Integration of laboratory and field data for insight on the Multiwell Experiment paludal stimulation

Technical Report · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:5836006

Sattler, A R

Two stimulation operations have been conducted in the paludal zone of the Mesaverde formation in one well, MWX-1, at the Department of Energy's Mutliwell Experiment test site in the Piceance Basin near Rifle, Colorado. Problems were encountered in the second stimulation: MWX-1 would not sustain production for several months and post-frac production was less than pre-frac rates. The laboratory program was expanded to examine these problems and these laboratory studies were integrated with well testing and other data to help explain MWX-1 production behavior. A unique explanation cannot be found for the failure of MWX-1 to produce; a combination of factors was responsible. Water probably inhibited matrix rock production. A system of narrow, natural microfractures is important in production from the paludal zone and it probably sustained damage by water and fracture fluids. The basic gel degraded slowly because only a small amount of breaker was used. The fracture closure (viscosity break) observed from the Nolte analysis of the stimulation was not the same as the breakdown of the basic gel. The remedial treatment conducted after the second stimulation was probably too reactive. A list of items has been developed from experience gained both inside and outside the laboratory that shows what work and which procedures should be emphasized or avoided in tight sand stimulations. 14 refs., 10 figs., 15 tabs.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5836006
• Report Number(s): SAND-86-0087; ON: DE86012052
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030900* -- Natural Gas-- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare-- (-1989)
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
COMMINUTION
DATA
DRILL CORES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FAILURES
FIELD TESTS
FLUIDS
FORMATION DAMAGE
FRACTURES
FRACTURING
FRACTURING FLUIDS
GEOLOGY
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
INFORMATION
MINERALOGY
NATURAL GAS WELLS
NUMERICAL DATA
PERMEABILITY
PETROLOGY
PICEANCE CREEK BASIN
PROPPING AGENTS
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SHALES
STIMULATION
TESTING
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS