An Update of Recent Production Responses Obtained from Devonian Shale and Berea Wells Stimulated with Nitrogen Foam (with Proppant) vs. Nitrogen-Only, Pike Co., KY

摘要

This study updates SPE paper 77464, which compared 97rnnitrogen-foam (with proppant) stimulations versus 120rnnitrogen-only completions performed in the 1990’s in PikernCounty, Kentucky. Ninety-three of the 97 foam stimulationsrnare located outside of a relatively high permeability arearnlocated in the northwestern portion of the study area. Forrnanalysis purposes, these 93 wells have been compared with 14rnrecent foam stimulations drilled throughout 2002 and the firstrnquarter of 2003.rnAll wells are owned and operated by Equitable ProductionrnCompany and are located in Pike County, Kentucky and arerncompleted with two stages in the Devonian Shale and Berearnformations. Our results indicate that the latest foamrntreatments outperform the earlier foam stimulations by arnnoteworthy percentage. This improved performance is mostrnlikely due to high-quality post frac clean-up methods,rnpromptly turning the wells in line, and subsequent expertrnwell maintenance.rnThere has been no significant change in stimulation designrnfor the new wells when compared with the earlierrncompletions, however the latest stimulations are utilizing arnconsistent design per well (e.g. ramping from 90Q to 75Q,rnstandard proppant volumes sent downhole, similar pad sizernetc.), whereas the earlier stimulation designs tended to varyrnfrom well to well. In addition, line and annular pressures arernsimilar, and reservoir qualities (e.g. relative permeability, netrnpay thickness, etc) are analogous between the earlier wells andrnnew completions.rnIn furtherance of this study, the operator is continuing tornpump foam with proppant in wells throughout the study area.rnThe results of this paper are significant for Appalachian Basinrnoperators utilizing nitrogen foam treatments since it quantifiesrnthe positive influence of rapid well clean-up and first-classrnwell maintenance. Additional acreage is also being evaluatedrnfor use of this stimulation treatment, including evaluation ofrnexisting wells for restimulation potential. This is the firstrnpaper published to update results over such a large study area.