9 barium sulfate wells treated

Key results

• Perforated Completion
• 45% increase to the aggregate oil rate
• 0.5% decrease in water cut
• 72% increase gas production increase

Challenge

A major client in West Texas has a field in which most wells develop barium sulfate scale (BaSO4). The BaSO4 scale can build very rapidly, resulting in reduced production. The scale builds up in the tubing/casing and in the perforation tunnels.

The client wanted to try a method to remove the scale in the casing as well as in the perforation tunnels in one trip into the well.

• Depth: 4,800 – 5,200 ft (1,460 – 1,585 m)
• Sandstone formation

Solution

Improve connectivity to the reservoir by removing BaSO4 scale and clearing out blockages using electro-hydraulic stimulation technology.

• An initial well was chosen to test the new technology.
• The BLUESPARK® tool was run over the perforated interval on third-party E-Line.
• A sample of the fill created confirmed BaSO4 as well as silica and clay from the formation.
• Eight more wells we added to the program, which were all treated without any operational issues.
• All wells were put back on production and monitored.

Outcome

• The 9 wells saw the aggregate oil rate increase from 739 b/d to 1071 b/d (45%).
• Water cut decreased by 0.5%.
• Gas increased from 13642 mcf/d to 23421 mcf/d (72%).