Investigating the applicability and effects of hydraulic fracturing technology on well productivity in one of the Iranian gas condensate reservoirs

Abstract

Hydraulic fracturing is an important method utilized to enhance oil and gas recovery from reservoirs, especially for low-permeability formations. It has been broadly used in gas reservoirs, especially tight formations. Gas condensate reservoirs (GCR) experience a noticeable loss of productivity after achieving dew point pressure and condensate drop out formation around the wellbore, and could be suitable candidates for hydraulic fracturing operations. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of hydraulic fracturing on well productivity of GCR. A single well reservoir model corresponding to the GCR in the South of Iran and another model with similar conditions for hydraulic fracturing were created and validated. Reservoir model simulation was performed using a commercial compositional simulator. Sensitivity analysis was performed on fracture geometry parameters including the fracture length and width, flow parameters such as positive coupling and inertia effect, and reservoir properties namely permeability and fluid condensate gas ratio (CGR). The results demonstrated that hydraulic fracturing in GCR, especially in this case study, noticeably increases the productivity and production plateau time as well as decreases condensate formation, which increasing the fracture length and width intensifies this effect. Moreover, the optimized fracture length was obtained. It was found that the negative inertia effect in low hydraulic fracture widths and positive coupling in high fracture widths are dominant. Hydraulic fracturing is most effective in low-permeability and high-CGR conditions. These results pave the hydraulic fracturing road not only from industrial viewpoint, but also as a guideline for field-scale projects.