Optimum Design of a Fracturing Job in the Chicontepec Formation

Abstract

The Chicontepec formation, located in the State of Veracruz, Mexico has – presented a high level of difficulty in – the stimulation process. The formation is a very clayey sandstone, sensitive to water. Because of this, fracturing with proppant should be done with a gelled kerosene base fluid. This paper presents an appropriate fracturing design for this formation based on data obtained in the yield during more than 14 years of operations of this type. Also, extensive laboratory tests made on representative cores supported with computer simulations give backup to field observations.