Using Advance Acid Fracturing Design to Increase the Production Efficiency in a HPHT Reservoir: A Success Story from Southern Mexico

Abstract

Enhanced hydrocarbon production in a high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) carbonate reservoir, involves generating highly conductive channels using efficient diversion techniques and custom-designed acid-based fluid systems. Advanced stimulation design includes injection of different reactive fluids, which involves challenges associated with controlling fluid leak-off, implementing optimal diversion techniques, controlling acid reaction rates to withstand high-temperature conditions, and designing appropriate pumping schedules to increase well productivity and sustainability of its production through efficient acid etching and uniform fluid distribution in the pay zone. Laboratory tests such as rock mineralogy, acid etching on core samples and solubility tests on formation cuttings were performed to confirm rock dissolving capability, and to identify stimulation fluids that could generate optimal fracture lengths and maximus etching in the zone of interest while corrosion test was run to ensure corrosion control at HT conditions. After analyzing laboratory tests results, acid fluid systems were selected together with a self-crosslinking acid system for its diversion properties. In addition, customized pumping schedule was constructed using acid fracturing and diverting simulators and based on optimal conductivity/productivity results fluid stages number and sequence, flow rates and acid volumes were selected. The engineered acid treatment generated a network of conductive fractures that resulted in a significant improvement over initial production rate. Diverting agent efficiency was observed during pumping treatment by a 1,300 psi increase in surface pressures when the diverting agent entered the formation. Oil production increased from 648.7 to 3105.89 BPD, and gas production increased from 4.9 to 26.92 MMSCFD. This success results demonstrates that engineering design coupled with laboratory tailor fluids designs, integrated with a flawless execution, are the key to a successful stimulation. This paper describes the details of acidizing technique, treatment design and lessons learned during execution and results.