Recently developed models of the acid fracturing process have shown that the
differential etching necessary to create lasting fracture conductivity is caused by the
heterogeneous distributions of permeability and mineralogy along the fracture faces. To
predict the conductivity that can be created by acid in a particular formation, the models
require information about these formation properties. This research aims to quantify
correlation lengths using a geostatistical description of small scale heterogeneity to
ascertain the distribution of permeability and mineralogy in a carbonate formation. The
correlation length parameters are a first step in being able to couple acid transport and
rock dissolution models at reservoir scale with a model of fracture conductivity based on
channels and roughness features caused by small scale heterogeneity.
Geostatistical parameters of small scale heterogeneity affecting wells in the
Hugoton Field are developed. Data leading to their derivation are obtained from a
combination of well logs and cores. The permeability of slabbed core is measured to
yield vertical correlation length. Well logs are used to estimate permeability via an
empirical relationship between core plug permeability and well log data for calculation of horizontal correlation length. A fracture simulator computes the acid etched fracture
width for known treatment conditions. The resulting geostatistical parameters and acid
etched width are used to predict acid fracture performance for a well in the Hugoton
Field. Application of new model conductivity correlations results in a unique prediction
for the acid fracture case study that differs from the industry standard.
Improvements in low cost stimulation treatments such as acid fracturing are the
key to revitalizing production in mature carbonate reservoirs like the Hugoton Field.
Planning and development of new wells in any carbonate formation necessarily must
consider acid fracturing as a production stimulation technique. Reliable models that
accurately predict acid fracture conductivity can be used to make an informed
investment decision.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:tamu.edu/oai:repository.tamu.edu:1969.1/ETD-TAMU-2010-08-8266 |
| Date | 2010 August 1900 |
| Creators | Beatty, Cassandra Vonne |
| Contributors | Hill, Alfred D. |
| Source Sets | Texas A and M University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Book, Thesis, Electronic Thesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
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