Page 157 - A Practical Companion to Reservoir Stimulation

P. Practical Considerations for Fracture Thatment Design

J. Ernest Brown, Dowel1 Schlumberger
Michael J. Economides, Mining University Leoben

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tion (Sections P-2 and P-3). Data on proppant and proppant
Introduction conductivity and rheological data of all common fluids and
their friction pressure drops are presented extensively. A
It should be obvious to the reader that hydraulic frapturing, as fracturing fluid selection guide, encompassing a body of
applied to petroleum engineering, is a particularly compli- experience in almost all types of reservoirs, is also offered.
cated enterprise. Understanding the fracturing process, the The topic of conductivity damage from fracturing fluids and
interactions of fluid pressure, viscosity and leakoff charac- the extremely important subject of breakers are treated in two
teristics with the elastic properties and leakoff characteristics subsections.
of the rock has been the subject of Reservoir Stimulation and Treatment sizing (volumes, pressures, blending and mix-
the preceding chapters of this volume. The purpose of hy- ing) is covered in Section P-4, whereas the role of perfora-
draulic fracturing is, of course, the placement of an optimum tions, their number and their breakdown are discussed in
fracture of certain geometry and conductivity to allow Section P-5.
maximum incremental production (over that of the The issue of zonal isolation, the means of its accomplish-
unstimulated well) at the lowest cost. ment and the risks associated with its negligence are the
Accomplishing this, while taking into account all the subject of Section P-6. Limited entry, a widely used technique
presented technology, requires significant attention to the in multizonal fracturing, is critiqued.
treatment execution. This involves the appropriate selection Finally, actual location execution considerations are cov-
of fluids and proppants, control and monitoring of rate, ered in Sections P-7 (equipment hookup) and P-8 (location
pressure and viscosity, and identification of those additives quality assurance). Both of these sections offer guidelines
that would affect the desired fluid properties. essential for the successful execution of any fracturing treat-
This chapter includes sections on proppant and fluid selec- ment.

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