Nitrogeno

Straight Nitrogen
Applications & Calculations

In this chapter the student will learn:
• Terminology for calculations used in this section.
• Nitrogen applications and calculations when pumped without commingling or
foaming
• When temperature is constant
• When temperature varies
This chapter will only cover the applications and associated calculations when
pumping nitrogen by itself (no liquids pumped at the same time). The chapters
following this will cover the applications and calculations when commingling
with fluids or foaming.
Lesson Introduction
This chapter is the first of three which present the applications and common
calculations involving nitrogen at the well site. To do these problems at the well
site or in an office it will be necessary for the operator to have a clear
understanding of the Halliburton Redbook to determine capacities and have
attended the Halliburton Essential Mathematics coarse. It will not be necessary to
look up the Redbook information during class time. This is not done in order to
limit confusion and save time when teaching the coarse.
In the coarse, the majority of problems are intentionally set up not to need
interpolation. This is also done in order to spend more time on the application of
how nitrogen is applied in the field and to minimize the confusion for the student
while learning the basics concepts necessary in the calculations. When doing the
actual calculations in the field and in an office it will be very uncommon not to
have to interpolate and in many cases a double interpolation is needed.
Interpolating will be covered in the latter part of the next section. In the field it
will be necessary for the student to understand interpolating and Redbook
calculation.
The cool-down volumes necessary to perform the jobs are not accounted for in the
calculations. This is due to the variations in amounts necessary with different
pumps and climates.
Basic Concepts
All gases have a relationship between temperature, pressure , and volume. This is
shown in the calculation PV = nrT. In this case n and r are constant and vary
depending on the units we are using. If P,V,or T changes, then one of the others
must also change to keep the equation balanced. An example of volume changing
as pressure decreases is watching a bubble expand as it travels upward in water.
As the bubble gets closer to the surface it expands due to not having as much
hydrostatic water pressure on it. An example of temperature changing and its
effect on pressure can be seen with the tires on your car. On cold days your tire
gauge will show less pressure than a hot day if the same volume of air is in the
tire. P, V, and T have these same relationships in a well.
Because nitrogen is a gas, once we leave the nitrogen pumper, routine oil field
calculations become more difficult when nitrogen is involved. Usually what we
can expect to happen is the nitrogen gas will contract into a smaller volume as
pressure is increased, and nitrogen gas will expand to a greater volume as
pressure is decreased. The nitrogen gas will expand with increasing temperature
and contract with decreasing temperature.
Terminology
WHP - (Wellhead Pressure) - This is the pressure showing uphole on a gauge.
Depending on what is happening at the time it can also be called other terms
when needing to be more specific, such as:
WHTP - Wellhead Treating Pressure - This is the pressure at the wellhead while
pumping either nitrogen, fluids or both.
ISIP - Instant Shut In Pressure - This is the pressure immediately after all the
pumps (nitrogen or fluid) have been shut down. It is recorded due to a need to
see how a well is reacting during pumping after discounting out all friction
pressures.
PBH - (Pressure Bottom Hole) - This can be the pressure at the bottom of the
tubing, or coiled tubing when static, jetting, displacing, etc. or the pressure at the
perforations when pumping into the formation or flowing out of the formation.
Depending on what is being done it can also be called other names when needing
to be more specific, such as:
BHP - Bottom Hole Pressure - This is the term usually used when there is no
movement of fluids or gases. Often times it can be calculated by determining the
hydrostatic weight of the fluids or gases in the wellbore and adding to the WHP if
the well is not dead.
BHTP - Bottom Hole Treating Pressure - This term is used when pumping fluids
into the formation. It is the pressure just outside the perforations which the
formation is seeing. It is used to aid in determining fracturing pressures,
reservoir pressures, damaged zones, leak off rates, etc.
BHFP - Bottom Hole Flowing Pressure - This term is used when wells are flowing
back. It is the pressure on the inside of the casing across from the
perforations. It is important in nitrogen applications when doing a well cleanout
or jetting job.
PH - Pressure Hydrostatic - This is the hydrostatic pressure of a column of fluid,
gas, or a mixture. In our calculations it will normally be PH exerted at the bottom
of the tubing or at the mid-point of the perforated interval.
PH = (Mud Weight * .052 * Depth)
T. G. - (Temperature Gradient) - As a well is drilled deeper the temperature
increases with depth. A temperature just below the ground surface can be readily
found and by the use of temperature gauges on wireline or electric line devices a
bottom hole temperature is found. The temperature gradient is how fast per 100
ft intervals the temperature increases as we go deeper in the well.
T.G. = [(Bottom Hole Temperature - Surface Temperature) /
Depth] * 100 feet
V’/V - (Volume Factor) - This is a term which will be used through out this
chapter. It relates how much standard volume of gas is compressed into an actual
volume of space. The units are usually given in scf/bbl. The equation is:
V’/V = Standard Volume Gas (scf) / Actual Volume Gas (bbl) =
scf / bbl
There are two tables in the Nitrogen Data for Oil Well Servicing manual which
uses V’V.
Table VI - Gives V’/V when temperature and pressure is a constant. (group 1
problems)
Table IV - This gives an average V’/V when the pressure and temperature
changes as a gradient over a depth interval. (group 2 problems).
Overview Applications & Calculations
In working problems involving gas it is vary important to determine if the
temperature will be staying constant or changing. Usually on the surface the
temperature is a constant, but when we are pumping down to a formation or up
the backside our temperatures will change.
Temperatures are constant in the following applications and calculations:

• Filling a refinery vessel to inert or purge a system
• Leak testing uphole equipment
• Helium leak detection
• Displacing a liquid down a pipeline with a pig and nitrogen
• Displacing out fluids from a coiled tubing reel from the nitrogen connection to
the wellhead
• Determining volume of nitrogen from the perforations back into the formation
Temperatures vary due to increases in depth in the following applications and
calculations
• Displacement of drilling or production fluids out of the tubing, casing, or
backside
• Displacement of the coiled tubing from the section from the wellhead to the
bottom of the coil
• Nitrogen cushions for drill stem testing.
• Under balanced perforating
• Annulus Insulation.
• Extreme Over Balanced Perforating (Perfstim).
• Perf-CON.
• Freeing stuck drill pipe.
• Corrosion inhibitor placement
Temperature Constant
References tables are often used to determine the volume of gas with respect to
pressure and temperature. Such a table is found in Section VI of the Nitrogen
Data for Oil Well Servicing manual. This table gives a volume factor (V’/V) for
specific temperatures and pressures. The volume factor indicates how many
standard cubic feet (scf) of nitrogen will take up 1 bbl of space at specific
condition. The volume factor is measured in scf/bbl. This set of tables is used
when temperature does not vary.
EXAMPLE TABLE
PRESSURE-TEMPERATURE VOLUME TABLES FOR NITROGEN GAS*

V'/V IN SCF/BBL
PSIG
P 60°F 80°F 100°F 120°F 140°F 160°F 180°F 200°F 220°F
100 45 43 41 40 39 37 36 35 34
200 84 80 78 75 72 70 68 66 64
300 122 118 114 110 106 103 99 96 94
400 161 I55 150 145 140 135 131 127 123
500 200 193 186 180 174 168 163 158 153
600 239 230 222 214 207 201 194 188 183
700 278 268 258 249 241 233 226 219 213
800 317 305 294 284 275 266 258 250 242
900 356 343 330 319 308 298 289 276 267
1000 395 380 367 354 342 326 315 305 295
1100 434 418 403 389 371 358 345 334 324
1200 473 455 439 424 403 389 375 363 352
1300 511 493 475 452 435 420 405 392 379
1400 550 530 506 485 467 450 435 420 407
1500 589 567 540 518 499 481 464 449 434
1600 628 599 574 551 530 511 493 477 461
1700 667 635 608 583 561 541 522 504 488
1800 706 670 641 615 592 570 550 532 515
1900 738 705 674 647 622 599 578 559 541
2000 774 739 707 678 652 628 686 586 567
2100 810 773 739 709 682 657 634 612 593
2200 845 806 771 740 711 685 661 639 618
2300 879 839 802 770 740 713 687 668 647
2400 913 871 833 799 773 744 718 695 672
2500 946 903 868 833 801 772 745 721 698
2600 979 939 899 863 830 800 772 746 723
2700 1016 971 929 892. 858 827 798 772 747
2800 1049 1002 959 921 886 854 824 797 772
2900 1081 1033 989 949 913 880 850 822 796
3000 1113 1063 1018 978 941 907 875 846 820
3100 1144 1093 1047 1005 967 933 900 871 843
3200 1174 1122 1075 1033 994 958 925 895 867
3300 1204 1151 1103 1060 1020 983 950 919 890
3400 1234 1180 1131 1086 1046 1008 974 942 913
3500 1263 1208 1158 1112 1071 1033 998 965 935
3600 1291 1235 1184 1138 1096 1057 1022 988 958
3700 1319 1262 1211 1164 1121 1081 1045 1011 980
3800 1346 1288 1236 1189 1145 1105 1068 1033 1001
3900 1373 1314 1262 1213 1169 1128 1090 1055 1023
4000 1399 1340 1286 1237 1192 1151 1113 1077 1044
4100 1424 1365 1311 1261 1216 1174 1135 1099 1065
4200 1455 1395 1339 1284 1238 1196 1156 1120 1086
4300 1481 1420 1364 1312 1265 1218 1178 1141 1106
4400 1506 1444 1388 1336 1288 1244 1203 1161 1126
4500 1532 1469 1411 1359 1310 1266 1224 1186 1150
Purging and Pressuring a System
In an industrial plant often times fluids need moved out of a vessel or a vessel
needs to be purged of any unwanted gases. Nitrogen will not react with the
metals or chemicals in a hazardous way. These purges are done usually at low
pressures.
EXAMPLE 1
Given: Purge a system with 10,000 scf of nitrogen. Close valve at other
end and pressure up the system to 100 psi with nitrogen at a
temperature of 80°F. System capacity is 400 bbls.
Find: How much nitrogen is needed.
Solution: Using Section VI at 80°F and 100 psi, it will take 43 scf/bbl of N2.
(43 scf/bbl)(400 bbl) = 172,00 scf
17,200 scf + 10,000 scf = 27,200 scf plus cool-down.
PROBLEM 1
Given: Purge a system with 30,000 scf of nitrogen. Close valve at other
end and pressure up the system to 300 psi with nitrogen at a
temperature of 100°F. System capacity is 400 bbls.
Leak Detection Service
Essential to the operation of oil and gas processing systems is the knowledge that
the plant is in a safe operating condition. With the ever increasing demands and
complexity of our aging processing plants, the handling of toxic gas at high
pressures requires the need for stringent safety standards. To comply with these
standards, helium leak detection is an effective way to determine leaks. Helium
leak detection can find leaks at 5 scf/yr. and this information documented via
data acquisition systems exclusive to Halliburton.
Conventional methods such as hydrostatic testing, visual inspection, or on gas
plants a soap solution for detection of bubbles, are all unrepresentative and
limited.
Advantages
• Simulates live gas conditions
• Tests conducted at operating pressure
• Gases are safe and inert.
• No need to remove instrumentation
• Forms an integral part of the hookup program
EXAMPLE 2
Given: A helium leak detection test is to be run on a segment of a

production platform. Test will be done with 99% nitrogen and 1%
helium. The system will first be pressured up to 500 psi to test for
gross leaks, then pressured to 3500 psi. The system volume is 100
bbl. Test with 80°F nitrogen.
Find: Scf of nitrogen needed to test at 500 psi and 3500 psi.
Solution: Using Section VI, at 80°F and 500 psi it will take 193 scf/bbl and at
3500 psi it will take 1208 scf/bbl of N2.
At 500 psi → (193 scf/bbl)(100 bbl) = 19,300 scf.

System is 99% nitrogen → (19,300 scf)(.99) = 19,107 scf
At 3500 psi → (1208 scf/bbl)(100 bbl) = 120,800 scf

PROBLEM 2

production platform. Test will be done with 99% nitrogen and 1%
helium. The system will first be pressured up to 500 psi to test
for gross leaks, then pressured to 4000 psi. The system volume is
180 bbl. Test with 100°F nitrogen.
Displacement of Pipeline Pigs
When there is oil and natural gas being produced there will also be pipelines to
carry the hydrocarbons to a market. In the pipelines a pig is often times run to
remove fluids, gases or debris. The pigs are made out of various materials
mainly rubbers and foams and work similar to a 5-wiper plug for displacing
cements or muds in cementing applications. Often times nitrogen is used in this
operation to separate hydrocarbons and air (explosive mixture), passivate the
pipe, or as an economical high pressure gas. When the topography is level,
standard calculations can be used. When the line runs over various hills and
valleys, then a computer programs needs to be run due to the effect of
accumulated hydrostatic heads. More detail is given on this in the Halliburton
Pipeline manual.
The following is a problem were accumulated heads do not need to be taken into account.
EXAMPLE 3
Given: A 12” gas pipeline 9.4 miles long has a capacity of 6,944 bbls. It is
required to displace a pig through it at 200 psi. The ground
temperature and nitrogen to be pumped is 60°F.
Find: The volume of nitrogen needed to displace the pig.
Solution: Using Section VI, at 60°F and 200 psi it will take 84 scf/bbl N2.
(84 scf/bbl)(6,944 bbl) = 583,296 scf
PROBLEM 3
Given: An 8” gas pipeline 30 miles long has a capacity of 10,330 bbls. It is

required to displace a pig through it at 400 psi. The ground
temperature and nitrogen to be pumped is 80°F.
Displacement of fluids out a coiled tubing unit.

When coiled tubing is used to service a well it is often times required to displace
out the fluids on the reel with nitrogen. This is necessary due to various reasons:
1) Unit is done with the job and fluids must be removed prior to moving. This
would be due to weight and environmental concerns.
2) Coiled tubing is run to a predetermined depth in the well and fluids need
displaced to bottom.
In the first case we will take into account just the displacement of the fluids in the
reel and to the well head. The fluids in the coiled tubing from the wellhead to the
T. D. of the coiled tubing will be taken into account later on in the chapter due to
the changing temperatures and pressures down the tubing.
EXAMPLE 4
Given: A coiled tubing unit is on location. The unit has 10,000 ft of 1-1/4
inch tubing in the hole and 8000 ft on the reel. The customer has
initially asked for nitrogen to displace out the fluids to the
wellhead. WHP is 3000 psi and the capacity of the tubing on the
reel is 8 bbl. Surface temperature is 80°F.
Solution: Using Section VI, at 80°F and 3000 psi it will take 1063 scf/bbl N2.
(1063 scf/bbl)(8 bbl) = 8,504 scf
PROBLEM 4
Given: A coiled tubing unit is on location. The unit has a total of 10,000 ft
of coiled tubing with 5000 ft still left on the reel. The total capacity
of the coiled tubing unit is 10 bbl. The customer has requested to
displace the unit to the wellhead. The WHP is 4,100 psi and the
surface temperature is 60°F.
Find: How much nitrogen is needed?
Gas Fracturing ( No fluids, No proppant)

In the Northeastern part of the United States, Devonian shales are very water
sensitive and often times are stimulated by pumping high rates of nitrogen gas
without fluids or proppant. Being that nitrogen is an inert gas their is no damage
to the sensitive reservoirs. These wells are usually treated down casing at high
rates to initiate fracturing and limit leak off. Due to the low viscosity of gas the
stimulation treatment initiates a small fracture width. When the treatment is
done the fracture does not completely close due to spauling of particles off the
fracture face and low closure pressures. These jobs can be very economical due to
the absence of sand, blenders, etc. but the production decline curve can be more
rapid.
EXAMPLE 5
Given: A customer has called in and requested a straight nitrogen
stimulation treatment. He has given a BHTP of 1900 psi. He would
like the downhole rate to be 150 bbl/min and a total volume in the
reservoir to be 1500 bbl of nitrogen. The reservoir temperature is
100°F.
Find: Nitrogen rate and total volume necessary to do the job.
Solution: The pressure the nitrogen will see in the reservoir during pumping
is 1900 psi at 100°F.
In Section VI it will take 674 scf/bbl of nitrogen for a volume of 1

bbl.
Rate = (674 scf/bbl)(150 bbl/min) = 101,100 scf/min of N2
Volume = (674 scf/bbl)(1500 bbl) = 1,011,000 scf of N2
PROBLEM 5
Given: A customer has called in and requested a straight nitrogen

stimulation treatment. He has given a BHTP of 2200 psi. He would
like to pump at 100,000 scf/min and a total of 1,200,000 scf. The
reservoir temperature is 120°F.
Find: What rate will the nitrogen be in the reservoir in bbl/min. What is
the volume in the reservoir in bbls.
Temperature Changing Over A Gradient

In the prior problems in this chapter the temperature was constant and did not
change. In doing these problems we were able to use Section VI. In the rest of the
chapter we will have changing temperatures as we work in various depths of the
wellbore and use tables such as the one on pg 13 Section IV of the Nitrogen Data
for Oil Well Servicing Manual as shown below in Fig. 4:
EXAMPLE TABLE
WELLHEAD PRESSURE (WHP) AND VOLUME FACTOR (V’/V) VS BOTTOMHOLE PRESSURE AND DEPTH
GEOTHERMAL GRADIENT = 1.1 DEG. F/100 FT
BOTTOMHOLE PRESSURE (PSIA)
DEPTH 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000
(FEET)
500 WHP 492. 983. 1475. 1967. 2460. 2953. 3446. 3940. 4435. 4929. (PSIA)
V’/V 188. 375. 559. 736. 903. 1060. 1205. 1339. 1462. 1576. (SCF/BBL)
1000 WHP 483. 967. 1451. 1935. 2420. 2906. 3393. 3881. 4370. 4860. PSIA)
V’/V 185. 370. 551 726. 891. 1046. 1190. 1324. 1447. 1560. (SCF/BBL)
1500 WHP 475. 951. 1427. 1904. 2382. 2861. 3342. 3824. 4308. 4793. PSIA)
V’/V 183. 365. 544. 716. 880. 1033. 1176. 1309. 1431. 1544. (SCF/BBL)
2000 WHP 468. 936. 1404. 1873. 2345. 2817. 3292. 3768. 4246. 4726. PSIA)
V’/V 180. 360. 536. 706. 868. 1020. 1162. 1294. 1416. 1528. (SCF/BBL)
2500 WHP 460. 920. 1382. 1844. 2308. 2774. 3243. 3714. 4186. 4661. PSIA)
V’/V 178. 355. 529. 697. 857. 1008. 1149. 1280. 1401. 1513. (SCF/BBL)
3000 WHP 453. 906. 1360. 1815. 2273. 2733. 3195. 3660. 4128. 4598. PSIA)
V’/V 176. 351. 522. 688. 846. 996. 1135. 1265. 1386. 1498. (SCF/BBL)
3500 WHP 446. 892. 1338. 1787. 2238. 2692. 3148. 3608. 4070. 4535. PSIA)
V’/V 173. 346. 515. 679. 836. 984. 1122. 1252. 1372. 1483. (SCF/BBL)
4000 WHP 439. 878. 1318. 1760. 2204. 2652. 3103. 3557. 4014. 4474. PSIA)
V’/V 171. 341. 529. 671. 825. 972. 1109. 1238. 1358. 1469. (SCF/BBL)
4500 WHP 432. 864. 1298. 1733. 2171. 2613. 3058. 3507. 3959. 4414. PSIA)
V’/V 139. 337. 502. 662. 815. 960. 1097. 1225. 1344. 1454. (SCF/BBL)
5000 WHP 425. 851. 1278. 1707. 2139. 2575. 3014. 3458. 3905. 4355. PSIA)
V’/V 167. 333. 496. 654. 805. 949. 1085. 1211. 1330. 1440. (SCF/BBL)
5500 WHP 419. 838. 1259. 1682. 2108. 2538. 2972. 3410. 3852. 4297. PSIA)
V’/V 165. 329. 490. 646. 796. 938. 1073. 1199. 1316. 1426. (SCF/BBL)
6000 WHP 413. 826. 1240. 1657. 2077. 2502. 2930. 3363. 3800. 4241. PSIA)
V’/V 163. 325. 484. 638. 786. 928. 1061. 1186. 1303. 1413. (SCF/BBL)
6500 WHP 406. 813. 1222. 1633. 2048. 2466. 2889. 3317. 3749. 4186. PSIA)
V’/V 161. 321. 478. 631. 777. 917. 1049. 1174. 1290. 1399. (SCF/BBL)
7000 WHP 400. 801. 1204. 1609. 2018. 2432. 2849. 3272. 3699. 4131. PSIA)
V’/V 159. 317. 472. 623. 768. 907. 1038. 1161. 1277. 1386. (SCF/BBL)
7500 WHP 395. 790. 1187. 1586. 1990. 2398. 2810. 3228. 3650. 4078. PSIA)
V’/V 157. 313. 466. 616. 759. 897. 1027. 1150. 1265. 1373. (SCF/BBL)
8000 WHP 389. 778. 1170. 1564. 1962. 2365. 2772. 3185. 3603. 4026. PSIA)
V’/V 155. 309. 461 609. 751. 887. 1016. 1138. 1253. 1360. (SCF/BBL)
8500 WHP 383. 767. 1153. 1542. 1935. 2332. 2735. 3143. 3556. 3974. PSIA)
V’/V 153. 306. 456. 602. 742. 877. 1005. 1126. 1240. 1348. (SCF/BBL)
9000 WHP 378. 756. 1137. 1521. 1908. 2301. 2698. 3101. 3510. 3924. PSIA)
V’/V 152. 302. 450. 595. 734. 868. 995. 1115. 1228. 1335. (SCF/BBL)
9500 WHP 372. 746. 1121. 1500. 1882. 2270. 2663. 3061. 3465. 3875. PSIA)
V’/V 150. 299. 445. 588. 726. 858. 984. 1104. 1217. 1323. (SCF/BBL)
10000 WHP 367. 735. 1106. 1479. 1857. 2240. 2628. 3021. 3421. 3826. PSIA)
V’/V 148. 295. 440 582. 718. 849. 974. 1093. 1205. 1311. (SCF/BBL)
EXAMPLE TABLE
DEPTH 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000
(FEET)
500 WHP 492. 983. 1475. 1967. 2460. 2953. 3446. 3940. 4435. 4930. (PSIA)
V’/V 187. 374. 558. 734. 901. 1057. 1202. 1335. 1459. 1572. (SCF/BBL)
1000 WHP 483. 967. 1451. 1935. 2421. 2907. 3394. 3882. 4371. 4861. PSIA)
V’/V 184. 368. 548. 722. 886. 1041. 1184. 1317. 1439. 1552. (SCF/BBL)
1500 WHP 476. 951. 1428. 1905. 2383. 2852. 3343. 3826. 4309. 4794. PSIA)
V’/V 182. 362. 540. 710. 873. 1025. 1167. 1299. 1421. 1533. (SCF/BBL)
2000 WHP 468. 936. 1405. 1875. 2346. 2819. 3294. 3771. 4249. 4729. PSIA)
V’/V 179. 357. 531. 699. 859. 1010. 1151. 1281. 1402. 1514. (SCF/BBL)
2500 WHP 461. 921. 1383. 1846. 2311. 2777. 3246. 3717. 4190. 4665. PSIA)
V’/V 176. 351. 523. 688. 846. 995. 1135. 1264. 1384. 1496. (SCF/BBL)
3000 WHP 453. 907. 1362. 1818. 2276. 2736. 3199. 3665. 4133. 4603. PSIA)
V’/V 173. 346. 515. 678. 834. 981. 1119. 1248. 1367. 1478. (SCF/BBL)
3500 WHP 446. 893. 1341. 1791. 2242. 2697. 3154. 3614. 4077. 4542. PSIA)
V’/V 171. 340. 507. 668. 822. 967. 1104. 1231. 1350. 1460. (SCF/BBL)
4000 WHP 440. 880. 1321. 1764. 2210. 2658. 3110. 3565. 4022. 4483. PSIA)
V’/V 168. 335. 499. 658. 810. 954. 1189. 1216. 1334. 1443. (SCF/BBL)
4500 WHP 433. 867. 1302. 1739. 2178. 2621. 3067. 3516. 3969. 4425. PSIA)
V’/V 166. 331. 492. 649. 799. 941. 1075. 1200. 1317. 1427. (SCF/BBL)
5000 WHP 427. 854. 1283. 1714. 2147. 2584. 3025. 3469. 3917. 4369. PSIA)
V’/V 163. 326. 485. 639. 787. 928. 1061. 1185. 1302. 1410. (SCF/BBL)
5500 WHP 421. 842. 1264. 1689. 2117. 2549. 2984. 3424. 3867. 4313. PSIA)
V’/V 161. 321. 478. 630. 777. 916. 1047. 1170. 1286. 1394. (SCF/BBL)
6000 WHP 415. 830. 1247. 1666. 2088. 2514. 2945. 3379. 3817. 4259. PSIA)
V’/V 159. 317. 472. 622. 766. 904. 1034. 1156. 1271. 1379. (SCF/BBL)
6500 WHP 409. 818. 1229. 1643. 2060. 2481. 2906. 3335. 3769. 4207. PSIA)
V’/V 157. 312. 465. 613. 756. 892. 1021. 1142. 1254. 1363. (SCF/BBL)
7000 WHP 403. 807. 1212. 1621. 2032. 2448. 2868. 3293. 3722. 4155. PSIA)
V’/V 155. 308. 459. 605. 746. 881. 1008. 1129. 1242. 1348. (SCF/BBL)
7500 WHP 397. 796. 1196. 1599. 2005. 2416. 2831. 3251. 3675. 4104. PSIA)
V’/V 153. 304. 453. 597. 736. 869. 996. 1115. 1228. 1334. (SCF/BBL)
8000 WHP 392. 785. 1180. 1578. 1979. 2385. 2795. 3210. 3630. 4055. PSIA)
V’/V 151. 300. 447. 589. 727. 859. 984. 1102. 1214. 1319. (SCF/BBL)
8500 WHP 387. 775. 1164. 1557. 1954. 2354. 2760. 3171. 3586. 4007. PSIA)
V’/V 149. 296. 441. 582. 718. 848. 972. 1090. 1201. 1305. (SCF/BBL)
9000 WHP 382. 764. 1149. 1537. 1929. 2325. 2726. 3132. 3543. 3959. PSIA)
V’/V 147. 292. 435. 575. 709. 838. 961. 1077. 1187. 1291. (SCF/BBL)
9500 WHP 377. 754. 1134. 1517. 1904. 2296. 2692. 3094. 3501. 3913. PSIA)
V’/V 145. 289. 430. 567. 700. 828. 949. 1065. 1174. 1278. (SCF/BBL)
10000 WHP 372. 745. 1120. 1498. 1881. 2268. 2660. 3057. 3460. 3868. PSIA)
V’/V 143. 285. 424. 560. 692. 818. 939. 1053. 1162. 1264. (SCF/BBL)
In Fig 4, the table appears to be more complicated than Fig 1. This is due to
adding in the effects of a changing temperature and pressure. The V’/V is the
same units as in section VI (scf/bbl), but in section IV, V’/V is an average scf of
nitrogen in a bbl volume. We need to use an average V’/V due to as the
temperature rises, V’/V goes down, and as the pressure increases, V’/V goes up.
This can be seen by comparing the V’/V at different depths, temperatures, and
pressures of various tables found in section IV.
In the next set of problems we will be working with an average volume of gas
which occupies a bbl. over a changing temperature and depth. In the majority of
cases the temperature is either given or easily calculated into a temperature
gradient. The calculation for finding a temperature gradient is in the terminology
section of this chapter. The Well Head Pressure or Bottom Hole Pressure must be
known or given prior to starting the calculation. If the WHP is given then BHP is
easily solved or if the BHP is given then the WHP is then solved. The difference
between BHP and WHP is the hydrostatic weight as long as we are not pumping;
or if pumping, then at a rate which will cause negligible friction. At this point
the depth is either given and the volume of nitrogen is calculated, or the volume
of nitrogen is given and the depth interval is solved.
In working these problems it is best to first determine which of the following
values are obtainable prior to the calculating, then solve for what is not available
but necessary to properly conduct the job.
• Temperature Gradient
• Depth
• WHP - Wellhead Pressure
• BHP - Bottom Hole Pressure
• V’/V - Volume (in scf) per Bbl of space.
• Total Volume of Conduit (in bbls).
Tubing and Annulus Displacement
During many completion or workover operations, the tubing, coiled tubing,

casing or tubing casing annulus is often displaced. For various reasons nitrogen is
used to displace fluids in tubing, coiled tubing, or the annulus. These fluids
which the nitrogen is replacing can be moved out into a reserve pit or tank or
pumped back into the formation. When the fluids are being moved out of the
hole into a pit or tank then the hydrostatic weight is usually the initial fluids and
becomes the BHP. When we are displacing these fluids into the formation rather
than uphole than our BHP can be whatever pressure downhole it takes to pump
back into the formation. This pressure is the BHTP to frac or pump into the
matrix rock.
EXAMPLE 6
Given: 5-1/2” casing is full of 9.62#/gal brine. The customer plans to run
2-7/8” tubing to 6000 ft, then pump nitrogen down the tubing to
displace the brine out into the backside. Tubing capacity is 35 bbl
and the temperature gradient is 1.1 DEG F°/100 ft.
Find: BHP when brine displaced out of tubing. What is the WHP when
displacement completed. How much nitrogen is pumped.
Solution: Using calculation for pressure hydrostatic (PH) in terminology

section.
PH = (9.62#/gal)(.052)(6,000 ft) = 3,000 psi
PH for this problem is the BHP
In Section IV at 1.1 T.G. (pg. 13), Intersecting the 6,000 ft depth with
a BHP of 3000 psi gives a V’/V of 928 scf/bbl and a WHP of 2502
psi.
N2 pumped = (928 scf/bbl)(35 bbl) = 32,480 scf
PROBLEM 6
Given: 7” casing is full of 10.12#/gal mud. The customer plans to run 3-
ft, then pump nitrogen down the tubing to
displace the mud into the backside. Tubing capacity is 78 bbls and
the temperature gradient is 1.6 DEG F°/100 ft.
Find: BHP when brine displaced out of tubing. What is the WHP when
displacement completed. How much nitrogen is pumped.
EXAMPLE 7
2-7/8” tubing to 4000 ft, then pump nitrogen down the tubing to
displace the brine out of the well. Tubing capacity is 20 bbls.
Annulus capacity is 110 bbls. T.G. = 1.6 DEG F°/100 ft.
Find: BHP when tubing displaced with nitrogen. What is the wellhead
pressure at this point. How much nitrogen is pumped at this point.
How much nitrogen is needed to finish displacement of
annulus.
Solution: Find hydrostatic weight (PH)

PH = (14.42#/gal)(.052)(4,000 ft) = 3000 psi
In section IV at 1.6 T.G. (pg. 25), intersecting 4000 ft with 3000 psi
BHP gives a WHP of 2658 psi and a V’/V of 954 scf/bbl.
N2 pumped to clear tubing of brine is (954 scf/bbl)(20 bbl) = 19,080

scf
In order to finish displacement of the hole, it must be determined how much

additional N2 to pump. Initially, when the inside of the tubing is full of nitrogen, the
PHB is 3000 psi and the backside pressure at the surface is 0 psi. When the brine is
completely displaced the surface pressure in the annulus will be 0 psi. Since we started
with a BHP of 3000 psi then the average between the top and bottom of the hole would
be 1500 psi.
In using the 1500 psi as the BHP the V’/V at 4000 ft is 499 scf/bbl for continuing to
displace out the rest of the annulus fluids.
Annulus displacement is (499 scf/bbl)(110 bbls) = 54,890 scf
Total Hole Displacement is 19,080 scf + 54,890 scf = 73,970 scf
Rule of Thumb
In the 2nd part of the last problem we used a BHP which was 1/2 of the original
in order to finish unloading the hole. In some cases this may be more nitrogen
then necessary. A good rule of thumb is:
Down Tubing and Up Annulus

When tubing O.D. is greater than 1/2 casing I.D., use 1/3
When tubing O.D. is less than 1/2 casing I.D., use 1/2
EXAMPLES: In the last problem we went down the tubing and up the annulus
Ratio is 2.875/6.049 = .475 use 1/2
↑This is for 6-5/8” - 20#/ft
If the casing had been 5 1/2” casing
Then, 2.875/4.950 = .581 and we would have used 1/3
↑5 1/2” - 15.5#/ft
PROBLEM 7
2-3/8” tubing to 10,000 ft, then pump nitrogen down the annulus
and displace all the fluids out of the well up the tubing. Tubing
capacity is 39 bbls and the annulus capacity is 178 bbls. T.G. = 1.1
DEG F°/100 ft.
Find: BHP when annulus is displaced with nitrogen. What is the

wellhead pressure at this point. How much nitrogen is pumped at
this point. How much nitrogen is needed to finish displacement of
annulus.
Annulus Insulation with Nitrogen

Paraffin precipitation and deposition in the production string can be caused by
heat loss from the production fluid to the cooler formations. Fluids in the tubing
casing annulus provide very little insulation to prevent heat loss. Nitrogen in the
annulus can help reduce or eliminate deposition.
In steam injection and geothermal wells, energy can be conserved and
condensation reduced by using nitrogen in the annulus as insulation.
EXAMPLE 8
Given: 5-1/2” casing is full of 11#/gal brine. The customer plans to run 2-
7/8” tubing to 7000 ft, then pump nitrogen down the annulus to
displace the backside. This is in order to allow for an annulus
blanket. The temperature gradient is 1.1 DEG F°/100 ft and the
backside capacity is 111 bbls.
Find: BHP when brine displaced out of annulus. What is the wellhead
pressure when displacement is completed. How much nitrogen is
pumped.
Solution: Using the hydrostatic pressure calculation
PH = (11#/gal)(.052)(7000 ft) = 4000 psi
In Section IV at 1.1 T.G. (pg. 13), intersecting 7000 ft with a BHP of

4000 psi gives a V’/V of 1161 scf/bbl and a WHP of 3272 psi
Nitrogen pumped = (1161 scf/bbl)(111 bbls) = 128,871 scf
Nitrogen Cushion for Drill Stem Testing

Even when nitrogen is not needed to prevent collapse of drill pipe, it can help
improve the accuracy of drill stem test results. With nitrogen in the drill pipe,
there’s no question that any recovered fluid came from the formation. Recovered
fluids are not diluted in a water cushion. With extremely tight, low pressure
formations, some formation fluid can be recovered as nitrogen pressure is bled
off.
Nitrogen can play a vital role throughout the test. It’s used to pressure the test
string from the surface before the tester is opened to check for leaks. A nitrogen
cushion also prevents a sudden release of pressure at the formation face when the
tester is opened, which helps reduce sloughing of the formation. With a nitrogen
cushion, pressure can be slowly bled off at the surface, minimizing sudden
pressure differentials.
In deep high pressure wells, where heavy mud could collapse an empty drill
string, a nitrogen cushion and control valve can provide ample protection and
save rig time compared to a water cushion. A partial water cushion may also be
used to prevent drill string collapse and still allow pressure control with nitrogen.
With a nitrogen cushion in the string, pressures are easily controlled from the
surface. You have better control of your well throughout the test and you can test
in formations that couldn’t be tested conventionally.
When testing formations at extreme temperatures, over 350°F, it is usually

desirable to use a nitrogen cushion that will nearly balance the mud hydrostatic
pressure. Thus, by controlling the rate that the formation produces into the drill
pipe, this technique will minimize the flash precipitation of salts from the mud
system and reduce chances of plugging the tools.
PROBLEM 16
Given: A drill stem test is to be conducted and they would like to pressure
up the drill prior to opening the downhole tool to the reservoir.
The 4-1/2” D.P. has a capacity of 128 bbls down to 9000 ft. The
BHT is 160°F and the ground surface temperature is 60°F. They
would like the nitrogen BHP to be 4000 psi when the tools are
opened.
Find: The temperature gradient (T.G.), the total nitrogen to be pumped,

the WHP prior to opening the tool, and the hydrostatic weight of
the N2 column.
Solution: Temperature gradient - from the terminology section of this

chapter.
T.G. = [(BHT - Surface Temperature)Depth]*100 feet

T.G. = [(160° - 60°/9000 ft)]*100 feet
T.G. = 1.1
Using Section IV at 1.1 T.G. (pg. 13) and intersecting 9000 ft depth
with the 4000 psi BHP the V’/V of 1115 scf/bbl and a WHP of
3101 psi
Total Nitrogen = (1115 scf/bbl)(128 bbls) = 142,720 scf
The hydrostatic weight of the nitrogen column would be the

difference between the WHP and the BHP.
Hyd. Weight = 4000 psi - 3101 psi = 899 psi
As can be seen in this problem and the rest in this chapter the V’V
in scf/bbl is the average over a gradient.
PROBLEM 17
Given: A drill stem test is to be conducted and they would like to pressure
up the drill pipe prior to opening the downhole tools to the
reservoir. The 4-1/2” D.P. has a capacity of 107 bbl and is set 7500
ft with a BHT of 200°F. The surface temperature is 80°F. You have
pressured up the drill pipe with 63,680 scf of nitrogen. Your
surface gauges show 1600 psi.
Find: What is the temperature gradient, what is the bottomhole pressure,

and hydrostatic weight of the nitrogen column..
Underbalanced Perforating in Nitrogen

With the use of nitrogen and a lubricator, you can create a pressure differential
into the well bore. That virtually eliminates the chance of excess hydrostatic
pressure in the hole pushing perforation debris into the formation.
When a well is ready to be perforated, nitrogen is used to displace the well fluid
out of the tubing. The packer is set, the gun positioned, and the well pressured
with nitrogen. After firing, the gun is removed through a lubricator. The
nitrogen is slowly bled to the atmosphere to help bring in the well. Swabbing
usually is not required.
EXAMPLE 10
Given: A well has 2-7/8” TBG to 6400 ft on a packer and is to be perforated

underbalanced at 6500 ft in 5-1/2” csg. The well is dry. Capacity of
the TBG to 6400 ft and the csg. From 6400 ft to 6500 ft is 39 bbls.
The temperature gradient is 1.1 DEG F/100 ft. The customer would
like 3000 psi BHP at the interval to be perforated.
Find: WHP when BHP is 3000 psi. Nitrogen needed.
Solution: In Section IV at 1.1 T.G. (pg. 13), at a depth of 6500 ft and a BHP of
3000 psi. The WHP is 2466 psi and the V’/V is 917 scf/bbl
Nitrogen needed = (917 scf/bbl)(39 bbls) = 35,763 scf
Extreme Overbalanced Perforating (Perf-Stim)
Perf-Stim is a method to simultaneously perforate and stimulate a well. The

wellbore is pressurized to pressures well above fracturing pressures with
nitrogen. When the perforating guns are fired fractures are initiated immediately
from the high pressure. The compressed energy stored in the compressed
nitrogen injects wellbore fluids at high rates extending the created fractures.
Nitrogen and other fluids can be injected at high rates to extend the created
fractures further.
EXAMPLE 11
Given: A set of T.C.P. guns have been run in 5-1/2” casing along with a
packer to 7000 ft on 2-3/8” tbg. The hole has been previously
purged of fluids. The customer is wanting the backside filled with
nitrogen to a wellhead annulus pressure of 4130 psi. The annulus
capacity is 125 bbls and the T.G. is 1.1. 30 minutes after the guns go
off the WHP has fallen to 3272 psi.
Find: Amount of nitrogen needed to fill the backside. BHP when

backside filled. Amount of nitrogen left in backside when WHP is
4130 psi.
Solution: In Section IV at 1.1 T.G. (pg. 13) at a depth of 7000 ft and a WHP of
4130 psi the BHP is 5000 psi and V’/V is 1386 scf/bbl.
N2 needed = (1386 scf/bbl)(125 bbls) = 173,250 scf
When the WHP falls to 3272 psi we can use the same table the BHP
is 4000 psi and the V’/V is 1161 scf/bbl.
N2 in annulus = (1161 scf/bbl)(125 bbls) = 145,125 scf
PROBLEM 9
Given: A set of T.C.P. guns have been run in 5” casing along with a packer
to 4000 ft with 2-3/8” TBG. The hole has been previously purged
of fluid. The backside is to be filled with nitrogen to a WHP of
1760 psi. The annulus capacity is 54 bbls and the temperature
gradient is 1.1 DEG F/100 ft.
Find: Amount of nitrogen needed to fill the backside. What is the BHP
when the WHP is 1760 psi.
PerfCon P
PerfCon P service is designed for use when the casing has not been perforated
across an interval where sand production may be a problem. Perforating guns are
run in place with a packer set above the interval. A small volume of resin is
placed across the interval. Compressed nitrogen is then used to create the
extreme overbalanced conditions across the perforation zone. When pressure is
reached, the guns are fired, and the resin is carried into the newly created
perforations. The extreme overbalanced condition cleans out the new perforation
tunnels, stabilizes the tunnels, and forces in more resin. Catalyst is then injected
into the perforations to convert the liquid resin into a strong plastic designed to
consolidate the sand.
This nitrogen problem for a PerfCon P job would be the same as in the Perf-Stim
Process.
Freeing Differentially Stuck Drill Pipe
Nitrogen, when commingled with drilling mud, temporarily reduces fluid

density. This reduces the hydrostatic pressure against the pipe and allows it to
pull free. Another technique is to spot nitrogen gas over the zone where the pipe
is stuck. The low viscosity of the gas causes the pressure to equalize around the
pipe, allowing it to pull free.
Placing Corrosion Inhibitors with Nitrogen
There are two effective methods of placing corrosion inhibitor with nitrogen. In
the first, nitrogen is used to create an inhibitor mist. Tubing fluid is displaced by
the mist back into the formation, and the tubing filled with the mist. Pressure is
maintained to allow the mist time to deposit the inhibitor on the tubing wall, then
the nitrogen is bled off and the well put back on production.
Shut-in time is held to a minimum and the inhibitor is much more likely to stick
on the tubing because swabbing and displacement fluids are eliminated.
In the second technique, inhibitor is displaced into the formation with a
commingled nitrogen fluid. In low pressure wells, nitrogen gas alone can
displace the inhibitor fluid. The nitrogen allows the well to be placed on
production faster, and without swabbing.
Computer Programs
An alternative to doing the above problems by hand or calculator is the use of

computer programs. The following is a list of what is available with regard to this
chapter.
StimWin - This is a Windows based program which allows you to
plug in a few numbers and get back results without having to
interpolate off charts and graphs. The program runs on a 386 DX
PC with at least 8mgs of memory. Instructions to get into the
program are: Click the StimWin GUI, click APP, then Nitrogen
Calculations. Under calculate, click either Volume or Displacement
depending on what trying to find. Fill in the Black & Pink lines &
read the results givin in the Blue lines.
N2-DISP - This is an Otis Service Program. It can be used for determining

displacement of fluids with nitrogen and will take into account; coiled tubing on a
reel, coiled tubing or tubing in the well, displacement to a particular point in the
well, and a complete displacement out the backside.
Pipeline Displacements - This program is for use in pipeline displacements over
various elevations. It is in the process of being put out to the field in a user
friendly format. Until it is, it will be necessary to call either the Nitrogen or
Specialty Services departments in Duncan.
Frict - This is in the ENSITE series of programs or on TSO. This program is used
to calculate the friction properties when pumping a straight nitrogen gas. It is
usually run when necessary to determine how high a rate nitrogen can be
pumped under a limited wellhead pressure. In running this program input;
Newtonian for the fluid name, .02 for the viscosity, and use the table Nitrogen
Density vs. Pressure on pg. 5 of section VI in the Nitrogen Data for Oil Well
Servicing manual for determining the density of the gas.
Chapter Feedback Exercises
Complete the following exercises, using your note book and class notes as references.
1. What effect does pressure have when determining how much nitrogen will be necessary to do a
job?
2. How do you determine the hydrostatic weight of a column of nitrogen in a well?
3. Why would nitrogen be used on a drill stem test?
4. With temperature at 100 degrees F. How many scf/bbl of nitrogen is there at 5,000 psi?
Lesson Summary
This lesson explained basic calculation terminology and many of the application
for nitrogen when it is pumped without commingling or foaming with fluids.
Calculations were initially done which allowed the student to understand how
much nitrogen would be needed when pumping through surface lines, vessels,
and manifolds. When the nitrogen was pumped down the tubing or casing the
calculations became a little more complicated due to the effect of changing
pressures and temperatures over a gradient.
Commingled Fluids / Nitrogen
(Applications & Calculations)
Interpolating
Lesson Objectives
• Nitrogen applications and calculations when N2 is commingled with fluids..
• How to interpolating tables.
Lesson Introduction
This chapter is the second of three which presents the applications and common
calculations involving nitrogen at the wellsite. In the last chapter we discussed the use of
nitrogen when used by itself. In this chapter we will be discussing the use of nitrogen
when commingled with other fluids.
In the latter part of the chapter we will be learning how to interpolate. Interpolating is
necessary when doing nitrogen calculations which involve tables. In the previous chapter
we worked a number of problems which did not involve interpolating. This was
intentionally not added in the earlier calculations due to the additional time it would have
taken and the confusion it would have added when we are first learning the concepts of oil
field nitrogen calculations.
Terminology
VLR - VLR = Volume Gas + Volume Liquid
Volume Liquid
Volume Liquid Ratio - This term is commonly used when commingling nitrogen and
fluids. It has no units due to it is a relationship of how much space is occupied by a
mixture of nitrogen and fluid compared to the fluid by itself. This number will always be
larger than one, and if more gas is added to a known liquid then the number will increase
when the temperature and pressures are unchanged. The tables in section V in Nitrogen
Data for Oil Well Servicing manual uses VLR.
Example
Nitrogen Data Services Manual VLR comparisons for:
T.G. - 1.1
WHP - 3,000 psi
Depth - 8,000 ft
Fluid Density - 8.5 #/gal
Gas
Gas
Gas
Fluid Fluid Fluid
VLR = 1.062 VLR = 1.376 VLR = 2.226

GLR = 100 scf/bbl GLR = 500 scf/bbl GLR = 1,500 scf/bbl
Will the VLR increase or decrease if:

Temperature Increased?
Pressure Increased?
GLR - Gas Liquid Ratio - This term is commonly used in the field when an operator is
needing to adjust his rates to the fluids being pumped by other equipment on location.
Often times on a commingled or foam treatment the operator is instructed to pump at a
certain scf/bbl (GLR) and then slows or increases the scf/min of gas depending on the rate
the fluids are being pumped.
Applications of Commingled Fluids
Nitrogen is mixed with well treating fluids for various reasons. Some of these are:
Flowbacks of treatment fluids.

Density control of treatment fluids.
Hydrojetting with nitrogen.
Nitrogen to reduce hydrostatic weight of workover fluids.
Nitrogen in drilling muds ahead of cement jobs and while drilling.
Jetting to kick-off a well.
Remove differentially stuck pipe.
Problems with Commingled Fluids

Problem 1
Given: A customer is needing a surface flow line displaced with 8.5#/gal brine
w/100 scf/bbl nitrogen. The flow line capacity is 300 bbls and the
pressure at the end of the displacement will be 1000 psi. The flowline
temperature is 60°F.
Find: VLR for the job and amount of brine and N2 needed.
Solution: This is a constant temperature so we will be using Table VI in the

Nitrogen Data for Oil Well Servicing manual to find 395 scf/bbl. We
will determine what the VLR will be for 1 bbl of fluid then use this for
determining amount of brine and nitrogen needed.
VLR = Volume Gas + Volume Liquid

Volume Liquid
100scf / bbl
VLR = ( + 1 )/1 = 1.253
395scf / bbl
Brine needed = (300 bbl)/1.253 = 239.4 bbl

N2 needed = (239.4 bbl)(100 scf/bbl) = 2394 scf
Problem 2
Given: A customer is wanting to overdisplace acid through his perforations with

10,000 bbls of a mixture of brine with 500 scf/bbl. The reservoir
temperature is 180°F and BHP will be 3500 psi.
Find: How much brine is needed for the job. How much nitrogen is needed.
Problem 3
Given: A customer is treating a zone with acid and would like the treatment
displaced with 8.5”
/gal brine with 300 scf/bbl nitrogen to the bottom of
the 2-7/8”tubing. The tubing is set at 7000 ft and the capacity is 40
bbls. Temperature gradient is 1.1 Deg. F/100 ft. The PBH is 5700 psi.
Find: WHP when tubing displaced with commingled brine. VLR for the job.
Amount of N2 needed. Amount of brine needed.
Solution: In Section V look for the table with T.G. of 1.1, fluid density of
8.5#/gal and 300 scf/bbl of nitrogen rate (pg. 58).
For 7000 and a BHP of 5700 psi (5696 psi in book) the WHP is 3000 psi
and VLR = 1.22.
Brine needed = 40 bbl/1.22 = 32.8 bbl
Nitrogen for displacement = (32.8 bbl)(300 scf/bbl) = 9840 scf

EXAMPLE TABLE
GEOTHERMAL GRADIENT = 1.1 DEG. F/100 FT NITROGEN INJECTION RATE = 300. SCF/BBL FLUID DENSITY = 8.50 LB/GAL
WELLHEAD PRESSURE
DEPTH 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000
(FT)
1000 PBH 700. 1276. 1818. 2344. 2861. 3374. 3884. 4391. 4897. 5402. (PSIA)
VLR 2.344 1.700 1.479 1.368 1.301 1.256 1.225 1.201 1.183 1.168 (BBLS/BBL)
2000 PBH 935. 1575. 2150. 2697. 3230. 3753. 4271. 4785. 5296. 5806. (PSIA)
VLR 2.181 1.634 1.445 1.348 1.288 1.248 1.219 1.197 1.180 1.166 (BBLS/BBL)
3000 PBH 1198. 1892. 2494. 3059. 3604. 4136. 4661. 5181. 5697. 6211. (PSIA)
VLR 2.020 1.581 1.418 1.331 1.277 1.240 1.213 1.193 1.177 1.164 (BBLS/BBL)
4000 PBH 1484. 2222. 2848. 3427. 3982. 4523. 5054. 5579. 6099. 6617. (PSIA)
VLR 1.910 1.538 1.395 1.317 1.268 1.234 1.209 1.190 1.175 1.162 (BBLS/BBL)
5000 PBH 1789. 2563. 3208. 3800. 4364. 4912. 5449. 5978. 6503. 7023. (PSIA)
VLR 1.822 1.502 1.375 1.305 1.260 1.228 1.205 1.187 1.173 1.161 (BBLS/BBL)
6000 PBH 2109. 2914. 3574. 4177. 4749. 5303. 5845. 6379. 6907. 7430. (PSIA)
VLR 1.752 1.473 1.359 1.295 1.253 1.224 1.202 1.185 1.171 1.160 (BBLS/BBL)
7000 PBH 2440. 3271. 3946. 4558. 5137. 5696. 6243. 6780. 7311. 7837. (PSIA)
VLR 1.695 1.448 1.345 1.286 1.247 1.220 1.199 1.183 1.170 1.159 (BBLS/BBL)
8000 PBH 2781. 3634. 4320. 4941. 5526. 6090. 6641. 7182. 7716. 8245. (PSIA)
VLR 1.647 1.427 1.333 1.278 1.242 1.216 1.197 1.181 1.169 1.158 (BBLS/BBL)
9000 PBH 3130. 4001. 4698. 5326. 5917. 6486. 7040. 7584. 8121. 8652. (PSIA)
VLR 1.608 1.409 1.322 1.271 1.237 1.213 1.194 1.180 1.168 1.158 (BBLS/BBL)
10000 PBH 3485. 4372. 5078. 5712. 6308. 6881. 7439. 7986. 8526. 9060. (PSIA)
VLR 1.574 1.393 1.313 1.265 1.234 1.210 1.193 1.178 1.167 1.157 (BBLS/BBL)
11000 PBH 3844. 4745. 5460. 6100. 6701. 7278. 7839. 8389. 8931. 9467. (PSIA)
VLR 1.454 1.380 1.305 1.260 1.230 1.208 1.191 1.177 1.166 1.157 (BBLS/BBL)
12000 PBH 4208. 5121. 5844. 6489. 7094. 7674. 8239. 8791. 9336. 9874. (PSIA)
VLR 1.520 1.368 1.298 1.256 1.227 1.206 1.190 1.177 1.166 1.157 (BBLS/BBL)
13000 PBH 4575. 5499. 6228. 6879. 7488. 8071. 8638. 9194. 9740. 10281. (PSIA)
VLR 1.499 1.357 1.292 1.252 1.224 1.204 1.189 1.176 1.165 1.156 (BBLS/BBL)
14000 PBH 4944. 5879. 6614. 7269. 7881. 8468. 9038. 9596. 10145. 10687. (PSIA)
VLR 1.480 1.348 1.286 1.248 1.222 1.203 1.188 1.175 1.165 1.156 (BBLS/BBL)
15000 PBH 5315. 6259. 7000. 7659. 8275. 8865. 9437. 9997. 10549. 11093. (PSIA)
VLR 1.463 1.340 1.281 1.245 1.220 1.201 1.187 1.175 1.165 1.157 (BBLS/BBL)
16000 PBH 5688. 6641. 7386. 8050. 8669. 9262. 9837. 10399. 10952. 11498. (PSIA)
VLR 1.449 1.333 1.277 1.242 1.218 1.200 1.186 1.175 1.165 1.157 (BBLS/BBL)
17000 PBH 6063. 7022. 7773. 8440. 9063. 9658. 10236. 10800. 11355. 11903. (PSIA)
VLR 1.436 1.326 1.273 1.240 1.217 1.199 1.186 1.174 1.165 1.157 (BBLS/BBL)
18000 PBH 6438. 7405. 8160. 8831. 8457. 10055. 10634. 11201. 11758. 12308. (PSIA)
VLR 1.424 1.320 1.270 1.238 1.216 1.199 1.185 1.174 1.165 1.157 (BBLS/BBL)
19000 PBH 6814. 7788. 8547. 9222. 9850. 10451. 11032. 11604. 12160. 12711. (PSIA)
VLR 1.414 1.315 1.267 1.236 1.214 1.198 1.185 1.174 1.165 1.157 (BBLS/BBL)
20000 PBH 7190. 8170. 8935. 9612. 10243. 10846. 11430. 12001. 12562. 13115. (PSIA)
VLR 1.404 1.310 1.264 1.234 1.213 1.197 1.185 1.174 1.165 1.158 (BBLS/BBL)
21000 PBH 7567. 8553. 9321. 10002. 10636. 11241. 11828. 12400. 12963. 13518. (PSIA)
VLR 1.396 1.306 1.261 1.233 1.213 1.197 1.185 1.174 1.166 1.158 (BBLS/BBL)
22000 PBH 7945. 8936. 9708. 10392. 11029. 11636. 12225. 12799. 13364. 13920. (PSIA)
VLR 1.388 1.302 1.259 1.232 1.212 1.197 1.185 1.175 1.166 1.159 (BBLS/BBL)
23000 PBH 8322. 9319. 10095. 10782. 11421. 12031. 12621. 13198. 13764. 14323. (PSIA)
VLR 1.381 1.299 1.257 1.230 1.211 1.196 1.185 1.175 1.166 1.159 (BBLS/BBL)
24000 PBH 8699. 9702. 10481. 11171. 11813. 12425. 13017. 13596. 14164. 14724. (PSIA)
VLR 1.375 1.296 1.255 1.229 1.211 1.196 1.185 1.175 1.167 1.159 (BBLS/BBL)
25000 PBH 9077. 10084. 10867. 11560. 12204. 12819. 13413. 13994. 14564. 15126. (PSIA)
VLR 1.369 1.293 1.254 1.229 1.210 1.196 1.185 1.175 1.167 1.160 (BBLS/BBL)
26000 PBH 9454. 10467. 11253. 11949. 12595. 13212. 13809. 14391. 14963. 15527. (PSIA)
VLR 1.364 1.290 1.252 1.228 1.210 1.196 1.185 1.175 1.167 1.160 (BBLS/BBL)
27000 PBH 9832. 10849. 11639. 12337. 12986. 13605. 14204. 14788. 15362. 15927. (PSIA)
VLR 1.359 1.288 1.251 1.227 1.210 1.196 1.185 1.176 1.168 1.161 (BBLS/BBL)
28000 PBH 10209 11231. 12024. 12725. 13377. 13998. 14599. 15185. 15761. 16328. (PSIA)
VLR 1.355 1.286 1.250 1.226 1.209 1.196 1.185 1.176 1.168 1.161 (BBLS/BBL)
29000 PBH 10586. 11613. 12409. 13113. 13767. 14391. 14993. 15582. 16159. 16728. (PSIA)
VLR 1.351 1.284 1.249 1.226 1.209 1.196 1.185 1.176 1.168 1.162 (BBLS/BBL)
30000 PBH 10963. 11994. 12794. 13501. 14157. 14783. 15388. 15978. 16558. 17129. (PSIA)
VLR 1.347 1.282 1.248 1.225 1.209 1.196 1.185 1.177 1.169 1.162 (BBLS/BBL)
Problem 4
Given: A customer is treating a zone with acid and would like the treatment
displaced with 9#/gal brine with 500 scf/bbl nitrogen to the perforation
at 6000 ft through 5-1/2”casing The casing capacity is 143 bbl. T.G.
is 1.6 Deg. F/100 ft and the WHP when displaced will be 3000 psi.
Find: BHP when tubing displaced with the commingled fluids. VLR for the
job. Amount of N2 needed. Amount of brine needed.
Problem 5
Given: A customer is treating a zone with acid through 1-1/4”coiled tubing.

He would like to displace the treatment with 8.5#/gal brine with 300
scf/bbl nitrogen commingled. He has 5000 ft (5 bbl capacity) still on the
reel and 10,000 ft (10 bbl capacity) in the well. The WHP when
displaced will be 4000 psi. The T.G. is 1.1 Deg. F/100 ft and surface
Find: BHP when job complete. Brine needed for displacement. Nitrogen
needed for displacement.
Solution: This problem will need to be separated into two problems. The first is
for the mixture in the hole (temperature changing) and the second for the
mixture on the reel (temperature constant).
Hole: In Section V look for the table with T.G. of 1.1, fluid density of
8.5#/gal and 300 scf/bbl of nitrogen rate (page 58).
For 10,000 ft and a WHP of 4000 psi the BHP is 7986 psi and the VLR
is 1.178.

Tubing on Reel:
Volume Gas + Volume Liquid

VLR =
Volume Liquid
For the part of the problem we know our temperature is a constant 80°F
and the WHP is the same as the pressure at the end of the nitrogen trk.
We need to first solve for VLR using Table VI in the Nitrogen Data for
Oil Well Servicing Book.
For a temperature of 80°F and a pressure of 4000 psi the gas capacity to
fill 1 bbl is 1340 scf. We know the customer wants 300 scf/bbl of N2 so
our VLR ratio for 1 bbl of capacity is:
300
VLR = ( + 1 )/1 = 1.224
1340
For the 5,000 ft (5 bbl) on the reel.

Total brine needed = 4.08 + 8.5 = 12.6 bbl

Total N2 needed = 1224 + 2550 = 3774 scf
Problem 6
Given: A customer is displacing out drilling mud with 9#/gal brine through a 1-
1/4”coiled tubing unit. There is 6,000 ft (6 bbls capacity) on reel and
8000 ft (8 bbl capacity) in the well. He would like to do this with 500
scf/bbl commingled with the brine. The BHP will be 5350 psi. The
T.G. is 1.6 Deg. F/100 ft and surface temperature is 80°F.
Find: WHP when the displacement is complete. Brine needed for

displacement. Nitrogen needed for displacement.
Hydra-Jetting with Nitrogen

Tests indicate that you can expect far better cutting rates with hydra-Jet services when you
include nitrogen in the sand-laden jetting fluid. Improved rates make the Hydra-Jet service
an even better choice for perforating, cutting slots in casing, cutting pipe for removal,
under reaming, washing, and removing scale and debris from old perforations.
In tests, a nitrogen-gel ratio of approximately 350 SCF/bbl was selected. Fluid was
pumped at 2,500 psi. The fluid with nitrogen penetrated a 1/2-in. Thick steel plate, a 3/4-
in. Thick sheath of Hydromite (synthetic resin and gypsum) cement, and a Berea sandstone
core to a depth of 10 in. In just 30 minutes. Under the same conditions, fluid without
nitrogen penetrated only 5-1/2 in. in 30 minutes.
Nitrogen in Workover Fluids

By reducing workover fluid density, nitrogen helps reduce fluid loss to formations,
especially helpful in low pressure wells. Yet, nitrogen-laden workover fluid retains high
lifting capabilities at minimum circulating pressures.
Placing Corrosion Inhibitors with Nitrogen
There are two effective methods of placing corrosion inhibitor with nitrogen. In the first,
nitrogen is used to create an inhibitor mist. Tubing fluid is displaced by the mist back into
the formation, and the tubing filled with the mist. Pressure is maintained to allow the mist
time to deposit the inhibitor on the tubing wall, then the nitrogen is bled off, and the well
put back on production.
Shut-in time is held to a minimum, and the inhibitor is much more likely to stick on the
tubing because swabbing and displacement fluids are eliminated.
In the second technique, inhibitor is displaced into the formation with a commingled
nitrogen fluid. In low pressure wells, nitrogen gas alone can displace the inhibitor fluid.
The nitrogen allows the well to be placed on production faster, and without swabbing.
Nitrogen in Drilling Muds Ahead of Cement Jobs.
Nitrogen is commingled with drilling fluids to reduce mud weight and combat lost
circulation. This can be done while drilling or performing primary cement jobs. Nitrogen
quickly dissipates from the drilling mud on return to the surface, allowing quick return to
the heavier weights.
Nitrogen eliminates fluid-loss material usually needed for balanced or under-pressured

drilling. It is chemically compatible with all mud systems and increases cement circulation
height.
Freeing Differentially Stuck Drill Pipe

Nitrogen, when commingled with drilling mud, temporarily reduces fluid density. This
reduces the hydrostatic pressure against the pipe and allows it to pull free. Another
technique is to spot nitrogen gas over the zone where the pipe is stuck the low viscosity of
the gas causes the pressure to equalize around the pipe, allowing it to pull free.
Jetting with Nitrogen

Jetting with nitrogen can greatly enhance treating fluid recovery and reduce costs. Jetting
can be done either down the tubing and out the annulus or down the annulus and out the
tubing. Usually, maximum recovery results from pumping nitrogen down the tubing at a
constant rate while maintaining back pressure on the annulus. This process causes high
fluid velocities by making more efficient use of the expansion properties of nitrogen.
Advantages of jetting a well include:
1. Reduced rig time;

2. Improved wellbore conductivity;
3. Reduced danger of sticking swab cups;
4. Quicker return on investment; and
5. Lower returning fluid cost.
Nitrogen Assisted Unloading

It is uncommon to unload wells with nitrogen circulation through coiled tubing. Although
this technique is commonly called “ jetting,”it starts flow by reducing hydrostatic pressure
and not be “jetting”fluids to surface. Charts in the handouts can be used to calculate
nitrogen requirements to lift fluids. These charts are specific to 100 psi back pressure and
do not include frictional losses.
EXAMPLE GRAPH
Problem 7
Given: A 12,000 ft well contains 11 lb/gal completion fluid. The tubing is 3-

1/2 in., 9.3 lb/ft, and the geothermal gradient is 1.6°F/100 ft. The
tubing capacity is .0087 bbl/ft. It is estimated that a 1000 psi pressure
drop will initiate production.
Find: How will we kick this well off with nitrogen and coiled tubing?
Solution: 1. Assume we will nitrify fluids at 500 scf/bbl. There is a 1000 psi
reduction between 500 scf/bbl and 0 scf/bbl at a depth of about
2200 ft.
2. If we inject the coiled tubing at 50 ft/min what we will pass

through in one minute is equal to the tubing capacity multiplied
by the coiled tubing injection rate.
50 ft/min x 0.0087 bbl/ft = 0.435 bbl/min
3. The nitrogen injection rate will be equal to the nitrogen

concentration multiplied by amount of fluid per minute.
0.435 bbl/min x 500 scf/bbl = 217.5 scf/min
Problem 8
Given: An 8,000 ft well contains 11 #/gal completion fluid. The casing is 5-

1/2”with a capacity of .0238 bbl/ft and a temperature gradient of
1.6°F/100 ft. It is estimated that a 2000 psi drop will initiate
production. Assume we will nitrify fluids at 400 scf/bbl.
Find: How to kick the well off with nitrogen and coiled tubing.
Unloading Wells
During the life of oil and gas wells, well control practices during
completion or workover can create hydrostatic overbalance, which can
reduce inflow performance and may cause the well to stop producing.
This overbalance results from the pressure of fluids in the wellbore
exceeding the producing formation pressures. Temporary and lengthy
shut-in periods can also create hydrostatic overbalance when the once
active wellbore loads up with fluid. If no other damage exists, wells
can often be returned to production by reducing the hydrostatic
pressure of the fluid column. Once an underbalance is created, the
well can flow again.
Tubular Sizes
The tubular sizes are the most important mechanical factor for
unloading wells. Production tubing ID determines flowing liquid
head and frictional pressure loss for a given production flow rate and
gas-liquid-ratio (GLR) when producing fluids to the surface. As tubing
ID increases, fluid velocity and frictional pressure losses in the flowing
fluid regime decrease. However, as fluid velocity decreases, slippage
and flowing pressure gradient increase. The effects of pressure loss in
the tubing become critical when trying to flow fluids to the surface
with coiled tubing concentric to production tubing.
Unloading Concerns
Numerous coiled tubing service techniques can be used to reduce
wellbore hydrostatic pressure, thereby achieving an underbalance and
unloading wellbores. The object of these techniques is to initiate flow
from the formation without creating adverse “pressure shocks”
downhole. In many cases, varying degrees of skin damage in the
completion interval clean up as the wellbore unloading program
progresses. However, apparent skin damage could also be due to
relative permeability changes near the wellbore, perforation plugging,
or damage deposited during completion or workover.
Once a maximum recommended pressure drawdown has been
selected, it should not be exceeded during unloading programs. If
produced fluid volumes remain significantly below projected flow
rates for the applied drawdown, it is most likely due to inaccurate
parameters in flow potential calculations, but actually, something may
be wrong downhole.
A common response to low surface flow rates is to increase drawdown
and hope that downhole flow restrictions dissipate. Unfortunately,
this reaction generally causes formation integrity failure in
unconsolidated formations, resulting in perforation tunnel collapse
and damaged flow potential. Consolidated formations are somewhat
more forgiving and may not be damaged as much from downhole
pressure shocks. Unloading programs should be designed to create the
minimum pressure drawdown needed to initiate flow. Once stable
flow is established, formation damage can be properly assessed and
corrective steps taken.
Nitrogen-Assisted Unloading
The most common method used to unload wells is nitrogen (nitrogen)
circulation through coiled tubing run to a predetermined depth below
the static fluid level. Although this technique is commonly called
“jetting” or “jet-lifting,” it starts flow by reducing wellbore hydrostatic
pressure through aeration and not by “jetting” the fluids to surface.
nitrogen is most commonly used for unloading programs because it is
chemically inert and only slightly soluble in liquids. Coiled tubing
conveyed gas circulation offers greater use than conventional single-
point gas-lift operations because the gas injection point can be moved
up and down the wellbore to optimize fluid withdrawal rates.
Nitrogen Behavior
When using nitrogen to unload wellbores and initiate flow, it is
important to recognize the effects of lifting high GLR fluids within the
annulus between the coiled tubing OD and the production tubing ID.
As the annulus area decreases, annulus pressure losses increase
exponentially. Also, the length of concentric coiled tubing inside the
production tubing significantly affects annular friction pressure loss
and flowing fluid head.
Nitrogen pumped down the coiled tubing is compressed to overcome
the annulus fluid gradient. As the nitrogen injection point is lowered
further into the well, the increased pressure gradient compresses the
nitrogen more. When nitrogen exits the coiled tubing and starts to rise
in the annulus, it expands. This expansion of nitrogen dispersed in the
annular liquid increases apparent fluid velocity, resulting in a further
decrease in flowing pressure gradient. Nitrogen expands dramatically
as it continues to flow to surface.
Fluid velocity and frictional pressure losses in the annulus increase
significantly relative to velocity and frictional pressure losses at the
downhole nitrogen injection point. Turbulence from the expanding
gas increases frictional pressure loss. At some depth in the well, based
on well parameters, frictional pressure losses will overcome reduced
pressures from flowing fluid gradients in the tubing annulus. Also,
decreased annular cross-sectional areas greatly increase frictional
pressure losses for equivalent nitrogen and liquid circulation rates. A
higher nitrogen circulation rate may actually yield lower production
due to reduced annular cross-sectional area and the exponential
increase in system frictional pressure loss. If this fluid production drop
is not interpreted correctly, the injection point may be run deeper into
the wellbore and the nitrogen injection increased. This reaction could
be disastrous by creating greater frictional pressure loss in the annulus
and, in some cases, causing liquid flow to cease.
To increase flow from the completion, nitrogen circulation must be cut
back very slowly while pulling the coiled tubing back up the wellbore.
If a high circulation rate is interrupted while deep in the tubing, the
rapid decrease in annular friction pressure loss may cause a “pressure
shock” at the formation. This pressure shock can be greater than
recommended pressure drawdowns for optimum well performance
and induce sudden, uncontrolled flow rates that can damage the
completion. For these reasons, using the smallest coiled tubing size
available and performing unloading procedures with the lowest
possible nitrogen circulation rates is recommended.
Nitrogen Unloading Methods

Continuous injection- The most effective method for achieving an
underbalanced hydrostatic head with nitrogen is to run coiled tubing
into the wellbore while slowly circulating nitrogen. This technique
allows nitrogen in the fluid column to disperse in the wellbore,
thereby aerating annulus liquids slowly and initiating production
from the formation in a controlled manner.
In initiating an unloading program with nitrogen, coiled tubing is run
in the well at about 40 to 60 ft/min. Low nitrogen circulation rates,
generally from 150 to 250 scf/min, are initiated when the end of coiled
tubing is just above the fluid level to minimize waste. Coiled tubing is
then lowered to a predetermined depth in the well to assist fluid
lifting until the completion can sustain production. As coiled tubing is
run into the wellbore, the fluid column is aerated, creating an
underbalanced effect.
Intermittent injection- Another technique used to lighten fluid
columns is intermittent nitrogen injection. This is accomplished by
running coiled tubing to a predetermined depth below the fluid level
in a wellbore before starting nitrogen pumping. In this case, nitrogen
pump pressure must be greater than the fluid column hydrostatic
pressure at the injection point. Once nitrogen injection pressure
overcomes fluid column hydrostatic pressure, nitrogen enters the
annulus and initiates a single-point gas lift operation. As wellbore
pressure above the nitrogen circulation point decreases, gas expansion
in the coiled tubing accelerates, causing an effect similar to an nitrogen
circulation rate increase. This may cause undesirable and erratic
wellbore pressure drops, which can destabilize pressure drawdown at
the formation.
Nitrogen with Fracturing and Acidizing Services
In most cases, even in low pressure reservoirs, you can eliminate the need for time-
consuming and sometimes dangerous swabbing to recover treatment fluid when nitrogen is
used in conjunction with fracturing and acidizing procedures.
The compressed nitrogen gas serves as a source of energy that helps push treatment fluids
back out of the formation when the well is opened up.
When nitrogen is used as the spearhead or in the breakdown fluid in fracturing, it provides
a way to help flow the well clean without having to make a cleanup trip with the tubing.
In acidizing services, nitrogen helps increase the velocity of returning fluids. That helps
remove precipitates, a common acidizing by-product, and insoluble fines, that, unless
removed, can cause formation damage.
During the job itself, nitrogen, by increasing the treatment volume, helps increase
penetration. The nitrogen bubbles, by blocking port spaces temporarily, also reduce fluid
loss so the treatment fluid becomes more efficient.
Flowbacks and Nitrogen-Assisted Unloading
Nitrogen can be added to fluids to lighten the hydrostatic to flow back stimulation
treatments and to kick off a well by jetting with coiled tubing.
The amount of nitrogen required to flow back well fluids can be estimated from
Section VIII of the Nitrogen Data manual. When a well is treated with
commingled nitrogen, the well may not produce fluid back with that same gas
concentration as it was treated with. For this reason these curves in Section
VIII can be considered a minimum recommendation.
Problem 9
Given: A 12,000 ft well with a temperature gradient of 1.1°F/100 ft is to be

treated. The density of the fluid flowing back will be a 8.5#/gal. BHFP
is 3000 psi. TBC is 2-3/8”.
Find: The scf/bbl of nitrogen which will need to be added to the fluids to
lighten the hydrostatic weight of the fluids during flow back.
Solution: In Section VIII of the Nitrogen Data for Oil Well Servicing manual (pg.
1) use the chart to determine the scf/bbl of nitrogen. The point which is
intersected by a line going up from the x-axis at 3000 psi and across from
12,000 ft on the y-axis will be 500 scf/bbl.
Problem 10
Given: A 10,000 ft well with a temperature gradient of 1.1°F/100 ft is to be

treated. The density of the fluid is 9.5#/gal. The tubing is 2-7/8”and
the temperature gradient is 1.6°F/100 ft. BHFP is 3500 psi.
Find: The scf/bbl of nitrogen which will need to be added to the fluids to
lighten the hydrostatic weight of the fluids during flow back.
Density Control with Nitrogen

Nitrogen can be used in Density Controlled Acidizing or Fracturing services to reduce the
density of the stimulation fluids. Since the created fracture may extend below the
productive zone, commingled nitrogen in the appropriate liquid phase can effectively
lighten the fluid to help assure its placement in the upper portion of the fracture -
(productive zone). Use of nitrogen for density control is usually more convenient and
economical than preparing fluid solutions with salt or weighting materials.
Interpolating
Single Interpolating
Interpolation is a technique used to estimate a value between two known points. In using
nitrogen tables it is usually necessary to interpolate. The numbers which are given at the
wellsite seldom can be found in the tables. Some examples of these are:
WHP - 2,431 psi BHP - 4,322 psi

Depth - 5,260 ft GLR - 200 scf/bbl
T.G. - 1.2 Fluid Density - 8.7 #/gal
In the following problems we will be solving for an unknown V’/V when given a WHP,
BHP or depth. These problems will need interpolated. In doing so we will use pg 13 in
section IV of the Nitrogen Data for Oil Well Servicing manual. For interpolating it is best
to set up a series of steps such as the below:
Step 1 - Write down all the numbers which are necessary to solve the problem.
Step 2 - Determine which numbers in step 1 are not listed in the tables. A ratio
will need to be set up for these.
Step 3 - Write down the closest values on both sides of the number which
are listed in the table.
Step 4 - Calculate the ratio. The ratio should always be less than one.
Step 5 - Solve for the unknown using the ratio of step 5 & the low and highs
between which the unknown must fall select either the high or low as
your reference point. Add or subtract this from your reference point.
Step 6 - Look at your answer. Is it between the two known values? Does it
appear to fit within reason with the ratio of the known?
Problem 11
Using Section IV the following has been given:
WHP 2,431 psi

Depth 3,500 ft
T.G. 1.1 Deg. F/100 ft
Find: V’/V
In step 3 of the above we would need to go to the proper tables then determine between
which two numbers our given number would fall. Step 4 for WHP is:
Values Low # # Given High #
WHP 2,238 psi 2,431 psi 2,692 psi
In order to find the closest numbers on either side of WHP, BHP, & Depth, we usually use
the same page of the tables. For interpolating values such as GLR, T.G., & fluid density,
we would also use other tables in the same section.
As in step 4, find the ratio of the WHP above by using the following equation:
Given # - Low #
Ratio = --------------------
High # - Low #
2,431 - 2,238
WHP Ratio = ---------------- = .425
2,692 - 2,238
In going to step 5 we will need to use the tables for finding the numbers for which we are
solving which relate to the highs and lows of the known numbers.
WHP V’/V
Low Given High Low Unknown High
2,238 2,431 2,692 836 ? 984
From an earlier part of the problem we determined the WHP ratio to be .425. We now
take this .425 and multiply by the difference between our high and low V’/V.
(984-836) * .425 = 62.9 scf/bbl
This number will now need to be added or subtracted from the reference point.
62.9 is added to the reference point 836 scf/bbl.
V’/V = 836 + 62.9 = 898.9
Problem 12
Given: BHP 4,322 psi
Depth 7,000 ft
T.G. 1.1 Deg. F/100 ft
Find: V’/V

BHP 4,000 psi 4,322 psi 4,500 psi
4,322 - 4,000
BHP Ratio ---------------- = .644
4,500 - 4,000
BHP V’/V
4,000 4,322 4,500 1161 ? 1,277
(1,277 - 1,161) * .644 = 74.7 scf/bbl
V’/V = 1,277 + 74.7 = 1,351.7 scf/bbl
Problem 13
Given Depth 5,260 ft

BHP 4,500 psi
T.G. 1.1 Deg. F/100 ft
Find V’/V scf/bbl

Depth 5,000 ft 5,260 ft 5,500 ft
5,260 - 5,000
Depth Ratio = ---------------- = .520
5,500 - 5,000
Depth V’/V
5,000 5,260 5,500 1,316 ? 1,330
(1,330-1,316) * .52 = 14 scf/bbl
1,330 - 14 = 1316 scf/bbl
The past problem differed from the previous two in that we subtracted from our last
number were before we added. This was due to in the earlier problems their was a direct
relationship of when the one set of numbers was going down the set we were solving for,
also went down. In the last problem we could see that as the depth increased our V’/V
decreased. Our reference point was 5,000 ft which related over to a V’/V of 1,330 (our
higher V’/V numbers), if we had added to our reference point our final number would have
been larger than either of our V’/V we should have been between.
Problem 14
Given: WHP 3,600 psi

Depth 7,500 ft
T.G. 1.1 Deg. F/100 ft
Find: V’/V
Problem 15

Depth 9,000 ft
T.G. 1.1 Deg. F/100 ft
Find: V’/ V
Problem 16
Given: Depth 7,245 ft

BHP 3,500 ft
T.G. 1.1 Deg. F/100 ft
Find: V’/V
Double Interpolating
Often you will need to calculate a double interpolation. This is estimating from two values
in a problem. An example of this would be finding V’/V for a BHP of 3,200 psi and a
depth of 4,350 ft. In this case neither the BHP or the depth are in the table and both will
need interpolated to find the V’/V. This technique is the same as what we have previously
worked with the exception that two problems will be calculated, both using the same
reference point, and each of the differences will then be added or subtracted from the
reference point.
Problem 17
Given: BHP 1610 psi

Depth 7,300 ft
T.G. 1.1 Deg. F/100 ft
Find: V’V
Neither BHP of 1,610 psi or a depth of 7,300 ft can be found in Section IV pg 13 of the
Nitrogen Data for Oil Well Servicing manual. Due to this we will need to interpolate
twice using the same V’/V reference point. We will use our lesser values of the BHP and
depth and this common V’/V will be our reference point. From the tables:
BHP (@ 7,000 ft) V’/V

1,500 1,610 2,000 472 ? 623
Depth (@ 1,500 psi) V’/V

7,000 7,300 7,500 472 ? 466
Our reference point will be 472 scf/bbl.
1,610 - 1,500
BHP Ratio = ----------------- = .22
2,000 - 1,500
Add to V’/V = (623 - 472) * .220 = 33.22 scf/bbl
7,300 - 7,000
Depth Ratio = ----------------- = .60
7,500 - 7,000
Subtract off V’/V = (472-466) * .60 = 3.6 scf/bbl
Total V’/V = 472 + 33.22 - 3.6 = 501.62 scf/bbl.
Problem 18
Given: WHP 2,115 psi

Depth 5,300 ft
T.G. 1.1 Deg. F/100 ft
Find: V’/V
Computer Programs
Halliburton has numerous computer programs which can be used for various nitrogen laden
fluids. The following is a general listing of these programs and for what information they
can be used for with regard to nitrogen in commingled applications.
Commingled Fluids
StimWin - This is a Windows based program which allows you to plug in a few numbers
and get back results without having to interpolate off charts and graphs. The program runs
on a 386 DX PC with at least 8mgs of memory. Instructions to get into the program are:
Click the StimWin GUI, click APP, then Nitrogen Calculations. Under calculate, click
commingled volumes. Fill in the Black & Pink lines & read the results givin in the Blue
lines.
N2UNLOAD - Helpful in determining penetration and pump rates when jetting w/N2.
Proppant Laden Fluid Treatments
PROP - Used in design of sand laden stimulation treatments w/ comingled &

foamed fluids.
Cementing
FOAMCH - Determines amount of N2 which can be used in the cement to increase

the compressability of the fluids in order to help in controlling gas flow
from the reservoir.
Chapter Feed Back Exercises

Complete the following exercises, using your note book and class notes as references.
1. What is the most effective nitrogen unloading method? --------------------------------------

---------------
2. What section in the Nitrogen Data for Oil Well Servicing manual would you use to
determine how much nitrogen should be commingled with the fluid in order for the
treatment fluids to flow back properly?
---------------------------.
3. What are the units for VLR? ----------------
4. What is the difference in calculating a commingled job when pumping down coiled
tubing rather than jointed tubing? --------------------------------------------------------------------
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Lesson Summary
We initially discussed the basic calculation terminology in order to better understand the
problems we would be working. We then worked through problems and discussed the
different applications of commingled fluids. Due to most real case problems needing
interpolating we did a number of single and double interpolations out of the Nitrogen for
Oil Well Services manual.
1
Nitrogen Foams
Lesson Objectives
• How foamed fluids are different from commingled fluids.
• Benefits and calculations of acids when foamed.
• How foams can be used for diverting.
• Benefits and calculations for proppant laden fluids when foamed.
• Effect nitrogen has on cement when foamed
• Foam generators, what they are and how to use them.
Lesson Introduction
Background of Foam in the Oilfield

Foams are being used in a number of petroleum industry
applications that exploit the foams' high viscosity and low liquid
content. Some of the earliest applications for foam dealt with its use
as a displacing agent in porous media and as a drilling fluid.
Following these early applications, foam was introduced as a
wellbore circulating fluid for cleanout and workover applications.
In the mid-1970s, nitrogen-based foams became popular for both
hydraulic fracturing and fracture acidizing stimulation treatments.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, foamed cementing became a
viable service, as did foamed gravel packing.
The early widespread use of foams as fracturing fluids was to help
low-pressure gas reservoirs in returning the liquid phase of the
2
foam. The internal phase of the foam typically consisted of 65 to

80% by volume (quality) of nitrogen gas, with an external phase of
water and a foaming agent (surfactant). These simple nitrogen
foam fluids, coupled with the pumping technology of the 1970s,
were able to transport sand concentrations of 1 to 2 lb/gal into
fractures. Such low proppant concentrations gave beneficial results
in low-pressure sandstone, carbonate, and shale reservoirs. Much
of the success of the early treatments was due to the capability of
nitrogen gas to expand and remove substantial quantities of the
liquid phase from the reservoir.
Foam Rheology
The viscosity of a fracturing fluid is important because of its
influence in creating fracture geometry and in transporting
proppant. Adding linear polymers or crosslinked polymers to
water increases its viscosity. Viscosity of the fluid mixture is also
increased by adding nitrogen gas to create an internal phase (gas
bubbles), when a stabilizing surfactant (foaming agent) is present.
High-viscosity foam fluids can be prepared using low amounts of
water and gelling agents, thereby minimizing the liquid load
placed on a formation.
Foam viscosity depends on a number of variables, including
quality, viscosity of the external phase, and texture. The most
important parameter is foam quality—the percent volume occupied
by the internal gas phase. Since gas volume is a function of
temperature and pressure, downhole conditions must be known.
As quality increases, foam viscosity increases. In addition, the yield
point characteristics of foams are an exponential function of
quality.
Higher quality foams have better transport properties, particularly
at very low shear rates, because of high yield points. The viscous
character of the external liquid phase is also a major parameter.
Flow of high-quality foam may be visualized as gas bubbles sliding
past one another on thin films of the liquid external phase. If the
liquid film contains a viscosifying agent, then the bubbles will
undergo greater drag forces because of the viscous thin films, and
flow will be more difficult, resulting in higher bulk viscosity.
Texture, or the bubble size distribution, plays an important but
lesser role in determining foam viscosity. Foams exposed to shear
for a sufficient time will equilibrate to a bubble size distribution
that is characteristic of that shear rate. Texture is also influenced by
3
the surfactant that must be present in sufficient concentration to

stabilize the foam under dynamic conditions.7,8
Terminology
Q - Quality - This term is used mainly when foaming a fluid. This like VLR has no units
due to being a comparison of the total mixture to just one additive (gas) in the mixture. It
differs from VLR in that the mixture is in the bottom part of the equation rather than the
top. Due to this, the Quality will always be less than one. The Tables in section III of the
Nitrogen Data for Oil Well Servicing manual uses Q. It can also be calculated using the
Tables in section VI.
Foamed Acid
As oil and gas wells age, many of them show similar
characteristics. One of the most obvious is, of course, reduced
bottomhole pressure that can contribute to the formation of
paraffins, asphaltenes, and scales. Many old wells have had
repeated acid treatments. Following conventional acid treatments,
large amounts of insoluble fines such as quartz, gypsum, and
feldspars may reduce fracture conductivity. All of these factors
related to old wells can be controlled through foamed acid
stimulation.
Treating wells with characteristics as outlined above with a
conventional nonfoamed acid treatment will probably be
beneficial. However, the high liquid content of conventional fluids
may increase clay problems. Also, low viscosity of the spent acid
may leave a large amount of insoluble fines in the well. In
addition, low bottomhole pressure may require swabbing to clean
up the well.
Nitrogen (nitrogen) is the most widely used material in foam
treatments. Volumetric gas content (foam quality) is generally
between 65 and 85% (comprising 65 to 85% gas and only 15 to 35%
liquid), although qualities as high as 95% have been used. The
liquid phase of the foam may contain 0.5 to 1.0% surfactant and 0.4
to 1.0% inhibitor.
4
Advantages of Foamed Acid

Foamed acid has widespread applications in both oil and gas wells
and offers the following characteristics to virtually eliminate the
problems mentioned in the previous section:
Low liquid content- Foamed acids used in fracture acidizing
generally range from 60 to 80 quality. The low liquid content is
extremely important when treating a liquid-sensitive formation
where large amounts of liquid may cause swelling in the formation
and reduce the permeability of the formation to the produced
fluids.
Reduced fluid loss- The high apparent viscosity of the foamed
acid results in reduced fluid loss, allowing deeper acid penetration
than a comparable nonfoamed or conventional acid system. In low
permeability reservoirs, the bubbles of the foam may be sufficient
to prevent leak-off to the matrix. This can reduce the affect of
wormholing (channeling). Also, since no fluid loss additive is
necessary in low permeability reservoirs, there is a reduced chance
of impairment of formation conductivity due to the solids in some
additives.
High apparent viscosity- Viscosity is difficult to obtain in a
nonfoamed acid system since the acid used frequently is not
compatible with the gelling agent. A viscous acid provides the
advantage of better pumpability, wider fracture, and improved
fluid loss when used in fracture acidizing. Increasing the viscosity
of the acid before it is foamed will give these benefits plus help to
increase foam stability.
Better cleanup- The built-in gas assist derived from using a
foamed acid treatment now makes recovery of treating fluids from
low-pressure reservoirs more effective than nonfoamed treatments.
The built-in gas assist plus the high apparent viscosity of the
foamed acid enable the acid insoluble formation fines to be
returned to the surface on flow back rather than stay in the
formation where they could hamper production. This means a
faster cleanup that reduces liquid damage to water-sensitive
formations. Also, it may eliminate the need to swab the well after
the treatment.
Improved solids transport- Another advantage of foamed acid is
its capability to suspend fines. Often in conventional acid
treatments, large amounts of insoluble fines such as quartz,
gypsum, and feldspars will be left behind because of the low
5
viscosity of the spent acid. This may reduce fracture conductivity,

but with the additional viscosity provided by foaming, more of
these fines are suspended and removed from the well during
cleanup.
Less formation damage- Foamed acid has a low liquid content.
Normally, foamed acid is 60 to 80 quality. Less liquid contacts the
formation, thus reducing the opportunity for damage to occur.
Minimum well shut-in time- Foamed acid treatments should have
minimum well shut-in time after pumping. The foamed acid
should be flowed back as soon as possible following the treatment
to reduce the chance of liquid and nitrogen separation. The longer
the foamed acid is allowed to remain in a static, nonflowing
condition, the easier it is for liquid to drain from the foam bubbles
and for suspended fines to settle out of the foamed acid.
Better control- Foamed acid also provides better control. Flow can
be better controlled by adjusting the amount of nitrogen, thereby
changing the acid’s density. Because acid is normally heavier than
the formation water, acid treatments tend to sink. Foamed acid can
be made to stay higher in the fracture by being less dense than the
formation water. Foaming the acid also helps control the reaction
rate by reducing its diffusion. Foam increases the viscosity of an
acid system, so the acid can be prevented from entering more
permeable or low-pressure zones. This allows for more uniform
coverage without the use of other diverters. Foamed acid can also
carry any of the conventional diverting systems such as Perf Pac
ball sealers or granular diverter.
Foamed acid offers other advantages. It has less thermal demand,
causing less thermal contraction in the tubing. In cold treatment
conditions, this can save having to reset the tubing due to tubing
shrinkage. Nitrogen-foamed acid systems reduce asphaltene
sludge by diluting the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2)
formed from acid reactions. In addition, foamed acid treatments
can be displaced with straight nitrogen, leaving the hole with no
hydraulic column to impede load recovery.
6
Foamed Acid & Foamed Water Calculations
CALCULATING TOTAL VOLUME OF FOAM

(When you know volume of water or acid)
Quality of Foam = Q
Volume of Water/Acid = W
W
Total Volume of Foam =
(1− Q)
Problem 1
Given: W= 95 bbl Acid

Q=0.80 (80 Quality)
Find: Total Volume of Foamed Acid
95
Solution: Total Volume Foamed Acid =
(1 − 0. 80 )
95
=
0. 20
= 475 bbl Foamed Acid
Problem 2
Given: W=200 bbl Acid

Q=0.70 (70 Quality)
CALCULATING VOLUME OF WATER NEEDED

(When you know volume of foam)
Quality of Foam =Q
Volume of Foam =V
Volume Water Needed = (V) x (1 - Q)
7
Problem 3
Given: V = 600 bbl Foam

Q = 0.75 (75 Quality)
Find: Volume of Water Needed
Solution: Volume Water Needed = 600 bbl x (1 - 0.75)
= 600 bbl x (0.25)
= 150 bbl Water
Problem 4

Q = 0.65 (65 Quality)
CALCULATING RATE OF CLEAN WATER OR ACID

(When you know rate of foam)
Quality of Foam =Q
Rate of Foam = Rf (in BPM)
Rate of Water = (Rf) x (1 - Q)
Problem 5
Given: Rf = 24 BPM
Q = 0.75 (75 Quality)
Find: Rate of Water
Solution: Rate of Water = (24 BPM) x (1 - 0.75)
= (24 BPM) x (0.25)
= (6 BPM Pumping Rate of Clean Water or Acid)

8
Problem 6
Given: Rf = 40 BPM
Q = 0.85 (85 Quality)
Find: Rate of Water
Calculating Nitrogen Pump Rate
Problem 7
Given: A customer has called in a foamed acid job. He would like to pump 238
bbl of 80 Quality foamed acid into a reservoir with a BHTP of 2800 psi
at 6000 ft.
Find: Amount of acid and nitrogen needed for the job.
Solution: Using the previous calculation for volume of acid
Acid = (v)(1 - Q) = (238 bbl)(1 - .80) = 47.6 bbl
To find the nitrogen needed we will use Section III (pg. 11) in the Nitrogen
Data for Oil Well Servicing manual. When pumping foam into the
reservoir we will use the BHTP which is the pressure the fluids will be
seeing just outside the perforations. For the temperature we will also use
the temperature the fluids are seeing in the reservoir. In this case we will
use 80°F. This temperature is determined by many variables such as fluid
temperature at surface, pump rate, tubing size, volume and bottom hole
static temperature. There are computer programs such as WTEMP and
TEMP which can give you more accurate temperatures when necessary.
On page 11, Section III, use a pressure of 2800 psi and a quality of 80 for a
gas liquid ration of 4007 scf/bbl.
Nitrogen needed is = (4007 scf/bbl)(47.6 bbl) = 190,733 bbl

9
Problem 8
Given: A customer has called in a foamed acid job. He would like to pump 900
bbl of foamed acid at 10 bpm foam rate. The BHTP is 3600 psi and the
temperature at the perfs is 100°F. Note: Cannot use Pg. 11 in Nitrogen
Data for Oil Well Servicing book due to temperature is not 80°F.
Find: Volume of acid and nitrogen and the pump rates for the acid and
nitrogen.
10
EXAMPLE TABLE
GAS-LIQUID RATIOS FOR FOAMED FLUIDS
Temperature = 80 Quality Gas Liquid Ratio = SCF of N2

BBL of Liquid
P 60 65 70 75 80 85 90
250 149 184 231 297 397 562 892

300 177 219 275 354 472 668 1061
350 205 254 319 410 547 774 1230
400 233 289 363 466 621 880 1398
450 261 323 406 522 696 987 1567
500 289 358 450 578 771 1093 1735

600 345 428 537 691 921 1305 2073
700 402 497 625 803 1071 1517 2410
800 458 567 712 916 1221 1730 2747
900 514 636 800 1028 1371 1942 3084
1000 570 706 887 1140 1521 2154 3421

1200 683 845 1062 1365 1820 2579 4096
1400 795 984 1237 1590 2120 3003 4770
1600 899 1113 1399 1798 2398 3397 5395
1800 1005 1244 1563 2010 2680 3796 6030
2000 1108 1372 1724 2217 2956 4187 6650

2200 1209 1497 1881 2418 3224 4567 7254
2400 1307 1618 2032 2613 3484 4936 7839
2600 1408 1744 2191 2817 3756 5321 8450
2800 1503 1861 2338 3006 4007 5677 9017
3000 1594 1974 2480 3189 4252 6024 9567

3200 1683 2084 2619 3367 4489 6359 10100
3400 1769 2191 2752 3539 4718 6685 10617
3600 1853 2294 2882 3705 4940 6999 11115
3800 1933 2393 3006 3865 5154 7301 11596
4000 2010 2488 3126 4020 5359 7592 12059

4200 2092 2590 3254 4184 5578 7902 12551
4400 2166 2682 3370 4333 5777 8184 12999
4600 2239 2772 3483 4479 5972 8460 13436
4800 2303 2852 3583 4606 6142 8701 13819
5000 2370 2934 3686 4740 6319 8953 14219

5500 2527 3129 3931 5054 6738 9546 15161
6000 2671 3307 4155 5343 7123 10092 16028
6500 2803 3471 4361 5607 7475 10590 16820
7000 2932 3630 4561 5864 7819 11077 17592
7500 3048 3774 4742 6097 8129 11516 18291

8000 3157 3908 4911 6314 8418 11926 18941
8500 3257 4032 5066 6514 8685 12304 19541
9000 3356 4155 5220 6711 8948 12677 20134
9500 3446 4267 5361 6892 9190 13019 20677
10000 3531 4371 5492 7061 9415 13338 21184

10500 3613 4473 5621 7226 9635 13650 21679
11000 3690 4569 5740 7381 9841 13941 22142
11500 3763 4659 5853 7525 10034 14214 22576
12000 3834 4747 5964 7668 10224 14484 23004
EXAMPLE TABLE
11

BBL of Liquid
P 60 65 70 75 80 85 90
250 143 178 223 287 382 542 861

300 171 211 265 341 455 644 1023
350 198 245 307 395 527 747 1186
400 225 278 350 449 599 849 1348
450 252 312 392 504 672 951 1511
500 279 345 434 558 744 1054 1673

600 333 412 518 666 888 1258 1999
700 387 480 602 775 1033 1463 2324
800 441 547 687 883 1177 1668 2649
900 496 614 771 991 1322 1873 2974
1000 550 681 855 1100 1466 2077 3299

1200 658 815 1024 1316 1755 2487 3949
1400 758 939 1180 1517 2022 2865 4550
1600 861 1066 1340 1722 2296 3253 5167
1800 962 1191 1496 1924 2565 3634 5772
2000 1061 1313 1650 2121 2828 4007 6364

2200 1157 1432 1799 2313 3084 4370 6940
2400 1250 1547 1944 2500 3333 4722 7499
2600 1349 1670 2098 2697 3596 5094 8091
2800 1439 1782 2239 2878 3838 5437 8635
3000 1527 1891 2376 3055 4073 5770 9164

3200 1613 1997 2509 3226 4301 6094 9678
3400 1696 2100 2638 3392 4523 6408 10177
3600 1777 2200 2764 3553 4738 6712 10660
3800 1854 2296 2885 3709 4945 7005 11126
4000 1929 2389 3001 3859 5145 7289 11577

4200 2009 2487 3125 4018 5357 7589 12053
4400 2081 2577 3238 4163 5550 7863 12489
4600 2152 2665 3348 4305 5740 8131 12914
4800 2216 2743 3447 4432 5909 8371 13295
5000 2281 2824 3548 4562 6083 8618 13687

5500 2436 3016 3789 4872 6496 9202 14615
6000 2579 3193 4012 5158 6877 9743 15474
6500 2711 3356 4217 5422 7229 10241 16265
7000 2838 3513 4414 5675 7567 10720 17026
7500 2954 3657 4595 5908 7877 11159 17723

8000 3063 3792 4764 6125 8167 11570 18375
8500 3164 3917 4922 6328 8438 11953 18985
9000 3262 4038 5074 6523 8698 12321 19569
9500 3353 4151 5215 6705 8940 12665 20116
10000 3439 4257 5349 6877 9170 12990 20632

10500 3519 4357 5475 7039 9385 13296 21117
11000 3599 4455 5598 7197 9596 13595 21591
11500 3673 4547 5713 7345 9794 13875 22036
12000 3743 4634 5822 7486 9981 14140 22457
12
Foam Diversion
In most cases, formations will be comprised of zones possessing
different permeabilities or zones that may have sustained differing
degrees of damage during drilling, completion, or workover
operations. When acidizing treatments are performed on such
formations, the treating fluids naturally enter the zones that
present the least resistance to flow. This can result in placing the
acid in zones that require the least stimulation.
Diversion can be used to alter the fluid injection profile of a
treatment. Because fluids will choose the path of least resistance,
diversion is primarily a resistance problem; the goal is to alter
injection rate per unit of area so that all zones accept the proper
proportion of the treatment. Reservoir properties that can vary the
injection rate per unit of area are permeability, differential
pressure, and length; if these properties are not in the correct
proportion, diversion should be considered. This disproportion
can result from the following:
• zones having differing permeabilities
• zones having differing formation pressures
• zones containing fluids with different compressibility
• zones containing fluids with different viscosity
• zones having natural fractures
A goal of acid treatment is to cause zones of similar permeability to
produce at higher rates by increasing the permeability in the
critical near-wellbore area. Diversion helps reach this goal by
forcing acid into damaged areas to allow the entire zone (assuming
near equal permeability distribution) to be productive.
Diverting Agents
Diverting agents have been used in stimulation treatments for
years to help ensure treatment distribution over the entire
perforated interval. In order to provide uniform placement of the
reacting fluids across the entire perforated interval, diverting
agents such as insoluble sand, benzoic acid flakes, solid organic
acids, deformable solids, mixtures of waxes and oil-soluble
polymers, acid-swellable polymers, and mixtures of inert solids
(silica flour, calcium carbonate, rock salt, oil-soluble resins, etc.) are
frequently used to form temporary filter cakes on the higher
13
permeability or least damaged zones. This then forces the

treatment into the rest of the interval. One concern when using
such materials is that the filter cakes are sometimes slow to
dissolve in the produced fluids, thus requiring remedial treatments
for diverting agent removal.
In the mid 1980s, foam was introduced as a diverting agent in place
of particulate-type diverting agents for acidizing through gravel
packs. Such foams achieve diversion due to their high apparent
viscosity and the plugging effect of the gas bubbles in the foam as
they enter the pore network of the formation. Diversions have been
accomplished with 60 to 80 quality foam. The better the quality of
the foam, the better its diverting ability.
Foams possess several distinct advantages over particulate
diverting agents. One main advantage is that since no solid
particles are used, and because foams degrade fairly rapidly, the
concern about diverting agent cleanup is eliminated. A second
advantage becomes evident when acid treatments are performed
on gravel-packed wells. If particulate-type diverters are used on
such wells, the particles have to be sized such that they will be able
to pass through the gravel-pack sand and still be able to
form a filter cake on the formation. This dramatically limits
the types of material that can be used. Foam, however, easily
passes through the gravel-pack sand while still providing
effective diversion on the formation without concern about sizing or
cleanup considerations.
Foam Fracturing w/ Proppant

In the Foam-Frac service, nitrogen gas injected downstream of the pumps into a
water-base fluid containing a foaming agent. In most jobs, nitrogen volume
ranges between 65 and 85 percent of the total volume. Proppant transport
characteristics of the foam are excellent. Friction pressure of the foam is much
lower than for the base fluid, so hydraulic horsepower requirements are greatly
reduced. The foam bubbles help block small pore spaces, so fluid loss is very
low without the use of fluid loss additives. That also helps reduce formation
damage that could be caused by the fluid loss additive. In many cases, the foam
helps create wider fractures than would equivalent volumes of conventional
liquids.
Because less liquid is used for an equivalent treatment volume, formation

damage caused by fluids is reduced. When pressure on the well is released,
the foam bubbles expand to provide a tremendous assist in treatment fluid
14
recovery. Usually, even in low pressure reservoirs, the need for swabbing is
eliminated. And the well will clean up much faster. In fact, cleanup times often
are measured in hours rather than weeks.
Foam Frac design programs are available to optimize results and establish the
treatment parameters.
Foam Fracturing w/ Constant Internal Phase
The addition of a proppant to a foam fluid has a greater effect on viscosity than
conventional frac systems. The proppant, in effect, increases the quality of the
system, which increases both viscosity and friction pressure. In a “constant
internal” phase foam, the volume of nitrogen gas is decreased by the volume of
proppant added. As a result the slurry stays similar to the pad fluid.
Concept
Fluid A is a conventional foam pad fluid (no proppant) containing a fixed volume
of gas and liquid. Fluid B is a proppant-laden fluid with solid added while gas
and liquid volumes are held constant. During a fracturing treatment, these
volumes are pumped in a given time, so the ratios also relate to pumping rates.
The volume of internal phase (gas plus solid) in Fluid B is greater than that of
fluid A, although the liquid is constant, and would result in higher viscosity and a
higher downstream rate. This condition has often led to excessive friction losses
higher wellhead pressures, and premature job termination. An attempt to reduce
solid, liquid, and gas rates proportionally to make the downstream rate the same
as the pad does not solve the overall problem. Although the ratios in Fluid C are
the same as in Fluid B, the internal phase ratio of Fluid C is higher than that of
Fluid A, so the viscosity of Fluid C is higher that that of Fluid A and will give
15
higher friction pressure. In addition, adjusting all three ratios increases

operational difficulty.
An example of the viscosity increase caused by proppant addition is shown in

the following calculation. The addition of 5 lb/gal sand to be 70-quality foam
containing 40 lb/1,000 gal bas gel will increase the internal-phase fraction to
75.6%. The apparent viscosity of the fluid will increase from 325 to 445 cp at 40
sec-1.
A solution has been proposed to keep both downstream flow rate and viscosity
constant. When solid proppant is added, a constant liquid rate should be
maintained, but the gas flow rate should decrease sufficiently to equal the
absolute solid flow rate. Application of the constant-internal-phase concept has
allowed much better control of foam fracturing treatments down small tubing.
Sand Washing with Foam

In some wells, the maximum velocity that can be achieved with
incompressible fluids is insufficient to carry the sand from the
wellbore to the surface. This may be due to the extreme depth, the
production tubing being large, the formation pressure being too
low, or a combination of these and other factors. In such cases, a
compressible fluid such as foam is required.
Foam can be generated in hydrostatic pressure gradients ranging
from 0.350 to 0.057 psi/ft, depending on wellbore pressures and
temperatures. Stable foam rheology most closely resembles
Bingham plastic fluids, where yield stress must be overcome to
initiate fluid movement.
The greater sand-carrying capacity of foam allows sand to be
washed from deep, large diameter holes with limited pump rates
and low velocities. This makes the use of coil tubing possible in
wells that might otherwise require a workover unit.
Foam is a gas-in-liquid emulsion consisting of 52 to 96% gas,
ideally nitrogen. For this application, the liquid can be aqueous or
oil-based. Surfactants are mixed with the liquid phase in
concentrations ranging from 1 to 5% by volume to reduce surface
tension. The “wet” liquid phase is then commingled with nitrogen
in a foam-generating tee. Turbulence created by nitrogen and wet
liquid mixing provides sufficient dispersion to form a
homogeneous, emulsified fluid.
16
Foam is generated by pumping a mixture of 99% water and 1%

surfactant through an atomizer tee where it is mixed with nitrogen
gas. Because foam is comprised mostly of gas, changes in pressure,
temperature, and solids loading affects the foam quality. As such,
compressible fluids have constantly changing rheology. It is well
understood that the compressible fluid has maximum carrying
capacity when the foam quality is maintained at 65 to 90.
Foam Cement
There have always been areas in which weak zones can support
only a limited height of a normal-density (11 to 18 lb/gal) cement
column without breaking down. Foam cement provides a means of
preparing 4 to 15 lb/gal cementing slurries that develop relatively
high compressive strengths in a minimum period of time, even at
low formation temperatures.
The use of foamed cement offers a low-density slurry that
• develops relatively high compressive strengths and low
permeabilities
• protects water-sensitive clay, shale, and salt formations
• can control high-volume water flow in weak formations, when
mixed as a quick-set formula
• enhances protection against annular gas invasion
• is economically competitive
• can be used from 28 to 600°F
Halliburton Foam Cement is a “stabilized system” consisting of
cement with carefully chosen additives, a foam stabilizer, a gas
(usually nitrogen), and water. Success of foam cement comes from
the ability to maintain cement slurry density below the hydrostatic
breakdown of sensitive formations, which prevents lost circulation
and fallback problems. This density control flexibility allows a
wide latitude in designing the overall job before it is actually run in
the field. Appropriate computer-assisted programs are used for
prejob planning. If necessary, one can choose to change the density
as the pressure and circulation events vary during job execution.
To prepare a stable foam cement, the slurry should be conveyed
through an effective mechanical foam generating device that
imparts sufficient energy and mixing action with pressurized gas
to prepare uniform gas bubbles of the correct size. In nearly all
17
respects, regular cementing equipment is set up as for an ordinary

cementing job. The foam generator is inserted in the cement slurry
discharge line that is connected to the well head, and the nitrogen
unit is connected to the foam generator. The cement slurry is mixed
in a normal fashion, and foaming surfactants and stabilizers are
injected into the slurry as it is picked up by the displacement pump
unit. Fig. 6-1 on the previous page depicts a typical field job
equipment layout.
Foam Generators
The success of many foam treatments is dependent on the foam having the properties
that it was designed for. To ensure a stable foam with good texture, a foam generator
is recommended.
When to Use a Foam Generator:
• Foam Cements.
• Oil Based Stimulation Fluids.
• Fluids w/ Blends of Alcohol / Methanol / Toluene / Xylene / condensate /
diesel etc.
• High Linear Based Gel Systems.
• Rapid Crosslinked Gel Systems.
• Low Rate Pumping Jobs (Matrix Aciding) & Acid Foam Diversions.
• Customer Request.
• When in Doubt About Performance of Surfactant.
• Pumping Down Large Casing Strings.
Foam Generator Problem
Given:
N2 Pump Rate 1,000 scf/min
Expected WHP 5,000 psi
Desired Nitrogen Back Pressure 800 psi
What Size Choke is needed in the Foam Generator?

18
Solution:
Q = 1.64 (D2)(V′/V) √∆P/Gas Density

V’
/V Use Nitrogen Data for Oil Well
Servicing Section VI on Page 2 for
5,000 psi & 80°F the VS/V is 1580 scf/bbl.
Gas Density Nitrogen Density is found in same booklet

on page 5 Section VI. Follow up from
5,000 psi to intersection of T = 80°F line.
The density is 2.7.
Solve Q= 1,000 scf/min

D= ?
V′
/V = 1580 scf/bbl
∇P = 800 psi
Gas Density = 2.7
1,000 scf/min = 1.64 (D2)(1580 scf/bbl) √ 800/2.7
1,000 scf/min = (D2) 44,603
.0224 = D2
.15 = D
9/64 Choke is .14 inches

19
The “Tee” foam generator is a simple device that creates stable

foams with good textures (Fig. 18-1).
Note: There must be at least 8 to 10 feet of straight pipe following

the foam generator tee to serve as the mixing chamber.
Fig. 18-1: Schematic of foam generator.
The following guidelines apply when you select a nozzle size:

• For foam cement, use a 16/64-in. nozzle.
• For 0 to 40-lb water gel and acid foams with 600 psi nitrogen
pressure loss, use Figure 18-2.
• For 40 to 80-lb water gel and oil foams with 1,200 psi nitrogen
To choose the proper nozzle size, determine the proper nitrogen
flow rate (scf/min), read up the chart until this line intersects with
the curve you selected based on your wellhead pressure. Upon
finding this point, read the nozzle size on the left-hand side of the
graph for your job.
20
Fig. 18-2: Nozzle sizes for 0 to 40-lb water gel and acid foams with 600 psi nitrogen pressure
loss.
FlowBacks of Compressible Fluids

• Not our core business. Preference is not to be doing.
• Do not use the iron we use in our daily treating operations.
• Under no exception are hoses to be used.
• When flowing back into tanks make sure MSDS sheets on N2 are left with
company man and that he is aware of potential asphyxiation with N2 in
confined spaces.
• Make sure all flowback iron & connections have working pressures above
expected pressures.
• Order of preference for connections:
• Flanges
• Square Threads
• Round Threads
• V-Thread ( break easier when subjected to lateral & cyclic strain)
• Rigid steel lines. Swivel joints have more potential in parting.
• Avoid turns whenever possible. Use bull plugged tees when necessary.
• Use positive chokes rather than variable chokes when possible.
21
• Double valve arrangement close to the wellhead & as close to the ground as
possible. Remote valve recommended.
• Stay upwind of well when flowing back.
• Use a Perfball Catcher in the line when Perfballs are used.
Is the restraint system capable of controlling the released energy?
The following formulas determine the maximum torque that can be created by a
system failure:
Force = (Pressure) (Area)

Torque = (Force) (Length)
Line I.D. Area Sq. Pressure Force Length Torque

2″ 3.14 5,000 15,700 5 78,500
3″ 7.07 5,000 35,350 5 176,750
3″ 7.07 5,000 35,350 10 353,500
3″ 7.07 10,000 70,700 10 707,000
4″ 12.56 10,000 125,600 10 1,256,000
Fig. 18-2: Nozzle sizes for 40 to 80-lb water gel and acid foams with 1,200 psi nitrogen pressure
loss.
22
Computer Programs
Stimulation
StimWin - This is a Windows based program which allows you to plug in a few
numbers and get back results without having to interpolate off charts and graphs. The
program runs on a 386 DX PC with at least 8 mgs of memory. Instructions to get into
the program are: Click the StimWin GUI, click APP, then Nitrogen Calculations. Under
calculate, click Foam Quality & Density.. Fill in the Black & Pink lines & read the
results givin in the Blue lines. Foam schedules for fracturing applications can also be
determined by clicking foam schedules after clicking App.
PROP - Used in designing a sand laden foam stimulation treatment.

TPHASE - Useful in designing rates, friction pressures, WHP’s etc with foams.
Washing
FoamUP - Simulates a foam cleanout job when washing varies types of debris out
of vertical & horizontal holes.
Cementing
CJOBSIM - Used for simulating a foam cementing job under dynamic conditions.
FMCEM - Simulates a primary foam cementing job under static conditions.
Usually it is necessary to run both the above programs when designing a
primary foam cement job.
SQZSIM2 - Simulates a squeeze foam cementing job under dynamic conditions.
Chapter Feedback Exercises
DIRECTIONS: Complete the following exercise, using your workbook and notes as
references:
1. Name two variables which effect foam viscosity? --------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------.
2. What size nozzle should you use for foam cementing in a foam generator? ----------
-----------------------.
3. List six advantages of using a Foam Acid.
a. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23
b. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
c. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
d. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
e. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
f. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Which foam quality has a higher viscosity? 60 Q, 70 Q, 80 Q. ------
5. In a 70 Q foam, what is the percentage of the mixture which is liquid? ------

24
Lesson Summary
We initially discussed what foam is and what are the advantages of using
foamed fluids. We found by adding a larger percentage of nitrogen and a
surfactant to the base liquid we could get a fluid which has a low density and a
high viscosity. In doing so we need to make sure enough energy is imparted
into the system by shearing through high velocities or a foam generator.
A fluid once foamed has many added benefits. In stimulating a reservoir it

allows us could fluid loss properties, improved cleanups, and excellent proppant
carrying characteristics. In wells were there is concern about loosing fluids in a
zone downhole, nitrogen foams can be utilized to circulate out debris or in doing
primary or secondary cementing jobs.
Straight Nitrogen
Straight Nitrogen

• Nitrogen applications and calculations when pumped without
commingling or foaming
• When temperature is constant
• When temperature varies
This chapter will only cover the applications and associated
calculations when pumping nitrogen by itself (no liquids pumped at the
same time). The chapters following this will cover the applications and
calculations when commingling with fluids or foaming.
Straight Nitrogen
Terminology
WHP - (Wellhead Pressure) - This is the pressure showing uphole on a
gauge. Depending on what is happening at the time it can also be
called other terms when needing to be more specific, such as:
WHTP - Wellhead Treating Pressure - This is the pressure at the
wellhead while pumping either nitrogen, fluids or both.
ISIP - Instant Shut In Pressure - This is the pressure immediately after
all the pumps (nitrogen or fluid) have been shut down. It is recorded
due to a need to see how a well is reacting during pumping after
discounting out all friction pressures.
PBH - (Pressure Bottom Hole) - This can be the pressure at the bottom
of the tubing, or coiled tubing when static, jetting, displacing, etc. or the
pressure at the perforations when pumping into the formation or
flowing out of the formation. Depending on what is being done it can
also be called other names when needing to be more specific, such as:
BHP - Bottom Hole Pressure - This is the term usually used when there
is no movement of fluids or gases. Often times it can be calculated by
determining the hydrostatic weight of the fluids or gases in the
wellbore and adding to the WHP if the well is not dead.
BHTP- Bottom Hole Treating Pressure - This term is used when
pumping fluids into the formation. It is the pressure just outside the
perforations which the formation is seeing. It is used to aid in
determining fracturing pressures, reservoir pressures, damaged zones,
leak off rates, etc.
BHFP- Bottom Hole Flowing Pressure - This term is used when wells
are flowing back. It is the pressure on the inside of the casing across
from the perforations. It is important in nitrogen applications when
doing a well cleanout or jetting job.
PH - Pressure Hydrostatic - This is the hydrostatic pressure of a column
of fluid, gas, or a mixture. In our calculations it will normally be PH
exerted at the bottom of the tubing or at the mid-point of the perforated
interval.
Straight Nitrogen
PH = (Mud Weight * .052 * Depth)

T. G. - (Temperature Gradient) - As a well is drilled deeper the
temperature increases with depth. A temperature just below the
ground surface can be readily found and by the use of temperature
gauges on wireline or electric line devices a bottom hole temperature is
found. The temperature gradient is how fast per 100 ft intervals the
temperature increases as we go deeper in the well.
T.G. = [(Bottom Hole Temperature - Surface Temperature) / Depth] *
100 feet
V’/V - (Volume Factor) - This is a term which will be used through out
this chapter. It relates how much standard volume of gas is
compressed into an actual volume of space. The units are usually given
in scf/bbl. The equation is:
V’/V = Standard Volume Gas (scf) / Actual Volume Gas (bbl) =
scf / bbl
There are two tables in the Nitrogen Data for Oil Well Servicing manual
which uses V’V.
Table VI - Gives V’/V when temperature and pressure is a constant.
(group 1 problems)
Table IV - This gives an average V’/V when the pressure and
temperature changes as a gradient over a depth interval. (group 2
problems).
Temperatures are constant in the following applications and

calculations:
• Filling a refinery vessel to inert or purge a system
• Leak testing uphole equipment
• Helium leak detection
• Displacing a liquid down a pipeline with a pig and nitrogen
Straight Nitrogen
• Displacing out fluids from a coiled tubing reel from the nitrogen
connection to the wellhead
• Determining volume of nitrogen from the perforations back into the
formation
Straight Nitrogen
Temperatures vary due to increases in depth in the following

applications and calculations
• Displacement of drilling or production fluids out of the tubing,
casing, or backside
• Displacement of the coiled tubing from the section from the
wellhead to the bottom of the coil
• Nitrogen cushions for drill stem testing.
• Under balanced perforating
• Annulus Insulation.
• Extreme Over Balanced Perforating (Perfstim).
• Perf-CON.
• Freeing stuck drill pipe.
• Corrosion inhibitor placement
Straight Nitrogen
EXAMPLE TABLE
PRESSURE-TEMPERATURE VOLUME TABLES FOR NITROGEN GAS*

V'/V IN SCF/BBL
PSIG
P 60°F 80°F 100°F 120°F 140°F 160°F 180°F 200°F 220°F
100 45 43 41 40 39 37 36 35 34
200 84 80 78 75 72 70 68 66 64
300 122 118 114 110 106 103 99 96 94
400 161 I55 150 145 140 135 131 127 123
500 200 193 186 180 174 168 163 158 153
600 239 230 222 214 207 201 194 188 183
700 278 268 258 249 241 233 226 219 213
800 317 305 294 284 275 266 258 250 242
900 356 343 330 319 308 298 289 276 267
1000 395 380 367 354 342 326 315 305 295
1100 434 418 403 389 371 358 345 334 324
1200 473 455 439 424 403 389 375 363 352
1300 511 493 475 452 435 420 405 392 379
1400 550 530 506 485 467 450 435 420 407
1500 589 567 540 518 499 481 464 449 434
1600 628 599 574 551 530 511 493 477 461
1700 667 635 608 583 561 541 522 504 488
1800 706 670 641 615 592 570 550 532 515
1900 738 705 674 647 622 599 578 559 541
2000 774 739 707 678 652 628 686 586 567
2100 810 773 739 709 682 657 634 612 593
2200 845 806 771 740 711 685 661 639 618
2300 879 839 802 770 740 713 687 668 647
2400 913 871 833 799 773 744 718 695 672
2500 946 903 868 833 801 772 745 721 698
2600 979 939 899 863 830 800 772 746 723
2700 1016 971 929 892. 858 827 798 772 747
2800 1049 1002 959 921 886 854 824 797 772
2900 1081 1033 989 949 913 880 850 822 796
3000 1113 1063 1018 978 941 907 875 846 820
3100 1144 1093 1047 1005 967 933 900 871 843
3200 1174 1122 1075 1033 994 958 925 895 867
3300 1204 1151 1103 1060 1020 983 950 919 890
3400 1234 1180 1131 1086 1046 1008 974 942 913
3500 1263 1208 1158 1112 1071 1033 998 965 935
3600 1291 1235 1184 1138 1096 1057 1022 988 958
3700 1319 1262 1211 1164 1121 1081 1045 1011 980
3800 1346 1288 1236 1189 1145 1105 1068 1033 1001
3900 1373 1314 1262 1213 1169 1128 1090 1055 1023
4000 1399 1340 1286 1237 1192 1151 1113 1077 1044
4100 1424 1365 1311 1261 1216 1174 1135 1099 1065
4200 1455 1395 1339 1284 1238 1196 1156 1120 1086
4300 1481 1420 1364 1312 1265 1218 1178 1141 1106
4400 1506 1444 1388 1336 1288 1244 1203 1161 1126
4500 1532 1469 1411 1359 1310 1266 1224 1186 1150
Straight Nitrogen
Purging and Pressuring a System
In an industrial plant often times fluids need moved out of a vessel or a

vessel needs to be purged of any unwanted gases. Nitrogen will not
react with the metals or chemicals in a hazardous way. These purges
are done usually at low pressures.
EXAMPLE 1
Given: Purge a system with 10,000 scf of nitrogen. Close

valve at other end and pressure up the system to
100 psi with nitrogen at a temperature of 80°F.
System capacity is 400 bbls.
Solution: Using Section VI at 80°F and 100 psi, it will take 43

scf/bbl of N2.
(43 scf/bbl)(400 bbl) = 172,00 scf
17,200 scf + 10,000 scf = 27,200 scf plus cool-down.
Straight Nitrogen
Helium Leak Detection
EXAMPLE 2

production platform. Test will be done with 99%
nitrogen and 1% helium. The system will first be
pressured up to 500 psi to test for gross leaks, then
pressured to 3500 psi. The system volume is 100
bbl. Test with 80°F nitrogen.
Solution: Using Section VI, at 80°F and 500 psi it will take 193
scf/bbl and at 3500 psi it will take 1208 scf/bbl of N2.
At 500 psi → (193 scf/bbl)(100 bbl) = 19,300 scf.

At 3500 psi → (1208 scf/bbl)(100 bbl) = 120,800 scf

Straight Nitrogen
Pipeline Displacement
EXAMPLE 3
Given: A 12” gas pipeline 9.4 miles long has a capacity of 6,944
bbls. It is required to displace a pig through it at 200 psi.
The ground temperature and nitrogen to be pumped is
60°F.
scf/bbl N2.
(84 scf/bbl)(6,944 bbl) = 583,296 scf

Straight Nitrogen
CoiledTubing Displacement (Surface Reel)
EXAMPLE 4
Given: A coiled tubing unit is on location. The unit has 10,000 ft

of 1-1/4 inch tubing in the hole and 8000 ft on the reel.
The customer has initially asked for nitrogen to displace
out the fluids to the wellhead. WHP is 3000 psi and the
capacity of the tubing on the reel is 8 bbl. Surface
scf/bbl N2.
(1063 scf/bbl)(8 bbl) = 8,504 scf

Straight Nitrogen
Straight Gas Fracturing
EXAMPLE 5
Given: A customer has called in and requested a straight

nitrogen stimulation treatment. He has given a BHTP of
1900 psi. He would like the downhole rate to be 150
bbl/min and a total volume in the reservoir to be 1500
bbl of nitrogen. The reservoir temperature is
100°F.
Find: Nitrogen rate and total volume necessary to do the job.
Solution: The pressure the nitrogen will see in the reservoir during
pumping is 1900 psi at 100°F.
In Section VI it will take 674 scf/bbl of nitrogen for a

volume of 1 bbl.
Rate = (674 scf/bbl)(150 bbl/min) = 101,100 scf/min of N2
Volume = (674 scf/bbl)(1500 bbl) = 1,011,000 scf of N2

Straight Nitrogen
EXAMPLE TABLE
DEPTH 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000
(FEET)
500 WHP 492. 983. 1475. 1967. 2460. 2953. 3446. 3940. 4435. 4929. (PSIA)
V’/V 188. 375. 559. 736. 903. 1060. 1205. 1339. 1462. 1576. (SCF/BBL)
1000 WHP 483. 967. 1451. 1935. 2420. 2906. 3393. 3881. 4370. 4860. PSIA)
V’/V 185. 370. 551 726. 891. 1046. 1190. 1324. 1447. 1560. (SCF/BBL)
1500 WHP 475. 951. 1427. 1904. 2382. 2861. 3342. 3824. 4308. 4793. PSIA)
V’/V 183. 365. 544. 716. 880. 1033. 1176. 1309. 1431. 1544. (SCF/BBL)
2000 WHP 468. 936. 1404. 1873. 2345. 2817. 3292. 3768. 4246. 4726. PSIA)
V’/V 180. 360. 536. 706. 868. 1020. 1162. 1294. 1416. 1528. (SCF/BBL)
2500 WHP 460. 920. 1382. 1844. 2308. 2774. 3243. 3714. 4186. 4661. PSIA)
V’/V 178. 355. 529. 697. 857. 1008. 1149. 1280. 1401. 1513. (SCF/BBL)
3000 WHP 453. 906. 1360. 1815. 2273. 2733. 3195. 3660. 4128. 4598. PSIA)
V’/V 176. 351. 522. 688. 846. 996. 1135. 1265. 1386. 1498. (SCF/BBL)
3500 WHP 446. 892. 1338. 1787. 2238. 2692. 3148. 3608. 4070. 4535. PSIA)
V’/V 173. 346. 515. 679. 836. 984. 1122. 1252. 1372. 1483. (SCF/BBL)
4000 WHP 439. 878. 1318. 1760. 2204. 2652. 3103. 3557. 4014. 4474. PSIA)
V’/V 171. 341. 529. 671. 825. 972. 1109. 1238. 1358. 1469. (SCF/BBL)
4500 WHP 432. 864. 1298. 1733. 2171. 2613. 3058. 3507. 3959. 4414. PSIA)
V’/V 139. 337. 502. 662. 815. 960. 1097. 1225. 1344. 1454. (SCF/BBL)
5000 WHP 425. 851. 1278. 1707. 2139. 2575. 3014. 3458. 3905. 4355. PSIA)
V’/V 167. 333. 496. 654. 805. 949. 1085. 1211. 1330. 1440. (SCF/BBL)
5500 WHP 419. 838. 1259. 1682. 2108. 2538. 2972. 3410. 3852. 4297. PSIA)
V’/V 165. 329. 490. 646. 796. 938. 1073. 1199. 1316. 1426. (SCF/BBL)
6000 WHP 413. 826. 1240. 1657. 2077. 2502. 2930. 3363. 3800. 4241. PSIA)
V’/V 163. 325. 484. 638. 786. 928. 1061. 1186. 1303. 1413. (SCF/BBL)
6500 WHP 406. 813. 1222. 1633. 2048. 2466. 2889. 3317. 3749. 4186. PSIA)
V’/V 161. 321. 478. 631. 777. 917. 1049. 1174. 1290. 1399. (SCF/BBL)
7000 WHP 400. 801. 1204. 1609. 2018. 2432. 2849. 3272. 3699. 4131. PSIA)
V’/V 159. 317. 472. 623. 768. 907. 1038. 1161. 1277. 1386. (SCF/BBL)
7500 WHP 395. 790. 1187. 1586. 1990. 2398. 2810. 3228. 3650. 4078. PSIA)
V’/V 157. 313. 466. 616. 759. 897. 1027. 1150. 1265. 1373. (SCF/BBL)
8000 WHP 389. 778. 1170. 1564. 1962. 2365. 2772. 3185. 3603. 4026. PSIA)
V’/V 155. 309. 461 609. 751. 887. 1016. 1138. 1253. 1360. (SCF/BBL)
8500 WHP 383. 767. 1153. 1542. 1935. 2332. 2735. 3143. 3556. 3974. PSIA)
V’/V 153. 306. 456. 602. 742. 877. 1005. 1126. 1240. 1348. (SCF/BBL)
9000 WHP 378. 756. 1137. 1521. 1908. 2301. 2698. 3101. 3510. 3924. PSIA)
V’/V 152. 302. 450. 595. 734. 868. 995. 1115. 1228. 1335. (SCF/BBL)
9500 WHP 372. 746. 1121. 1500. 1882. 2270. 2663. 3061. 3465. 3875. PSIA)
V’/V 150. 299. 445. 588. 726. 858. 984. 1104. 1217. 1323. (SCF/BBL)
10000 WHP 367. 735. 1106. 1479. 1857. 2240. 2628. 3021. 3421. 3826. PSIA)
V’/V 148. 295. 440 582. 718. 849. 974. 1093. 1205. 1311. (SCF/BBL)
Straight Nitrogen
EXAMPLE TABLE
DEPTH 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000
(FEET)
500 WHP 492. 983. 1475. 1967. 2460. 2953. 3446. 3940. 4435. 4930. (PSIA)
V’/V 187. 374. 558. 734. 901. 1057. 1202. 1335. 1459. 1572. (SCF/BBL)
1000 WHP 483. 967. 1451. 1935. 2421. 2907. 3394. 3882. 4371. 4861. PSIA)
V’/V 184. 368. 548. 722. 886. 1041. 1184. 1317. 1439. 1552. (SCF/BBL)
1500 WHP 476. 951. 1428. 1905. 2383. 2852. 3343. 3826. 4309. 4794. PSIA)
V’/V 182. 362. 540. 710. 873. 1025. 1167. 1299. 1421. 1533. (SCF/BBL)
2000 WHP 468. 936. 1405. 1875. 2346. 2819. 3294. 3771. 4249. 4729. PSIA)
V’/V 179. 357. 531. 699. 859. 1010. 1151. 1281. 1402. 1514. (SCF/BBL)
2500 WHP 461. 921. 1383. 1846. 2311. 2777. 3246. 3717. 4190. 4665. PSIA)
V’/V 176. 351. 523. 688. 846. 995. 1135. 1264. 1384. 1496. (SCF/BBL)
3000 WHP 453. 907. 1362. 1818. 2276. 2736. 3199. 3665. 4133. 4603. PSIA)
V’/V 173. 346. 515. 678. 834. 981. 1119. 1248. 1367. 1478. (SCF/BBL)
3500 WHP 446. 893. 1341. 1791. 2242. 2697. 3154. 3614. 4077. 4542. PSIA)
V’/V 171. 340. 507. 668. 822. 967. 1104. 1231. 1350. 1460. (SCF/BBL)
4000 WHP 440. 880. 1321. 1764. 2210. 2658. 3110. 3565. 4022. 4483. PSIA)
V’/V 168. 335. 499. 658. 810. 954. 1189. 1216. 1334. 1443. (SCF/BBL)
4500 WHP 433. 867. 1302. 1739. 2178. 2621. 3067. 3516. 3969. 4425. PSIA)
V’/V 166. 331. 492. 649. 799. 941. 1075. 1200. 1317. 1427. (SCF/BBL)
5000 WHP 427. 854. 1283. 1714. 2147. 2584. 3025. 3469. 3917. 4369. PSIA)
V’/V 163. 326. 485. 639. 787. 928. 1061. 1185. 1302. 1410. (SCF/BBL)
5500 WHP 421. 842. 1264. 1689. 2117. 2549. 2984. 3424. 3867. 4313. PSIA)
V’/V 161. 321. 478. 630. 777. 916. 1047. 1170. 1286. 1394. (SCF/BBL)
6000 WHP 415. 830. 1247. 1666. 2088. 2514. 2945. 3379. 3817. 4259. PSIA)
V’/V 159. 317. 472. 622. 766. 904. 1034. 1156. 1271. 1379. (SCF/BBL)
6500 WHP 409. 818. 1229. 1643. 2060. 2481. 2906. 3335. 3769. 4207. PSIA)
V’/V 157. 312. 465. 613. 756. 892. 1021. 1142. 1254. 1363. (SCF/BBL)
7000 WHP 403. 807. 1212. 1621. 2032. 2448. 2868. 3293. 3722. 4155. PSIA)
V’/V 155. 308. 459. 605. 746. 881. 1008. 1129. 1242. 1348. (SCF/BBL)
7500 WHP 397. 796. 1196. 1599. 2005. 2416. 2831. 3251. 3675. 4104. PSIA)
V’/V 153. 304. 453. 597. 736. 869. 996. 1115. 1228. 1334. (SCF/BBL)
8000 WHP 392. 785. 1180. 1578. 1979. 2385. 2795. 3210. 3630. 4055. PSIA)
V’/V 151. 300. 447. 589. 727. 859. 984. 1102. 1214. 1319. (SCF/BBL)
8500 WHP 387. 775. 1164. 1557. 1954. 2354. 2760. 3171. 3586. 4007. PSIA)
V’/V 149. 296. 441. 582. 718. 848. 972. 1090. 1201. 1305. (SCF/BBL)
9000 WHP 382. 764. 1149. 1537. 1929. 2325. 2726. 3132. 3543. 3959. PSIA)
V’/V 147. 292. 435. 575. 709. 838. 961. 1077. 1187. 1291. (SCF/BBL)
9500 WHP 377. 754. 1134. 1517. 1904. 2296. 2692. 3094. 3501. 3913. PSIA)
V’/V 145. 289. 430. 567. 700. 828. 949. 1065. 1174. 1278. (SCF/BBL)
10000 WHP 372. 745. 1120. 1498. 1881. 2268. 2660. 3057. 3460. 3868. PSIA)
V’/V 143. 285. 424. 560. 692. 818. 939. 1053. 1162. 1264. (SCF/BBL)
Straight Nitrogen
V’/V Tables
In working these problems it is best to first determine which of the

following values are obtainable prior to the calculating, then solve for
what is not available but necessary to properly conduct the job.
• Temperature Gradient
• Depth
• WHP - Wellhead Pressure
• BHP - Bottom Hole Pressure
• V’/V - Volume (in scf) per Bbl of space.
• Total Volume of Conduit (in bbls).
Straight Nitrogen
Tubing Displacement
EXAMPLE 6
Given: 5-1/2” casing is full of 9.62#/gal brine. The customer

plans to run 2-7/8” tubing to 6000 ft, then pump nitrogen
down the tubing to displace the brine out into the
backside. Tubing capacity is 35 bbl and the temperature
gradient is 1.1 DEG F°/100 ft.
Find: BHP when brine displaced out of tubing. What is the

WHP when displacement completed. How much
nitrogen is pumped.
Solution: Using calculation for pressure hydrostatic (PH) in

erminology section.
PH = (9.62#/gal)(.052)(6,000 ft) = 3,000 psi
PH for this problem is the BHP
In Section IV at 1.1 T.G. (pg. 13), Intersecting the 6,000 ft

depth with a BHP of 3000 psi gives a V’/V of 928 scf/bbl
and a WHP of 2502 psi.
N2 pumped = (928 scf/bbl)(35 bbl) = 32,480 scf

Straight Nitrogen
Tubing & Annulus Displacement
EXAMPLE 7
Given: 6-5/8” casing is full of 14.42#/gal brine. The customer

down the tubing to displace the brine out of the well.
Tubing capacity is 20 bbls. Annulus capacity is 110 bbls.
T.G. = 1.6 DEG F°/100 ft.
Find: BHP when tubing displaced with nitrogen. What is the

wellhead pressure at this point. How much nitrogen is
pumped at this point. How much nitrogen is needed to
finish displacement of annulus.
Solution: Find hydrostatic weight (PH)

PH = (14.42#/gal)(.052)(4,000 ft) = 3000 psi
In section IV at 1.6 T.G. (pg. 25), intersecting 4000 ft with

3000 psi BHP gives a WHP of 2658 psi and a V’/V of 954
scf/bbl.
N2 pumped to clear tubing of brine is (954 scf/bbl)(20

bbl) = 19,080 scf
In order to finish displacement of the hole, it must be determined how much

additional N2 to pump. Initially, when the inside of the tubing is full of
nitrogen, the PHB is 3000 psi and the backside pressure at the surface is 0 psi.
When the brine is completely displaced the surface pressure in the annulus will
be 0 psi. Since we started with a BHP of 3000 psi then the average between the top
and bottom of the hole would be 1500 psi.
In using the 1500 psi as the BHP the V’/V at 4000 ft is 499 scf/bbl for
continuing to displace out the rest of the annulus fluids.
Annulus displacement is (499 scf/bbl)(110 bbls) = 54,890 scf
Total Hole Displacement is 19,080 scf + 54,890 scf = 73,970 scf

Straight Nitrogen
Rule of Thumb
In the 2nd part of the last problem we used a BHP which was 1/2 of the
original in order to finish unloading the hole. In some cases this may
be more nitrogen then necessary. A good rule of thumb is:

EXAMPLES: In the last problem we went down the tubing
and up the annulus
Ratio is 2.875/6.049 = .475 use 1/2
↑This is for 6-5/8” - 20#/ft
If the casing had been 5 1/2” casing
Then, 2.875/4.950 = .581 and we would have
used 1/3
↑5 1/2” - 15.5#/ft
Straight Nitrogen
Annulus Displacement
EXAMPLE 8
Given: 5-1/2” casing is full of 11#/gal brine. The customer

down the annulus to displace the backside. This is in
order to allow for an annulus blanket. The temperature
gradient is 1.1 DEG F°/100 ft and the backside capacity is
111 bbls.
Find: BHP when brine displaced out of annulus. What is the

wellhead pressure when displacement is completed.
How much nitrogen is pumped.
Solution: Using the hydrostatic pressure calculation
PH = (11#/gal)(.052)(7000 ft) = 4000 psi
In Section IV at 1.1 T.G. (pg. 13), intersecting 7000 ft with

a BHP of 4000 psi gives a V’/V of 1161 scf/bbl and a
WHP of 3272 psi
Nitrogen pumped = (1161 scf/bbl)(111 bbls) = 128,871 scf

Straight Nitrogen
Drill Stem Test
PROBLEM 16
Given: A drill stem test is to be conducted and they would like to

pressure up the drill prior to opening the downhole tool to the
reservoir. The 4-1/2” D.P. has a capacity of 128 bbls down to
9000 ft. The BHT is 160°F and the ground surface temperature is
60°F. They would like the nitrogen BHP to be 4000 psi when the
tools are opened.
Find: The temperature gradient (T.G.), the total nitrogen to be

pumped, the WHP prior to opening the tool, and the
hydrostatic weight of the N2 column.
Solution: Temperature gradient - from the terminology section of

this chapter.
T.G. = [(BHT - Surface Temperature)Depth]*100 feet

T.G. = [(160° - 60°/9000 ft)]*100 feet
T.G. = 1.1
Using Section IV at 1.1 T.G. (pg. 13) and intersecting 9000

ft depth with the 4000 psi BHP the V’/V of 1115 scf/bbl
and a WHP of 3101 psi
Total Nitrogen = (1115 scf/bbl)(128 bbls) = 142,720 scf
The hydrostatic weight of the nitrogen column would be

the difference between the WHP and the BHP.
Hyd. Weight = 4000 psi - 3101 psi = 899 psi
As can be seen in this problem and the rest in this chapter

the V’V in scf/bbl is the average over a gradient.
Straight Nitrogen
Underbalanced Perforating
EXAMPLE 10
Given: A well has 2-7/8” TBG to 6400 ft on a packer and is to be

perforated underbalanced at 6500 ft in 5-1/2” csg. The
well is dry. Capacity of the TBG to 6400 ft and the csg.
From 6400 ft to 6500 ft is 39 bbls. The temperature
gradient is 1.1 DEG F/100 ft. The customer would like
3000 psi BHP at the interval to be perforated.
Find: WHP when BHP is 3000 psi. Nitrogen needed.
Solution: In Section IV at 1.1 T.G. (pg. 13), at a depth of 6500 ft and

a BHP of 3000 psi. The WHP is 2466 psi and the V’/V is
917 scf/bbl
Nitrogen needed = (917 scf/bbl)(39 bbls) = 35,763 scf

Straight Nitrogen
Perf Stim
EXAMPLE 11
Given: A set of T.C.P. guns have been run in 5-1/2” casing along
with a packer to 7000 ft on 2-3/8” tbg. The hole has
been previously purged of fluids. The customer is
wanting the backside filled with nitrogen to a wellhead
annulus pressure of 4130 psi. The annulus
capacity is 125 bbls and the T.G. is 1.1. 30 minutes after
the guns go off the WHP has fallen to 3272 psi.
Find: Amount of nitrogen needed to fill the backside. BHP

when backside filled. Amount of nitrogen left in backside
when WHP is 4130 psi.
Solution: In Section IV at 1.1 T.G. (pg. 13) at a depth of 7000 ft and a

WHP of 4130 psi the BHP is 5000 psi and V’/V is 1386
scf/bbl.
N2 needed = (1386 scf/bbl)(125 bbls) = 173,250 scf
When the WHP falls to 3272 psi we can use the same
table the BHP is 4000 psi and the V’/V is 1161 scf/bbl.
N2 in annulus = (1161 scf/bbl)(125 bbls) = 145,125 scf

Straight Nitrogen
STANDARD CUBIC FOOT (SCF)
• THE AMOUNT OF GAS THAT

OCCUPIES ONE CUBIC FOOT
AT STANDARD PRESSURE
(14.7 PSI) AND TEMPERATURE
(60°F)
• 93.1 SCF/GALLON OF LN2

Straight Nitrogen
HYDROSTATICS
• PH = DENSITY X CONSTANT X
DEPTH
PH ___LB/GAL X .052 X ___ FT
• DENSITY OF NITROGEN IS
VARIABLE SECTION VI - PAGE 5
Straight Nitrogen
Straight Nitrogen
THERMAL GRADIENT
• USUALLY EXPRESSED AS °F/100 FT
• NITROGEN TABLES 0.0, 1.1, 1.6
• BHST = 70°F + (DEPTH X THERMAL

GRADIENT)
Straight Nitrogen
PRESSURE
• WHP WELLHEAD PRESSURE PSI
• BHP BOTTOMHOLE PRESSURE PSI
• BHFP BOTTOMHOME FLOWING PRESSURE PSI
• BHTP BOTTOMHOLE TREATING PRESSURE PSI
• ISIP INSTANTANEOUS SHUT-IN PRESSURE PSI

Straight Nitrogen
NITROGEN VOLUME FACTOR
• V’/V SCF/BBL
• THE NUMBER OF SCF THAT

OCCUPY ONE BBL OF SPACE
AT A GIVEN TEMPERATURE AND
PRESSURE
• WILL CHANGE WITH CHANGING

TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE
• 1000 PSI 100°F V’/V = 367 SCF/BBL

• 2000 PSI 100°F V’/V = 707 SCF/BBL
• 1000 PSI 200°F V’/V = 305 SCF/BBL
Commingled Fluids/Nitrogen
Commingled Fluids / Nitrogen

(Applications & Calculations)
Interpolating
Lesson Objectives
• Nitrogen applications and calculations when N2 is commingled with fluids..
• How to interpolating tables.

Terminology
Example
Nitrogen Data Services Manual VLR comparisons for:
T.G. - 1.1
WHP - 3,000 psi
Depth - 8,000 ft
Fluid Density - 8.5 #/gal
Gas
Gas
Gas
Fluid Fluid Fluid
VLR = 1.062 VLR = 1.376 VLR = 2.226

GLR = 100 scf/bbl GLR = 500 scf/bbl GLR = 1,500 scf/bbl
Will the VLR increase or decrease if:

Temperature Increased?
Pressure Increased?
Applications of Commingled Fluids
Nitrogen is mixed with well treating fluids for various reasons. Some of these are:
Flowbacks of treatment fluids.

Density control of treatment fluids.
Hydrojetting with nitrogen.
Nitrogen to reduce hydrostatic weight of workover fluids.
Nitrogen in drilling muds ahead of cement jobs and while drilling.
Jetting to kick-off a well.
Remove differentially stuck pipe.
Commingled Fluids
Problem 1
Given: A customer is needing a surface flow line displaced with

8.5#/gal brine w/100 scf/bbl nitrogen. The flow line capacity is
300 bbls and the pressure at the end of the displacement will be
1000 psi. The flowline temperature is 60°F.
Find: VLR for the job and amount of brine and N2 needed.
Solution: This is a constant temperature so we will be using Table VI in

the Nitrogen Data for Oil Well Servicing manual to find 395
scf/bbl. We will determine what the VLR will be for 1 bbl of
fluid then use this for determining amount of brine and
nitrogen needed.
VLR = Volume Gas + Volume Liquid

Volume Liquid
100scf / bbl
VLR = ( + 1 )/1 = 1.253
395scf / bbl

EXAMPLE TABLE
GEOTHERMAL GRADIENT = 1.1 DEG. F/100 FT NITROGEN INJECTION RATE = 300. SCF/BBL FLUID DENSITY = 8.50 LB/GAL
WELLHEAD PRESSURE
DEPTH 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000
(FT)
1000 PBH 700. 1276. 1818. 2344. 2861. 3374. 3884. 4391. 4897. 5402. (PSIA)
VLR 2.344 1.700 1.479 1.368 1.301 1.256 1.225 1.201 1.183 1.168 (BBLS/BBL)
2000 PBH 935. 1575. 2150. 2697. 3230. 3753. 4271. 4785. 5296. 5806. (PSIA)
VLR 2.181 1.634 1.445 1.348 1.288 1.248 1.219 1.197 1.180 1.166 (BBLS/BBL)
3000 PBH 1198. 1892. 2494. 3059. 3604. 4136. 4661. 5181. 5697. 6211. (PSIA)
VLR 2.020 1.581 1.418 1.331 1.277 1.240 1.213 1.193 1.177 1.164 (BBLS/BBL)
4000 PBH 1484. 2222. 2848. 3427. 3982. 4523. 5054. 5579. 6099. 6617. (PSIA)
VLR 1.910 1.538 1.395 1.317 1.268 1.234 1.209 1.190 1.175 1.162 (BBLS/BBL)
5000 PBH 1789. 2563. 3208. 3800. 4364. 4912. 5449. 5978. 6503. 7023. (PSIA)
VLR 1.822 1.502 1.375 1.305 1.260 1.228 1.205 1.187 1.173 1.161 (BBLS/BBL)
6000 PBH 2109. 2914. 3574. 4177. 4749. 5303. 5845. 6379. 6907. 7430. (PSIA)
VLR 1.752 1.473 1.359 1.295 1.253 1.224 1.202 1.185 1.171 1.160 (BBLS/BBL)
7000 PBH 2440. 3271. 3946. 4558. 5137. 5696. 6243. 6780. 7311. 7837. (PSIA)
VLR 1.695 1.448 1.345 1.286 1.247 1.220 1.199 1.183 1.170 1.159 (BBLS/BBL)
8000 PBH 2781. 3634. 4320. 4941. 5526. 6090. 6641. 7182. 7716. 8245. (PSIA)
VLR 1.647 1.427 1.333 1.278 1.242 1.216 1.197 1.181 1.169 1.158 (BBLS/BBL)
9000 PBH 3130. 4001. 4698. 5326. 5917. 6486. 7040. 7584. 8121. 8652. (PSIA)
VLR 1.608 1.409 1.322 1.271 1.237 1.213 1.194 1.180 1.168 1.158 (BBLS/BBL)
10000 PBH 3485. 4372. 5078. 5712. 6308. 6881. 7439. 7986. 8526. 9060. (PSIA)
VLR 1.574 1.393 1.313 1.265 1.234 1.210 1.193 1.178 1.167 1.157 (BBLS/BBL)
11000 PBH 3844. 4745. 5460. 6100. 6701. 7278. 7839. 8389. 8931. 9467. (PSIA)
VLR 1.454 1.380 1.305 1.260 1.230 1.208 1.191 1.177 1.166 1.157 (BBLS/BBL)
12000 PBH 4208. 5121. 5844. 6489. 7094. 7674. 8239. 8791. 9336. 9874. (PSIA)
VLR 1.520 1.368 1.298 1.256 1.227 1.206 1.190 1.177 1.166 1.157 (BBLS/BBL)
13000 PBH 4575. 5499. 6228. 6879. 7488. 8071. 8638. 9194. 9740. 10281. (PSIA)
VLR 1.499 1.357 1.292 1.252 1.224 1.204 1.189 1.176 1.165 1.156 (BBLS/BBL)
14000 PBH 4944. 5879. 6614. 7269. 7881. 8468. 9038. 9596. 10145. 10687. (PSIA)
VLR 1.480 1.348 1.286 1.248 1.222 1.203 1.188 1.175 1.165 1.156 (BBLS/BBL)
15000 PBH 5315. 6259. 7000. 7659. 8275. 8865. 9437. 9997. 10549. 11093. (PSIA)
VLR 1.463 1.340 1.281 1.245 1.220 1.201 1.187 1.175 1.165 1.157 (BBLS/BBL)
16000 PBH 5688. 6641. 7386. 8050. 8669. 9262. 9837. 10399. 10952. 11498. (PSIA)
VLR 1.449 1.333 1.277 1.242 1.218 1.200 1.186 1.175 1.165 1.157 (BBLS/BBL)
17000 PBH 6063. 7022. 7773. 8440. 9063. 9658. 10236. 10800. 11355. 11903. (PSIA)
VLR 1.436 1.326 1.273 1.240 1.217 1.199 1.186 1.174 1.165 1.157 (BBLS/BBL)
18000 PBH 6438. 7405. 8160. 8831. 8457. 10055. 10634. 11201. 11758. 12308. (PSIA)
VLR 1.424 1.320 1.270 1.238 1.216 1.199 1.185 1.174 1.165 1.157 (BBLS/BBL)
19000 PBH 6814. 7788. 8547. 9222. 9850. 10451. 11032. 11604. 12160. 12711. (PSIA)
VLR 1.414 1.315 1.267 1.236 1.214 1.198 1.185 1.174 1.165 1.157 (BBLS/BBL)
20000 PBH 7190. 8170. 8935. 9612. 10243. 10846. 11430. 12001. 12562. 13115. (PSIA)
VLR 1.404 1.310 1.264 1.234 1.213 1.197 1.185 1.174 1.165 1.158 (BBLS/BBL)
21000 PBH 7567. 8553. 9321. 10002. 10636. 11241. 11828. 12400. 12963. 13518. (PSIA)
VLR 1.396 1.306 1.261 1.233 1.213 1.197 1.185 1.174 1.166 1.158 (BBLS/BBL)
22000 PBH 7945. 8936. 9708. 10392. 11029. 11636. 12225. 12799. 13364. 13920. (PSIA)
VLR 1.388 1.302 1.259 1.232 1.212 1.197 1.185 1.175 1.166 1.159 (BBLS/BBL)
23000 PBH 8322. 9319. 10095. 10782. 11421. 12031. 12621. 13198. 13764. 14323. (PSIA)
VLR 1.381 1.299 1.257 1.230 1.211 1.196 1.185 1.175 1.166 1.159 (BBLS/BBL)
24000 PBH 8699. 9702. 10481. 11171. 11813. 12425. 13017. 13596. 14164. 14724. (PSIA)
VLR 1.375 1.296 1.255 1.229 1.211 1.196 1.185 1.175 1.167 1.159 (BBLS/BBL)
25000 PBH 9077. 10084. 10867. 11560. 12204. 12819. 13413. 13994. 14564. 15126. (PSIA)
VLR 1.369 1.293 1.254 1.229 1.210 1.196 1.185 1.175 1.167 1.160 (BBLS/BBL)
26000 PBH 9454. 10467. 11253. 11949. 12595. 13212. 13809. 14391. 14963. 15527. (PSIA)
VLR 1.364 1.290 1.252 1.228 1.210 1.196 1.185 1.175 1.167 1.160 (BBLS/BBL)
27000 PBH 9832. 10849. 11639. 12337. 12986. 13605. 14204. 14788. 15362. 15927. (PSIA)
VLR 1.359 1.288 1.251 1.227 1.210 1.196 1.185 1.176 1.168 1.161 (BBLS/BBL)
28000 PBH 10209 11231. 12024. 12725. 13377. 13998. 14599. 15185. 15761. 16328. (PSIA)
VLR 1.355 1.286 1.250 1.226 1.209 1.196 1.185 1.176 1.168 1.161 (BBLS/BBL)
29000 PBH 10586. 11613. 12409. 13113. 13767. 14391. 14993. 15582. 16159. 16728. (PSIA)
VLR 1.351 1.284 1.249 1.226 1.209 1.196 1.185 1.176 1.168 1.162 (BBLS/BBL)
30000 PBH 10963. 11994. 12794. 13501. 14157. 14783. 15388. 15978. 16558. 17129. (PSIA)
VLR 1.347 1.282 1.248 1.225 1.209 1.196 1.185 1.177 1.169 1.162 (BBLS/BBL)
Displacement of CT w/Commingled Fluids
Problem 5
Given: A customer is treating a zone with acid through 1-1/4” coiled

tubing. He would like to displace the treatment with 8.5#/gal
brine with 300 scf/bbl nitrogen commingled. He has 5000 ft (5
bbl capacity) still on the reel and 10,000 ft (10 bbl capacity) in
the well. The WHP when displaced will be 4000 psi. The T.G. is
1.1 Deg. F/100 ft and surface temperature is 80°F.
Find: BHP when job complete. Brine needed for displacement.

Nitrogen needed for displacement.
Solution: This problem will need to be separated into two problems. The
first is for the mixture in the hole (temperature changing) and
the second for the mixture on the reel (temperature constant).
Hole: In Section V look for the table with T.G. of 1.1, fluid density of
8.5#/gal and 300 scf/bbl of nitrogen rate (page 58).
For 10,000 ft and a WHP of 4000 psi the BHP is 7986 psi and
the VLR is 1.178.

Tubing on Reel:
Volume Gas + Volume Liquid

VLR =
Volume Liquid
For the part of the problem we know our temperature is a

constant 80°F and the WHP is the same as the pressure at the
end of the nitrogen trk. We need to first solve for VLR using
Table VI in the Nitrogen Data for Oil Well Servicing Book.
For a temperature of 80°F and a pressure of 4000 psi the gas

capacity to fill 1 bbl is 1340 scf. We know the customer wants
300 scf/bbl of N2 so our VLR ratio for 1 bbl of capacity is:
300
VLR = ( + 1 )/1 = 1.224
1340
For the 5,000 ft (5 bbl) on the reel.

Total brine needed = 4.08 + 8.5 = 12.6 bbl

Total N2 needed = 1224 + 2550 = 3774 scf
Kicking Off A Well
Problem 7
Given: A 12,000 ft well contains 11 lb/gal completion fluid. The

tubing is 3-1/2 in., 9.3 lb/ft, and the geothermal gradient is
1.6°F/100 ft. The tubing capacity is .0087 bbl/ft. It is
estimated that a 1000 psi pressure drop will initiate production.
Find: How will we kick this well off with nitrogen and coiled tubing?
Solution: 1. Assume we will nitrify fluids at 500 scf/bbl. There is a

1000 psi reduction between 500 scf/bbl and 0 scf/bbl at a
depth of about 2200 ft.
2. If we inject the coiled tubing at 50 ft/min what we will

pass through in one minute is equal to the tubing
capacity multiplied by the coiled tubing injection rate.
50 ft/min x 0.0087 bbl/ft = 0.435 bbl/min
3. The nitrogen injection rate will be equal to the nitrogen

concentration multiplied by amount of fluid per minute.
0.435 bbl/min x 500 scf/bbl = 217.5 scf/min

Flowbacks and Nitrogen-Assisted Unloading
Problem 9
Given: A 12,000 ft well with a temperature gradient of 1.1°F/100 ft is

to be treated. The density of the fluid flowing back will be a
8.5#/gal. BHFP is 3000 psi. TBC is 2-3/8”.
Find: The scf/bbl of nitrogen which will need to be added to the

fluids to lighten the hydrostatic weight of the fluids during
flow back.
Solution: In Section VIII of the Nitrogen Data for Oil Well Servicing
manual (pg. 1) use the chart to determine the scf/bbl of
nitrogen. The point which is intersected by a line going up
from the x-axis at 3000 psi and across from 12,000 ft on the y-
axis will be 500 scf/bbl.
Single Interpolating
Interpolation is a technique used to estimate a value between two known points. In
using nitrogen tables it is usually necessary to interpolate. The numbers which are given
at the wellsite seldom can be found in the tables. Some examples of these are:
WHP - 2,431 psi BHP - 4,322 psi

Depth - 5,260 ft GLR - 200 scf/bbl
T.G. - 1.2 Fluid Density - 8.7 #/gal
In the following problems we will be solving for an unknown V’/V when given a WHP,
BHP or depth. These problems will need interpolated. In doing so we will use pg 13
in section IV of the Nitrogen Data for Oil Well Servicing manual. For interpolating it is
best to set up a series of steps such as the below:
Step 1 - Write down all the numbers which are necessary to solve the
problem.
Step 2 - Determine which numbers in step 1 are not listed in the tables.
A ratio will need to be set up for these.
Step 3 - Write down the closest values on both sides of the number
which are listed in the table.
Step 4 - Calculate the ratio. The ratio should always be less than one.
Step 5 - Solve for the unknown using the ratio of step 5 & the low and
highs between which the unknown must fall select either the
high or low as your reference point. Add or subtract this from
your reference point.
Step 6 - Look at your answer. Is it between the two known values?

Does it appear to fit within reason with the ratio of the known?
Problem 11
Using Section IV the following has been given:
WHP 2,431 psi

Depth 3,500 ft
T.G. 1.1 Deg. F/100 ft
Find: V’/V
In step 3 of the above we would need to go to the proper tables then determine between
which two numbers our given number would fall. Step 4 for WHP is:
WHP 2,238 psi 2,431 psi 2,692 psi
In order to find the closest numbers on either side of WHP, BHP, & Depth, we usually
use the same page of the tables. For interpolating values such as GLR, T.G., & fluid
density, we would also use other tables in the same section.
As in step 4, find the ratio of the WHP above by using the following equation:
Given # - Low #
Ratio = --------------------
High # - Low #
2,431 - 2,238
WHP Ratio = ---------------- = .425
2,692 - 2,238
In going to step 5 we will need to use the tables for finding the numbers for which we
are solving which relate to the highs and lows of the known numbers.
WHP V’/V
2,238 2,431 2,692 836 ? 984
From an earlier part of the problem we determined the WHP ratio to be .425. We
now take this .425 and multiply by the difference between our high and low V’/V.
(984-836) * .425 = 62.9 scf/bbl
This number will now need to be added or subtracted from the reference point.
62.9 is added to the reference point 836 scf/bbl.
V’/V = 836 + 62.9 = 898.9

Interpolating
Problem 12

Depth 7,000 ft
T.G. 1.1 Deg. F/100 ft
Find: V’/V

BHP 4,000 psi 4,322 psi 4,500 psi
4,322 - 4,000
BHP Ratio ---------------- = .644
4,500 - 4,000
BHP V’/V
4,000 4,322 4,500 1161 ? 1,277
(1,277 - 1,161) * .644 = 74.7 scf/bbl
V’/V = 1,277 + 74.7 = 1,351.7 scf/bbl

Problem 13
Given: Depth 5,260 ft
BHP 4,500 psi
T.G. 1.1 Deg. F/100 ft
Find V’/V scf/bbl

Depth 5,000 ft 5,260 ft 5,500 ft
5,260 - 5,000
Depth Ratio = ---------------- = .520
5,500 - 5,000
Depth V’/V
5,000 5,260 5,500 1,316 ? 1,330
(1,330-1,316) * .52 = 14 scf/bbl
1,330 - 14 = 1316 scf/bbl
The past problem differed from the previous two in that we subtracted from our last
number were before we added. This was due to in the earlier problems their was a
direct relationship of when the one set of numbers was going down the set we were
solving for, also went down. In the last problem we could see that as the depth
increased our V’/V decreased. Our reference point was 5,000 ft which related over to
a V’/V of 1,330 (our higher V’/V numbers), if we had added to our reference point our
final number would have been larger than either of our V’/V we should have been
between.
Double Interpolating
Problem 17
Given: BHP 1610 psi

Depth 7,300 ft
T.G. 1.1 Deg. F/100 ft
Find: V’V
Neither BHP of 1,610 psi or a depth of 7,300 ft can be found in Section IV pg 13 of the
Nitrogen Data for Oil Well Servicing manual. Due to this we will need to interpolate
twice using the same V’/V reference point. We will use our lesser values of the BHP
and depth and this common V’/V will be our reference point. From the tables:
BHP (@ 7,000 ft) V’/V

1,500 1,610 2,000 472 ? 623
Depth (@ 1,500 psi) V’/V

7,000 7,300 7,500 472 ? 466
Our reference point will be 472 scf/bbl.
1,610 - 1,500
BHP Ratio = ----------------- = .22
2,000 - 1,500
Add to V’/V = (623 - 472) * .220 = 33.22 scf/bbl
7,300 - 7,000
Depth Ratio = ----------------- = .60
7,500 - 7,000
Subtract off V’/V = (472-466) * .60 = 3.6 scf/bbl
Total V’/V = 472 + 33.22 - 3.6 = 501.62 scf/bbl.

VOLUME LIQUID FACTOR
• VLR
• VOLUME OF NITROGEN + VOLUME OF LIQUID

VOLUME OF LIQUID
NO UNITS
GAS LIQUID RATIO
• GLR
• AMOUNT OF GAS ADDED TO A

LIQUID VOLUME SCF/BBL
Nitrogen Foams
QUALITY
• Q
• VOLUME OF GAS UNIT IS%

VOLUME OF FOAM
Example:
10 BBL FOAM
GAS WATER
7 BBL 3 BBL
7 = .70 = 70% = 70 QUALITY

10
Nitrogen Foams
Nitrogen Foam
Lesson Objectives
• How foamed fluids are different from commingled fluids.
• Benefits and calculations of acids when foamed.
• How foams can be used for diverting.
• Benefits and calculations for proppant laden fluids when foamed.
• Effect nitrogen has on cement when foamed
• Foam generators, what they are and how to use them.

Nitrogen Foams
CALCULATING TOTAL VOLUME OF FOAM

(When you know volume of water or acid)
Quality of Foam = Q
Volume of Water/Acid = W
W
Total Volume of Foam =
(1− Q)
Problem 1
Given: W= 95 bbl Acid

Q=0.80 (80 Quality)
95
Solution: Total Volume Foamed Acid =
(1 − 0. 80 )
95
=
0. 20
= 475 bbl Foamed Acid

Nitrogen Foams
CALCULATING VOLUME OF WATER NEEDED

(When you know volume of foam)
Quality of Foam = Q
Volume of Foam = V
Volume Water Needed = (V) x (1 - Q)
Problem 3

Q = 0.75 (75 Quality)
Solution: Volume Water Needed = 600 bbl x (1 - 0.75)
= 600 bbl x (0.25)
= 150 bbl Water

Nitrogen Foams
CALCULATING RATE OF CLEAN WATER OR ACID

(When you know rate of foam)
Quality of Foam =Q
Rate of Foam = Rf (in BPM)
Rate of Water = (Rf) x (1 - Q)
Problem 5
Given: Rf = 24 BPM
Q = 0.75 (75 Quality)
Find: Rate of Water
Solution: Rate of Water = (24 BPM) x (1 - 0.75)
= (24 BPM) x (0.25)
= (6 BPM Pumping Rate of Clean Water or

Acid)
Nitrogen Foams
Calculating Nitrogen Pump Rate
Problem 7
Given: A customer has called in a foamed acid job. He would like to

pump 238 bbl of 80 Quality foamed acid into a reservoir with
a BHTP of 2800 psi at 6000 ft.
Find: Amount of acid and nitrogen needed for the job.
Solution: Using the previous calculation for volume of acid
Acid = (v)(1 - Q) = (238 bbl)(1 - .80) = 47.6 bbl
To find the nitrogen needed we will use Section III (pg. 11) in the
Nitrogen Data for Oil Well Servicing manual. When pumping foam
into the reservoir we will use the BHTP which is the pressure the fluids
will be seeing just outside the perforations. For the temperature we will
also use the temperature the fluids are seeing in the reservoir. In this
case we will use 80°F. This temperature is determined by many
variables such as fluid temperature at surface, pump rate, tubing size,
volume and bottom hole static temperature. There are computer
programs such as WTEMP and TEMP which can give you more
accurate temperatures when necessary.
On page 11, Section III, use a pressure of 2800 psi and a quality of 80
for a gas liquid ration of 4007 scf/bbl.
Nitrogen needed is = (4007 scf/bbl)(47.6 bbl) = 190,733 bbl

Nitrogen Foams
EXAMPLE TABLE

BBL of Liquid
P 60 65 70 75 80 85 90
250 149 184 231 297 397 562 892

300 177 219 275 354 472 668 1061
350 205 254 319 410 547 774 1230
400 233 289 363 466 621 880 1398
450 261 323 406 522 696 987 1567
500 289 358 450 578 771 1093 1735

600 345 428 537 691 921 1305 2073
700 402 497 625 803 1071 1517 2410
800 458 567 712 916 1221 1730 2747
900 514 636 800 1028 1371 1942 3084
1000 570 706 887 1140 1521 2154 3421

1200 683 845 1062 1365 1820 2579 4096
1400 795 984 1237 1590 2120 3003 4770
1600 899 1113 1399 1798 2398 3397 5395
1800 1005 1244 1563 2010 2680 3796 6030
2000 1108 1372 1724 2217 2956 4187 6650

2200 1209 1497 1881 2418 3224 4567 7254
2400 1307 1618 2032 2613 3484 4936 7839
2600 1408 1744 2191 2817 3756 5321 8450
2800 1503 1861 2338 3006 4007 5677 9017
3000 1594 1974 2480 3189 4252 6024 9567

3200 1683 2084 2619 3367 4489 6359 10100
3400 1769 2191 2752 3539 4718 6685 10617
3600 1853 2294 2882 3705 4940 6999 11115
3800 1933 2393 3006 3865 5154 7301 11596
4000 2010 2488 3126 4020 5359 7592 12059

4200 2092 2590 3254 4184 5578 7902 12551
4400 2166 2682 3370 4333 5777 8184 12999
4600 2239 2772 3483 4479 5972 8460 13436
4800 2303 2852 3583 4606 6142 8701 13819
5000 2370 2934 3686 4740 6319 8953 14219

5500 2527 3129 3931 5054 6738 9546 15161
6000 2671 3307 4155 5343 7123 10092 16028
6500 2803 3471 4361 5607 7475 10590 16820
7000 2932 3630 4561 5864 7819 11077 17592
7500 3048 3774 4742 6097 8129 11516 18291

8000 3157 3908 4911 6314 8418 11926 18941
8500 3257 4032 5066 6514 8685 12304 19541
9000 3356 4155 5220 6711 8948 12677 20134
9500 3446 4267 5361 6892 9190 13019 20677
10000 3531 4371 5492 7061 9415 13338 21184

10500 3613 4473 5621 7226 9635 13650 21679
11000 3690 4569 5740 7381 9841 13941 22142
11500 3763 4659 5853 7525 10034 14214 22576
12000 3834 4747 5964 7668 10224 14484 23004
Nitrogen Foams

BBL of Liquid
P 60 65 70 75 80 85 90
250 143 178 223 287 382 542 861

300 171 211 265 341 455 644 1023
350 198 245 307 395 527 747 1186
400 225 278 350 449 599 849 1348
450 252 312 392 504 672 951 1511
500 279 345 434 558 744 1054 1673

600 333 412 518 666 888 1258 1999
700 387 480 602 775 1033 1463 2324
800 441 547 687 883 1177 1668 2649
900 496 614 771 991 1322 1873 2974
1000 550 681 855 1100 1466 2077 3299

1200 658 815 1024 1316 1755 2487 3949
1400 758 939 1180 1517 2022 2865 4550
1600 861 1066 1340 1722 2296 3253 5167
1800 962 1191 1496 1924 2565 3634 5772
2000 1061 1313 1650 2121 2828 4007 6364

2200 1157 1432 1799 2313 3084 4370 6940
2400 1250 1547 1944 2500 3333 4722 7499
2600 1349 1670 2098 2697 3596 5094 8091
2800 1439 1782 2239 2878 3838 5437 8635
3000 1527 1891 2376 3055 4073 5770 9164

3200 1613 1997 2509 3226 4301 6094 9678
3400 1696 2100 2638 3392 4523 6408 10177
3600 1777 2200 2764 3553 4738 6712 10660
3800 1854 2296 2885 3709 4945 7005 11126
4000 1929 2389 3001 3859 5145 7289 11577

4200 2009 2487 3125 4018 5357 7589 12053
4400 2081 2577 3238 4163 5550 7863 12489
4600 2152 2665 3348 4305 5740 8131 12914
4800 2216 2743 3447 4432 5909 8371 13295
5000 2281 2824 3548 4562 6083 8618 13687

5500 2436 3016 3789 4872 6496 9202 14615
6000 2579 3193 4012 5158 6877 9743 15474
6500 2711 3356 4217 5422 7229 10241 16265
7000 2838 3513 4414 5675 7567 10720 17026
7500 2954 3657 4595 5908 7877 11159 17723

8000 3063 3792 4764 6125 8167 11570 18375
8500 3164 3917 4922 6328 8438 11953 18985
9000 3262 4038 5074 6523 8698 12321 19569
9500 3353 4151 5215 6705 8940 12665 20116
10000 3439 4257 5349 6877 9170 12990 20632

10500 3519 4357 5475 7039 9385 13296 21117
11000 3599 4455 5598 7197 9596 13595 21591
11500 3673 4547 5713 7345 9794 13875 22036
12000 3743 4634 5822 7486 9981 14140 22457
Foam Fracturing w/Constant Internal Phase

Nitrogen Foams
Nitrogen Foams
When to Use a Foam Generator
• Foam Cements.
• Oil Based Stimulation Fluids.
• Fluids w/ Blends of Alcohol / Methanol / Toluene / Xylene /

condensate / diesel etc.
• High Linear Based Gel Systems.
• Rapid Crosslinked Gel Systems.
• Low Rate Pumping Jobs (Matrix Aciding) & Acid Foam

Diversions.
• Customer Request.
• When in Doubt About Performance of Surfactant.
• Pumping Down Large Casing Strings.

Nitrogen Foams
Foam Generator Problem
Given:
N2 Pump Rate 1,000 scf/min
Expected WHP 5,000 psi
Desired Nitrogen Back Pressure 800 psi
What Size Choke is needed in the Foam Generator?

Nitrogen Foams
Solution:
Q = 1.64 (D2)(V′/V) √∆P/Gas Density

V’
/V Use Nitrogen Data for Oil Well
Servicing Section VI on Page 2 for
5,000 psi & 80°F the VS/V is 1580 scf/bbl.
Gas Density Nitrogen Density is found in same booklet

on page 5 Section VI. Follow up from
5,000 psi to intersection of T = 80°F line.
The density is 2.7.
Solve Q= 1,000 scf/min

D= ?
V′
/V = 1580 scf/bbl
∇P = 800 psi
Gas Density = 2.7
1,000 scf/min =1.64 (D2)(1580 scf/bbl) √ 800/2.7
1,000 scf/min =(D2) 44,603
.0224 = D2
.15 = D

Nitrogen Foams
The following guidelines apply when you select a nozzle size:

• For foam cement, use a 16/64-in. nozzle.
• For 0 to 40-lb water gel and acid foams with 600 psi nitrogen
• For 40 to 80-lb water gel and oil foams with 1,200 psi
nitrogen pressure loss, use Figure 18-3.
To choose the proper nozzle size, determine the proper nitrogen
flow rate (scf/min), read up the chart until this line intersects
with the curve you selected based on your wellhead pressure.
Upon finding this point, read the nozzle size on the left-hand
side of the graph for your job.
Fig. 18-2: Nozzle sizes for 0 to 40-lb water gel and acid foams with 600 psi nitrogen
pressure loss.
Nitrogen Foams
Fig. 18-2: Nozzle sizes for 40 to 80-lb water gel and acid foams with 1,200 psi nitrogen pressure loss.
Nitrogen Foams
FlowBacks of Compressible Fluids
• Not our core business. Preference is not to be doing.
• Do not use the iron we use in our daily treating operations.
• Under no exception are hoses to be used.
company man and that he is aware of potential asphyxiation with N2 in confined
expected pressures.
• Order of preference for connections:
• Square Threads
• V-Thread ( break easier when subjected to lateral & cyclic strain)
• Rigid steel lines. Swivel joints have more potential in parting.
• Avoid turns whenever possible. Use bull plugged tees when necessary.
• Use positive chokes rather than variable chokes when possible.
• Double valve arrangement close to the wellhead & as close to the ground as
Nitrogen Foams
Is the restraint system capable of controlling the

released energy?
The following formulas determine the maximum torque that can

be created by a system failure:
Force = (Pressure) (Area)

Torque = (Force) (Length)
Line I.D. Area Sq. Pressure Force Length Torque

2″ 3.14 5,000 15,700 5 78,500
3″ 7.07 5,000 35,350 5 176,750
3″ 7.07 5,000 35,350 10 353,500
3″ 7.07 10,000 70,700 10 707,000
4″ 12.56 10,000 125,600 10 1,256,000
Nitrogen Foams
FOAM GENERATORS
Nitrogen Foams
FOAM GENERATORS
CHOKE INSERTS

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Straight Nitrogen

Applications & Calculations

Temperatures are constant in the following applications and calculations:

PRESSURE-TEMPERATURE VOLUME TABLES FOR NITROGEN GAS*

Find: How much nitrogen is needed.

Find: How much nitrogen is needed.

Leak Detection Service

Given: A helium leak detection test is to be run on a segment of a

At 500 psi → (193 scf/bbl)(100 bbl) = 19,300 scf.

At 3500 psi → (1208 scf/bbl)(100 bbl) = 120,800 scf

Given: A helium leak detection test is to be run on a segment of a

Displacement of Pipeline Pigs

Find: The volume of nitrogen needed to displace the pig.

(84 scf/bbl)(6,944 bbl) = 583,296 scf

Given: An 8” gas pipeline 30 miles long has a capacity of 10,330 bbls. It is

Find: The volume of nitrogen needed to displace the pig.

Displacement of fluids out a coiled tubing unit.

Find: How much nitrogen is needed.

(1063 scf/bbl)(8 bbl) = 8,504 scf

Find: How much nitrogen is needed?

Gas Fracturing ( No fluids, No proppant)

Find: Nitrogen rate and total volume necessary to do the job.

In Section VI it will take 674 scf/bbl of nitrogen for a volume of 1

Rate = (674 scf/bbl)(150 bbl/min) = 101,100 scf/min of N2

Volume = (674 scf/bbl)(1500 bbl) = 1,011,000 scf of N2

Given: A customer has called in and requested a straight nitrogen

Temperature Changing Over A Gradient

BOTTOMHOLE PRESSURE (PSIA)

BOTTOMHOLE PRESSURE (PSIA)

Tubing and Annulus Displacement

During many completion or workover operations, the tubing, coiled tubing,

Solution: Using calculation for pressure hydrostatic (PH) in terminology

PH = (9.62#/gal)(.052)(6,000 ft) = 3,000 psi

PH for this problem is the BHP

N2 pumped = (928 scf/bbl)(35 bbl) = 32,480 scf

Solution: Find hydrostatic weight (PH)

N2 pumped to clear tubing of brine is (954 scf/bbl)(20 bbl) = 19,080

In order to finish displacement of the hole, it must be determined how much

Annulus displacement is (499 scf/bbl)(110 bbls) = 54,890 scf

Total Hole Displacement is 19,080 scf + 54,890 scf = 73,970 scf

Down Tubing and Up Annulus

Find: BHP when annulus is displaced with nitrogen. What is the

Annulus Insulation with Nitrogen

Solution: Using the hydrostatic pressure calculation

PH = (11#/gal)(.052)(7000 ft) = 4000 psi

In Section IV at 1.1 T.G. (pg. 13), intersecting 7000 ft with a BHP of

Nitrogen pumped = (1161 scf/bbl)(111 bbls) = 128,871 scf

Nitrogen Cushion for Drill Stem Testing

When testing formations at extreme temperatures, over 350°F, it is usually

Find: The temperature gradient (T.G.), the total nitrogen to be pumped,

Solution: Temperature gradient - from the terminology section of this

T.G. = [(BHT - Surface Temperature)Depth]*100 feet

Total Nitrogen = (1115 scf/bbl)(128 bbls) = 142,720 scf

The hydrostatic weight of the nitrogen column would be the

Find: What is the temperature gradient, what is the bottomhole pressure,

Underbalanced Perforating in Nitrogen

Given: A well has 2-7/8” TBG to 6400 ft on a packer and is to be perforated

Find: WHP when BHP is 3000 psi. Nitrogen needed.

Nitrogen needed = (917 scf/bbl)(39 bbls) = 35,763 scf

Extreme Overbalanced Perforating (Perf-Stim)

Perf-Stim is a method to simultaneously perforate and stimulate a well. The

Find: Amount of nitrogen needed to fill the backside. BHP when

N2 needed = (1386 scf/bbl)(125 bbls) = 173,250 scf

N2 in annulus = (1161 scf/bbl)(125 bbls) = 145,125 scf