Fracturing Horizontal Wells to Offset Water Production

Horizontal drainholes in thick, high-permeability reservoirs<br>have been used effectively to produce many reservoirs in the<br>Middle East. Many of these bottom-water-drive reservoirs<br>have natural fractures intersecting the wellbore that connect<br>through the oil-water contact. Therefore, they are susceptible<br>to water encroachment through natural fractures when high<br>drawdowns are applied. The resulting water production leads<br>to a number of well maintenance problems and reduces the<br>efficiency of the completion.