Investigation into the Perforation Optimization in Conglomerate Reservoir Based on a Field Test

The Mahu conglomerate reservoir is characterized by strong heterogeneity and the uneven stimulation of the horizontal lateral during hydraulic fracturing. The optimization of the perforation number per cluster is of great value for horizontal well multi-stage fracturing (HWMF) because the suitable perforation number not only promotes the uniform propagation of multiple fractures but also prevents excessive perforation erosion. In this work, a typical well in the Mahu conglomerate reservoir was selected, and a field test of optimizing the perforation number was carried out. The perforation schemes of three, five, and eight perforations per cluster were designed in nine fracturing stages, respectively. The wellhead pressure under different perforation schemes was compared and analyzed with the step-down flow rate test, and the optimal perforation number per cluster in the Mahu conglomerate reservoir was selected as eight. The theoretical calculation results show that eight perforations per cluster can generate the perforation friction of 5 MPa, sufficient to overcome the mechanical property differences among multiple clusters within one stage. The downhole video technology shows that the perforation erosion area is the most uniform with the case of eight perforations per cluster. Moreover, the optical fiber monitoring results show that the perforation number of eight per cluster can realize the simultaneous initiation and uniform propagation of six fractures or five fractures within one stage. This work is of great significance for the efficient development of the Mahu conglomerate reservoir through HWMF.

Automated summary

Through field testing and comparative analysis, the optimal perforation number per cluster in the Mahu conglomerate reservoir was determined to be eight, which is of great significance for the efficient development of the reservoir through horizontal well multi-stage fracturing.