Protecting production wells using natural gas injection

Abstract

A method of protecting a first well from stimulation fluid of a second well includes shutting in the first well; starting injection of natural gas into the first well to increase a pressure of the first well; treating the second well using a stimulation fluid after starting natural gas injection; and stopping injection of natural gas.

1 . A method of protecting a first well from stimulation fluid of a second well, comprising:
 shutting in the first well;   starting injection of natural gas into the first well to increase a pressure of the first well;   treating the second well using a stimulation fluid after starting natural gas injection; and   stopping injection of natural gas.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure of the first well is allowed to build to a pressure between 100 psi and 1,500 psi prior to starting injection. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein injection of natural gas comprises injecting the natural gas using a compressor. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the natural gas in injected through a wellhead of the first well. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , where the natural gas is supplied from a field gathering pipeline or a producing well. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the natural gas is supplied in a form as one of liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure in the first well is increased to a built up pressure between 1,000 psi and 1,900 psi. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein treating the second well begins after the built up pressure of the first well has increased to between 1,000 psi and 1,900 psi. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein treating the second well begins after the pressure in the first well has reached equilibrium. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure in the first well is increased to a built up pressure between 700 psi and 3,500 psi. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising maintaining the pressure in the first well within 30% of built up pressure during treatment of the second well. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the natural gas is supplied from a pressurized vessel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the vessel is connected directly to the first well. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising producing hydrocarbon from the first well prior to shutting in the first well. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising restoring hydrocarbon production of the first well after stopping injection of natural gas. 
     
     
         16 . A method of protecting a producing well from stimulation fluid of a treatment well, comprising:
 injecting natural gas into the producing well to increase a pressure of the producing well and fractures in communication with perforations of the producing well; and   fracturing the treatment well after injecting natural gas.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising shutting in the producing well prior to injecting natural gas. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pressure of the producing well is allowed to build to a pressure between 100 psi and 1,500 psi prior to starting injection of the natural gas. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pressure in the producing well is increased to a built up pressure between 1,000 psi and 1,900 psi. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein treating the second well begins after the pressure in the first well has reached equilibrium. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising increasing a pressure of the natural gas prior to injecting the natural gas into the producing well. 
     
     
         22 . A method of protecting a producing well from stimulation fluid of a treatment well, comprising:
 producing hydrocarbon from the producing well;   shutting in production of the producing well;   injecting natural gas into the producing well after shutting in the producing well, thereby increasing a pressure of the producing well; and   fracturing the treatment well after injecting natural gas.