Successful Hydraulic Fracturing through Optimization Steps for High Rate Deep Gas Wells in Carbonate Reservoirs, Saudi Arabia

摘要

Saudi Aramco is currently undertaking one of the largest gasdevelopment projects in the world comprising a large numberof new deep wells, four world-class gas plants, and massivedevelopment of new infrastructure.The Khuff reservoir is highly heterogeneous; thus,rendering traditional matrix stimulation treatments mostlyineffective as the development progresses to tight formation.This motivated Saudi Aramco to search for alternative costeffectiveoptions to increase well productivity in order to meetproject objectives. Hence, acid fracturing was selected as anoption offering good success potential and the lowestimplementation cost when compared to otherevaluated alternatives.This article describes the highly positive results achievedthroughout an accelerated acid fracturing campaign,successfully implemented by Saudi Aramco, comprising morethan 80 treated wells, which have yielded a two-to six-foldincrease in gas rates. Details of an ongoing optimizationprocess, combining technology and partnering with otherSaudi Aramco organizations and Service Companies,accountable for the success achieved to date are also desirable.