Candidate Well Selection for Hydraulic Fracturing Treatment - New Fracability Index Based on a Case Study in a Fractured Carbonate Reservoir in Iran

Abstract

Hydraulic fracturing Treatment (HFT) is a common stimulation technology which is being used to enhance hydrocarbon production and recovery factor consequently. Choosing a target well/ layer is considered the first stage for a successful HFT and is regarded as a critical decision in the whole process of the execution of HFT. In this study, at first a new definition of fracability index, the Total Fracability Index (TFI), has been proposed. The TFI is a function of Young’s modulus, mineralogical brittleness, internal friction angle, minimum horizontal stress, and horizontal stress contrast. Then according to previous researches and field experiences four main criteria consist of the TFI, Natural Fracture Index (NFI), layer thickness, and fracture containment capability considered for selecting candidate layers. At the end, by using these criteria and based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP) mathematical modelling, candidate layers in three wells in one carbonate reservoir in Iran are selected.