Progress and development directions of shale oil reservoir stimulation technology of China National Petroleum Corporation

By reviewing the development history of shale oil reservoir stimulation technology of PetroChina Company Limited (PetroChina), we have systematically summarized the main progress of shale oil reservoir stimulation technology of CNPC in five aspects: reservoir stimulation mechanism, fracture-controlled fracturing, geological-engineering integrated reservoir stimulation design platform, low-cost materials, and large well-pad three-dimensional development mode. It is made clear that the major stimulation technology for shale oil reservoir is the high density multi-cluster and fracture-controlled staged fracturing aiming to increase fracture-controlled reserves, lower operation costs and increase economic benefits. Based on comprehensive analysis of the challenges shale oil reservoir stimulation technology faces in three-dimensional development, stimulation parameter optimization for fracture-controlled fracturing, refracturing and low-cost stimulation technology, we proposed five development directions of the stimulation technology: (1) Strengthen the research on integration of geology and engineering to make full use of reservoir stimulation. (2) Deepen the study on fracture-controlled fracturing to improve reserves development degree. (3) Promote horizontal well three-dimensional development of shale oil to realize the production of multiple layers vertically. (4) Research refracturing technology of shale oil reservoir through horizontal well to efficiently tap the remaining reserves between fractures. (5) Develop low-cost stimulation supporting technology to help reduce the cost and increase economic benefit of oilfield development.