The role of fouling materials strength on unplugging sand control devices using an electrohydraulic stimulation technique

• Published in: Journal of petroleum science & engineering 2022-01, Vol.208, p.109689, Article 109689
• Main Authors: Habibi, Ali, Fensky, Charles E., Fattahpour, Vahidodin, Roostaei, Morteza, Mahmoudi, Mahdi, Zeng, Hongbo, Sadrzadeh, Mohtada
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Compressive strength; Fouling; Sand control screen; Scaling; Shock waves; Tensile strength
• ISSN: 0920-4105; 1873-4715
• DOI: 10.1016/j.petrol.2021.109689

Previous studies showed that the fouling materials strongly affect the plugging of sand control devices during the oil production, thereby reducing oil productivity index drastically. In this study, we investigate how the compressive and tensile strengths of fouling materials affect the cleaning performance of shock waves generated by an electrohydraulic stimulation (EHS) tool. First, we synthetically plug wire-wrapped screens using different class G cement slurries widely used in oil fields. Silica, calcite, clay, and organic carbon powder as additives are mixed with the cement at different concentrations. Next, we evaluate the compressive and tensile strengths of the cured cement samples by performing uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and Brazilian tests. Finally, the cleaning performance of the EHS tool is evaluated for plugged wire-wrapped screens. The UCS and Brazilian tests results show that the presence of additives changes the mechanical properties of cement samples. The compressive and tensile strengths of cement samples prepared with silica are found to be higher than those prepared with calcite and clay. Besides, the results of the pulsing stimulation treatment performed by the EHS tool show that the cleaning performance of the EHS tool for the wire-wrapped screens plugged with cement and carbon powder is the highest among all samples as cement samples with carbon powder represent the weakest mechanical properties (UCS and tensile strengths) among all samples. This study provides valuable insights into understanding the effect of shock waves on cleaning the plugged wire-wrapped screens. The results also enable production engineers to better plan for the treatment of damaged wells. [Display omitted] •Silica, calcite, and clay increase Young’s modulus and tensile strength of cements.•Carbon powder decreases Young’s modulus and tensile strength of cements.•Cleaning performance of the EHS tool is the highest when carbon powder is used.•Shock waves with high output energy increase cleaning performance of the EHS tool.