This paper describes the application for the first time of a novel channel fracturing technique combined with rod-shaped proppant in selected production targets in several fields in the Egyptian western desert. The channel fracturing technique introduces channels within the proppant pack that increase conductivity and effective half-length leading to increased productivity (Gillard et al. 2010). Rod-shaped proppant when used as tail-in in fracturing treatments increases near-wellbore fracture conductivity and prevents proppant flowback due to its particular geometry (McDaniel et al. 2010).The western desert fields in the Qarun concession area in Egypt are characterized as complex, thin-bedded sequences with heterogeneous laminated sandstones producing mainly from the Abu Roash and Upper Bahariya formations. Hydraulic fracturing has traditionally been employed to produce hydrocarbons from these marginal reservoirs. The channel-fracturing technique was first introduced in the Amana fields in late 2012 combined with rod-shaped proppant for flowback control and conductivity enhancement. Early-time normalized production of the wells fractured with this technique increased by 89% over offset wells fractured conventionally, and the application of the channel fracturing technique eliminated the incidence of premature screen-outs in all fields.The positive results from implementation of this combined stimulation technique have led to a vigorous expansion of its utilization throughout Egypt's western desert area, including a refracturing campaign for older wells where conventional fracturing techniques did not yield the desired results.
The Arta field in the Egyptian eastern desert produces mainly from the Nukhul formation that is characterized as a complex, thin-bedded sequence with heterogeneous laminated siltstone. Typical reservoirs show low-to-average permeability, low temperatures and moderately heavy oil in the 17-24 degree API range. Hydraulic fracturing is the technique traditionally employed to produce hydrocarbons from these marginal reservoirs. However, proppant flowback following the fracturing treatment is a major concern because of the relatively low formation stresses and high viscosity fluids, that results in damaged completions and impaired proppant pack permeability. Proppant flowback control therefore, became an essential requirement to maintain economical production rates from the field. The rod-shaped proppant product was introduced in the Egyptian western desert in 2009. Published results illustrated excellent proppant flowback control as demonstrated by zero proppant flowback.1 Prior to this, several conventional proppant flowback techniques and products had been tested but they had limited application due to low reservoir temperatures. The rod-shaped proppants are inert and have no limitations on application from the reservoir or pumping equipment standpoint. Since introduction, more than 100 wells have been hydraulically fractured using this rod-shaped proppant product. This paper describes the application of the rod-shaped proppant in the Arta field to control proppant flowback and enhance near-wellbore conductivity. The details of the evolution of rod-shaped proppant applications are presented for more than 20 wells in the Arta field, including the effects on the fractured well performance and production, as well as proppant flowback control. Results continue to demonstrate excellent proppant flowback control. In addition, cost savings result from reduced workovers, rig time savings and reduced damage to completion equipment and surface facilities.
Latin America hasn't escaped the general industry trend of finding reserves in ever challenging environments. Complex geology and low permeability are the common denominator in today's environment. Developing reserves under these conditions with conventional vertical wells is in most cases uneconomical. In this setting, horizontal wells have come to mitigate the problem, however in most unfavorable conditions where oil and gas are found in tight formations fracture stimulation needs to be added to the equation. Conventional multistage fracturing techniques including perforating, fracture stimulating and isolating stages with a composite bridge plug have been applied in some cases with limited success. The time consumed in the completion operations extends over weeks making wells uneconomical. In addition, the prolonged time over which the frac fluid remains in the formation before being flowed back often affects well productivity. This paper describes the experience of three operators in Latin America that have implemented a new completion system to overcome the time consuming and productivity limitations of conventional completions described above. The new completion system is run as part of the production liner, does not require cementing and provides positive mechanical diversion at specified intervals, so fracturing and stimulations can be pumped effectively to their targeted zone. The system has also been designed, so all of the fracturing or stimulation treatments along the horizontal wellbore can be pumped in one continuous operation, thus minimizing the associated risks and optimizing the efficiencies of both the personnel and equipment needed to perform the work. The conclusions will show the operational efficiencies and reliability of this novel completion system, as well as analyze the cost benefits and production increases that have been observed. Introduction Operating companies are continuously pushing to improve hydrocarbon recovery, a task that is becoming more and more difficult as they are pushed to develop fields in more complex settings and with poorer reservoirs properties. Horizontal wells have been a tool widely used to improve both production rates and recovered reserves per wellbore in order to improve the economics of particular projects or make them commercially viable in extreme cases. Over the last two decades many developments have enabled accelerated growth in horizontal well applications. Drilling has led the way, with current technology capable of drilling thousands of feet laterally through a hydrocarbon reservoir. Drilling technology has evolved to a point where horizontal wells can be constructed at comparable costs to vertical wells while offering the advantage of higher production rates and better access to reserves. Often times fewer horizontals are required to develop a field given its larger drainage area. However horizontal well completion has lagged behind, in particular when a stimulation treatment is part of the completion or has to be applied as a remedial treatment in wells performing below expectations1.
The Abrar field in the Egyptian Western Desert produces mainly from the Abu Roash formation that is characterized as a complex, thin-bedded sequence with heterogeneous laminated siltstones. Hydraulic fracturing has traditionally been employed to produce hydrocarbons from these marginal reservoirs. This paper describes the application for the first time of a novel channel fracturing technique combined with rod-shaped proppant in selected production targets in the Abrar field. The channel fracturing technique introduces channels within the proppant pack that increase conductivity and effective half-length leading to increased productivity. Rod-shaped proppant when used as tail-in in fracturing treatments increases near-wellbore fracture conductivity and prevents proppant flowback due to its particular geometry. Many sedimentary features of hydrocarbons in the Western Desert in Egypt are characterized as multi-layered, deltaic, thinly and tight laminated sandstones and siltstones consisting of sands with limited lateral and vertical extension with an average permeability of 1-3 mD and Young's modulus in the order of 2.5 – 3.0 million psi. The channel fracturing technique was first introduced in the Egyptian Western Desert in late 2011. Since then several wells have been fractured using this technique and the production evaluation of these wells has been compared to offset wells fractured with conventional hydraulic fracturing techniques. Further, the application of rod-shaped proppant has provided excellent proppant flowback control as demonstrated by zero proppant flowback. Initial and long-term normalized production of the wells fractured with this technique increased significantly over offsets fractured conventionally. The positive results from implementation of this combined stimulation technique have led to a vigorous expansion of its utilization throughout Egypt's Western Desert area.
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