Wellbore Solids Removal Coiled Tubing and Vacuum Technology in Heavy Oil Horizontal Wells in North Central Alberta

Abstract

Abstract Recently a new coiled tubing technology has been used to clean out horizontal wellbores with a low downhole pressure. This technique uses a dual coiled tubing string and a special vacuum tool designed to create a pressure drop across the formation sand face in order to clean out formation fines, unwanted fluids and solids. The work string, used for this application, has a rectangular matrix design; the two 1-1/2"coiled tubing strings are encapsulated into one uniform body using a high strength thermoplastic jacket. The power fluid is circulated down through one of the strings and the returns, including fines and solids, are transported to surface, up the second string. To operate the system, a custom coiled tubing reel, with two rotating joints was designed. The fluid goes through a jet pump (BHA), where it passes through a nozzle creating a "Venturi effect". New software has been developed to simulate the torque and drag, given that the cross section area is similar to a rectangle and it has two contact points, instead of one. A hydraulic simulation has been performed to determine the jet pump performance, circulation rates and pressures. Real time data was used to calibrate the models. The technology has been used for liner clean outs, in horizontal heavy oil (8 API) wells, with low pressure averaging 362 psi at 2625 ft (2.5 MPa; 800 m TVD; ) reservoirs. In the first well, 656 feet (200 meters) of 5-1/2" horizontal slotted liner was cleaned out down to 3008 feet (916 meters) and 4.7 barrels (745 liters) of sand were circulated out to surface (30% of the total internal volume). In the first well the production was recovered from an initial rate 6 bbls/day to 31 bbls/day (1 m3/day to 5 m3/day). In the second well, with 5% H2S, the dual coiled tubing was run in the 4- 1/2" production tubing and the 4-1/2" horizontal slotted liner was cleaned out down to 3550 feet (1082 meters). Based on the results, this technology is proven to be a viable solution for cleaning long horizontal wells with low bottom hole pressures.