Hydraulic fracturing in a naturally fractured reservoir

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:397978

Britt, L K; Hager, C J; Thompson, J W

Hydraulic fracturing of wells in naturally fractured reservoirs can differ dramatically from fracturing wells in conventional isotropic reservoirs. Fluid leakoff is the primary difference. In conventional reservoirs, fluid leakoff is controlled by reservoir matrix and fracture fluid parameters. The fluid leakoff rate in naturally fractured reservoirs is typically excessive and completely dominated by the natural fractures. This paper presents several field examples of a fracture stimulation program performed on the naturally fractured Devonia carbonate of West Texas. Qualitative pressure decline analysis and net treating pressure interpretation techniques were utilized to evaluate the existence of natural fractures in the Devonian Formation. Quantitative techniques were utilized to assess the importance of the natural fractures to the fracturing process. This paper demonstrates that bottomhole pressure monitoring of fracture stimulations has benefits over conducting minifrac treatments in naturally fractured reservoirs. Finally, the results of this evaluation were used to redesign fracture treatments to ensure maximum productivity and minimize costs.

• OSTI ID: 397978
• Report Number(s): CONF-941048--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FRACTURING FLUIDS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
PROCESS CONTROL
RESERVOIR ENGINEERING
TEXAS
WELL STIMULATION