Refracturing: Observations and Theories

Elbel, J.L.; Mack, M.

doi:10.2118/25464-ms

Cited by 100 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The refracture reorientation theory presented by EIbel and Mack in Ref. 3 is that pore pressure depletion around a propped fracture treatment is elliptical in profile ( Figure 1) and, therefore, reduces the maximum horizontal stress by a greater amount than it reduces the minimum horizontal stress. If the difference in the stress reduction is greater than the original horizontal stress bias (max.…”

Section: Reorientation Mechanismsmentioning

confidence: 94%

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Reorientation of Propped Refracture Treatments

Wright¹,

Conant²,

Stewart

et al. 1994

Rock Mechanics in Petroleum Engineering

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Refracture treatments have been effectively used for production enhancement for decades. Typical motivations foc refracture treatments include: restoring the fracture conductivity to the (possibly) "damaged" proppant pack of the initial fracture treatment; achieving a longer propped fracture by placing a much larger volume of proppant; or simply achieving a moce effective proppant pack through the use of vastly improved fracture design proceduresl. This paper describes tiltmeter hydraulic fracture mapping field studies which conclusively document a significant additional motivation for refracture treatments, namely: refracture reorientation. Reorientation of propped refracture treatments allows contact with undepleted reservoir from older existing wellboces, which can restore production to near initial rates.Les traitements de refracturation sont utili~ depuis des dizaines d'arutres afin d'augmenter la production. Les motivations typiques qui conduisent a poursuivre un traitement de refracturation sont: restaurer la conductivi~ d'une fracture ayant ~j~ ete trait~ par "proppant" mais dont les qualiWs ont ete al~rees; obtenir une fracture plus longue en placant un plus grand volume de proppant; ou simplement obtenir un ··proppant pack" plus efficace par l'utilisation de pr-oredures de fracturation largement am~liorees. Ce papier ~t une ~tude de terrain de cartographie de fractures hydrauliques parpendagemetre qui montre de mani~e concluante l'in~t du traitement par refracturation, c'est a dire la rOOrientation de fractures. Le traitement par rOOrientation de fractures ·"proppees" permet d' atteindre des r6servoirs non q,w~ l partir de puits pr~xistants, permettant aussi une repriese de production proches des taux initiaux.Wiedernoltes Fracturing wird seit Jahrzehnten efflZient genutzt, um die Oelfoerderung zu erhoehen. Dieses Verfahren wurde bisher durch folgende Gruende motiviert: Instand setzen des (moeglicherweise) ·beschaedigten,' urspruenglich verwendeten Stueztmaterials, um die anfaengliche Kluftleifaehigkeit wiederherzustellen; erreichen einer ausgedehnteren, gestuetzten Kluft durch Einpumpen eines groesseren Volumens an Stuetzmaterial; oder einfach Erhoehung der Leistung des Stuetzmaterials durch deutlich verbessertes Design des Fracture Verfahrens. Dieser Bericht beschreibt Studien von Neigungmesser (1iltmeter) Auzeichnungen bei Hydraulic Fracturing. Diese dokumentieren eine zusaetzliche Motivation fuer das wiederholte Fracture-Verfahren: Neuorientierung von Klueften. Dies erlaubt, unerschoepfte Reservoir von bereits existierenden Bohrloechern aus zu erschliessen, was die Oelfoerderungsrate auf anfaengliche Werte bringen kann.

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Section: Reorientation Mechanismsmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…3, but the angle of reorientation may be significantly different due to a very asymmetric depletion of the pore pressure around the initial propped fracture plane. Asymmetric reservoir depletion may result from local reservoir faults, boundaries, or other heterogeneities.…”

Section: Planviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reorientation of Propped Refracture Treatments

Wright¹,

Conant²,

Stewart

et al. 1994

Rock Mechanics in Petroleum Engineering

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“…For such kind of wells, refracturing can reopen the existing perforations and fracture network to revitalize the productivity (Elbel and Mack 1993). In the case of formation damage, it can reopen the existing fracture networks and restore the fracture conductivity to the wellbore, which is known as ''reconnect'' treatment strategy.…”

Section: Simulation Of Refracturingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance-based fractal fracture model for complex fracture network simulation

Wang

Zhang

Xiang³

et al. 2017

Pet. Sci.

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The paper presents a novel hydraulic fracturing model for the characterization and simulation of the complex fracture network in shale gas reservoirs. We go beyond the existing method that uses planar or orthogonal conjugate fractures for representing the ''complexity'' of the network. Bifurcation of fractures is performed utilizing the Lindenmayer system based on fractal geometry to describe the fracture propagation pattern, density and network connectivity. Four controlling parameters are proposed to describe the details of complex fractures and stimulated reservoir volume (SRV). The results show that due to the multilevel feature of fractal fractures, the model could provide a simple method for contributing reservoir volume calibration. The primary-and second-stage fracture networks across the overall SRV are the main contributions to the production, while the induced fracture network just contributes another 20% in the late producing period. We also conduct simulation with respect to different refracturing cases and find that increasing the complexity of the fracture network provides better performance than only enhancing the fracture conductivity.

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“…Refracturing has been employed as a method for increasing production rates and/or economic recoverable reserves since the advent of hydraulic fracturing. Several authors have suggested criteria for refracturing candidate selection (Coulter and Menzie 1973;Crowell and Jennings 1978;Conway et al 1985;Elbel and Mack 1993;Reese et al 1994). Typical candidates for refracturing, from a reservoir engineering perspective, are wells with little fracture penetration and/or poor or degrading fracture conductivity, provided that adequate reserves are in place.…”

Section: Case Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased Well Productivity from the Use of Carbon Dioxide to Foam Fracturing Fluids During a Refracturing Treatment in Saudi Arabia

Al-Dhamen

Soriano

2015

SPE Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference

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CO 2 has been a significant part of the advancement and development of hydraulic fracturing. This technology was proven in the 1970s as an energy source to help recovery of well stimulation fluids and is predominantly used to stimulate tight sandstone reservoirs because it is both clean and effective. The first application of CO 2 in Saudi Arabia is discussed, highlighting its success in terms of 50% increased productivity, quick cleanup, and reduced water volume.Classically, conventional hydraulic fracturing (acid or proppant) has been used to maximize long-term production and minimize near wellbore (NWB) damage. This paper discusses how CO 2 fracturing can offer more advantages by reducing or eliminating the use of the underground water. It also provides a gas drive solution for effective cleanup. CO 2 can be used to significantly reduce interfacial tension and resultant capillary forces, thus helping remove fracturing fluid, connate water, and emulsion blocks, which are among the primary damage mechanisms when fracturing gas wells. CO 2 has been a significant part of the advancement and development of hydraulic fracturing since the 1970s, but mostly just in the US during those early days. This paper discusses in detail the first application in Saudi Arabia using CO 2 to foam a proppant fracturing treatment. The implementation of this technology was successful. This was demonstrated by the resultant 50% productivity increase in the study well. Using this method allowed a very fast and effective cleanup compared to other wells fractured using conventional crosslinked fluid methods. Additionally, using this method provided the added benefit of reducing water volume, which is a critical factor in this area because of limited water availability.The first CO 2 application in Saudi Arabia is discussed, highlighting its success in a resultant 50% productivity increase. The method allowed fast and effective cleanup compared to wells fractured using conventional crosslinked fluids. Additional benefits included reduced water volume, which was critical in this area because of limited resources.

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Refracturing: Observations and Theories

Abstract: Treating pressures from refracturing treatments and simulations of horizontal stress changes due to production suggest that the initiation of the refracture plane will be normal to that of the initial treatment. This possibility makes more wells candidates for refracturing.

Cited by 100 publications

References 8 publications

Reorientation of Propped Refracture Treatments

Reorientation of Propped Refracture Treatments

Performance-based fractal fracture model for complex fracture network simulation

Increased Well Productivity from the Use of Carbon Dioxide to Foam Fracturing Fluids During a Refracturing Treatment in Saudi Arabia

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