Controlled Breakdown Technique Enables Proppant Fracture Placement by Enhancing Fracture Initiation; Fracture Pressure is Reduced when Applied

Abstract

Abstract During the past two decades, fracturing stimulation has become a production driver for a much greater part of the oil industry worldwide. Because of the extensive reservoir formation types, fracturing scenarios widely vary from conventional to unconventional cases. Fracturing is one of the few options for commercial hydrocarbon production in some extremely tight reservoirs. Unfortunately, many of the tight formation scenarios achieve fracture inititation and/or extension only under extremely high pressure, thus frequently reaching mechanical forces close to the well completion limitations. Among the different techniques used, the controlled breakdown technique (CBT) helped significantly improve pump rates in some fracture initiation and injection conditions. This technique controls pressure, while considering the completion's mechanical limits. This paper discusses the process and appropriate conditions for CBT application and evaluates when it is convenient or even crucial to help enhance fracture initiation and development.