Conformance Solution Improved Oil Recovery in a Naturally Fractured Carbonate Well

Abstract One of the primary problems for mature oilfield operators is the production of undesired fluids, such as water or gas. Cantarell is a mature field wherein one of the greatest challenges is managing produced water. Mature oil fields experience severe water production, which can be challenging in naturally fractured carbonate reservoirs that produce through a thick layer of oil. A new technology combining two conformance systems was used to alleviate water production in a well in this field, returning production to optimal levels. The study well (Well A) was shut in because of high water cut (90 to 100%), and post-analysis of this problem showed water coning from fractures in the Lower Cretaceous formation. The well has a unique interval, and perforating a deeper interval was not possible because the water-oil contact (WOC) was close. The solution selected for this case was a combination of two conformance technologies for water control that permit sealing high permeability channels and fractures and, more importantly, help provide selective water control—one is a swelling polymer designed to shut off water channels, fractures, or highly vugular zones, and the other is hydrocarbon-based slurry cement that reacts on contact with water. The result was the recovery of a producer well with 1,197 BOPD with 14% water cut. After 19 months, production averaged 1,300 BOPD for that month with 40 to 66% water cut. Correctly diagnosing the problem and combining conformance technologies can help operators resume production of wells considered lost because of undesired fluids production. Therefore, this technology could be used to benefit reservoir optimization and production.