ABSTRACT: Zipper fracturing of horizontal wells is an important technical means to improve stimulation efficiency. In this paper, the key factors determining the area growth of hydraulic fractures and the final productivity impact of zipper fractured wells are studied, using both numerical simulation and field trials from Jimusar Oilfield. The unconventional fracturing model (UFM) is used to explore the zipper fracturing effect under different cluster spacing combinations, and analyzes the fracture growth and theoretical productivity impact. The model takes into account stress shadowing and proppant transportation. The simulation results show that there is stress interference at the crack overlaps of the two wells, and the hydraulic fracture growth is restrained; The stress shadows of well A with tight cluster spacing are more obvious than for Well B, showing complex fracture morphology. However, the effective propped area of Well A is smaller than for Well B, and the actual productivity is only 63.6% of that of Well B according to the cumulative production curves. Zipper fracturing cannot improve productivity. More attention should be paid on means to ensure that the distal ends of hydraulic fractures will be better propped.

Keywords:
production monitoring, hydraulic fracturing, drilling operation, production control, reservoir surveillance, complex reservoir, structural geology, reservoir characterization, fracturing materials, proppant
Subjects:
Drilling Operations, Hydraulic Fracturing, Well & Reservoir Surveillance and Monitoring, Reservoir Characterization, Formation Evaluation & Management, Unconventional and Complex Reservoirs, Directional drilling, Fracturing materials (fluids, proppant), Exploration, development, structural geology, Reservoir geomechanics
This content is only available via PDF.
Copyright 2021, American Rock Mechanics Association
You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.