Hydraulic Fracturing Overflush on Conventional Reservoirs

Abstract

After hydraulic fracturing treatment, wellbore clean-out takes significant amount of time, and therefore, the commissioning of the well is delayed. In addition to production losses, production companies CAPEX and OPEX are also increasing proportionally to frac fleet activity. As a common practice, in western Siberia fracturing treatment is underflushed by about 0.5 cubic meters. This is supposed to prevent unintentional overflush and, as a result, hydraulic fracture closure at the wellbore. The loss of contact between the propped fracture and the perforated section of the well can neutralize the effect of hydraulic fracturing. This can happen in the first days of production after the operation or in a long-term perspective. On the other hand, overflush during hydraulic fracturing is common practice for unconventional formations. It allows to use various well completion technologies with the cemented liners and significantly reduces time required to complete multistage fracturing treatment. The objective of this paper is to show the approach and experience of the company "Salym petroleum development" (SPD). Positive result was obtained with proppant slurry overflush operation during treatment of conventional reservoirs.