WELL STIMULATION

Background

Well Stimulation techniques were originally developed to rejuvenate or to

increase the production of older wells whose production rate had declined. As
techniques have improved, re-stimulation has been adopted more and more to main-
tain acceptable producing rates from wells previously stimulated but whose pro-
duction has declined, and thus permitting production of a greater proportion of
the hydrocarbons contained in a reservoir. Stimulation techniques have also been
employed widely to enable the successful completion of new wells and the re-
completion of existing wells in "tight," low-permeability reservoirs which would
not produce commercially without such stimulation.

The initial stimulation treatment was nitro-shooting, whereby a charge of

nytroglycerine was exploded in the well bore to induce fissures in the productive
formation, increasing the effective permeability of the zone by providing flow
channels for the hydrocarbons to flow into the well bore. During the 1920's
shooting was popular and often effective to increase production from the
relatively shallow, open-hole completions of that era. Other techniques, required
by the deeper, hotter productive formations of modern wells have almost completely
taken the place of the nitro-shooting.

Acidizing

During the 1930's, acid stimulations of limestone and dolomitic reservoirs

were initiated and this technique has been enlarged to include sandstone reser-
voirs. Acid is pumped into a well for the primary purpose of dissolving rock,
thus enlarging existing flow channels or open new channels. Acid also is used
to dissolve extraneous material such as cement, carbonate scale, or drilling mud
which has plugged flow channels. Restrictions to flow from the productive forma-
tion to the well bore are removed, increasing or restoring production.
 The technology of acidizing has become increasingly selective and sophisti-
cated as the result of extensive research by producing and service companies, and
the experience gained from trial-and-error application. Type of acid, concentra-
tion, additives, methods of application, corrosivity retarders, safety are
some of the factors which have been, and are continually being, investigated to
produce improved results.

Depending upon volume of treatment, pressure required to pump into the

formation, additives required, etc., the cost of an acid treatment can vary from
$50,000 to $300,000. While research and applied technology have made great
advances since the advent of acidizing, there is no certainty regarding the suc-
cess of an acid treatment. Increased production resulting from acidizing all
too frequently fails to pay out the cost of the treatment.

Fracturing

The most widely used method of well stimulation is hydraulic fracturing.

Initiated in 1948, this procedure involves application of hydraulic pressure
against the reservoir rock so that the rocks are split and fissures from the
wellbore into the formation are created. Fluid pumped into these fissures is
used to transport sand, glass beads, or sintered bauxite particles which serve
as "props" to hold the induced fissures or fractures open when the hydraulic
pressure is released. When the pressure is released, the fluid employed flows
out of the induced fracture, the proppants remain, and a flow channel from the
formation to the wellbore is created.

Application of this fracturing technique has resulted in a greater recovery

of hydrocarbons than any other method of stimulation. Through fracturing, low-
permeability reservoirs which are completely unproductive or of very limited
productivity have been converted into commercially productive, high-volume
producers.

Again, the technology and application of the fracturing prodedure has become
increasingly selective and sophisticated as the result of extensive research and
development by producing and service companies. The materials and equipment
employed are continually being improved to permit successful application of the
technique at greater depths, to less productive formations, and to re-stimulate
older wells completed when fracturing was not as advanced as a science. Modern
fracture treatments often involve pumping 200,000 to 300,000 gallons of fracture
fluid carrying 200,000 to 1,000,000 pounds of proppant. Injection pressure of
8,000 to 14,000 pounds per square inch (psi) are required. To obtain the desired
injection rates of 15 to 25 barrels per minute, pumps developing A,000 to 6,000
horse-power must be employed.

The volumes of fracturing fluid and proppant employed for an average opera-
tion have increased tremendously over the past few years, with an attendant
increase in cost. Costs in the range of $100,000 to $500,000 for equipment and
materials for a single-well treatment have become commonplace, and again there
is no guarantee that such expenditures will produce a successful outcome.
Engineering and geological knowledge of the probable results of a fracture treat-
ment to be employed have greatly advanced during the past ten years; new fracturing
fluids, proppants, and methods have been developed, but even with the expertise
and improved techniques, many fracturing treatments fail to improve production.
Management must weigh the benefits gained from the successful and unsuccessful
treatments.