Stimulating Weak Formations Using New Hydraulic Fracturing and Sand Control Approaches

Abass, Hazim; Wilson, J. Michael; Venditto, J.J.; Voß, Robert

doi:10.2118/25494-ms

Cited by 18 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…These causes of sand failure and production are well documented in the industry. 2,3,4,5 Opportunity Assessment In general, the field maintained a high production rate; however, later in the field's productive life, productivity declined due to excessive gas, sand, and water production. As of the end of February in 1999, 44% (57 strings) of the total production strings were idle with estimated locked-in potential of 14.1 thousand STB/D.…”

Section: Initial Completion Philosophymentioning

confidence: 99%

Revitalizing a Mature Sand-Prone Field by Installing Enhanced Gravel-Pack Completions - a Case Study

et al. 2003

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The Dulang oilfield is located some 130 km offshore Terengganu in Peninsular Malaysia and is structurally complex. Production from the field began in March 1991, and oil recovery averaged 26,000 STB/D with peak production reaching approximately 50,000 STB/D. As with the other field developments in the Malay Basin, sand production was not anticipated under normal drawdown or producing conditions, and thus, all the wells in Dulang field were completed without any sand-control measures.In the later stages of the field's life, however, a significant amount of sand production was observed. This condition gradually increased over time, resulting in reduced hydrocarbon production, additional costs for routine wellbore sand clean-outs, and platform shutdowns for surface vessel sand clean-up.A wellbore opportunity study was initiated in 1999 to revitalize the field. The objectives of the study were to 1) identify remaining reserves, and 2) identify new completion options to maximize recovery. The study identified three major activities that would improve oil production: 1. Develop by-passed reserves behind casing 2. Reactivate idle wells that had been shut-in as a result of sand production. 3. Provide additional drainage points for undeveloped reserves.From the proposed wellbore opportunities study, ten wells were identified for a workover campaign, and six wells were identified for infill drilling or sidetracks.Sand production mitigation using a gravel-pack technique was identified as a requirement in the completion plan for the majority of the targeted reservoirs. However, the increase in mechanical skin that would result from a sand control installation was also recognized. Hence, it was determined that the best approach for production optimization in these wells would be a combination of a sand control and a stimulation technique. Several technologies, which included frac-andpack, extension pack with conductivity enhancer, and highrate water-pack (HRWP) gravel packing, were suggested. The use of a special completion tool that would enable greater flexibility on short string selective production in multi-zone gravel-packed wells was also identified.After careful review of the options, a combination of sand control and stimulation techniques (frac pack, extension pack and high-rate water pack) was selected, and the combined strategies have successfully increased the productivity and prevented sand production in the Dulang wells.

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Section: Initial Completion Philosophymentioning

confidence: 99%

Revitalizing a Mature Sand-Prone Field by Installing Enhanced Gravel-Pack Completions - a Case Study

et al. 2003

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“…4 Despite undoubted success, frac&pack technology is still lacking to achieve optimum completion efficiency and to deliver reliably the production as designed. Many studies have shown that frac&pack is significantly different from low-perm fracturing regarding completion fluids, 5,6 rock mechanics, 7,8 pressure analysis, [9][10][11][12] treatment design and execution. [13][14][15][16] Unfortunately, current practices do not always pay attention to these differences and sometimes copy the techniques and operational procedures originally developed for traditional fracturing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Frac-and-Pack Completions in the Eugene Island

Fan¹,

Markitell²,

Marple³

et al. 2000

Proceedings of SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition

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TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractThis paper presents a systematic evaluation of frac&pack completions conducted in the Eugene Island region of the Gulf of Mexico. Reservoir, treatment and production data are analyzed from a unified viewpoint. First a completion design strategy is described which is centered around the dual goals of optimal stimulation and sufficient sand control. Then a method is presented to evaluate the technical success of the completion using 3-D reservoir/fracture simulators and the recently developed Slopes Analysis method. Finally, a simple but practical frac&pack treatment design and optimization procedure is presented for improving the performance of frac&pack completions. An example of frac&pack treatment design using the new design philosophy is provided in details showing how to achieve the stimulation goals in a theoretically optimum manner and why often the actual treatment has to depart from the theoretical optimum.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Frac-and-Pack Completions in the Eugene Island

Fan¹,

Markitell²,

Marple³

2000

All Days

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This paper presents a systematic evaluation of frac&pack completions conducted in the Eugene Island region of the Gulf of Mexico. Reservoir, treatment and production data are analyzed from a unified viewpoint. First a completion design strategy is described which is centered around the dual goals of optimal stimulation and sufficient sand control. Then a method is presented to evaluate the technical success of the completion using 3-D reservoir/fracture simulators and the recently developed Slopes Analysis method. Finally, a simple but practical frac&pack treatment design and optimization procedure is presented for improving the performance of frac&pack completions. An example of frac&pack treatment design using the new design philosophy is provided in details showing how to achieve the stimulation goals in a theoretically optimum manner and why often the actual treatment has to depart from the theoretical optimum.

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Stimulating Weak Formations Using New Hydraulic Fracturing and Sand Control Approaches

Cited by 18 publications

References 9 publications

Revitalizing a Mature Sand-Prone Field by Installing Enhanced Gravel-Pack Completions - a Case Study

Revitalizing a Mature Sand-Prone Field by Installing Enhanced Gravel-Pack Completions - a Case Study

Evaluation of Frac-and-Pack Completions in the Eugene Island

Evaluation of Frac-and-Pack Completions in the Eugene Island

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