Study on the mechanisms of refracturing technology featuring temporary plug for fracturing fluid diversion in tight sandstone reservoirs

Abstract

AbstractWell production rates in unconventional plays usually decline dramatically in the first year. Refracturing, which is a remedial production operation, is often done because original hydraulic fracturing failed to contribute any significant amount of flow or significant unfractured pay exists in the well. In order to maximize the fracturing fluid contact with the intact rock and to stimulate more reservoir volume in previously stimulated wells, a refracturing technology featuring a novel temporary plugging for fluid diversion is developed to enable the fracturing fluid to reach the untouched areas and to create reoriented fractures. In this paper, laboratory physical simulation tests of refracturing using fiber for effective temporary plugging is carried out to study the refracture morphology and the influencing factors of refractures. Results show that the refracture morphology is affected by the horizontal stress difference, the injection rate of initial fracturing fluid, and the natural fractures. Under condition of the different horizontal stress differences, the fracture initiation and orientation angle are different. When the horizontal stress difference is small, it is easy to form large angle fractures. The injection rate of initial fracturing fluid affects the length of initial fractures and refractures. The smaller the initial fracturing fluid injection rate is, the better the effect of temporary plugging in refracturing. The presence of natural fractures will lead to reorientation of refractures to form a complex fracture network. This study provides a theoretical guidance and technology support for refracturing operations.