Chapter 11 - Massive Hydraulic-Fractured Oil Well Behavior Analysis

Abstract

A fracture is said to have an infinite flow capacity when there is little or no pressure drop along the axis of the fracture. The fracture is said to have a finite flow capacity when there is a significant pressure drop along its axis. Since the distinction between the definitions of fracture flow capacity and formation flow capacity is often confusing, it may be worthwhile to restate the definition of the formation flow capacity. New type curves are now available for pressure analysis of massive hydraulic fractured (MHF) oil wells and the problem in the analysis is reduced considerably with the use of these type curves. Prefracture information about the reservoir is necessary to estimate the fracture parameters. This chapter also reviews the advances in oil well stimulation techniques such as MHF. It is a proven technique for developing commercial wells in low-permeability or “tight” oil formations. The limitations of conventional analysis methods and alternative techniques for determining fracture length and fracture flow capacity of MHF wells are presented. This chapter also discusses how to analyze past performance and forecast future performance of tight oil wells stimulated by MHF using finite fracture flow capacity type curves. The limitations of conventional pressure transient analysis and other methods of evaluating MHF treatment are discussed. A set of constant well-rate and wellbore pressure type curves are also presented.