Abstract

With an increased world demand for petroleum products there is a corresponding increase in research aimed at improved recovery methods. One area of research receiving considerable interest is that of well stimulation. The most successful well stimulation tool currently available to the industry is hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing utilizing propping agents or acids for fracture flow capacity has proven very successful in well stimulation.

This paper discusses some of the basic theories of hydraulic fracturing and several new developments in hydraulic fracturing, including the following:

1. New techniques to evaluate formation-fracturing fluid compatibility; such as, petrographic analysis, Scanning Electron Microscope analysis, regained permeability measurements, etc.

2. New clay control concepts and materials to aid in formation clay damage prevention.

3. New fracturing fluids such as low residue guar, continuous crosslinked gel systems for offshore stimulation work, emulsions, foams and high temperature stable gels.

4. Massive Hydraulic Fracturing concepts.

5. Fracture flow capacity generating methods including proppant and acid placement techniques.