What's happening in production
Alleviating the big squeeze, helpful stimulationGRI, (formerly, the Gas Research Institute) has been studying how to improve cement bonding and zone isolation through a unique "cement pulsation" (CP) technique. The cement slurry is vibrated by sending cyclic, low-pressure pulses down the well annulus, which improves cement flow and bonding in a manner similar to conventional cement vibration at the surface. Using conventional surface equipment, the CP method pulses water or air directly into the annulus above the slurry. The annulus acts as a wave-guide, transmitting the pressure pulses through the slurry. This keeps the cement gel structure from setting, maintaining hydrostatic pressure of the cement column and preventing formation-fluid influx. Other methods, such as direct vibration of the casing and lowering vibration devices inside the casing, have not resulted in a practical well-cementing aid. The CP approach avoids problems associated with these methods while being simple and inexpensive. The technology should enhance slurry performance in reducing fluid migration, improving bonding to casing and reducing the number and severity of squeezes required. In addition, CP can provide real-time data about the cement-setting process. Testing thus far indicates that the method is adaptable to deep wells with large annulus volumes. Further testing from field experiments will determine the range and scope of benefits and applications. To that end, GRI and its contractor for this project, CTES, L.C. of Conroe, Texas, are seeking experiment site hosts. Hosting companies will receive a free CP application and all data derived from the experiment. Such data will be treated as proprietary and confidential. For further information, contact Brian Gahan, GRI, at 773/399-8170 or bgahan@gri.org. Stimulation help. GRI has just released a useful tool on CD-ROM called Advanced Stimulation Technology. It’s a multi-media guide for E&P engineers and managers comprising a decade of hydraulic fracturing and service research. The product, which can be used as a training, reference and resource tool, features text, graphics, audio and video. It is designed to be a practical guide for determining the appropriate stimulation technology for a given job. The CD covers the most recent methodologies in QC, stress profiling, monitoring, candidate selection and real-time analysis. In addition, the CD includes case histories, reference material, graphs and various illustrations. The $499 program ($349 for members) is a product of GRI’s Advanced Stimulation Technology Deployment Program and can be purchased online at: www.gri.org. Offshore Florida. Development of Chevron’s 50 offshore Florida lease blocks moved a step closer after a public meeting in Pensecola, Florida, on September 27. The area in question lies about 25 mi offshore the Destin-Pensecola area of Florida’s panhandle at the eastern extension of the Norphlet trend, a prolific offshore gas region that extends from Louisiana to Florida. Chevron made a gas discovery on Destin Dome Block 57 in April 1996. That well tested 42 MMcf of dry gas per day, and reserve estimates run to 1 Tcfg, but only development drilling will give definitive answers. For the past three years, Chevron has been in a battle for permission to drill about 20 wells on its leases, but thus far, two U.S. presidents and two Florida governors, including newly-elected Governor Jeb Bush, have thwarted attempts for drilling permits. Floridians perceive offshore drilling as a threat to their state’s multi-billion-dollar tourist industry, which so far has allowed residents to enjoy low sales taxes and no state income taxes. However, since this is a gas play, and thus far, dry gas at that, it should have a mitigating effect on any potential pollution problems. In August, MMS released a draft environmental-impact statement that concluded little danger from the proposed activities, with only a 0.01% risk of spilling 1,500 bbl of diesel fuel while drilling. There are some great ironies that this editor, a former Floridian himself, feels are worthwhile to point out. While allowing its own hydrocarbon production to slip from about 10th to nearly 30th among the states, Florida now ranks third in the country in petroleum and electricity consumption. Plans for a gas pipeline across the Gulf to south Florida – considered necessary to fuel growth and power generation – are nearing completion. Further, most of the state’s electricity is generated from coal – hardly an environmentally benign fuel. (What sort of environmentalist favors coal over gas?) This appears to be a classic case of NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) hypocrisy. Floridians love what hydrocarbons do for them, but don’t want them produced anywhere near their state. MMS has assessed the Eastern Gulf’s hydrocarbon potential at 7.5 to 8.7 Tcf gas and 1.6 to 2.5 billion bbl of oil. Florida has a federally approved coastal management program in place that currently disallows drilling, at least according to Governor Bush. However, Chevron has appealed to U.S. Secretary of Commerce William Daley to overrule the state’s objections. If Daley gives Chevron the nod, the company could begin drilling in 2001. His decision is expected early next year. Cool sounds addendum. In World Oil’s October issue, this column reported on a thermoacoustic Stirling engine. It has no moving parts, is inexpensive to build and can achieve sufficient refrigeration power to produce LNG. This editor did not use traditional press sources for that report. A few days past deadline, a press release added further that
Stork Engineers & Contractors was the development co-funding partner of Cryenco. A
subsequent e-mail from Stork reinforced that fact and added the following request: If you
know anybody that has a small stranded-gas problem, such as an isolated well or a new
coal-bed gas play, and would like to experiment with turning it into cash (i.e., LNG),
contact Stork at: agj.berkelder@e-c.storkgroup.com.
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