High-Temperature Sand Consolidation

Abstract

Summary A sand consolidation system has been developed that is stable to wellbore temperatures of 700°F [371°C]. Two improvements in technique have contributed to this development. First, a controlled quantity of catalyst is adsorbed on the sand. Consequently, consolidation occurs only on or very near the sand grains, resulting in a high-permeability consolidation. Second, the reaction is driven to completion by avoiding, insofar as possible, the adverse effect of water. The resin used for the consolidation is a very viscous derivative of furfuryl alcohol that requires a diluent to make it injectable. The diluent used to reduce viscosity is a hydrolyzable ester. The diluted fluid, which is still more viscous than water, displaces much of the water present in the pore space. During the catalyzed consolidation, water produced by the polymerization is removed by reaction with the diluent (hydrolysis of the ester). The high-molecular-weight polymeric consolidation is better able to resist the high temperatures encountered in steam-displacement producing wells. Adaptation of the technology has been made so that the process can also be used in low-temperature wells. Because of the catalysis method, long shelf life is guaranteed for the consolidating formulation.