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The Application of High-Power Sound Waves for Wellbore Cleaning

2004; Volume: 19; Issue: 03 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2118/82197-pa

1945-1547

B. P. Champion, Fred van der Bas, G. Nitters,

Geophysical and Geoelectrical Methods

Summary This paper presents the results of a wide-ranging investigation into the application of high-power sound waves to remove plugging material from the wellbore and near-wellbore regions. This paper describes the process of generating high-power sound waves with a high-voltage electrical discharge and summarizes the results of the laboratory and test-well trials conducted on both simulated plugging materials and mudcake. The paper also references the development progress of a prototype wireline-conveyed, wellbore-cleaning system. The results of the investigation concluded that high-power sound waves represent a viable wellbore-cleaning technology with the potential to be applied effectively in removing various forms of wellbore-plugging material. Because this process can be applied selectively and in a controlled manner in the wellbore, without environmental impact and with standard wireline-deployment techniques, it offers considerable benefits vs. some existing solutions.