Economic recovery of oil trapped at fan margins using high angle wells and multiple hydraulic fractures. Quarterly report, October 1--December 31, 1997
This project attempts to demonstrate the effectiveness of exploiting thin-layered, low-energy deposits at the distal margin of a prograding turbidite complex through the use of hydraulically fractured horizontal or high-angle wells. The combination of a horizontal or high-angle well and hydraulic fracturing will allow greater pay exposure than can be achieved with conventional vertical wells while maintaining vertical communication between thin interbedded layers and the wellbore. A high-angle well will be drilled in the fan-margin portion of a slope-basin clastic reservoir and will be completed with multiple hydraulic-fracture treatments. Geologic modeling, reservoir characterization, and fine-grid reservoir simulation is used to select the well location and orientation. Design parameters for the hydraulic-fracture treatments are determined, in part, by fracturing an existing test well. Fracture azimuth is predicted by passive seismic monitoring of a fracture-stimulation treatment in the test well using logging tools in an offset well. The long radius, near horizontal well has been drilled. Swept-out sand intervals and a poor cement bond behind the 5 in. liner precluded two of the three originally planned hydraulic fracture treatments. All pay intervals behind the 5 in. liner were therefore perforated and stimulated with a non-acid reactive fluid. Following a short production period, the remaining pay intervals in the well, behind the 7 in. liner, were then perforated. The well was returned to production to observe production trends and pressure behavior prior to stimulation of the newer perforations.
- Research Organization:
- Atlantic Richfield Co., Bakersfield, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FC22-95BC14940
- OSTI ID:
- 661356
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/BC/14940-9; ON: DE98003885; TRN: AHC29814%%18
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 5 Feb 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Economic recovery of oil trapped at fan margins using high angle wells and multiple hydraulic fractures. Quarterly report, July 1--September 30, 1997
Economic Recovery of Oil Trapped at Fan Margins Using Hig Angle Wells Multiple Hydraulic Fractures