The Study of Low Cost & Effective Volume Fracturing Technology for Wells in Normal Pressure Shale Gas Play in China

Abstract

Relatively, the gas production is low for fractured horizontal wells in normal pressure shale gas plays with a quick production decrease, resulting in larger difficulty for commercial breakthrough and economic development. Accordingly fracturing technology is under study urgently. On condition that production increased and engineering cost decreased, together with feasible and practical fracturing technology, the production potential is studied to put forward several hydraulic fracturing treatment. Firstly, cluster spacing is decreased, while increasing cluster number per stage, thus, there are more total clusters for one well with less stages, the influence of induced stress could be strengthened especially using plane perforation. Secondly, using high viscosity gel as pre fluid or flushing fluid among injecting period, to extend fracture through layers vertically. Thirdly, by use of ultra-low density small mesh proppant, increasing net pressure sharply by plugging the front of fracture. Fourthly, increasing ratio of lower viscosity slick water, small mesh proppant and higher viscosity gel, to improve hydraulic fracturing pumping pattern and technological parameter by varying viscosity, varying displacement, varying mesh proppant, so multiscale fracture propagate and propped with corresponding size of proppant. Fifthly, deminishing lower effective and non-effective clusters through studying geological and engineering sweetness. Aiming at production increased and engineering cost decreased, the production potential is studied to put forward several hydraulic fracturing treatment, which is feasible and practical. Good result was observed in pilot application of D well and L well, providing theoretical support for developing effectively and economically in similar shale gas play.