More Gas at Less Cost: Leveraging Foam Stick Technology to Enhance Oil and Gas Production
As oil and gas wells mature, water accumulation becomes a significant challenge, impeding the flow of hydrocarbons. This excess water creates hydrostatic back-pressure that can reduce or even halt production. To address this issue and extend the productive life of wells, operators are turning to cost-effective solutions like foam technology. One notable method involves using foam sticks, which enhance hydrocarbon flow by reducing water interference.
This article explores the operational and economic benefits of foam sticks, offering practical insights into their application in oil and gas fields.
How Foam Technology Works.
Foam sticks utilize surfactants to convert accumulated water in the wellbore into foam, reducing hydrostatic pressure and enabling oil and gas to flow freely. Unlike traditional methods like swabbing or jetting with coiled tubing, foam sticks are simpler and more economical, making them a preferred solution for many operators.
Key Advantages of Foam Sticks.
- Effective and Compact Design
Foam sticks contain 100% active foamer encapsulated in a water-soluble tube. The design ensures efficient foam production—up to four times more foam than other methods—and makes the product easy to transport and apply.
- High-Temperature Stability.
Foam sticks perform exceptionally well in high-temperature deep gas wells, maintaining stable foam formation at temperatures above 212°F (100°C). This makes them suitable for diverse operational environments.
- Ready-to-Use and Storage Friendly.
The sticks dissolve only upon contact with water in the wellbore and remain intact during cool, dry storage, ensuring long shelf life and convenience.
- Cost-Effectiveness.
By eliminating the need for expensive interventions like artificial lift systems or coiled tubing services, foam sticks provide an economical alternative for managing water in wells.
Operational Considerations.
Treatment Determination
The number of foam sticks required depends on the volume of water above the perforations. A general guideline is to use 8–10 sticks per 100 barrels of produced water daily, split between morning and evening applications. This approach ensures a consistent unloading effect over 24 hours.
Best Practices for Application.
Shutting in the Well: Operators may choose to shut in the well for 30–60 minutes after deploying the foam sticks. This allows them to settle and dissolve at the bottom of the well while building bottom-hole pressure.
Controlled Wellhead Opening: After the shut-in period, operators should open the wellhead valves to 25% flow capacity. Gradually increasing to full capacity ensures the effective removal of water and prevents disruption.
Frequency of Treatment: Initial treatments should occur 2–3 times daily for a few days to stabilize production. Once an optimum flow rate is achieved, operators can reduce the treatment frequency by 50%.
Economic and Operational Impacts.
Foam sticks provide measurable improvements in production rates by mitigating water-related flow restrictions. Their cost-effectiveness, combined with ease of use, makes them an attractive option for operators aiming to maximize field profitability. Additionally, foam sticks reduce the reliance on costly service operations, enhancing the overall economic viability of water management strategies in oil and gas fields.
Real-World Applications.
Operators using foam sticks have reported substantial improvements in well productivity, particularly in high-temperature gas wells. These results demonstrate the technology’s ability to address operational challenges effectively while maintaining economic efficiency.
Conclusion.
Foam sticks represent a practical and cost-effective solution for removing water from oil and gas wells, ensuring consistent production rates and extending the lifespan of mature fields. By reducing hydrostatic back-pressure and simplifying water management, this technology offers a valuable alternative to traditional methods.
For operators seeking innovative, low-cost solutions to maximize well performance, foam sticks present a proven methodology that aligns with both operational and economic objectives.