SPE 166420

Case History—Combining Extreme Overbalance and Dynamic

Underbalance Perforating Techniques in Ecuador
Patricia Poveda, Alvaro Izurieta, Petroamazonas, Julio Lozada, SPE, Federico Rios, SPE, Martin Schoener Scott,
SPE, Halliburton

Copyright 2013, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, 30 September–2 October 2013.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been
reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its
officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to
reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright.

Abstract
The effective combination of propellants to generate a high-pressure pulse to create micro fractures has been proven to be
successful in a number of wells in Ecuador.
Recently, the inclusion of surge chambers in the bottom hole assembly has been proven to provide improved cleanup of
the perforation tunnels created by jet perforators. This minimum surge pressure across the formation results in a dynamic
underbalance that improves well productivity. Owing to the improved cleanup, there is a better path between the reservoir
and the wellbore, which has demonstrated a more than 50% increase in well productivity. The ability to delay the opening of
the chambers after gun detonation is critical in creating a dynamic surge from reservoir to wellbore, thus enhancing the
dynamic flow and removal of fluids and solids from the perforation tunnels.
This combination of overbalance and dynamic-underbalance immediately after perforating has also provided a method for
cleaning perforation tunnels, even when perforating overbalanced with wireline-conveyed guns.
This technique has been highly successful in the East Basin of Ecuador, especially now that near-wellbore stimulation
techniques to clean the perforation tunnels can be achieved with wireline-conveyed guns instead of using a rig to provide
tubing-conveyed perforating (TCP) services to create optimum conditions during perforating.
This combination of techniques provides an effective solution at a reasonable cost that optimizes reservoir connectivity
with the wellbore, significantly increasing the productivity index.
However, for these techniques to be used successfully and create the necessary conditions to remove debris damage from
the perforation tunnels, it is imperative that the software models and simulations be provided by experienced and well-trained
engineers.
Prior to the job, the service is modeled using state-of-the-art software simulators to predict the dynamic forces acting on
the wellbore. When the job is executed, fast-gauge memory recorders are used to capture the pressure and temperature data at
the time of the perforation event to validate the modeling. This technology has demonstrated great success in Ecuador by
improving well productivity by as much as 50% when compared to other nearby wells in the field.

Introduction
The combination of extreme overbalanced perforating with propellants and dynamic underbalance with surge chambers in a
single trip and the timing between events are the enablers for success of this technology.
The propellant assembly consists of a conventional perforating gun surrounded by a sleeve of propellant-like oxidizing
material (Fig. 1).
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Fig. 1—Propellant sleeves placed over the OD of the perforating guns.

The perforating gun is detonated in the wellbore as normal and during the perforating process the sleeve is initiated. The
sleeve, which is a proprietary oxidizer, burns quickly and produces a burst of high-pressure gas. This high-pressure gas enters
the perforation and creates fractures past the damaged zone and creates an improved flow path from the formation to the
wellbore. The sleeves can be used in conjunction with all commonly available hollow steel carrier perforating gun systems
from 1 9/16 in. through 7 in. OD. The gun assembly can be lowered into the well on wireline, jointed pipe, or with coiled
tubing.
The gun detonation initiates a delay fuse which burns for + or - 5 minutes then triggers the opening of the dynammic
underbalance vents opening a flowpath for the hydrocarbon formation to flow into the SurgePro chambers.
The SurgePro dynamic underbalance perforating system uses a dynamic wellbore simulator to accurately model and
predict the effects of pressure transients during the perforating event. This system allows the optimization of the
underbalance surge for a specific reservoir condition. The technique incorporates both advanced software and hardware, like
vents and chambers, to easily custom-engineer perforating assemblies and procedures that deliver the greatest value from
dynamic fluid surges in the milliseconds following the explosive charge detonation (Fig 2). Regardless of initial wellbore
pressure conditions, this system can create a dynamic underbalance that vastly improves perforation cleanup and maximizes
its effectiveness. It is not necessary to reduce shot density to achieve an impressive performance. As a result, the dynamic
underbalance surge is created with the use of special fast-opening surge vent assemblies, allowing fluids and solids to flow
from the perforations into the chambers. This minimum surge pressure across the formation results in a dynamic
underbalance that improves well productivity by removing the damage created during the perforation event. Fig. 2 shows the
components that make up the assembly of the perf/stim/surge system.

Fig. 2—Dynamic underbalance assembly with propellant sleeves on the perforator guns.

In the case histories described in this paper, an optional rugged high-speed recorder was also used to capture the pressure
profile to verify proper gun and propellant burn, and dynamic underbalance pressures. Not only can this down-hole gauge
sample data at 115,000 data samples per second, but it can do it in high-pressure, and severe shock/vibration environments,
generated by explosive pressures from perforating and propellant guns. The gauge data is used to determine the fracturing
response of the formation and the dynamic surge effect after the vents open by analyzing the post-job data with software
models. Other applications include recording perforating jobs, hydraulic fracturing/stimulations, tool movement and design,
and reservoir measurements.

Location
The two case histories described happened in Ecuador, South America. In this country the most productive oil fields are
Shushufindi (Petroamazonas), Yutui Eden (West), Dorine (Andes), and Sacha (Rio Napo) and are all located in the
northeastern corner of the country. Napo is heavy oil; sour with a 19.2 ° API and 2% sulfur content, while the East (Oriente)
is a medium-heavy crude, half bitter, with 28.8 ° API and 1% sulfur content.
SPE 166420 3

Case History 1 - TCHA-004

The first case history discussed in this paper is located in the Tuich Field within block 15 in the central part of the area
operated by Petroamazonas, as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3—Location of the Tuich Field.

The Tuich structure corresponds to a small asymmetric anticlinal with a preferential North-South direction located at the
southern end of a series of existing culminations in the Yankunt complex. Using the structural map obtained from seismic it
was possible to determmine the location for the Tuich-01 and Tuich-02 wells, which was drilled between January 15 to
February 11, 2011 to a total depth of 11,660 feet (MD) or 9,601 feet (TVD).These two wells were drilled to test the two
reservoirs: U Lower and T Upper but only the T Upper was tested in both wells.
Two development wells (Tuich-03 and Tuich-04) were soon scheduled and drilled in May and June 2012 respectively.
The main objectives were the sandstones: T Upper and U Lower in the Napo Formation. In Tuich-03, the Napo U Lower
reservoir was tested. The main objective for Tuich-04 was to determine casing support and wellbore isolation with
CASTV/CBL logs and to perforate the well at T superior 10,974’ – 10,978’ (4 ft) with 5 spf and 10,982’ – 10,985’ (3 ft) with
5 spf. The completion consisted of a production test using a jet pump until production stabalized. Then a permanent
completion was performed using an electric submersible pump (ESP) to lift the hydrocarbons to the surface.
The well is a directional well with the following specifications:
 Casing 20”, K-55, 94 #/ft, BTC a 50' MD
 Casing 13-3/8”, K-55, 54.5#/ft: @ 1,454’ MD
 Casing 13-3/8”, K-55, 68 #/ft: @ 5,977' MD
 Casing 9-5/8”, N-80, 47 #/ft: @ 10,530' MD
 Tope Liner 7” P-110 26#/ft: @ 10,156’ MD
 Liner 7” P-110 26#/ft: @ 11,160’ MD
 Total depth of 11160ft MD (9620ft TVD).
 Maximum angle of deviation of the well is 38.15 ° at 5,906ft.
 Reservoir pressure of T Upper formation is 3498psi.

Prior to runnig the perforating service, a SurgePro model was performed to predict the outcome of the service (Fig. 4).
The model predicted a propellant peak pressure pulse of 16699 psi at ‘burn end’ with an initial hydrostatic wellbore pressure
of 3927 psi. The stimulation effect would result in a negative skin of -2.2 and a fracture conductivity of 17 md-ft as seen in
Fig. 4.
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Result

Fig. 4—Software model of perforation and stimulation events.

The well was prepared for completion with bit and scraper runs to clean and condition the wellbore. A wireline
perf/stim/surge assembly (Fig. 5) with a FastGauge memory recorder was deployed and fired in the T Upper sandstone at
10,975 ft – 10,978 ft and 10,982 ft – 10,985 ft.

Fig. 5—Wireline deployed perforating guns with propellant sleeves.

SPE 166420 5

The perforating assembly was retrieved from the well and the memory recorder data was retrieved and analysed (Fig. 6).
1. Gun detonation followed by a rapid pressure decreased.
2. Propellant burned for fraction of a second.
3. Formation takes some fluid after propellant burn and builds back to hydrostatic.
4. SurgePro vents and chambers open creating a dynamic surge into the chambers cleaning up the perforation tunnels.

Fig. 6—FastGauge data Tuich-4.

After testing the well with a jet pump and completing it with an ESP, the initial expectation was to obtain 230 barrels of
fluid per day (BFPD) but initial production exceded all expectations coming in at 577 BFPD (Table 1) and gradually
decreasing water cut to a fluid production rate of 273 BFPD (271 barrels of oil and 2 barrels of water).

DATE SAND FLUID OIL WATER BS&W

18-Nov-12 INSTALACION 1. ARRANCA BES 2 BOMBAS P6 S

19-Nov-12 TS 577 0 577 100.0
20-Nov-12 TS 419 80 339 80.9
21-Nov-12 TS 450 378 72 16.0
22-Nov-12 TS 398 396 2 0.5
23-Nov-12 TS 325 323 2 0.6
24-Nov-12 TS 360 358 2 0.6
25-Nov-12 TS 366 364 2 0.5
26-Nov-12 TS 321 319 2 0.6
27-Nov-12 TS 345 343 2 0.6
28-Nov-12 TS 378 376 2 0.5
29-Nov-12 TS 364 362 2 0.5
30-Nov-12 TS 371 369 2 0.5

Table 1—Initial production data Tuich-4.

Case History 2 - YNEA-029

The Yanaquincha Complex is located west of Block 15, its boundaries are: on the north to the limit of Block 15, south to
the South Paka field, east to the Limoncocha field and west by the North Paka field. The Yanaquincha complex is located in
the far northwest corner of the area operated by Petroamazonas (Block 15). The Yanaquincha Complex is comprised of four
main structures called Yanaquincha West, Yanaquincha East, North, and Aguajal Yanquincha (Fig. 7), each of them
predominantly oriented Southwest (SW) to Northeast (NE).
6 SPE 166420

Fig. 7—Location of the Yanaquincha Complex.

The Yanaquincha Complex structures were initially identified in 1998 with 2D seismic. In 2001 3D seismic was acquired,
which allowed better definition of the structures in the area. The deposits discovered in the area are: U Middle, U Lower, T
Upper, T Main and Holin, of which U lower and T Main are the most productive deposits.

Well preparation.
 Two wellbore clean up BHA for 7" is run in hole to 10405 ft (top of Landing Collar).
 Wireline logging company performs IBC-CBL-VDL-GR-CCL log services and performs cement evluation at 9600 ft to
10395 ft and repeated from 10050 ft to 10395 ft.

Perforating operation – extreme overbalance followed by dynamic underbalance. The wireline company ran a gun with
the GR CCL tool, reached 9731 ft (top of 7" liner) and had problems getting through the liner top, made 8 attempts to try to
get inside the liner without success. A second wireline attempt was made after making some changes to the BHA but still
can’t enter the liner and almost gets stuck. At this point, the customer decided to deploy tubing conveyed guns (TCP) to
complete the job.
The TCP Perf/Stim/Surge assembly (Fig. 8) was run in hole on December 26, 2012 to perforate and stimulate the
sandstone interval at 10302 ft to 10308 ft. Guns were positioned on depth with GR/CCL, surface equipment was setup and
tested and the drop bar was released to fire the Mechanical Model III pressure-assisted firing head.
TCP Bottom Hole Assembly:
 Time Delay Fire (TDF)
 TCP 4-5/8 ", 5 spf, 39 gr. 390 Maxforce with two 3 ft. propellant sleeves
 Safety spacer
 Mechanical Model III firing head
 2 heavy weight pup joints, 9.3 lbs / ft, N-80
 Pressure Operated Vent (POV) Flow Nipple 2-7/8 "
 Crossover 3-1/2 "IF to 2-7/8" EUE
 4 Drill Pipe 3-1/2 "IF, 13.3 LBS / FT
 Radioactive marker
SPE 166420 7

Fig. 8—BHA used for perf/stim/surge.

Guns fired and the TCP perf/stim/surge assembly was retrieved from the well and a completion assembly with an ESP
pump was run in hole to complete and produce the well. Production performance to date has been a total success. Production
rates (Table 2) have been relatively stable for the last five months with zero water production.

Table 2—Production Data for the

Yanaquincha A-029 Well
Date Total Fluid Oil Gas Water

12/28/2012 254 254 54 0

12/29/2012 516 5 14 511

12/30/2012 445 182 11 263

12/31/2012 420 349 20 71

4/1/2013 466 466 25 0

4/6/2013 460 460 27 0

4/12/2013 451 451 39 0

4/21/2013 462 462 56 0

4/29/2013 463 463 22 0

5/8/2013 468 468 28 0

5/13/2013 484 484 46 0

5/14/2013 474 474 36 0

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Conclusion
 To date Petramazonas has used this technology on several wells and all have had an outstanding improvement in
productivity.
 The application of a new perf/stim/surge system resulted in a significant increase in production rate ─ up to 50% as in
the Yanaquicha well.
 Both case histories demonstrated that the combination of extreme undebalance followed by a delayed surge can help
eliminate damage created during a perforation event.
 Drilling rig times are optimized by running a dual near wellbore stimulation technique in a single trip.
 The use of designed surge chambers volumes improve perforation tunnel cleanup.
 The use of high speed recorders is recommended especially when the technique is to be used in a new field. Gauge data
is the best way to confirm the model results.
 The cost associated with this service is returned in few days and maybe hours depending on the production rates
achieved for the well and the field to be developed.
 The perforations cleanup process can be optimized if the atmospheric chambers are opened right after the system reaches
fracture closure pressure; this timing provides the maximum dynamic underbalance.
 A software model that accounts for shock loading and dynamic events in the wellbore is essential to the success of the
technique.
 Highly trained engineers are required to run the software model. This will ensure the job is done right the first time every
time. The energy released and the shock loads produced by gun detonation and propellant burn can be extremely high
and produce mechanical damage to the bottom hole assembly.

Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the management of Petroamazonas and Halliburton for allowing us to put this document
together and presenting it at this prestigious event.

References
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