Abstract
This paper is a case history describing fracture optimization of low-permeability highly-stratified stacked turbidite sandstone reservoirs of the B interval of the Elk Hills Field. The occurrence of high-permeability, high-pressured water saturated sands immediately above and/or below the objective oil sands poses a major challenge.
Integration of improved petrophysical understanding, geoscience techniques, hydraulic fracture model calibration and on-site, real-time execution has achieved a two-fold oil production increase in the south east nose area of the field while limiting water production to a 40% increase. Downhole tiltmeter measurements are incorporated to calibrate the fracture model and limit fracture height growth, thus regulating fracture conductivity to the oil saturated reservoirs, and minimizing contact with the adjacent wet zones.
To date, results from surface tiltmeter1 measurements completed during twenty six fracture stages have been used with the downhole tiltmeter2 data and reservoir characterization to optimize the ongoing redevelopment from a peripheral waterflood to a pattern flood.
