Prospects of Foam Stimulation in Oil and Gas Wells of India

Abstract This paper presents the scope of using "Foam Fracturing" technology in oil wells of India. Since the inception of foam stimulation technique in 1968, it has not been utilized/implemented in India despite of its various unique advantages. "Foam Fracturing" was very successful in Arkansas. 8 wells were drilled in the Pettit Limestone formation. Initial production averaged 4.8m3/d, but after 8 weeks, the production started to decline and the wells were stimulated with a 60-65% quality foamed acid. After treatment, the production enhanced to 6.6 to 11.4 m3/d. This paper consist many other examples of success of "Foam Fracturing" technology in wells of different regions and state. The unique advantages of foam as frac-fluid are: Exceptional flow-back and clean-up.Reduced liquid volume.Good proppant-carrying capabilities.Less operation time. The paper also explains the basic properties of foam which makes it economically viable. There is also detailed discussion on the design of foam to suit the candidate well in the best possible way. A comparative study of different oil wells of India which were treated with the conventional frac-fluid to that where foam fracturing was used in different countries was done. The conditions of these wells are very much similar to the wells here in India. The new fields in India like Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin and Cauvery basin are also suitable for "Foam Fracturing" technology. Thus, through the endeavor, we want to conclude that the technology of "Foam Stimulation" can prove fruitful in India as well and hence must be implemented at the earliest. N.B.: The laboratory and numerical simulation work for modeling foam as frac-fluid for Indian oil-wells are in progress.