The “fracture-controlled reserves” based stimulation technology for unconventional oil and gas reservoirs

Abstract To solve the problems facing the economic development of unconventional oil and gas, a new concept and corresponding technology system of reservoir stimulation based on “fracture-controlled reserves” are put forward. The “fracture-controlled reserves” stimulation technology is to realize the three-dimensional producing and economic and efficient development of unconventional hydrocarbon resources by forming a fracture system that well matches “sweet spots” and “non-sweet spots”. The technical route of the stimulation technology is “three optimizations and controls”, that is, control the scope of sand body through optimizing well spacing, control the recoverable reserves through optimizing fracture system, and control the single well production reduction through optimizing energy complement method. The “fracture-controlled reserves” stimulation emphasizes the maximization of the initial stimulation coefficient, the integration of energy replenishment, stimulation and production, and prolonging the re-fracturing cycle or avoiding re-fracturing. It aims at realizing the three-dimensional full producing and efficient development of reservoir in vertical and horizontal directions and achieving the large-scale, sustainable and high profitable development of unconventional oil and gas resources. The stimulation technology was used to perform 20 pilot projects in five typical tight-oil, shale gas blocks in China. The fracturing and producing effects of tight oil improved and the commercial development for shale gas was realized.