Successful Application of Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) Casing inHydraulically Fractured Water Injection Wells

Successful Application of Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) Casing in Hydraulically Fractured Water Injection Wells Daniel Peralta; Daniel Peralta Petrobras Energia S.A. Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Aldo Maggioni; Aldo Maggioni Petrobras Energia S.A. Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Rodolfo Garcia; Rodolfo Garcia Petrobras Energia S.A. Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Daniel Martin Daniel Martin Petroplastic S.A. Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Paper presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas, USA, September 2006. Paper Number: SPE-102144-MS https://doi.org/10.2118/102144-MS Published: September 24 2006 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Get Permissions Search Site Citation Peralta, Daniel, Maggioni, Aldo, Garcia, Rodolfo, and Daniel Martin. "Successful Application of Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) Casing in Hydraulically Fractured Water Injection Wells." Paper presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas, USA, September 2006. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/102144-MS Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex Search Dropdown Menu nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentAll ProceedingsSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition Search Advanced Search AbstractThis paper describes the successful application of Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) casing in 1,100-m water injection wells in Puesto Hernandez field, Argentina.Prior to running 5 1/2-in. casing, thorough testing was carried out to evaluate the actual performance during frac treatments using a surface-mounted model. Other tests were designed and carried out to evaluate casing behavior during running, cementing and perforating operations.Operational aspects, such as the effect of buoyancy, cement logging and downhole tools are addressed, as well as solutions and proposed approaches to remaining problems.To date, four wells have been completed with this technique. Results indicate that casing, tools and operational techniques are appropriate and represent an innovative, sound alternative to reduce maintenance costs associated with scaling and corrosion.IntroductionCasing corrosion and scaling in saltwater injection wells in Puesto Hernandez field, located in Argentina's Neuquen basin, have become a greater problem over the last few years. Increased maintenance costs, severe injectivity reduction and even lost wells have been a direct result of casing corrosion and scaling. Fiberglass-reinforced epoxy (GRE) had been successfully used in tubing and pipelines in this and others fields, so this material was considered as an alternative for mitigating the problems experienced in injection wells casings. These wells require hydraulic fracturing to achieve desirable injection levels, so a test was conducted to evaluate whether the GRE casing could hold up to proppant. After the tests confirmed favorable results, four injector wells were drilled in Puesto Hernandez in 2004 using 5 1/2-in. GRE casing.HistoryCurrent regulations in Argentina state that all production water must be reinjected. As usual, in this field production water is highly corrosive and tends to cause scaling. It was necessary, therefore, to develop new tubular materials that could resist such deterioration. Tubing was the first component replaced in Puesto Hernandez injection wells. A number of material and design alternatives, including GRE, epoxy and polyethylene-coated steel, were evaluated. Some materials proved better than others over time, and their performance was related to well characteristics. Among the best of these materials rated GRE, despite its limited mechanical properties. Therefore, it was decided to focus on GRE casing.Use of this material has been reported, but its application is not widespread. Evaluation of cement behind GRE casing is sometimes discussed in the literature.1,2,5 It has been used in the Neuquen basin only for 2 3/8-, 2 7/8- and 3 1/2-in. casing in single-bore completions, particularly for recasing wells having corroded, worn-out casing. Keywords: well logging, log analysis, casing and cementing, Upstream Oil & Gas, enhanced recovery, waterflooding, Drilling Cost, spe 102144, epoxy, elevator Subjects: Casing and Cementing, Hydraulic Fracturing, Improved and Enhanced Recovery, Formation Evaluation & Management, Waterflooding, Open hole/cased hole log analysis This content is only available via PDF. 2006. Society of Petroleum Engineers You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.