Fracturing boosts output in California fields
The Diatomite has been a known oil-bearing zone in Kern County, California's S. Belridge and Lost Hills fields for many years, but only recently has the formation been exploitable. Fracturing proved to be the key to unlocking the diatomite's oil, resulting in a 6- to 8-fold increase in production. The Diatomite formation, at depths from 700 to 2000 ft, is characterized by porosity, low permeability, and saturations in the range of 40% oil, 50% water, and 10% gas. Early attempts to stimulate production in the Diatomite with fracturing failed. Later, studies of cores indicated the need for proppant concentrations of 2 to 3 psf of fracture area, providing fracture flow capacities of 2500 to 3000 md/ft. Halliburton's Versagel 1500 was selected as the ideal transport fluid capable of carrying 20-40 sand as the proppant at concentrations up to 12 lb/gal. A typical Diatomite fracturing job is described.
- OSTI ID:
- 5540872
- Journal Information:
- Drilling Contract.; (United States), Journal Name: Drilling Contract.; (United States) Vol. 35:12; ISSN DRCOA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
CALIFORNIA
COMMINUTION
FEDERAL REGION IX
FRACTURING
GAS SATURATION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SATURATION
OIL WELLS
PERMEABILITY
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
POROSITY
PRODUCTION
PROPPING AGENTS
QUANTITY RATIO
RESOURCES
SAND
SATURATION
STIMULATION
USA
WATER SATURATION
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS