Getting More with Less: Low-Viscosity Fluid Implementation for a Conventional Formation in Western Siberia, Russia
Authors: Leskin Fedor Yurievich , Sakhipova Inna Aleksandrovna , Zorkaltcev Nikita Mikhailovich , Dzutcev Alan Kazbekovich , Pavlova Svetlana Rafailievna , Belyakova Ludmila Sergeevna , Chukanov Ivan Sergeevich , Inozemtseva Elizaveta Andreevna , Delyanov Yury Aleksandrovich , Buev Nikita Igorevich , Vereschagin Sergei Aleksandrovich , Yakupov Diyar Maratovich , Semin Leonid Georgievich , Bizyaev Ivan Viktorovich 
Published: September 2021

Oil-saturated strata of Western Siberia fields are represented by laminated low-permeability sandstone separated by shale layers. Therefore, when designing hydraulic fractures, it is important to create longer propped fracture half-length and provide coverage of oil-saturated layers along the entire net height. Implementation of high-volume proppant fractures in combination with high-viscosity crosslinked fluids leads to excessive fracture height growth. In some cases it results in ineffective proppant distribution in the target layer and, moreover, to unwanted water production if the water contact or water bearing formation is close. To overcome these issues, it was proposed to use a novel hydraulic fracturing fluid that is a viscous slickwater based on synthetic polymer-polyacrylamide (also known as HiVis FR or HVFR). The low viscosity of HVFR (about 10 times lower than that of a crosslinked gel) allows a long fracture to be created and restricts height growth. Additionally, use of polyacrylamide instead of guar gives a larger value of retained conductivity.

The full workflow for implementing HVFR for hydraulic fracturing in conventional formations includes candidate evaluation, HVFR laboratory testing, an integrated engineering approach to fracture modeling, operational considerations, and post-fracturing production analysis. The workflow evolved during the technology implementation cycle in a specific oil field, particularly the modeling step, which used a new high precision multiphysics (MP) model. The MP model provides an advanced, high-quality high- precision fracturing design to properly evaluate fracture geometry and proppant distribution by accounting for proppant settling in viscoelastic fluid and an accurate simulation of proppant placement when using a pulsing schedule.

During the 2-year project, considerable success was achieved in expanding of the technology implementation scope. Several records were achieved on Kondinskoe oil field - a 150-t of ceramic proppant (SG, specific gravity,~3.1) were placed in a conventional reservoir by low-viscosity fracturing fluid and the first worldwide combination of viscous slickwater with channel fracturing technology was successfully performed. The use of HVFR, due to ability of fracture growth control, prevented breakthrough into the water-bearing zone. In addition, considerable improvement of operational efficiency was achieved due to use of cold water, lower amounts of additives, and less equipment, which resulted in a smaller location and environmental footprint.

This first implementation of the viscous slickwater in conventional wells in Western Siberia enabled evaluating its effect on production rate. Increasing demand for maximizing production from low- permeability formations makes the result of this viscous slickwater implementation campaign of special interest. The application of a full engineering workflow, including design, execution, and evaluation of the Viscous slickwater treatments is a key to successful technology implementation and production optimization.