Case Study: Effect of Natural Fracture on Stimulation Strategy in Keshen Tight Gas

Abstract

Aimed at problems of poor fracturing effects of fracture-network acid fracturing in three wells in the Keshen 5 block, a fractured and tight gas reservoir in Tarim Oilfield, the mechanical activity of natural fractures was studied. The fractures in this block were divided into three types: fully-filled, semi-filled, and unfilled. The analysis of the correlations showed that the correlation of the number of fully-filled fractures and absolute open flows (AOF) is poor, while the correlation between the number of unfilled and semi-filled fractures and AOF is the best. Core samples with different types of fractures were tested using conventional triaxial compression methods, and the experimental results showed that the friction coefficient of the fully-filled fracture is close to that of semi-filled fracture, while the cohesion of fully-filled natural fractures is close to that of intact rocks, which is much greater than that of semi-filled fractures. The effective stress test results shows that the effective stress coefficient of fully-filled natural fracture rock samples is lower than that of semi-filled fractures. Using Mohr–Coulomb theory to calculate the natural fracture mechanics of high-production wells and low-production wells, the results show that low-production wells are mainly fully-filled fractures, most of which are not activated, so the production is low; while high-production wells are semi-filled and unfilled fractures, most of which can be activated, so the production is high. Based on this, for a well dominated by fully-filled fractures, it is recommended to use conventional gel fracturing to replace the fracture-network acid fracturing process. The stimulation practice of two wells has proven the validity of this strategy. The filling degree of natural fractures affects the increasing production and choice of stimulation process. This may be a relatively new understanding and may provide insights to stimulation strategy decisions for other fractured tight reservoirs in the world.