OIL FOAM STICKS™

(For Gas-Condensate Wells)

 

 

OIL FOAM STICKS™ are condensate-dispersible water-soluble sticks that contain surfactants that foam both the condensate and water column in gas-condensate wells.

 

PRODUCT USES

OIL FOAM STICKS™ are primarily used to increase gas production by removing condensate and water from gas-condensate wells. The foaming action decreases the hydrostatic back-pressure which increases gas production which further enhances the foaming action until the well unloads.  Some water must be present to enhance the OIL FOAM STICKS™ foaming action in wells with BHT less than 130ºF.

 

OIL FOAM STICKS™ are recommended only when over 75% of fluid column is composed of condensate.  If the fluid column contains over 25% water, it is recommended to use SLICK STICKS™ only or a combination of both OIL FOAM STICKS™ and SLICK STICKS™ to be more effective in removing the fluid.

 

OIL FOAM STICKS™ can be used to increase the swabbing efficiency and life of swab cups. The slick coating and foaming action increases efficiency of the swab and extends the life of swab cups.  The perforations are often cleaned as a result of the detergent and swabbing action.

 

PRODUCT ADVANTAGES

OIL FOAM STICKS™ are an economical way to remove condensate and water from gas-condensate wells without using expensive well service operations such as swabbing, jetting with coiled tubing, or installing artificial lift and siphon strings.

 

TREATMENT DETERMINATION & PROCEDURE FOR FLUID REMOVAL

The number of OIL FOAM STICKS™ to be used is based on the volume of fluid above the perforations.  Field tests indicate that the best results were achieved by using a larger initial slug treatment of ½ to 1 percent by weight of OIL FOAM STICKS™ to fluid above the perforations.  A treatment of ½ to 1 percent by weight would require 1.75 to 3.50 lb of stick per BBL of fluid.

 

 

OIL FOAM STICKS™                                                        CONTINUED FROM FRONT

 

OIL FOAM STICK™ SIZES                    STICKS PER BBL (Initial Slug Treatment)

    SENIOR (1 5/8” X 18”)                                1 to 2 Sticks per 1 BBL of fluid

    JUNIOR (1 3/8” X 16”)                                2 to 3 Sticks per 1 BBL of fluid

    JUNIOR (1 ¼” X 15”)                                  2 to 4 Sticks per 1 BBL of fluid

    THRIFTY (1” X 15”)                                   3 to 6 Sticks per 1 BBL of fluid

    MIDGET (5/8” X 15”)                                 8 to 17 Sticks per 1 BBL of fluid

 

NOTE: This amount is recommended for an initial slug treatment.  In many cases, the removal of the top few hundred feet of fluid may be sufficient to allow the production of natural gas to blow out the remaining fluid in the well.  To determine the optimum amount for periodic treatments you may choose to gradually reduce the initial treatment amount until the most economical point is reached.  Periodic treatments with OIL FOAM STICKS™ may be necessary to prevent production decline due to the gradual fluid build-up.  It is much easier to maintain gas production with regular insertion of OIL FOAM STICKS™ than it is to kick off a dead well.  Gas bubbling through the fluid is necessary to create foam.  If a well is totally dead, GAS STICKS™ may be used in conjunction with OIL FOAM STICKS™ to provide some agitation energy.

Some water must be present for GAS STICKS™ to produce gas.

 

THE MOST COMMON PROCEDURE is to shut-in the well and drop sticks through a lubricator.  Wait 45 seconds or until sticks contact top of fluid then slowly return well to normal production.  Repeat procedure if or when it becomes necessary.  FOR HIGH RATE WELLS (after sticks have contacted the top of fluid) flow well at about 25% of pretreatment rate for 30 minutes or until foam reaches surface then return to normal rate.  FOR SHALLOW OR LOW RATE WELLS leave well flowing while dropping sticks if possible.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

The stick will normally dissolve in 30 to 80 minutes depending on temperature, salt content, and relative fluid motion. Melting point of the sticks is 130ºF.  The stick will dissolve in water in wells with BHT below 130º (just at a slower rate).  Lab tests indicates that the dissolving rate in moving diesel to be 80 minutes @ 100º, 24 minutes @ 120º, 7 minutes @ 140º, and 2 minutes @ 180º.  The dissolving time will decrease if the sticks are broken before dropping or if they break upon impact with the top of the fluid.  The specific gravity is 1.08.  The falling velocity through fresh water is approximately 100 feet per minute. Gas moving up the tubing will often change falling characteristics.

 

PRODUCT PACKAGING

    SENIOR                   –   24/case   –    N/A       –  48/chest

    JUNIOR (1 3/8)       –   36/case   –     42/pail    – 72/chest

    JUNIOR (1 ¼)         –   36/case   –    45/pail   –   72/chest

    THRIFTY                –   49/case   –    72/pail   –   98/chest

    MIDGET                 –  108/case   –  204/pail    –  216/chest

 

CAUTION:  As with all industrial chemicals, contact with eyes or skin should be avoided (see MSDS).  Wash thoroughly with water. Sticks should be stored in a cool dry place. Read MSDS sheet before using. Always remove plastic bag before using.  Bag can be used as a glove to avoid contact with hands.