As a result of reservoir conditions in Ecuador’s Apaika-Nenke field, a hydraulic fracturing pilot project was executed with the aim of maximizing production. After an analysis of the laminated reservoirs, a technique was implemented that generates higher fracture conductivity to reduce the drawdown during production and improve the connection through the laminations. The successful implementation of channel fracturing led to this technique becoming the preferred completion method in the field for wells requiring stimulation.
Introduction
The Apaika-Nenke structure is in Orellana Province of the Amazonian region inside of Block 31. Initial production tests in Well Apaika-1X showed an oil rate of 1,201 BOPD from the M1 reservoir and 653 BOPD from the M2 reservoir. In the Nenke‑1X well, the oil rate was 1,600 BOPD from M1 and 328 BOPD from M2. Because higher oil rates were obtained from M1, the development phase that began in 2013 targeted the M1 reservoir as its primary objective.
