Effect of Acid-Injection Mode on Conductivity for Acid-Fracturing Stimulation in Ultra-Deep Tight Carbonate Reservoirs

Abstract

The conductivity of acid-etched fractures and the subsequent production response are influenced by the injection mode of the fracturing fluid and acid fluid during acid fracturing in a carbonate reservoir. However, there has been a lack of comprehensive and systematic experimental research on the impact of commonly used injection modes in oilfields on conductivity, which directly affects the optimal selection of acid-fracturing injection modes. To address this gap, the present study focuses on underground rock samples, acid systems, and fracturing fluid obtained from ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs in the Fuman Oilfield. Experimental investigations were conducted to examine the conductivity of hydraulic fractures etched by various types of acid fluids under five different injection modes: fracturing fluid + self-generating acid or cross-linked acid; fracturing fluid + self-generating acid + cross-linked acid. The findings demonstrate that the implementation of multi-stage alternating acid injection results in the formation of communication channels, vugular pore space, and natural micro-cracks, as well as grooves and fish-scales due to enhanced etching effects. The elevation change, amount of dissolved rock, and conductivity exhibited by rock plates are significantly higher in comparison to those achieved through the single-acid injection mode while maintaining superior conductivity. It is recommended for optimal conductivity and retention rate in the Fuman Oilfield to adopt two stages of alternating acid-fracturing injection mode. Field application demonstrated that two-stages of alternating acid-fracturing generate more pronounced production response than the adjacent wells.