REVIEW OF KEY PARAMETERS FOR PROPPANT HYDRAULIC RE-FRACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

This paper first time introduces refracturing overview to Kazakhstan’s readers in term of worldwide experience. Competitive commodity prices lead to a need for more cost-effective methods to manage reservoirs, and refrac is one aspect of optimization, ideally reducing costs by accessing more resources through existing wells. The first paper on refract is dated to 1973 in USA, and for that date more than 500 000 fracs were implemented, and 35% of that quantity was refracs. A lot of considerations are given in terms of technology since that dates, such that conventional hydraulic proppant fracturing in existing well is now moving towards refracturing second, third and even fourth times to sustain economic production in mature fields. Our paper summarizes most relevant outcomes from the industry experience on proppant refracturing methods over last several decades. This is believed that readers would gain most valuable information for their research, industry problems, and other cases from this review paper. A summary of published literature can provide a database of analog field cases to guide operators in design of refract treatments.