Robert Tjon-Joe-Pin & Harold D. Brannon, BJ Services Company USA & Patrick Handren, Oryx Energy Company
A case study has been conducted on Red Fork formation wells with bottomhole temperatures ranging from 225 degrees -250 degrees Fahrenheit. The fracturing applications and techniques in this area had historically provided lower than expected post-treatment productivity and a rapid decline rate, .suggesting that the fracture conductivity were less than optimum. Joint efforts of the operator and service company, utilizing state-of-the-art fluids, breakers, and design methodologies, were employed to optimize well productivity. The case histories of hydraulic fracturing treatments and subsequent production performance of five offset wells are analyzed and presented. Average incremental production rates were significantly improved through application of the new technologies, clearly demonstrating the effectiveness of the modifications.