Application of Fracturing Technology: In Improving Volumetric Sweep Efficiency in Enhanced Oil Recovery Schemes

The industry has developed methods to improve sweep efficiency during Enhanced Oil Recovery processes. These methods include the use of certain injection/production patterns, drilling horizontal and deviated wells, use of special chemicals as well as inflow control devices (ICDs). The purpose of the first two methods is to create an even movement of injection fluid across the reservoir. Special chemicals have been used to divert the injected fluid to eliminate channeling and to improve sweep efficiency. Inflow control devices have been used to delay water or gas breakthrough, making possible a more efficient drainage of the reservoir while maximizing production and recovery. The technique presented in this work creates a mechanical barrier to flow by introducing a fracture to the formation at a strategic location. This fracture is then filled with a conformance fluid which eventually becomes impermeable to fluid flow. The effects of various design parameters on the performance of barrier-fractures have been investigated and the results are presented. Barrier-fracture length & location, number of barrier-fractures and mobility ratio are some of these parameters.