Abstract
A number of wells in the Rose Run formation of Ohio were all completed with small acid treatments and placed online within the last 12 years. These wells are approximately 20 miles west of Canton, near Brewster.
Reductions in well performance over short periods of time indicated the need to stimulate the wells. Fracture stimulation has not been widely used in the area due to the potential water production resulting from fracturing out of zone. The objective of the hydraulic fracturing treatments in these wells was to obtain a short, highly conductive propped fracture past the damaged area. Fracturing models were used to determine the fracture geometry.
In an attempt to minimize post-fracturing water production, a relative permeability modifier (RPM) was pumped as a preflush to the fracturing treatment. Fracture designs were based on individual well characteristics. The RPM was designed to effectively reduce the relative permeability to water without significant changes to the hydrocarbon relative permeability. A low gel-loading borate crosslinked fluid was then used to fracture-treat the wells.
A total of 12 wells were fractured with the RPM ahead of the fracturing treatment. The results of these treatments were compared to offset wells that were fracture-treated without the RPM. The increase in water production in the RPM-treated wells was one-half that of the offset wells. These RPM-treated wells also had lower water-oil ratios (WOR) and water-gas ratios (WGR).
This paper will describe the properties of the RPM, the Rose Run formation, as well as, the treatment designs. It will also detail the post-fracturing results and the comparisons with the offset wells.
