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A new record for a rigless completion campaign through efficient coiled tubing hydrajet assisted fracturing operations in a mature field in northeastern Colombia

Abstract:

This paper addresses issues concerning treatment execution and discusses results from successful coiled tubing (CT) hydrajet assisted fracturing (HJAF) treatments performed during a campaign in a mature oil field located in northeastern Colombia. The Tibú field is a mature field in northeastern Colombia having low-permeability reservoirs that necessitate stimulation techniques, such as hydraulic fracturing, to increase production by increasing the contact area of the producing intervals. Additional challenges exist, including small well location pads, complex community relationships, and security problems that inhibit simple, fast, and efficient operations. To address these issues, a solution was proposed involving a blend of conventional proppant fracturing with the versatility and efficiency provided by a CT-deployed hydrajet perforated pinpoint stimulation method. These operations included well cleaning using slow-rotating wash tools and correlation for depth control using a gamma ray/casing collar locator. More than 40 wells have been completed using CT HJAF treatments in this field. Some technical advantages provided by the application of this technique are a higher perforating efficiency and a significant reduction in near-wellbore (NWB) friction, yielding reduced risk of premature screenouts, enabling higher pumping rates, and generating longer fractures. Post-fracturing oil production results met expectations for this mature oil field, proving the economic viability of this technique for successful multistage hydraulic fracturing in a short period of time. For most of the wells, all completion activities, including up to three fracturing stages, were performed in four days. This paper shows how the proposed CT application for HJAF operations can yield significant benefits and improve the level of sustainability in these types of mature oil fields.