Successful Integration of Channel Fracturing Unveils Promising Prospects in a Southern Region of Pakistan
Authors: Siddiqui Haris Ahmed , lqbal Muhammad Saad , Rafique Haroon , Hasnain Ali , Ashraf Zaid , Hamim Nasir , Hussain Syed Khawar , Haider Syed Afraz 
Published: January 2024

Rapid depletion of reservoirs is a worrisome phenomenon which is posing a lot of challenges for Pakistan's gas reserves, and prospects for new gas discoveries are diminishing. On of the major operators in Pakistan plays a significant role in Pakistan's natural gas production, contributing 29% to the country's total production, planned to address this issue by utilizing the SLB's production optimization with Channel Hydraulic Fracturing Technique.

To address the issues of diminishing reserves, an integrated approach was implemented in a gas field in Pakistan in collaboration with an E&P operator. Geomechanics modeling, fracturing feasibility, and design were conducted in three main reservoirs, with a particular focus on a carbonate reservoir due to concerns about potential breakthroughs into underlying water zones. The heterogeneous nature of the formation required different fracturing designs tailored to specific areas and wells, adopting a fit-for-purpose approach. Continuous engagement with the client and providing effective solutions through multiple meetings were crucial in meeting client expectations.

In the case of the carbonate reservoir, matrix acidizing, an existing stimulation method, fell short of providing long-term production sustainability. Consequently, hydraulic fracturing combined with a channeled fracturing approach was evaluated and designed for a specific well in the field. Overcoming multiple challenges, including fracture containment and stress barrier evaluation, the fracturing gradient across the perforated interval ranged from 0.73 to 0.89 psi/ft, remaining below the overburden gradient. Breakdown pressures ranged from 4500 to 6500 psi. To address uncertainties, a temperature logging-based measurement of the fracture height was proposed before and after conducting Data FRAC.

Proppant Pack Permeability although has itself limited permeability and therefore the full potential of reservoir is not ideally met with the conductive fractures created using conventional fracturing. SLB utilized Channel Fracturing technique which addresses this problem, and provides a far conductive, and clear cut path-way for the Hydrocarbons and formation fluid to flow, with fibre playing as a buffer role to compact the proppant placement, which further degrades with time once the compaction process has been completed.

This paper presents the successful implementation of the new workflow strategy and flawless execution which resulted in a multi-fold increase in production from the well by placement of 130,000 lbs of proppant using the channeled fracturing technique in the carbonate formation. Initially, the reservoir only produced bubbles, but this transformed into economically viable gas. The successful application of channeled fracturing in the field's first candidate well not only boosted production for the client but also paved the way for hydraulic fracturing evaluations in other candidate wells within the same field.