A discussion of the problems associated with fracture height containment in several producing horizons in East Texas is presented along with a field-proven solution. Fracture height containment has plagued operators in East Texas for years. Fracturing of producing intervals, such as the Georgetown, Buda, Woodbine, Travis Peak and Pettit Lime, has in many cases resulted in unsatisfactory production. The poor production can in many cases be attributed to fracturing out of zone. A technique has been developed to minimize fracture height growth. This patented technique incorporates non-reactive diverting agents to bridge above and below the pay zone. This results in a planned screenout in the vertical directions thus forcing the fracturing fluid to propagate the fracture in the horizontal direction.

Several case histories are presented to show the effectiveness of the technique.

Keywords:
ooo gal crude oil, gal gelled oil, gal 20 40, east texas, diverter, buoyant diverter, operator, height containment, upstream oil & gas, fracture length
Subjects:
Hydraulic Fracturing, Reservoir Characterization, Formation Evaluation & Management, Unconventional and Complex Reservoirs, Carbonate reservoirs
Copyright 1986, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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