft of 6% KCl brine with 10% mutual solvent preflush
and 70 gal/ft of the HEDTA chelant formulation, using coiled tubing and a mechanical straddle packer.
The job was performed in two coiled-tubing and straddle-packer runs. On the first run, 119 ft of net perforations between
9,200 and 9,488 ft were stimulated, setting the straddle packer five times. On the second run, 157 ft of net perforations
between 9,710 and 10,128 ft were stimulated, setting the packer seven times. After the stimulation the well production
increased to 1,304 BLPD with 32% water cut (887 BOPD). Since then the production is following normal decline; and on the
last production test, performed in August 2009, the well was producing 1,117 BLPD with 30% water cut (782 BOPD), still
above the pre-stimulation rate.

Results Summary. Table 5 shows a comparison of the pre-job production and one year post-job production for all six wells.
Even after one year of the stimulation treatments, all wells are still producing above the pre-stimulation rates and the combined
daily oil production for the six wells is still 57% higher than their pre-job production rate.

Table 5: Well Pre-Job and 365 Day Post-Job Production Results

Well Pre-Job Production 365 Day Post-Job Production

Number BFPD BOPD BWPD MSCFD BFPD BOPD BWPD MSCFD
1 114 114 0 269 208 207 1 139
2 253* 197* 56* 556* 762 749 13 767
3 840 830 10 2,385 1,108 1,059 49 2,744
4 770 762 8 7,800 1,263 1,262 1 9,909
5 218 217 1 331 490 472 18 663
6 1,056 761 296 1,569 1,117 782 335 901
TOTAL 3,251 2,881 371 12,910 4,948 4,531 417 15,123
*Note: Well No. 2 Pre-Job rates were producing intermittently
SPE 128043 7

Conclusions and Recommendations

The core test results of this experiment showed that the pH 4 HEDTA-based formulation was capable of stimulating
formations with different levels of carbonate content. This capability is of significant value in stimulating multilayered
formations in which single-acid formulation may not be applicable for all the zones. Corrosion tests showed this type of fluid
to be less corrosive than HCl at 300ºF and requiring significantly less amount of corrosion inhibitor.
The field test results confirmed the ability of this fluid in stimulating all the wells treated, maintaining long-term
production results. While previous wells stimulated with 7.5% HCl in the area typically sustained stimulation results for a
maximum period of three to six months, all the wells stimulated with this chelant formulation have passed this mark, and are
still producing well above pre-stimulation production values twelve months after the treatments. Wells No. 4 and 5, which
were stimulated with a mechanical straddle packer and an inflatable packer respectively, showed the best post-job results,
indicating the advantage of providing mechanical diversion during stimulation.
In spite of the problems that occurred in the wells which mechanical diversion was attempted, post-job results suggest
some diversion still occurred, as the Wells No. 4 and 5 did not increase their gas production and actually had reduced their
gas-oil ratio. In addition, Well No. 6 did not increase its water-oil ratio in spite of the lower perforated intervals producing
water.
With the increasing number of depleted reservoirs, more and more situations requiring mechanical diversion in low-BHP,
high-temperature reservoirs will arise. Improvement of the currently available technology of both conventional straddle and
inflatable packers to work under these conditions is needed. No inflatable straddle packer was found that could work at the
conditions of the wells in this experiment. Issues with incompatibility between the packer elements and mutual solvent used in
the preflush, as well as with nitrogen, disqualified the only inflatable straddle packer candidate. Pressure limitations allowed
use of a single inflatable packer in only one of the candidate wells. Even in the only well in which it was used, the packer
failed during pumping, and better knowledge of the BHP showed that the packer was working at the edge of its operational
limit. The conventional straddle packers used in Wells No. 4 and 6 were resilient, being in the wells at high temperatures and
with stimulation fluids being pumped, and then performing as well and as long as they did. In both wells in which they were
used, severe wear of the elements was observed after five or more sets were made. Improvements in the chemistry of these
elements could allow for more sets to be made in a single trip. Likewise, had the inflatable elements been compatible with the
stimulation fluids and nitrogen, they could have supplied an unmatched solution to selective stimulation in wellbores with
varying tubing and casing sizes.

Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their appreciation to Schlumberger, Weatherford, and CABGOC management and its
partners, Sonangol, ENI, Elf and Total, for their support and permission to publish this paper.

Nomenclature
Al = aluminium
BHP = bottomhole pressure
BLPD = barrels of liquid per day
BOPD = barrels of oil per day
Ca = calcium
CaCO3 = calcium carbonate
EDTA = ethilenediaminetriacetic acid
HCl = hydrochloric acid
HEDTA = hydroxyethilenediaminetriacetic acid
HF = hydrofluoric Acid
ICP = Inductively Coupled Plasma
K = potassium
KCl = potassium chloride
MCFD = thousand cubic feet per day
MD = measured depth
mpy = millimeter per year
Na = sodium ion
NTA = nitrilotriacetic acid
Si = silicium
TVD = total vertical depth
8 SPE 128043

SI Metric Conversion Factors

bbl × 1.589 873 E–01 = m3
ft × 3.048* E–01 = m
ft2 × 9.290 304 E–02 = m2
ft3 × 2.831 685 E–02 = m3
in × 2.54* E–2= m
lbm × 4.53592 E–01= Kg
lbm/ft2× 4.882 428 E+00= Kg/ m2
lbm/gal × 1.198 264 E+02= Kg/ m3
psi × 6.894 757 E+03 = Pa

*Conversion Factor is exact.

References
Ali, A. H., Frenier, W., Xiao Z., and Ziauddin, M. 2002. Chelating Agent-Based Fluids for Optimal Stimulation of High-Temperature Wells.
Paper SPE 77366 presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas, 29 September−2 October. doi:
10.2118/77366-MS.
Ali, S., Ermel, E., Clarke, J., Fuller, M., Xiao, Z., and Malone, B. 2005. Chelating Agent-Based Fluids for Stimulation of High-Temperature
Sandstone Formations with High Carbonate Content. Paper SPE 93805 presented at the SPE 6th European Formation Damage
Conference, Scheveningen, The Netherlands, 25−27 May. doi: 10.2118/93805-MS.
Frenier, W., Brady, M., Al-Harthy, S., Arangath, R., Chan, K.S., Flamant, N., and Samuel, M. 2004. Hot Oil Gas Wells Can Be Stimulated
Without Acid. Paper SPE 86522 presented at SPE International Symposium and Exhibition on Formation Damage, Lafayette, Louisiana,
18−20 February. doi: 10.2118/86522-MS.
Shaughnessy, C. and Kline, W. 1983. EDTA Removes Formation Damage at Prudhoe Bay. Journal of Petroleum Technology, October:
1783−1791. SPE-1188-PA. doi: 10.2118/1188-PA.
SPE 128043 9

APPENDIX 1: Wellbore Schematics

Orig. KB. El.118-ft Well #2

Orig. KB. El. 118-ft Well #1
(above sea level)
(above sea level)

Orig KBTH 52-ft Orig KBTH 52-ft

PT
PT

WLM - Zero @ TH WLM - Zero @ TH

Mean sea level 20" 133# X-56
Mean sea level 20" 133# X-56, RL1S 4-1/ 2", 12.75 # CS Hydril, L-80 Tubing
RL1S Csg @ 1362' X
Casing @ 1375-ft X
TVDSS @ KOP @ 3370-ft 9-5/8" 53.50# P-110 CSG
10945 ft @
13306 ft TD 4-1/2" 12.75# CS Hydril, L-80 Tbg @ 1086 ft
Crossover 9 5/8-in Casing x 7-in Casing @ 1376-ft
9-5/8" P- 110, 53.5# Csg X O 7" Csg @ 1385 ft
KOP 2125-ft
3-1/2" 12.75# L-80, CS Hydril, Tbg
TVDSS = 10945-ft @ 13306-ft MD
Completion Details Crossover 4 1/2-in Tubing x 3 1/2-in Tubing @ 8443-ft
TVDSS = 10559-ft @ 11243-ft MD X
Max Angle: 44.90 deg @ 6420 ft Description MD (ft) ID (in)
Max Angle:24.60 deg @ 10519 ft
TE-5 SCSSV w/ FC's 475 3.813 No Go Locator Sub @ 8444-ft
Pinda Perforations Incoloy 825 controline
Top( ft) Bottom ( ft) X Nipple w/ FC's 987 3.813 7" 29# AGP Packer @ 8445-ft
10335 10356 X Nipple 9928 2.750
10414 10460 No Go Locator Sub 9960 2.992
10472 10499 VTA Packer 9963 2.750 13 -3/8" 72 PPF N-80 X 3-1/2", 9.3# CS Hydril, L-80 Tubing
10512 10538 13 3/8" 72 PPF N-80 Csg X Nipple 10017 2.750 Pinda Perforations Csg @ 4535'
10552 10586 X Nipple 10049 2.670 Top (ft) Bottom (ft)
10592 10641 X Bar Pressure Vent 10081 2.670 8756 8764
10646 10675 8802 8812 X
10763 10805 No Go Locator Sub @ 9960-ft 8834 8840
10878 10918 8847 8853
8870 8880
10968 10985 7" 29# VTA Packer @ 9963-ft 8884 8894
11042 11060
11107 11150 8922 8944
8986 8996 Auto Release @ 8595-ft
11158 11176 X
9037 9056
11232 11246 9080 9086
11266 11308 9109 9132 End of Tubing @ 8596-ft
11321 11346 X 9166 9172
11500 11520 9180 9188
11528 11542 9250 9276 Completion Details
11571 11595 9344 9380 Description MD (ft) ID (in)
11626 11633 Bar Pressure Vent @ 10081-ft 9420 9478 TE-5 SCSSV w/ FC's 622 3.813
9494 9516 Incoloy 825 control line
9528 9536 4 1/2-in 'X' Nipple w / FC's 697 3.813
9556 9574 4 1/2-in 'X' Nipple 8410 3.813
9600 9700 No Go Locator 8442 3.055
End of Reentry Guide @ 10176-ft VTA Packer 8444 3.880
4 1/2-in x 3 1/2-in crossover 8465 2.992
3 1/2-in 'X' Nipple 8497 2.750
3 1/2-in 'X' Nipple 8562 2.750

Orig. PBTD
@ 13192 Orig. PBTD
@ 11068 ft
ft
TD @ 13306 ft 7" 29#, L-80, SLHC @ 13280-ft TD @ 11242 ft
7" 29# L-80 BUT Csg @ 11197 ft

Fig. 1: Well No.1 Schematic Fig. 2: Well No.2 Schematic

Orig. KB. El. 118-ft Well #3 Orig KB 117.6-ft Well #4

(above sea level) (above MSL)
Orig KBTH: 51.2-ft
PT
Orig KBTH 52-ft
PT 4-1/2",12.75# CS Hydril L-80 Tubing SLM Zero @ TH
WLM - Zero @ TH , Mean Sea Level
X
Mean sea level RL1S
20-in 133# X-56 Casing
KOP at ±1422-ft MD/ 1420’ TVD @ 1382-ft MD/ 1379-ft TVD Completion Details
Csg @ 1370' X 4-1/2",12.75# CS Hydril L-80 Tubing
TD @ 11067 ft, 10842 ft TVD Equipment MD (ft) ID (in)
Crossover 4 1/2-in x 3 1/2-in Tubing @ 1131-ft
TR-SCSSV 593 3.813
3 1/2-in 9.20# L-80, CS Hydril, Tubing
"X" Landing Nipple 1012 3.813
KOP @ 2822-ft 9-5/8" T-95, 53.5# casing X' landing Nipple 7961 3.813
Crossover 9 5/8-in x 7-in casing @ 1413-ft TD @ 11067-ft MD, 10842-ft TVD Locator 8012 3.860
13 3/8-in 72# L-80 BTC Casing Mule Shoe Guide 8028 3.984
7-in 29# L-80 Casing
Max Angle 15.70 deg @ 3155-ft MD @ 4518-ft MD/ 4430-ft TVD Crossover 4 1/2-in 3SB x 4 1/2-in CSH 10937 3.865
End of Assembly 11707
Completion Details

TVDSS = 10327-ft @ 11058-ft MD Description MD (ft) ID (in)

Max Angle: 32.80 deg @ 6172-ft Baker TE-5 SCSSV 675 3.813"
Incoloy 825 control line
Pinda Perforations X Nipple 1033 3.813 13-3/8" 72# L-80 BTC Csg @ 4518 ft MD/ 4430 ft TVD
Top( ft) Bottom (ft) X Nipple 9225 2.750
9594 9604 No Go Locator Sub 9257 3.055 Current Perforations, MD
9642 9660 VTA Packer 9259 3.880 Top (ft) Bottom (ft)
9698 9799 3- 3/8" 72 PPF N- X Nipple 9313 2.750 8,152 8,172
9821 9830 Csg @ 4590' X Nipple 9345 2.750 8,242 8,249 4-1/2" 12.75# L-80 CSH Tbg
9855 9880 Bar Pressure Vent 9377 2.760 8,249 8,254
9905 9929 Automatic Gun Head R 9441 2.990 8,260 8,274
8,303 8,308 X
9971 9983 8,321 8,329
10006 10013 X 8,337 8,348 9 5/8-in 53.5#,T-95 Boss
10044 10077 8,376 8,395 Locator on 4 1/2-in Tubing @ 8012-ft MD
No Go Locator Sub @ 9257 ft 8,405 8,418 Crossover 9 5/8-in Hunting Inerlock x 6 1/8-in L80 @ 8029-ft MD
8,437 8,447
7" 29# VTA Packer @ 9259 ft 8,511 8,524 Tubing seals inside Casing PBR
8,606 8,636
X 8,692 8,706
8,767 8,777
8,828 8,868
X 3-1/2" 9.20#, L-80, CS Hydril, Tbg 8,876 8,900
8,914 8,932
8,948 8,960
8,980 9,000
Bar Pressure Vent 9,016 9,028
9,036 9,046
9,102 9,112
End of Tubing @ 9441 9,134 9,158
9,174 9,186
9,196 9,220
9,262 9,276
9,351 9,359
9,404 9,420

Top of TCP guns fish at 9418 ft-MD

4-1/2" 12.75#, L-80 Casing @ 10707-ft MD

Orig. PBTD @
10900-ft

TD @ 11058-ft
7" 29#, L-80, SLHC @ 11005-ft

Fig. 3: Well No.3 Schematic Fig. 4: Well No.4 Schematic

10 SPE 128043

X Well #4
Orig. KB. El. 84-ft FC Well #6
Orig. KB. Elevation = 118 ft
(above sea level)
(above sea level)

Orig KB-TH = 52-ft Orig KBTH 52' FC

PT
PT
WLM - Zero @ TH FC
Mean sea level
20" 133# RL1S X-56 X Mean sea level 20-in 133# X56, RL1S
KOP @ 2400-ft MD Casing @ 1380-ft MD Casing @1375-ft MD X Completion Details
9-5/8" 53.5# P-110 BUTT CSG @ 1436-ft MD
Equipment MD (ft) ID (in)
KOP @ 1400-ft
Completion Details
Equipment Description Depth (ft-MD) ID (in)
FC Tubing Hanger 51.20 3.958
TVDSS = 10777-ft @ 12710-ft MD Flow Coupling 586 3.848
Tubing Hanger 52 2.920 Nipple Adaptor 589 3.810
Flow coupling 670 2.882 TR-SCSSV 591 3.810
Max Angle:45.34 deg @ 12,553 ft X Landing Nipple 673 2.812
Flow Coupling 595 3.848
TR-SCSSV 675 2.812
Flow coupling 998 2.882 TVDSS = 10840-ft @ 11866-ft MD Flow Coupling 977 3.840
Pinda Perforations X Landing Nipple 1001 2.750 X-Nipple 980 3.813
From To Flow coupling 1002 2.882 Max Angle 54.80 deg @12680 ft MD Flow Coupling 981 3.85
(ft-MD) (ft-MD) X Landing Nipple 8896 2.750 Flow Coupling 8761 3.84
Locator 8934 2.915
9304 9314 Mule Shoe Guide 8951 2.970
Pinda Perforations X-Nip[ple 8764 3.813
9331 9345 Packer, BWD 8936 4.000 From To Flow Coupling 8765 3.85
9354 9370 X Landing Nipple 8985 2.750 (ft-MD) (ft-MD) Locator 8815 3.860
9393 9403 X Landing Nipple 9017 2.750 9115 9143 FC Mule Shoe Guide 8830 3.984
9410 9419 13 3/8" L-80 72# Wireline Re-Entry guide 9049 2.904
9434 9448 Casing @ 4595-ft MD End of Tubing 9050
9185 9220 Crossover 9 5/8-in x 6 1/8-in 8819 5.060
9452 9474 9232 9251 Float Collar 4 1/2-in tubing 11714
9488 9528 9261 9397 13 3/8-in 72# N-80 Casing @ 5412-ft MD Float Shoe 11808
9538 9562 9464 9488
9597 9607 X
9618 9629
9559 9597
9732 9749 9643 9653
9758 9762 9674 9682
9786 9791 9710 9729
9890 9937 3 1/2-in (2.920-in ID) 9.35# CSH, L-80 Tubing @ 8897-ft MD 9770 9826
10020 10041
10076 10082 9835 9842
10135 10157 Locator @ 8934-ft MD 9856 9871
10234 10292
9887 9901
10234 10292
10303 10339 7-in 26-32#, L-80, BWD Packer @ 8936-ft MD 9920 9980 X
10364 10394 9987 9997
10430 10444 10068 10091 FC
10458 10469 X 10103 10130
10473 10480
10162 10179 9-5/8” 53.30-PPF T-95 Csg @ 8818 ft MD, TVD @ 8037
10494 10507 3-1/2" CSH L-80 Tubing
10560 10584 10282 10309
10610 10632
10638 10646 X Top seal bore assembly @ 8831 ft
10687 10706
10744 10780

4 1/2-in 12.75#, L80 Tubing and Casing

Wireline Re-entry Guide @ 9049-ft MD

End of Tubing @ 9050-ft MD

Top of TCP guns fish at 9898-ft MD

Calculated top of TCP guns fish @ 10930-ft MD

Orig. PBTD:
@12538'
PBTD @ 11710-ft MD
TD @ 12710'

7" 29# P-110 BUTT Casing @ 12677-ft MD Float Shoe @ 11,809-ft MD, 10786-ft TVD

Fig. 5: Well No.5 Schematic Fig. 6: Well No.6 Schematic