Sealing fluid for setting a packer
A method and a sealing fluid for setting a packer in an annulus between a well bore and a well tubular is provided, which by adjusting i.a. the density, viscosity and setting time of the sealing fluid is able to provide among other things a full radial seal with an acceptable axial dispersion, in particular in highly deviated wells and/or in wells having eccentric annuli.
1. A sealing fluid for sealing an annulus, wherein the annulus has an active crossflow of between 1 bpd to 20 bpd, the sealing fluid comprising:
a hardenable or polymerizable epoxy composition comprising:
an epoxy resin;
a viscosity-modifying additive, wherein the viscosity-modifying additive is at least one of a silica additive or a nanoclay additive; and
a density modifying additive; and
wherein:
a density of the hardenable or polymerizable epoxy composition is between about 0.97-1.08 g/cm 3 @ 80° C.;
an initial mixed viscosity of the hardenable or polymerizable epoxy composition is between about 4000-25000 cP 80° C., wherein the initial mixed viscosity increases in magnitude; and
a setting time of the hardenable or polymerizable composition is between about 2-30 minutes.
2. The sealing fluid of claim 1 , wherein the density-modifying additive is a glass bubbles additive.
3. A method for setting a packer in an annulus between a well bore and a well tubular, wherein the annulus has an active crossflow of between 1 bpd to 20 bpd, the method comprising:
a) providing a tool suitable for dispensing a sealing fluid; and
b) injecting a batch of the sealing fluid into the annulus through a first hole in the well tubular at a desired spot, wherein the sealing fluid comprises:
a hardenable or polymerizable epoxy composition comprising:
an epoxy resin; and
a viscosity-modifying additive, wherein the viscosity-modifying additive is at least one of a silica additive or a nanoclay additive; and
a density modifying additive; and
wherein:
a density of the hardenable or polymerizable epoxy composition is between about 0.97-1.08 g/cm 3 @ 80° C.;
an initial mixed viscosity of the hardenable or polymerizable epoxy composition is between about 4000-25000 cP @ 80° C., wherein the initial mixed viscosity increases in magnitude; and
a setting time of the hardenable or polymerizable composition is between about 2-30 minutes.
4. The method according to claim 3 , further comprising:
c) allowing the already injected sealing fluid to set;
d) moving the tool in the well tubular, from the previous hole, upstream of the crossflow;
e) making an additional hole in the well tubular; and
f) injecting another batch of the sealing fluid into the annulus through the additional hole in the well tubular.
5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the additional hole in the well tubular is located between 90° and 180° from the previous hole.
6. The method according to claim 4 , wherein steps c) to f) are repeated one, two or three times.
7. The method according to claim 4 , wherein a distance (L) between two injection holes are 1-3 meters.
8. The method according to claim 3 , wherein each batch of sealing fluid injected is between 5 and 301 (liters).
9. The method according to of claim 3 , wherein the density-modifying additive is a glass bubbles additive.