JPT

 

Vol. 58 No. 7

July 2006

Well Stimulation

Continuous Improvements in Acid Fracturing at Lake Maracaibo

The Maraca limestone formation is a part of the Cogollo carbonate group below Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. Acid fracturing with an organic-acid system has proved to be a pivotal completion strategy for achieving higher productivities and increasing reserves. The main challenges are the relatively high hydrogen sulfide (H2S) content, 280°F reservoir temperature, the asphaltenic nature of the crude, and the long completion tubing that limits pump rate.

Synopsis of SPE 96531

This article, written by Assistant Technology Editor Karen Bybee, contains highlights of paper SPE 96531, "Acid Fracturing in Lake Maracaibo: How Continuous Improvements Kept on Raising the Expectation Bar," by B. Burgos, Shell Venezuela S.A.; M. Buijse, SPE, Shell Intl. E&P; E. Fonseca, Shell Venezuela S.A.; and A. Milne, M. Brady, SPE, and R. Olvera, Schlumberger, prepared for the 2005 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, 9-12 October.

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