Modelling hydraulic fracturing process in one of the Iranian southwest oil reservoirs

Abstract

Hydraulic fracturing creates a high conductivity channel within a large area of formation and bypasses any damage that may exist in the near wellbore region. Moreover, it has been one of the major well stimulation techniques to increase well production. In order to model and study the feasibility of implementing this technique in one of the Iranian Southwest oil reservoirs, an extensive literature survey was carried out. One-dimensional mechanical earth model was constructed. Stable mud window was determined and types of failures were diagnosed. Consequently, on these bases, geomechanical feasibility was confirmed and hydraulic fracturing treatment for the case study was designed. Different scenarios were defined and sensitivity analysis was conducted together with the confirmation of economic feasibility. Furthermore, channel fracturing technique was employed and it was found that using this technique can be more suitable and beneficial than conventional fracturing method.