Abstract
This paper documents pinpoint fracturing (PPF) in Argentina. The implementation of this method has resulted in 193 fractures in 22 wells since October 2006.
The PPF method creates perforations by pumping abrasive slurry down the coiled tubing (CT) through a jetting nozzle, while the main treatment is then pumped down the annulus around the CT. Isolation between fracture treatments is accomplished using sand plugs (preferred method) or composite bridge plugs.
This technique has allowed greater selectivity in the stimulation of the areas to be treated; it has also allowed a more aggressive fracture treatment in terms of percent pad and the final proppant concentration because the CT is at the location in case of screen out. In gas fields, it offers the advantage of completing the well without killing it.
Different reservoirs with varying depths, temperature, types of fluid, and petrophysical conditions in the basins Golfo San Jorge and Neuquina were stimulated with different fracture fluids, proppant types, and frac gradients.
The Neuquina basin required fracturing without using a workover rig in oil and gas fields near the community, while significantly diminishing the working times with a reduction in environmental impact and noise generated during the completion. However, the main goal was the reduction of completion times in each well performed in the different basins of Argentina.
