Understanding the ‘Frac-Hits’ Impact on a Midland Basin Tight-oil Well Production

The presentation will feature a mechanistic study for understanding the impact of ‘frac-hits’ on the tight oil ultimate recovery. ‘Frac-hits’ are defined as the invasion of fracturing fluids into an existing producer while a neighboring well is being fractured. Data suggest that substantial amount of fracturing fluids from offset wells may invade the existing producers, indicating high degree of connectivity. Even if the existing producer is shutin during the fracturing period, oil rates after re-start were lower than that prior to shut-in, and the oil production trend line deviates (usually lower) from the original type curve prediction.

The presenters used a mechanistic model to assess the impact of ‘frac-hits’ on oil production. The results indicate that the impact of ‘frac-hits’ on oil production can be significantly different depending on producing pressure of the impacted wells. Given this, oil production may be optimized by coordinating the fracturing sequence and spacing to avoid ‘frac-hits’ below the bubble point and avoid re-fracturing in the region below the bubble point.

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