Impact of Perforation Tunnel Orientation and Length in Horizontal Wellbores on Fracture Initiation Pressure in Maximum Tensile Stress Criterion Model for Tight Gas Fields in the Sultanate of Oman

Abstract

Abstract The goal of the present work is to simulate the effects of perforation misalignment on fracture initiation pressure (FIP). A 3D numerical model of the fracture initiation from a perforated wellbore in linear elastic rock is used to model FIP. This model is based on the boundary element method (BEM) and maximum tensile stress (MTS) criterion. Simulations enable studying FIP sensitivity to perforation orientation and finding the orientation that corresponds to the lowest FIP as well as the FIP change along the length and the circumference of the perforation tunnel. The data used were from different zones and blocks of a tight gas-bearing sandstone field in the Sultanate of Oman. Some practical applications of the study include the decisions on the type of perforation technique (i.e. abrasive jetting or explosive perforations), which greatly impact the economics of the fracturing treatments.