Julio Vasquez

Society of Petroleum Engineers

Distinguished Lecturer 2014-15 Lecture Season

Holistic Diagnostic Approach:

The Key to Successful Conformance Engineering

Julio Vasquez

Halliburton

Abstract:

Excessive water production is a widespread problem that can detrimentally affect the profitability of hydrocarbon-producing reservoirs and limit their economic life. A wide variety of mechanical and chemical technologies have been implemented throughout the years for controlling unwanted fluid production, referred to here as conformance technologies. However, historically water-control technologies are often perceived as low-success-ratio treatments.

The main objective of this presentation is to provide an overview of: (1) conformance technology development in recent years and (2) how proper diagnostics and candidate selection are the keys to high success ratios with these types of treatments. An overview of how water-control technologies have evolved in recent years is presented as the industry moves to more complex reservoirs, higher-temperature environments, and tougher environmental restrictions, among other factors.

Several varying case histories are discussed, highlighting the problem identification stage before execution, including different types of reservoirs, wellbore completions, and water-production mechanisms, among others. Case histories are presented related to water coning, interwell communication problems attributed to high-permeability streaks and/or fractures, and water control during stimulation treatments, among others. It is also important to understand that each technology has limitations, as conformance treatments are often applied in reservoir/wellbore conditions outside of their operating capabilities.

Biography:

Julio Vasquez is a petroleum engineer working as a Conformance Global Product Champion for Halliburton’s Production Enhancement product service line in Houston, Texas, USA. He has been with Halliburton for ten years. He is responsible for providing technical support to Halliburton global operations related to water and gas shutoff and for the development of business, R&D, and training strategies for conformance. Previously, Vasquez worked at the Halliburton Technology Center in Oklahoma. Vasquez holds 10 US patents and has authored more than 50 SPE publications. Vasquez holds both a BS and MS degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Oklahoma.