Reduced Water Production

ARC has been working with gas producers to develop a water abatement process that will reduce water production in gas wells. The process involves injecting sequential slugs of watery gel into the well, followed by slugs of nitrogen gas before the gel sets up. The nitrogen gas pushes gel into the reservoir, leaving channels through which natural gas can flow back from the producing zone in the well. 

Field trials were highly successful, yielding ½ billion cubic feet of incremental natural gas and extending the life of the well for over one year. The new process is valued because it leads to reduced production costs and increased gas production. Subsequent field trials in fractured reservoirs with other producers have similarly reduced water production. ARC provides reservoir technology in support of operators' near-term goal of maximizing production from existing oil and gas wells. 

Reproduced with permission from the Alberta Research Council.