Abstract
ABSTRACT The vast majority of fracture stimulations conducted to date in the North Sea have been hydraulically propped fractures of tight sandstone gas reservoirs or acid fractures of carbonate oil reservoirs. This paper demonstrates that hydraulic fracturing technology is applicable to permeable sandstone formations and can enhance the economic viability of marginal North Sea oil reservoirs. In 1989, Mobil North Sea successfully conducted its first hydraulic fracture stimulation of a North Sea oilwell in the A45 well on the Beryl Alpha condeep production platform. The formation stimulated was the Triassic Lewis Unit I Sandstone, characterised by average permeability of 10 md (streaks over 100 md), and capable of producing 500 – 1000 BFPD. The stimulation was successful in increasing the well's PI from 0.7 BPD/psi to 1.4 BPD/psi and resulted in post-frac production rate of 2400 BOPD. Technical highlights of the stimulation were the use of large propping material to achieve maximum fracture conductivity, and the use of resin coated proppant to minimise its flowback. The formation stimulated was at 16,155ft MD with wellbore inclination of 55°.
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