Formation protection
The use of wetting agents in completion fluids is designed for changing the pores’ surface wettability in the pay zone. This reduces the depth of reservoir impregnation with brine, facilitates its removal from the formation during well completion and commissioning, and impedes rehydration during subsequent completion cycles.
Application of modified completion fluids with wetting agents allows to reduce costs associated with completion and bringing the well on to stable production in the post-repair period; to increase oil production rate and well productivity index. Gentle completion, aimed at preserving the reservoir characteristics, prolongs the well’s life period and increases their final oil production.
The use of wetting agents in brine based completion fluids imposes increased requirements on the wetting agent properties. They must be compatible with a variety of salt solutions used in completion at different temperatures. It is desirable that surfactants used as additives for completion fluids meet the following requirements:
- Hydrophobic qualities;
- to reduce interfacial tension at the completion fluid / oil interface;
- to be resistant to mineral aggression;
- maintain their properties over a wide temperature range;
- not affect the completion fluid’s properties (density, viscosity, sludge formation);
- be safe to handle.
At the same time, the completion fluid with wetting agent must meet all the requirements for completion.
Zirax proposes to use the beneficial properties of wetting agents such as GF-1 reagent, applkying it in the required amount into any completion fluid.