Victoria B. Jackson, BJ Services
Fracture azimuth, directional permeability trends, overpressured water zones, poor cement quality, depleted production intervals... all major concerns when hydraulically fracturing in mature waterfloods. Mature watertloods, such as those found in the Permian Basin of West Texas, present reservoir and production considerations not normally associated with primary recovery. After 30 or more years of waterflooding, pressure characteristics, fracture tendencies, and reservoir fluid properties can be altered. Fracture orientation, vertical and area1 sweep efficiency, altered stress conditions, poor cement and casing quality, and large perforation intervals all affect hydraulic fracturing in mature waterfloods. This paper will address current hydraulic fracturing terminology, design considerations of all hydraulic fracture treatments, and discuss those issues unique to secondary recovery.