Economic recovery of oil trapped at fan margins using high angle wells and multiple hydraulic fractures. Quarterly report, October 1--December 31, 1996
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 will be used to select the well location and orientation. Design parameters for the hydraulic-fracture treatments will be determined, in part, by fracturing an existing test well. Fracture azimuth will be predicted by passive seismic monitoring of a fracture-stimulation treatment in the test well using logging tools in an offset well. The Unites States Department of Energy granted approval of the continuation application to implement Budget Period Two effective November 21, 1996. The only Budget Period One activities for the quarter involved project administration. Budget Period Two activities were initiated with the development of a drilling program for the high-angle slant well. The well was spud on December 4, 1996 and was drilling at 10,830 ft in the vertical section of the hole as of the end of the month.
- 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:
- 491803
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/BC/14940-T1; ON: DE97053068
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 13 Feb 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Economic reocvery of oil trapped at fan margins using high angle wells and multiple hydraulic fractures. Quarterly report, July 1 - September 30, 1996
Economic recovery of oil trapped at fan margins using high angle wells and multiple hydraulic fractures. Quarterly report, October 1--December 31, 1997