Field Testing of the Flowback Technology for Multistage-Fractured Horizontal Wells: Generalization to Find an Optimum Balance Between Aggressive and Smooth Scenarios

Abstract We present the results of field experiments campaign on start-up of wells located in a sandstone oilfield of Western Siberia and history matching of coupled "wellbore-hydraulic fracture" model describing well start-up and fracture clean-up. The conclusion is made about the impact of rheological and geomechanical factors on the well cumulative production andfracture conductivity.The results are generalized for four wells of the field experiment and 30 wells of the retrospective analysis. Calculations of well startup are carried out using standalone fracture cleanup model and the coupled model, which includes models for filtration inside closed hydraulic fracture and flow in the wellbore. The data obtained during field tests on well startup is used to history match the fracture clean-up model. The adaptation allows to evaluate the sensitivity of well production to various physical parameters and find the safe operating envelope of operational parameters during well startup. Numerical simulations allow take into account geomechanics effectsand rheology properties of fracturing fluid, study the dynamics of effective (cleaned) fracture length as well as evaluate the influence of pressure drop dynamics on filtration properties of the fracture and cumulative well production. We extended the number of wells to study the impact of flowback scenarios on production andgeneralized the results of our previous study.Key parameters affecting the history match process of the mathematical model are determined,the uncertainty associated with fluid rheology is reduced. Using the history-matched model, we evaluated geomechanics effects on fracture degradation depending on bottom-hole pressure drop dynamics. Based on the obtained dynamics of dimensionless parameters, such as pressure and fracture productivity, we propose an optimized well start-up strategy aimed at maximizing effective fracture length and cumulative production. Additionally, we visualized the dynamics of fracture conductivity distribution along its length. The obtained results are consistent with interpretation of physical processes accompanying well start-up and fracture clean-up. Dimensionless productivity index is chosen to quantify the effects of geomechanics and fluid rheology on well production.On the basis of matched mathematical model, we predict a potential increase in production of the well with optimized start-up.The recommendations are presented in the form of the dynamics of wellhead choke opening and a sequence of choke diameters. We propose an integrated approach for planning a well flowback strategy after multi-stage hydraulic fracturing. The proposed decision-making algorithm considers the effects of geomechanics and yield-stress hydraulic fracturing fluid rheology on cumulative production. It allows to develop a design for the well start-up and fracture cleanup in terms of dynamics of wellheadchoke opening.