In-situ zonal isolation for sand controlled wells

Abstract

A process for sealing off one or more segments of a gravel packed well to reduce the production of undesirable fluids. The process includes the installation of a removable plug and the installation of a removable sealant at a location in the gravel packing to separate portions of the formation that produce desirable products from portions that produce less desirable products. A flow poison is then squeezed into the portion of the formation that produces less desirable products. With wireline or other low-cost wellbore workover systems, access is re-engaged with the preferred formation including removal of plugs and sealants without mechanical drilling. The process allows increased production of preferred fluids by preventing less or non preferred fluids from displacing the preferred fluids and also reduces lifting costs that would otherwise be expended for lifting and expenses related to separating and disposing of non preferred fluids.