Technology Focus: Well Stimulation (June 2009)

Abstract

Technology Focus It is important to put the role of well stimulation into perspective as key to driv-ing production and competing in the world's energy market. Interesting information can be found in the US DOE Energy Information Agency's report Table 11.1 World Primary Energy Production by Source, 1970–2005, which is available at http://www.eia.doe.gov/aer/txt/ptb1101.html (accessed 7 April 2009). Oil last peaked as the world's primary energy source in 1973 at just more than 47% of all sources. By 2005, this number had dropped to approximately 34%, although the world's total energy production had nearly doubled over these 32 years. While coal remained fairly steady at 25 to 27% of the world's market share, natural-gas and natural-gas-liquid (NGL) usage increased from 20 to 25%. This suggests that natural gas could surpass oil and coal as the world's primary energy source within the next decade or so, unless low natural-gas prices continue. Renewable-energy sources (e.g., nuclear, hydroelectric, and geothermal) gained an increase in total market share from 7 to nearly 14%, with these sources supplying more than 63 quadrillion Btu to the world in 2005 alone. Natural gas and NGLs had not surpassed this level until 1984, just 21 years earlier. Renewable energy has doubled its market share during a doubling of the market size. To improve recovery, well-stimulation tests, data, and interpreters need to become valuable commodities on par with the other well costs. Data and analysis provide a basis for improvement. Whether success may come from higher retained conductivity, comparing pre- vs. post-treatment buildup tests, or acquiring bottomhole treating pressures to unmask friction effects, many avenues are available to enable us to compete at the next level. We need to embrace our best practices, strive for new developments, and analyze much more data to perform at the next level. Without measuring results, we cannot prove the improvements. Although oil may be nearing its end as the world's primary energy source, it is doing great as a source of products. To transition to natural gas as the new energy leader, well stimulations will be a key to keeping the petroleum industry as the world's best provider of clean and cost-effective energy. Please enjoy reading the following selections representing the future of well stimulations and interesting examples of how we can compete. Well Stimulation additional reading available at the SPE eLibrary: www.spe.org SPE 119623 • "Acid Fracturing: The Effect of Formation Strength on Fracture Conductivity" by A.M. Gomaa, SPE, Texas A&M University, et al. SPE 121483 • "First North Sea Application of Pinpoint-Stimulation Technology To Perform a Rig-Based Acid-Fracture Treatment Through CT" by David Barclay, SPE, Halliburton, et al. SPE 116775 • "An Innovative Acid-Stimulation Technique for Reviving Dead Wells in the Ghawar Field of Saudi Arabia—A Holistic Approach" by Surajit Haldar, SPE, Saudi Aramco, et al.