Rosanel Morales, Camila Tocora, and Martin Campos
Revive Energy Solutions
Objectives/Scope:
Fracture-driven interactions (FDIs), commonly known as frac hits, are becoming an increasing concern as hydraulic fracturing operations intensify in mature basins. These interactions can introduce foreign solids, crosslinked gels, and formation fines into existing wellbores, significantly impairing well productivity. Traditional mechanical clean-outs, while effective, are costly and may not fully restore well performance. This paper presents a series of field case studies highlighting the application of advanced chemical remediation strategies designed to address these complex challenges, providing operators with a cost-effective alternative to conventional methods.
Methods, Procedures, Process:
Two novel chemical systems were developed to eliminate the need for solvent preflushes, utilizing multifunctional chemistries in combination with either fresh water or 15% NEFE HCl. Treatment designs targeted the dissolution of precipitated scales, removal of chemical residues, dispersion of fines, restoration of near-wellbore relative permeability, re-establishment of water-wet conditions, and reduction of capillary pressures to aid fluid recovery. Simple field deployment methods, such as bullheading, were selected for ease of execution and cost efficiency.
A comprehensive suite of laboratory tests, including dispersibility analysis, contact angle measurement, and fluid compatibility assessments, was conducted to validate the effectiveness of these multifunctional chemistries in mitigating frac hit damage. These tests provided critical insights into the interaction mechanisms and optimal treatment parameters for various damage profiles.
Results, Observations, Conclusions:
Field trials demonstrated consistent and sustained improvements in post-treatment well performance, with some wells achieving production rates exceeding pre-frac hit baselines. Recovery outcomes ranged from 50% to over 100% relative to pre-hit decline curves, confirming the efficacy of the selected chemistries. Lessons learned from these deployments, including the importance of intervention timing and chemical compatibility, are also discussed.
Novel/Additive Information:
This work introduces a novel chemical formulation that eliminates the need for traditional solvent preflushes, offering a more efficient and cost-effective approach to frac hit remediation. The integration of multifunctional chemistries with simple operational techniques provides a practical framework for operators seeking to maximize production recovery while minimizing downtime and extending asset life.