Enhanced Load Water-Recovery Technique Improves Stimulation Results

Abstract The roles of capillary pressure, wettability and relative permeability in controlling load water recovery following hydraulic fracturing treatments have been examined. It has been found in laboratory studies that the judicious alteration of wettability to control capillary pressure and/or relative permeability can promote a rapid thorough cleanup of injected water. Field applications employing these concepts have resulted in enhanced load water recoveries and higher production due to longer effective frac lengths and/or higher fracture conductivities following cleanup.