Integration of technologies and application of innovative practices in drilling, completion, acid stimulation, and hydraulic fracturing have significantly contributed to the successful development of tight gas reservoirs. The well planning and development procedures entail careful selection of several critical parameters such as drilling azimuth, lateral length, well trajectory, drill-in fluids, well completion methods, stimulation fluid properties, fracture placement technique, proppant types, treatment volumes, and pumping schedule. All of these critical parameters impact fracture dimensions, proppant transport and placement, as well as stimulation efficiency and effective post-frac cleanup.
Depending on reservoir rock properties and stress profile in the near wellbore (NWB) and the far field, the effectiveness of hydraulic stimulation in connecting the wellbore to the undamaged virgin reservoir, as well as maximizing reservoir contact area and enhancing flow back of treatment fluids to restore proppant conductivity, dictate the well potential, sustainable gas rate level, and ultimate recovery. Successful fracture stimulation is therefore measured not only by proper pumping and placement of the designed treatment, but more importantly by the post-treatment stabilized production rate after the well is cleaned up and flowed back.
