Preliminary hydraulic fracturing campaign strategies for unconventional and tight reservoirs of UAE: Case studies and lessons learned

Gehad M. Hegazy; Taha Yehia; Omar Mahmoud; Gehad M. Hegazy; Taha Yehia; Omar Mahmoud

doi:10.3934/energy.2023050

AIMS Energy

2023, Volume 11, Issue 6: 1070-1101. doi: 10.3934/energy.2023050

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Research article

Preliminary hydraulic fracturing campaign strategies for unconventional and tight reservoirs of UAE: Case studies and lessons learned

1.
Department of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, American University in Egypt (AUC), Cairo, 11835, Egypt
2.
Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
3.
Department of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Future University in Egypt (FUE), Cairo 11835, Egypt

Received: 10 May 2023 Revised: 14 October 2023 Accepted: 22 October 2023 Published: 06 November 2023

The challenges associated with applying hydraulic fracturing (HF) technology to tight carbonate reservoirs with very low clay content are substantial and demand a unique cost optimization strategy, especially in the context of low oil prices. This study discusses the challenges of applying HF technology to such reservoirs in the UAE. The work presents a comprehensive approach to assess and employ this technology, including a thorough study, a strategic roadmap, screening procedures, a fracturing workflow and strategy and an examination of the distinctive challenges and lessons learned from the process. The primary goal is to formulate a strategy that is applicable to tight and unconventional formations in the UAE, with a strong emphasis on cost optimization. Also, the evaluation methods of the fracturing technologies for these reservoirs were discussed, such as creating valid geomechanical properties to construct a Mechanical Earth Model (MEM) for successful execution and evaluating the reservoir quality. The results showed that conventional acidizing is not effective in stimulating the tight carbonate reservoirs, whereas acid-fracturing has successfully broken down the formation. It was also found that strategic planning, equipment availability, geomechanical studies and building an effective MEM are necessary for obtaining the optimum fracturing design and achieving successful development.
- hydraulic fracturing,
- strategic planning and management,
- reservoir geomechanics,
- exploration and appraisal strategies,
- oil and gas
Citation: Gehad M. Hegazy, Taha Yehia, Omar Mahmoud. Preliminary hydraulic fracturing campaign strategies for unconventional and tight reservoirs of UAE: Case studies and lessons learned[J]. AIMS Energy, 2023, 11(6): 1070-1101. doi: 10.3934/energy.2023050

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Abstract

The challenges associated with applying hydraulic fracturing (HF) technology to tight carbonate reservoirs with very low clay content are substantial and demand a unique cost optimization strategy, especially in the context of low oil prices. This study discusses the challenges of applying HF technology to such reservoirs in the UAE. The work presents a comprehensive approach to assess and employ this technology, including a thorough study, a strategic roadmap, screening procedures, a fracturing workflow and strategy and an examination of the distinctive challenges and lessons learned from the process. The primary goal is to formulate a strategy that is applicable to tight and unconventional formations in the UAE, with a strong emphasis on cost optimization. Also, the evaluation methods of the fracturing technologies for these reservoirs were discussed, such as creating valid geomechanical properties to construct a Mechanical Earth Model (MEM) for successful execution and evaluating the reservoir quality. The results showed that conventional acidizing is not effective in stimulating the tight carbonate reservoirs, whereas acid-fracturing has successfully broken down the formation. It was also found that strategic planning, equipment availability, geomechanical studies and building an effective MEM are necessary for obtaining the optimum fracturing design and achieving successful development.

References

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