Next-generation perforating system enhances testing, treatment of fracture stimulated wells

摘要

Perforating with the recently introduced reactive perforators significantly reduces near-wellbore pressure effects observed during fracture stimulation. The difference between measured formation breakdown gradient and fracture gradient (which affects the surface pressure required to initiate the fracture) is significantly reduced. This minimizes the risk of being unable to initiate the fracture due to surface equipment pressure limitations, reduces the stress placed on surface equipment operating at high pressure (lower maintenance costs), and may allow operators to mobilize fewer hydraulic horsepower to location (lower operational costs). Near-wellbore pressure losses during treatment (also known as tortuosity) are reduced to negligible levels. In combination with greater open area to flow as a result of higher perforating efficiency, this facilitates placing the fracture treatment as designed and reduces the risk of screen-out. The increased number of open perforations in contact with the fracture should also lead to improved productivity. The benefits of increased perforation efficiency (holes open and taking fluid) and predictable pressure losses are particularly significant where limited-entry perforating is used as the diversion technique for simultaneously stimulating multiple zones. The ability to place a very high percentage of fractures as designed - and to apply more aggressive fracture designs once sufficient comfort has been gained with the new system - leads to greater overall well productivity. Further work is ongoing to evaluate the efficacy of the new perforating charge to a wider range of lithologies, reservoir properties, and pressure/stress regimes. The results of this work will be reported in a future paper.