An Integrated Digital Workflow to Optimize Carbonate Matrix Stimulation Treatments in High Temperature Long Horizontal Wells: A Success Story from UAE

Abstract The paper discusses the development of an integrated digital workflow aimed at optimizing acid stimulation treatments in long horizontal wells, particularly in high-temperature sour gas fields in the UAE. This workflow was validated against actual well data and successfully predicted production outcomes, enhancing hydrocarbon recovery. Long horizontal wells have proven to be an optimal technology for improving hydrocarbon recovery, but designing matrix acid stimulation treatments in such wells presents challenges. The integrated digital workflow developed addresses these challenges by combining three models to generate an effective acid stimulation job design. The workflow first matches pre-stimulation data in a steady-state flow model to obtain the original skin profile. This profile is then used in a matrix acid wormholing model to provide the post-stimulation skin profile and wormhole length distribution. Finally, the predicted skin profile is used to forecast post-treatment data, including drawdown, gas production, and productivity index. The workflow's predictions for drawdown post-treatment were within 2% accuracy of actual data. It was then used to optimize acid stimulation treatment design for new wells, aiming to maximize productivity and economic return. The successful application of this workflow demonstrates its effectiveness in designing acid treatments and forecasting production in long horizontal wells, providing reliable estimates even in the absence of crucial downhole data.