Abstract
Summary Application of an extreme overbalance, sufficient to fracture the reservoir formation, applied either during or after perforating was first presented as an alternate completion technique during the 1993 Fall SPE Conference.1 During the ensuing two years, a number of jobs have been run by different operators in a variety of formations with varying applications. The primary question asked by an operator relates to the benefit of extreme overbalance (EOB) versus current perforation techniques of underbalance (UB) or modest overbalance for well control. Of course this question spawns a whole set of new questions about when and how to use and the benefits and risks of the EOB. EOB, as used in this paper, includes extreme overbalance perforating and rapid overpressured perforation extension. This paper compares and contrasts UB and EOB strengths and weaknesses and provides recommendations of when and why to use the different techniques. Field examples are provided of successful and unsuccessful application of EOB completions.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
