TY - THES

T1 - Feasibility study of hydraulic propped fractures in the Staßfurt Carbonate

AU - Munoz, Esteban

N1 - embargoed until null

PY - 2006

Y1 - 2006

N2 - The feasibility of creating hydraulic propped fractures in the Staßfurt Carbonate formation in North Germany was examined in the present work. This investigation is focused on stimulation treatments in the Staßfurt Series of the second Zechstein cycle composed mainly by limestone - dolomitic reservoirs located at depths between 2000 m and 4500 m. Usually carbonate formations are differentially etched by acid fracturing treatments or matrix acidizing. The present work shall evaluate the alternative for stimulating this low permeable reservoirs with propped fractures. To analyze the requirements for creating propped fractures a geomechanical model was built for the Zechstein cycle and with a 3D fracturing simulator MFrac, accurate predictions of fracture geometry, conductivity and a possible treatment schedule were performed. Post fracture treatment productions were evaluated with reservoir simulation and economically analyzed over the Net Present Value (NPV) criterion. Hydraulic fracturing fluids, proppants, selection criteria and requirements to perform successfully hydraulic propped fractures in the Staßfurt carbonate are discussed in detail in the present work. The considerations to carry out hydraulic propped fractures will be evaluated on five potential candidates located on the platform and slope facies of the Staßfurt carbonate. A hydraulic fracturing job in vertical, slanted and horizontal wells with multiple fractures will be simulated and facilitate a possible field development with propped fractures. The potential for application of this method is very promising based on preliminary economic analysis that considered fracturing treatment cost, possible well re-completion cost, and cost comparison with the alternative acid fracturing technique.

AB - The feasibility of creating hydraulic propped fractures in the Staßfurt Carbonate formation in North Germany was examined in the present work. This investigation is focused on stimulation treatments in the Staßfurt Series of the second Zechstein cycle composed mainly by limestone - dolomitic reservoirs located at depths between 2000 m and 4500 m. Usually carbonate formations are differentially etched by acid fracturing treatments or matrix acidizing. The present work shall evaluate the alternative for stimulating this low permeable reservoirs with propped fractures. To analyze the requirements for creating propped fractures a geomechanical model was built for the Zechstein cycle and with a 3D fracturing simulator MFrac, accurate predictions of fracture geometry, conductivity and a possible treatment schedule were performed. Post fracture treatment productions were evaluated with reservoir simulation and economically analyzed over the Net Present Value (NPV) criterion. Hydraulic fracturing fluids, proppants, selection criteria and requirements to perform successfully hydraulic propped fractures in the Staßfurt carbonate are discussed in detail in the present work. The considerations to carry out hydraulic propped fractures will be evaluated on five potential candidates located on the platform and slope facies of the Staßfurt carbonate. A hydraulic fracturing job in vertical, slanted and horizontal wells with multiple fractures will be simulated and facilitate a possible field development with propped fractures. The potential for application of this method is very promising based on preliminary economic analysis that considered fracturing treatment cost, possible well re-completion cost, and cost comparison with the alternative acid fracturing technique.

KW - Stassfurt

KW - Karbonat Zechstein Proppants Dolomit Calcit MFrac

KW - Zechstein Stassfurt Carbonate Proppants Carbonate Multiple fractures MFrac

M3 - Diploma Thesis

ER -