Hydraulic Fracturing With Heated Fluids Brings Success in High-Pour-Point Waxy-Oil Reservoir in India

Abstract

Summary Most existing production of waxy oils occurs in high-permeability formations, and wax issues are mostly a problem in the production tubing or pipeline. Large reserves also exist in low-permeability formations that require hydraulic fracturing for economic production. Such a reservoir was recently discovered in Rajasthan, northwest India, overlying a more typical high-permeability formation, both with high-pour-point waxy oil. Because a very large amount of oil in place is present in the low-permeability formation, two fracturing campaigns were performed in two different horizons to assess the potential for successful well stimulation. The first fracturing campaign (on four wells) showed limited success. A study was performed to determine the reason for the failure, and significant changes were made for the second campaign. This paper documents the second campaign. This campaign featured the first successful use in India of heated fluids to stimulate a shallow, low-permeability, massive oil reservoir containing high-pour-point waxy oil.