A simulation study of hydraulic fracturing design in carbonate reservoirs: a middle east oilfield case study

Abstract

The interactions between hydraulic fracture morphology and fluid transport mechanisms after large-scale fracturing in low-permeability carbonate reservoirs are important factors that could impact post-fracturing productivity. Using an integrated geology-engineering approach that consists of hydraulic fracturing and reservoir simulation, this paper presents the detailed hydraulic fracturing simulation and design of a low-permeability carbonate reservoir in the Middle East based on sweet spot mapping. The fracturing protocol is determined based on productivity charts, which are obtained via sweet spot mapping of the target carbonate reservoir. The daily production of a horizontal well in the reservoir shows an increase from 870 to 2000 bbl/d after the hydraulic fracturing design and implementation, which is the highest among the existing production wells in same oilfield. The results are shown to be consistent with the proposed productivity chart, which suggests that the implemented workflow could be helpful for the large-scale fracturing implementation of similar carbonate reservoirs.