Performance Comparison of Sand Jet Perforating to Explosive Perforating for Multistage Hydraulic Fracturing of Coal Bed Methane Wells

Abstract

AbstractMulti-stage hydraulic fracturing of coal bed methane wells using coiled tubing in Raniganj Coal Bed fields in the eastern part of India has been steadily increasing over the last several years. The completion process of these wells involves various kinds of explosive perforating and sand jet perforating (SJP) prior to the hydraulic fracturing process. Communication with the reservoir is vitally important to the success of the hydraulic fracture. Sand jet perforating is a process that uses high pressure fluid slurry to perforate the casing and cement of an oil or gas well, and extend a cavity into the reservoir. This paper examines the performance of traditional explosive perforating versus sand jet perforating through an examination of case history using both technologies in the same zones. Different operating parameters of sand jet perforating are evaluated. Performance evaluation includes the production of the well.The paper describes various methods for hydraulic fracturing of coal bed methane formations using a bottom hole assembly with perforator on coiled tubing. The generalized stimulation method for perforating employs the following steps: Run the bottom hole assembly (BHA) to the zone to be treated.Perforate the zone.Perform the hydraulic fracturing of the zone.Isolate the zone.Pull up to the next zone and begin again.The procedures and process of each completion method will be discussed in detail.Case history is used from a coal bed methane well in the Raniganji Coal Bed Methane Field, to compare the different parameters of the hydraulic fracturing process in coal beds for traditional explosive perforating versus sand jet perforating. The effectiveness of the treatment process as it relates to production and cost of the treatment is compared.New techniques for sand jet perforating were employed in the subject wells to improve the communication between the wellbore and the formation. Variations in pressure, and flow through the bottom hole assembly, sand concentration, and total sand delivered are compared and conclusions will be made for optimizing the treatment process.