High production improvement using channel fracturing in a tight conglomeratic sandstone reservoir

Abstract

A novel method of hydraulic fracturing is by pulse pumping proppant into formation. The proppant is mixed with fibrous material, and this material will hold the formation from closing, even though channel if formed in the formation. A well producing from poorly sorting conglomeratic reservoir with secondary porosity and muddy micro-porosity. The well recently only produces intermittently 9 to 20 BOPD on sucker rod pump. Well permeability is 1.78 mD with reservoir pressure of 1188 Psi. The first step is to further evaluate the well, from rock mechanic and stress of formation, which is called Candidate Selective Factor (CSF). And then, a fracturing operation is designed, based on well parameter and surrounding wells. After performing pre-fracturing; consists of breakdown test, step rate test, and minifrac test; the operation is re-designed. The re-design includes special pulsing pumping technique, and the mainfrac operation. In the actual operation, the proppant was pulsing into formation for eleven times. The results of after channel fracturing shows that the productivity index increases 10.3 times. This new hydraulic fracturing method; Channel Fracturing; will also give less possibility of screen out, in addition to its successful result.