Abstract
Technology advances, coupled with favorable commodity prices, have made it possible for operators to revive mature oil fields once considered depleted. This paper intends to illustrate how using existing wellbores to prove development potential and refine completions practices jump started one such revival in the Permian Basin. The team used a methological approach to prioritize projects, optimize stimulations, minimize the impact of wellbore integrity issues, and drive down costs.
Though this paper focuses on work implemented in a mature field environment, any field with a major review of the existing completion strategy can use the methodology outlined.
Technical discussions focus on stimulation optimization techniques and wellbore integrity assurance. The workflows for project prioritization and cost reduction are also addressed.
The methological approach led to reduction of fracture stimulation expenses by fifty %, reduction in rig time, and reduction of contingency cost associated with well integrity. As a result, otherwise uneconomic resources were added and future development opportunities were identified. Various sand-fracturing stimulation placement and diversion techniques were field tested and compared using post-stimulation production results and after-frac radioactive tracers. Despite the savings offered by diversion with ball sealers, isolation using mechanical tools was significantly more effective and justified the additional costs.
Resin-coated sand concentration for flowback control was analyzed and reduced from 50% to 10% based on findings. The team was able to reduce pad volumes and increase sand concentrations resulting in improved fracture conductivities and reduced costs. Field supervisors were trained to analyze net pressure response and adjust pumping schedule on the fly. The well integrity communication and information workflow was implemented, reducing costs and operations downtime. Major workover risks were identified, recorded, and quantified, improving project contingency planning and resource allocation.
