VIII INGEPET 2014 (EXP-IP-VN-03-N)

PRODUCTION EVALUATION OF WELLS COMPLETED IN NATURALLY FRACTURED

RESERVOIRS
Oscar Nieto Freyre, César Montes Adrianzén (SAVIA PERU S.A.)
Abstract
Global Proven Oil Reserves of Paleozoic, mainly in Naturally Fractured Reservoirs (NFR), reach
18% of the estimated 1,500 Billon of barrels. Taking into account this very important volume of
reserves, 270 Billion of barrels in this type of formations, it is essentially recommended to continue
with the exploration and exploitation of these types of reservoirs in the different oil fields in the
world.
For the Naturally Fractured Reservoirs, the primary completion system recommended is the "open
hole" completion with the primary objective of maintaining the permeability of the flow channels and
open fractures. This type of completion is a very convenient process considering the timing and
economic saving implications that it represents when it is compared with the “cased hole”
completion system.
The knowledge of reservoir geology, types of produced fluids, and rock competences are highly
important factors to consider before deciding the type of completion to be used. Presently, the
records of Image logs and Sonic logs are useful tools that provide information for the identification
of natural and induced fractures, and consequently, this information will support the use of the type
of completion to be implemented such as “Open Hole” or “Cased Hole” which is another option of
well completion when problems like hole collapse, and water or gas production needs to be
controlled.
Seeking the answer if it is possible to extend the well productive life based on the lithology and type
of completion, the well production performance over time of this type of reservoirs with open or
cased completion has been studied. The samples used for this study have been 12 of a total of 16
boreholes, where the geomechanics properties, type of faulting, type of completion, well position
within the reservoir in reference to natural fractures and direction of the maximum and minimum
stresses were evaluated and analyzed.

Introduction
Different types of reservoirs with natural fractures can occur in sandstones, carbonates, shale gas,
fractured basement and metamorphic rocks. In the Northwest of Peru, naturally fractured reservoirs
of metamorphic sandstones have been discovered in the fields: Laguna Zapotal, Portachuelo, San
Pedro, Colan, with depths ranging from 5,000 to 12,000 feet, with presence of hydrocarbons.
The main objective of this study is to evaluate and determine the best option to complete the wells
in this type of reservoir belonging to the San Pedro Field in Sechura, Northwest Peru, to maintain
its integrity, by avoiding well collapse that jeopardize the future life of the reservoir.
The analysis of this type of faulting in the reservoir, the number of natural fractures, lithology and
present fluids, are important factors to be taken into consideration, when deciding the type of
completion to be used when the hypothesis is:
"If an effective analysis of the critical factors of completion is achieved, an extending life of the well
would be reached".
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Fig 1. Talara Basin

It is in the Talara basin (Fig.1) where Amotape formation drilling dates back to 1954 in the field
Portachuelo operated by the International Petroleum Company (IPC). Between 1968 and 1977 in
South Laguna area (onshore), Petroperu conducted a drilling campaign to develop Amotape
(Paleozoic) formation.

FIG 2. San Pedro Field - Structural map on top of Amotape formation.

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total of producing
Completion type
wells wells

open hole / lainer 3 3

cased hole 26 20

Total 29 23
Table 1. South Laguna area (onshore) drilling campaign to develop Amotape

Tipo de No
Good Regulares poor
Completacion producers
Open Hole/
3 0 0 0
Lainer

Cased Hole 13 4 3 6

Total 16 4 3 6
Table 2. Production results

Good Wells: EUR more than100 Mbls.

Regular Wells: EUR between 50 and 100 Mbls.
Poor Wells: EUR less than 50 Mbls.

The Proved Reserves of Hydrocarbons considering all the Geological Ages are estimated to be
1,500 billion barrels according to the report of the International Energy Agency (EIA-2011), which
shows the importance of exploration and exploitation of the Amotape formation (Paleozoic).

Types of Naturally Fractured Reservoirs (NFRs)

Fractured Sandstone.
Fractured Carbonates.
Shale Gas.
Fractured Basement.

Geological Ages of Reservoirs and their Proved Reserves.

Tertiary 58.1%
Cretaceous 19.4%
Jurassic 4.5%
Paleozoic 18%.
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60.00% 58.10%

50.00%

40.00%
Cretaceous
30.00% Jurassic
19.40%
20.00% 18% Paleozoic
Tertiary
10.00% 4.50%

0.00%

Fig 3. Geological Age of Reservoirs and Global Proved Reserves of Hydrocarbons

After understanding the different factors investigated, they were applied in finding the solution to
extend the life of the well by a completion system applied to naturally fractured (NFR) in reservoirs
metamorphic rocks in the area of Sechura in offshore Northwest Peru.
The stratigraphic column of our study refers to Amotape (Paleozoic age group). (Fig. 4 - Carlos
Bianchi / Mario Chavez).

Fig 4.

Amotapes Mountain is the main evidence of Paleozoic formations which have in the Northwest
about 1,000 m. thick and it is affected by several orogenic processes of different ages together,
presently it shows a pattern of altered rocks, Martinez (1970). He divided it into 4 formations: Cerro
Negro (Devonian), Chaleco de Paño (Mississippian), Cerro Prieto (Pennsylvanian) and Palaus
(Permian) (Report Perupetro, Ochoa, 1983). Oil production comes from the Cerro Prieto formation,
which is composed of facies quartzites, phyllites and schistose slates with variations in the degree
of metamorphism. The source rock is in the NW Bayovar and corresponds to the Upper Cretaceous
formations and Redondo.
The degree of fracturing and arrangement of rocks in the reservoir that are made up of quartz,
quartzite, phyllite, argillite and slate, will have influence in the type of completion to be designed
which could be slotted liner or covered "cased hole" well, to extend the life of the same.
The wells evaluated in this study that were completed with "open hole" presented problems during
their productive lives. The selection of a completion system, which takes into account the lithology
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of the well and the preservation of areas with natural fractures, protects the well from the collapse
of the areas of least resistance.
The study of geomechanics applied to drilling, is of paramount importance in determining the type
of faulting of rocks, determination of pore pressure, efforts "in-situ" and fracture gradient.
Since 1990s +, the areas that have been developed for the application of Geo-mechanics are:
Wellbore stability, shale behavior.
• Reservoir compaction and subsidence
• Influx of sand during production
• Change efforts in depleted reservoirs
• Casing Collapse
• "Cuttings disposal"
Geomechanics.
From the images logs study the direction of the maximum and minimum stresses was determined.
The breakout is caused by compression stress greater than the rock, and the induced fractures by
tension stresses greater than the rock (fig 5).
The image is used to identify induced fractures that with the multi-arm caliper could not be
identified. This information is compiled by the World Stress Map Project - Helmholtz Centre
Potsdam to produce regional maps of maximum horizontal stress orientations (δH).

Fig 5. Direction of Maximum and Minimum Stresses

In San Pedro area, the induced fractures obtained from resistive log images have the direction of
maximum horizontal stress, N60 ᵒ (Fig 6.). The opening of the fractures differs in the order of 0.68
mm to 0.42 mm, and the fractures concentrations are 4.17 to 3.14 fract / ft.
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Fig 6. Direction of Induced Fractures in San Pedro field

Calculation of the main stresses

A. Overburden Stress or vertical stress (δv)

Is determined by adding the density of the different formations that make up the stratigraphic
column of the well. The sum of each formation over a certain depth representing the magnitude
of the vertical load at a given depth. This stress is usually determined by density logs from
equation 1.

Equation 1
Where:

p (z) Overburden pressure (Mpa)

ρ (z)= density of the rocks above of z depth. (g/cm3)

g= gravitational acceleration. (m/s2)
p0= is the base line pressure (datum). (m)
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Fig 7. Integration using Density Logs for Vertical Stress Determination

δv 6300 psi, (0.91 psi/ft.).

B. Minimum horizontal stress (δh) was calculated using minifrac data

Table 3. presents the values obtained from Minifrac to calculate the minimum horizontal stress (δh
= 4300 psi), taking the average of 0.65 psi / ft for ShG in the quartzite.
DETERMINATION OF MINIMUM PRINCIPAL STRESS (δh)
INTVL MD Avg BDG BDG ISIP ShG ShG
WELL DATE TVD (ft) LITO
(ft) TVD (ft) (Psi/ft) (ppg) (PSI) (Psi/ft) (ppg)
SP1-11D 23/01/2009 7115-6975 6661-6530 6596 QTZT 0.64 12.31 1200 0.62 11.92
SP1-11D 31/10/2006 7115-6976 6661-6531 6596 QTZT 0.72 13.85 1100 0.61 11.73
SP1-4D 16/08/2009 6985-6940 6677-6634 6656 QTZT 0.79 15.10 1830 0.71 13.65
SP1-4D 16/08/2009 7236-7030 6919-6719 6819 SLATE 1.03 19.86 3300 0.92 17.69

Table 3. Minimum Horizontal Stress (δh)

C. Maximum Horizontal Stress (δH)

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The magnitude of the maximum horizontal stress is the component of the tensor efforts more
difficult to determine. Since the magnitude of this stress cannot be measured directly, we must infer
its magnitude from mathematical models.
In this case, the mechanical properties of the rocks was calculated, the stress profile was calibrated
for SP1-9D well and was computed. The modeling efforts were calibrated based on events
identified as hole deformation and induced fractures.

Stress Calibration – Well SP1-9D - δH = 9600 psi.

FIG 8. Maximum Horizontal Stress

D. Type of Faulting

In a normal system, the behavior of stresses are δv>δH>δh. For San Pedro wells the faulting
regime obtained was shear displacement or "strike slip" where δH> δV> δh, which demonstrated a
high anisotropy in the field. This type of faulting occurs in tectonics areas.
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Fig 9. Strike Slip Faulting

Completion and Production

The most common completion types are: Fig 10.
A B C D E

A. OPEN HOLE
B. SLOTTED LINER
C. CASED HOLE
D. OPEN HOLE W/GRAVEL PACK
E. CASED HOLE W/ GRAVEL PACK.

The main types of completion in the NFR are openhole and cased hole (cemented and perforated),
however, for the NFR, the preferred type of completion is openhole, for which the formations have
to be competent as the type fractured carbonates to avoid the formation collapse. In naturally
fractured reservoirs (NFR), where oil and also water are present, the completion of these reservoirs
must be with casing cemented (cased hole).
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Table 4. IP and IPR of San Pedro Wells

Accum Prod (Mbo) Type of

Location Well
completion date Completion

West (A) SP1-10D 22 (nov 2007) OH slotted liner

SP11X 356 (june 2005) OH slotted liner
East (A') SP1-8D 82 (august 2007) OH slotted liner
TABLE 5 Variation in the Reservoir Lithology, Completion of the Wells, and the Effect in their Productions

Accum Prod (Mbo) Type of

Location Well
completion date Completion

South (B) SP1-11D 97 (Aug. 2006) Cased Hole

SP1-5XD 178 (Jan. 2006) Cased Hole
SP1-12D 528 (Jul. 2008) OH slotted liner
SP1-2D 194 (Apr. 2006) Cased Hole
North(B') SP1A2D 106 (jan. 2009) OH slotted liner
TABLE 6 Variation in the Reservoir Lithology, Completion of the Wells, and the Effect in their productions
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Fig 11. Areal Distribution of Amotape Sands

FIG 12. Production of Wells according with Completion Type.

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The Ratio of Well Azimuth with the Direction of Maximum Principal Stress and Productive
Behavior
The analysis of the effect of wellbore direction (azimuth) with the angle that it makes with the
maximum principal stress (δH) on the production of the well; a relationship between the IP of the
well, the azimuth and distance or proximity to 90 ᵒ relative to the maximum horizontal stress was
established. The better wells had an Angle Index close to 1.

IP Well δH direction Angle

Well
Bopd/psi Azimuth N60ᵒ Index

SP1-2D 0.70 122 60 0.6889

SP1-3CD 4.29 146 60 0.9556
SP1-4D 1.06 198 60 0.4667
SP1-6D 2.19 332 60 0.9778
SP1-7D 0.42 27 60 0.3667
SP1-8D 0.61 110 60 0.5556
SP1-10D 0.12 270 60 0.3333
SP1-11D 0.17 242 60 0.0222
SP1-12D 3.60 136 60 0.8444 .
Table 7. Wells and Angle Index

Fig 13. Angle Index and Wells IP

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According to Figure 13, the wells with greater cumulative production are those with index close to
one; means that the angle between the azimuth of the well and the main effort High (δH) is close to
90 ᵒ, i.e. the direction of the well follows the direction of the minimum horizontal stress (δh). In this
way, the well is intersecting the greatest number of natural fractures.
Production
Number of Acum Production to 500 Acum Production to
Completion Type Increment from 500
wells dias. (Mbo) 1000 dias. (Mbo)
to 1000 days.
4 Cased Hole 260 517 99%
4 Open Hole 591 701 19%
3 OH Slotted Liner 498 682 37%

Table 8. Production Increment from 500 to 1000 days

From the information in Table 9, the 500 days of production wells resulting in "open hole" and
slotted liner exceeds 127% of cumulative production related to "cased hole" wells; this percentage
decreased dramatically to 36% at 1000 days.
When the percentage is analyzed in the Cumulative Production Increase from 500 to 1000 days,
the “cased hole” completion had an increase of 99%; while the other type of completion only
reached an average of 27% of cumulative production. This is mainly due to the problems of water
production and decreased production by downhole fines production.

FIG 14. Production Increment from 500 to 1000 days

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Well total cost by completion type

DRILLING A TD ft. 7500
DRILLING COST $/ft 300
DRILLING COST 2,250,000
PRODUCTION TUBG AND ACCE. 60,000
OPEN HOLE WELL $ USA 2,310,000 ( A )
ADD COMPLETION COST 344,151
WELL W/ Liner $ USA 2,654,151 ( B )
ADD COMPLETION COST 519,251
WELL CASED HOLE $ USA 2,829,251 ( C )

(A) Cost of open hole completion.

(B) Cost of slotted liner completion.
(C) Cost of cased hole completion.
Table 9. Well Cost.

Contributions
1. Completion of wells that were drilled close to the faults due to stress concentration in these
areas should be completed with cemented casing, shot and then stimulated by a hydraulic
fracturing job.
2. It is accepted that in naturally fractured reservoirs or formations (NFR) under high
anisotropy and that produce water and gas, the cemented casing completion is an
alternative to ensure the life of the well.
3. The production time before the wells collapsed was 3-9 months; by re-completion and work,
cemented casing, shot and frac the production was restored.

Conclusions
1. The use of image logs for the completion of the wells, especially with casing cemented, is
vital for the work of shot and fracture.
2. The Wells that had higher cumulative production were drilled in the direction of the minimum
principal stress (δh) which allowed the intercept of natural fractures.
3. The incremental cost of the cased hole completions was (18%) and well with slotted Liner
(13%) compared with the cost to leave the well in open hole, has an additional return on
investment of less than two months. This incremental cost has no significant impact on the
project.

Bibliography
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