The difference between pressure flooding and fracturing

Fracturing and pressure drive are both commonly used stimulation technologies in oilfield development, but there are some differences between them:

1. Definition: fracturing is a method to make rock fractures suitable for oil and gas flow by injecting high-pressure water/liquid into the wellbore. Pressure drive is to increase the pressure in the reservoir by injecting external fluid (such as water or gas), thus driving oil or gas to move to the wellbore.

2. Purpose: The main purpose of fracturing is to generate or expand rock fractures, thereby increasing the permeability and production of oil and natural gas. The main purpose of pressure water injection is to increase the pressure in the reservoir so as to force oil or natural gas to move into the wellbore.

3. Application scope: Fracturing is usually used for rocks with very low permeability, such as shale oil or tight oil and gas reservoirs, to increase production. Pressure flooding is mainly used in reservoirs with relatively high permeability to improve oil recovery.

4. Fluid type: fracturing usually uses high-pressure water and additives, such as sandstone particles and chemicals. Water, gas or other fluids can be used for pressure water injection.

5. Impact on rocks: Fracturing destroys rocks, produces new fractures and increases the permeability of oil and gas. Pressure water injection promotes the movement of free oil or gas by increasing the pressure in the reservoir without directly changing the rock structure.

Generally speaking, fracturing and pressure flooding are two different stimulation technologies, which are applied to different oilfield development scenarios. Fracturing is mainly used in low permeability rocks to increase oil and gas production by generating and expanding cracks. Pressure flooding is mainly used in reservoirs with relatively high permeability, which can promote the movement of oil or natural gas and improve oil recovery by increasing the pressure in the reservoir.