Prospects for enhancing hydraulic fracturing efficiency through the use of advanced proppants in the Atyrau region fields

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Abstract

Background: The history of hydraulic fracturing in the Atyrau region's fields spans over 20 years; however, the types and functional characteristics of proppants – the main material used in HF – have remained unchanged. Given the rapid pace of technological advancement and the growing need to optimize production processes, the relevance of studying new types of proppants becomes obvious. The ability to model and customize high-tech proppants for the specific conditions of oil fields is crucial for enhancing hydraulic fracturing efficiency and, as a result, boosting hydrocarbon production volumes in the Atyrau region.

Aim: This article discusses recent advancements, global trends, practical experience, and laboratory studies related to the use of innovative proppants. It also evaluates the potential for utilizing lightweight proppants at fields A and B. The aim of this study is to explore the possibilities of deploying multifunctional proppants to optimize hydraulic fracturing operations.

Materials and Methods: To address the set objectives, we developed a model of the geomechanical and filtration properties of the formation for fields A and B using FracPro software. Also, we conducted a simulation of the hydraulic fracturing design with various injection parameters . Based on the results of hydraulic fracturing modeling results using lightweight proppants, we calculated indicators oil production .

Results: The simulation results demonstrate the economic feasibility of using lightweight proppants, evidenced by a 23.8% increase in additional production at Field A. For Field B, the estimated annual production volume significantly exceeds current levels, resulting in a 4.5-fold increase in profitability.

Conclusion: Multifunctional proppants hold considerable potential to enhance hydraulic fracturing efficiency. The application of innovative proppants allows for better control over fracture geometry, minimizes the risk of breakthrough into water-saturated zones, and increases the volume of stimulated zone, thereby optimizing hydrocarbon production.

About the authors

Aidana N. Bukharbayeva

Atyrau branch of KMG Engineering

Author for correspondence.
Email: a.bukharbayeva@kmge.kz
ORCID iD: 0009-0001-3861-7888
Kazakhstan, Atyrau

Karim B. Assanov

Atyrau branch of KMG Engineering

Email: k.asanov@kmge.kz
ORCID iD: 0009-0002-1005-6959
Kazakhstan, Atyrau

Adilbek A. Bashev

Atyrau branch of KMG Engineering

Email: a.bashev@kmge.kz
ORCID iD: 0009-0009-7050-7249
Kazakhstan, Atyrau

Talgat S. Jaksylykov

Atyrau branch of KMG Engineering

Email: t.jaxylykov@kmge.kz
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1530-3974
Kazakhstan, Atyrau

Altynbek S. Mardanov

Atyrau branch of KMG Engineering

Email: a.mardanov@kmge.kz
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8342-3046
Kazakhstan, Atyrau

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Supplementary files

Supplementary Files
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2. Figure 1. Results of the study of the height of hydraulic fractures

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3. Figure 2. Proppant flow testing: silica sand [23]

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4. Figure 3. Proppant flow testing: self-suspending proppant [23]

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5. Figure 4. Comparison of propping material density [27–28, 34–38]

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6. Figure 5. Distribution of proppant by fractions and manufacturers

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7. Figure 6. Production dynamics after hydraulic fracturing at Well No. 1

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8. Figure 7. Hydralic fracture profiles of Well No. 1

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9. Figure 8. Comparison of actual and estimated oil production

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10. Figure 9. Production dynamics after hydraulic fracturing at Well No.2

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11. Figure 10. Hydraulic fracture profiles at Well No.2

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12. Figure 11. Comparison of actual and estimated cumulative production

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Copyright (c) 2024 Bukharbayeva A.N., Assanov K.B., Bashev A.A., Jaksylykov T.S., Mardanov A.S.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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