Frac Packs - State of the Art

Abstract

Over the past four years, there has been an increasing amount of success with fracture stimulation of unconsolidated Miocene formations. These {open_quotes}frac pack treatments{close_quotes} arc typically used to remove near well damage produced during drilling operations and also to allow a tremendous amount of surface area for production rather than producing through perforation tunnels. A thorough study of the technology used in frac pack stimulation as well as all types of gravel pack/frac pack treatments has been conducted to define the state-of-the-art. Major operating companies in the Gulf of Mexico were contacted and a very large data base indicating the growing success in utilization of frac pack versus conventional gravel pack or high rate water pack completions was assembled. The vast majority of the frac pack treatments are presently being conducted through gravel pack screens. These fracture treatments arc typically conducted in the circulating position allowing real time diagnostics for fracture stimulation. New rigless frac pack and screenless frac pack completions are the growing trend. This systematic study shows the trends of both the major oil companies and independent companies within the Gulf of Mexico.