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Collaborating Authors
Bartko, K. M.
From the Backyard Dune to Fracturing a Highly Tectonically Complex Formation in Saudi Arabia
Bartko, K. M. (Saudi Aramco) | Arnaout, I. H (Saudi Aramco) | Asiri, K. S. (Saudi Aramco) | McClelland, K. M. (Saudi Aramco) | Mulhim, N. I. (Saudi Aramco) | Tineo, R.. (Schlumberger Saudi Arabia) | Gurmen, M. N. (Schlumberger Saudi Arabia) | Al-Jalal, Z.. (Schlumberger Saudi Arabia) | Pantsurkin, D.. (NTC Schlumberger) | Emelyanov, D. Y. (NTC Schlumberger)
Abstract Sand in Saudi Arabia is easily accessible through surface mining or excavating large dunes that are API approved, but like many sands around the world, lacks the necessary strength for fracturing high stress formations. To exploit the sand, a novel engineered workflow, enabled by the flow channel fracturing technique was established for qualifying and implementing Saudi Arabian sand to fracture stimulate the tectonically complex ultra-tight "T" carbonate formation. Channel fracturing does not depend on the proppant pack to provide conductivity, rather on the creation of stable, open flow channels. Therefore, carefully selected sand that can keep the channel structure open under stress can be a viable material to replace up to 80% of the ceramic proppant materials. The local sand used was qualified through unique lab testing procedures to understand the pack behavior under stress, the pillar erosion under stress, and the effects of stress on long-term conductivity. Once qualified, a design methodology was applied to optimize the fracture geometry and pillar placement for the initial field test in Well-A, a horizontal lateral where high strength proppant (HSP) is traditionally used. A total of six channel fracturing stages with local sand — 40% of the total stages — were placed as per design in two sections of the 15-stage lateral along with four conventional and five channel fracture stages using HSP. A multi-month cleanup and well test period resulted in Well-A being one of the best producing wells in the basin — 26% higher initial production than the next best well. A production log showed sand stages to be producing an average of 15% higher total production than HSP stages. An oil tracer analysis revealed sand stages produced an average of 62% more condensate than HSP stages. This initial production response confirms at least par production with no detrimental effects for channel fracturing with local sand compared to techniques using HSP, with the potential for improved production. This qualified and field tested completion methodology allows for the potential replacement of a significant portion of imported ceramic proppant with locally sourced sand, an abundant and accessible resource inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond. The benefits of this technology include cost reduction, placement improvement, at least par production and the maximizing of in-country content and value.
- Geology > Geological Subdiscipline > Geomechanics (1.00)
- Geology > Rock Type > Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Rock (0.46)
Abstract Influenced by the success of shale gas production worldwide and to meet requirements for clean energy supply, a multidisciplinary team of petroleum specialists was established in Saudi Aramco. Meeting the growing requirement in industrial consumption and especially electricity production is a driving force for developing unconventional gas reserves. "The initial focus is in the northwest and in the area of Ghawar, where gas infrastructure exists. Initial knowledge building from similar plays in North America is being supplemented with internal technical studies and research programs to help solve geological and engineering challenges unique to Saudi Arabia and to locate specific wells planned for 2011. The company is innovatively combining knowledge and research to maximize gas reserves and production from conventional and unconventional resources in order to meet growing domestic demand" (1). During years 2010 – 2011 major international petroleum industry players – Schlumberger, Halliburton and Baker Hughes – were invited to share their experience in a series of workshops held in Dhahran. Exchange of expert ideas developed into appreciation of complexity of the shale gas reservoir and helped to identify the scope of work for the first Silurian Qusaiba shale gas well. The SHALE-1 well was drilled in 2007 as a gas exploration well. Recent drilling and geophysical data obtained in the well were beneficial for detailed sidetrack and fracture stimulation design. The Multidisciplinary Saudi Aramco - Halliburton SHALE-1 task group was established and positioned in Dhahran. This allowed them to have regular face-to-face meetings and improve the most critical criteria of any new venture – communication. The draft work plan was developed 8 months before actual operations commenced on the well site. Thorough examination of the draft work plan progressed to the final work plan with a number of improvements. For example, "R" Nipples were dropped from the monobore 4-1/2" completion string. The Frac Stimulation design was fine-tuned, involving expertise from Saudi Aramco and Halliburton. The Complete Well on Paper exercise involved over 25 specialists from both companies and helped to rectify remaining completion/stimulation design issues, and put everyone on the same page in terms of the work program. Well site operations commenced in May 2011; the well was successfully re-entered and window cut in 7" liner. An S-shaped 5-7/8" hole was drilled in the direction of minimum horizontal stresses, to the required depth in Qusaiba Shale with a maximum DLS of 4°. The well was completed with a 4-1/2" cemented liner and monobore 4-1/2" string to surface. The Hot Qusaiba interval was perforated, frac stimulated with mixed results, and successfully flowed. A temporary isolation ceramic (easily drilled) plug was set above the perforation interval. The Warm Qusaiba interval was perforated, successfully frac stimulated, and flowed with mixed results. Finally, the plug was drilled out with CTU and both intervals flowed and required production log runs were made. All targets set for the SHALE-1 re-entry well were successfully achieved and the well was suspended for future utilization as an observation well.
- Government > Regional Government > Asia Government > Middle East Government > Saudi Arabia Government (1.00)
- Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)
- North America > United States > Texas > Permian Basin > Midland Basin > Kingdom Field > Abo Reef Formation (0.97)
- North America > United States > Texas > Permian Basin > Midland Basin > Kingdom Field > Abo Formation (0.97)
- North America > United States > West Virginia > Appalachian Basin > Marcellus Field > Marcellus Shale Formation (0.94)
- (9 more...)
Abstract Influenced by the success of shale gas production worldwide and to meet requirements for clean energy supply, a multidisciplinary team of petroleum specialists was established in Saudi Aramco. Meeting the growing requirement in industrial consumption and especially electricity production is driving force for developing unconventional gas reserves. "The initial focus is in the northwest and in the area of Ghawar, where gas infrastructure exists. Initial knowledge building from similar plays in North America is being supplemented with internal technical studies and research programs to help solve geological and engineering challenges unique to Saudi Arabia and to locate specific wells planned for 2011. The company is innovatively combining knowledge and research to maximize gas reserves and production from conventional and unconventional resources in order to meet growing domestic demand." [1] During years 2010 – 2011 major international petroleum industry players – Schlumberger, Halliburton and Baker Hughes – were invited to share their experience in a series of workshops held in Dhahran. Exchange of expert ideas developed into appreciation of complexity of the shale gas reservoir and helped to identify the scope of work for the first Silurian Qusaiba shale gas well. The SHALE-1 well was drilled in 2007 as a gas exploration well. Recent drilling and geophysical data obtained in the well were beneficial for detailed sidetrack and fracture stimulation design. The Multidisciplinary Saudi Aramco - Halliburton SHALE-1 task group was established and positioned in Dhahran. This allowed them to have regular face-to-face meetings and improve the most critical criteria of any new venture – communication. The draft work plan was developed 8 months before actual operations commenced on the well site. Thorough examination of the draft work plan progressed to the final work plan with a number of improvements. For example, "R" Nipples were dropped from the monobore 4-1/2" completion string. The Frac Stimulation design was fine-tuned, involving expertise from Saudi Aramco and Halliburton. The Complete Well on Paper exercise involved over 25 specialists from both sides and helped to rectify remaining completion/stimulation design issues, and put everyone on the same page in terms of the work program. Well site operations commenced in May 2011; the well was successfully re-entered and window cut in 7" liner. An S-shaped 5–7/8" hole was drilled in the direction of minimum horizontal stresses, to the required depth in Qusaiba Shale with a maximum DLS of 4°. The well was completed with 4-1/2" cemented liner and monobore 4-1/2" string to surface. The Hot Qusaiba interval was perforated; frac stimulated with mixed results and successfully flowed. A temporary isolation FasDrill plug was set above the perforation interval. The Warm Qusaiba interval was perforated; successfully frac stimulated and flowed with mixed results. Finally, the FasDrill plug was drilled out with CTU and both intervals flowed and required production log runs. All targets set for the SHALE-1 re-entry well were successfully achieved and the well was suspended for future utilization as an observation well.
- Government > Regional Government > Asia Government > Middle East Government > Saudi Arabia Government (1.00)
- Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)
- North America > United States > Texas > Permian Basin > Midland Basin > Kingdom Field > Abo Reef Formation (0.97)
- North America > United States > Texas > Permian Basin > Midland Basin > Kingdom Field > Abo Formation (0.97)
- North America > United States > West Virginia > Appalachian Basin > Marcellus Field > Marcellus Shale Formation (0.94)
- (9 more...)