Successful Pinpoint Placement of Multiple Fractures in Highly Deviated Wellsin Deepwater Offshore Brazil Fields

Abstract

Successful Pinpoint Placement of Multiple Fractures in Highly Deviated Wells in Deepwater Offshore Brazil Fields Jim Basuki Surjaatmadja; Jim Basuki Surjaatmadja Halliburton Energy Services Group Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Carlos Gustavo Miranda; Carlos Gustavo Miranda Halliburton Energy Services Group Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Valdo Ferreira Rodrigues; Valdo Ferreira Rodrigues Petroleos Brasileiro S.A. Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Maria Gracas; Maria Gracas Petroleos Brasileiro S.A. Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Marcio Albuquerque Silveira; Marcio Albuquerque Silveira Petrobras Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Luis Fernando Neumann; Luis Fernando Neumann Petrobras S.A. Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Paulo Dore Fernandes Paulo Dore Fernandes Petrobras S.A. Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Paper presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, Texas, October 2005. Paper Number: SPE-95443-MS https://doi.org/10.2118/95443-MS Published: October 09 2005 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Get Permissions Search Site Citation Surjaatmadja, Jim Basuki, Miranda, Carlos Gustavo, Rodrigues, Valdo Ferreira, Gracas, Maria, Silveira, Marcio Albuquerque, Neumann, Luis Fernando, and Paulo Dore Fernandes. "Successful Pinpoint Placement of Multiple Fractures in Highly Deviated Wells in Deepwater Offshore Brazil Fields." Paper presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, Texas, October 2005. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/95443-MS Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex Search Dropdown Menu nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentAll ProceedingsSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition Search Advanced Search AbstractThe application of hydrajet technique to stimulate highly-deviated andhorizontal wells has become a successful method to improve well productivityfor different field conditions in the world.In the past 2 years, an operator company has successfully implemented arelatively new hydrajet stimulation technique in shallow waters off Brazil. Indeepwater locations, additional problems had to be overcome, which provedachievable using this new technology.This paper discusses a reservoir-based methodology to determine the optimumnumber of transversal fractures for a horizontal deepwater well. The methodstarts with the review of geology and stratigraphic aspects of the field tobetter understand the relationship between fracture orientation, geologicalfaults, and regional tectonic effects.With this preliminary characterization, well-log interpretation of the pilotwell and horizontal wellbore is performed to identify porosity and permeabilityindex of the carbonate formation being drilled.A study using well testing and nodal analysis is conducted to verifyreservoir properties based on real production data. Next, a numerical simulatoris used to obtain a production forecast varying the number of transversefractures intersecting the well. Finally an economic evaluation of net presentvalue vs. number of fractures is performed to determine the optimum number oftransversal fractures.Production results are then evaluated and compared to the other stimulationattempts in offshore horizontal completions in the area.IntroductionIn the complex world of hydrocarbon exploration and production, expectationsfor a certain level of economic success are not easily achieved. Obviously, there have been a few attempts rewarded with unexpectedly lucrative results.Unfortunately, this situation has become exceedingly scarce because ofever-depleting supplies in the world's known hydrocarbon-bearing formations.For obvious reasons, such cases will not be discussed in this paper.During the early years of oil exploration in Brazil, wells were drilled andcompleted as vertical wells. As the conducting surface in such wells weregenerally small (defined by p × diameter × formation height), production ratewas generally limited. Since well stimulation began in the early 1930s1 andeven more so after the present style hydraulic stimulation was invented in1949,2 most vertical wells have been stimulated at least once during the lifeof the well. Stimulation results are generally acceptable, although manytreatments did not produceeconomical results. In most cases, stimulationgenerally involves pressurization of the whole wellbore; with only a fewneeding isolation around the producing formation.As formations continue to deplete, treatment methods advance equally.Completion methods continue to advance, and the industry embarks upon adifferent approach: completing wells horizontally. These horizontal wells wereinitially completed openhole, and later were often completed with cementedcasing or uncemented preperforated liners to improve well integrity. Proponentssaid these wells, especially when completed openhole, would not require theconventional fracture stimulation, and reduce cost. Unfortunately, as alsooften experienced in vertical wells, operators in Brazil found many of theirhorizontal wells were under-achieving and therefore required stimulation. Keywords: reservoir, multiple fracture, successful pinpoint placement, interpretation, vertical well, operator, hydraulic fracturing, fracture, stimulation, economic evaluation Subjects: Hydraulic Fracturing, Formation Evaluation & Management, Drillstem/well testing This content is only available via PDF. 2005. Society of Petroleum Engineers You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.