shut-ins

The industry has very limited experience in shuttering production on a large scale in unconventional reservoirs. Many questions remain on how stimulated, nanodarcy shale reservoirs may respond. George King discusses the paradigm shifts needed in the industry.

A technical synopsis of major considerations for unconventional wells facing prolonged shut-ins. The review includes deciding factors for kill fluid selection and risks of incompatible fluid mixing.

As tight-oil producers move to curtail production, hard-to-answer questions are being raised about how shuttered wells will come back. The issue reveals key uncertainties about the delicate flow paths that define unconventional reservoirs.

Oil companies are considering whether shutting in a well for a month or so may mean stronger production later by allowing more time for water to soak into the rock, which gets it out of the way of the oil and gas. But this is not always effective, and additional work is needed.