Utilization of Simple Fluids and Proppant Combined with Design Optimization Yields Outstanding Results in New Mexico Yeso-San Andres Oil Play

摘要

In this paper we will describe fairly simplistic completion techniques which have dramatically changed the economics of completion in the Yeso and San Andres formations in southeastern New Mexico. The design optimization process will be described and comparisons made with offset operators for several years of production. For many years the standard completion technique for the Yeso and other carbonate formations in Southeastern New Mexico was the use of large volumes of hydrochloric acid. The acid was sometimes heated, sometimes gelled. The acid was combined with various diverting aids to achieve what was considered excellent stimulation. In 2006 it was decided to reevaluate stimulation procedures and the oil company decided to use a similar process being utilized in Shale plays and many unconventional reservoirs. The Yeso and San Andres, with some natural fracturing and most of other criteria needed for successful use of what is termed “Waterfrac Sweep”, were considered good candidates. This process uses only water and small proppant concentrations pumped at a high rate. The process has found success in virtually every shale play in the US as well as many conventional reservoirs such as the Granite Wash, Cotton Valley, Mesa Verde, Travis Peak, Atoka, and Olmos. The paper will document the results of more than 100 fracs showing long term production data and comparisons to offset operators using more complex and more expensive systems. We will go through the completion process as it was used in large casing, thus in many instances totally eliminating the need for friction reducers. Very minimal chemicals are used plus proppant sizes no larger than 40/70 in concentrations not exceeding 2.5 pounds per gallon. Based on oil production data we feel infinite conductivity production is being achieved through propped open fractures instead of proppant packs. There are countless naturally fractured carbonate reservoirs throughout the world that can benefit from this very straightforward stimulation procedure.