Successful Pinpoint Placement of Multiple Fractures in Highly Deviated Wells in Deepwater Offshore Brazil Fields (original) (raw)
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SPE Western North American and Rocky Mountain Joint Meeting, 2014
The revolution of the multistage horizontal completions has made low-permeability laminated reservoirs a cost-effective business. The key to success relies on maximizing the surface area contacted, a process that requires an adequate stage isolation technique. From traditional "plug and perf" to efficient sliding sleeves, the application of a particular system is related to the number of fractures that can be propagated during a single treatment injection. This condition varies according to rock and reservoir properties, principal stresses, zonal isolation and stimulation design. This study introduces a methodology to build predictive, repeatable models that integrate reservoir characteristics (mineralogy, pore pressure, thickness) along with geomechanics (anisotropic Poisson's Ratio, Young's Modulus, and horizontal stresses) and fracture pressure diagnostics (pressure history match, near-wellbore pressure analysis) to predict the likelihood of propagating multiple...
Interaction of Multiple Hydraulic Fractures in Horizontal Wells
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The use of multi-fracced horizontal well technology in unconventional gas and liquid rich reservoirs is one of the key reasons for the recent success in the exploitation of Unconventional Resources. These multiple fractures are placed in many stages along the horizontal well using diverse completion technologies. Yet, the understanding of fracture growth mechanics and the optimum fracture placement design methodology are still preliminary. Recent advances in computational mechanics and the development of appropriate stimulation modeling technology will further nurture innovation and press forward much needed optimization of the Completion and Stimulation technology in multi-fracced horizontal wells. This paper contains two key components. Firstly, an analytical model is used to highlight some of the salient features of multiple hydraulic fractures interaction. The advantage of an analytical model is that it provides immediate insights into the controlling parameters and steer furthe...
Competition Between Transverse And Axial Hydraulic Fractures In Horizontal Wells
SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference, 2013
Most horizontal wells in unconventional reservoirs are drilled in the direction of the minimum stress. The preferred far-field fracture orientation thus favors hydraulic fractures transverse to the wellbore. The near-wellbore stress concentration, however, sometimes favors the initiation of fractures in a plane defined by the well axis. Transverse and axial hydraulic fractures can thus both initiate in some situations and cause significant near-wellbore tortuosity. We investigate the competition between these two types of fractures by comparing their energy requirement during hydraulic fracture initiation and propagation. First, we investigate the limiting cases of slow and fast pressurization where fluid flow and fracture mechanics uncouple. We then use recently developed numerical models for the initiation and propagation of hydraulic fractures from an open hole accounting for fluid flow in the newly created crack, wellbore stress concentration and injection system compressibility.
ACS Omega, 2020
Hydraulic fracturing is a stimulation process, most frequently used in tight and unconventional reservoirs for successful and economical hydrocarbon production. This study deals with the propagation behavior of induced hydraulic fractures (HFs) in naturally fractured formations within heterogeneous Middle Eastern tight gas reservoirs. Local sensitivity analysis was conducted for a Middle East candidate reservoir by varying fracture design parameters to investigate the fracture propagation behavior. After a comprehensive evaluation, a discrete fracture networkbased simulator was used to introduce multiple sets of natural fractures (NFs) into the model to further analyze their interactions. Furthermore, simplistic wellbore placement analysis was also conducted. It is observed that production in tight reservoirs is governed by the presence of NFs and their distribution. This investigation analyzes HF propagation behavior and its correlated effects in the presence of NFs. Further assessment in terms of varying fracture geometry, NF sets, wellbore placement, and their effects on the conductivity are also presented. The introduced NF sets further illustrate the significance of the NF properties in this assessment. Additionally, variations in well placement demonstrate how effective the treatment can be in the presence of complex NF sets when properly located. The study is unique as it is one of its kind based on field data within the Middle East region and offers an insight into the potential concerns that may assist future fracturing operations within the region. The outcomes from this research validate the significance of NF orientation and its subsequent effects on the final HF geometry and network. Additionally, it further highlights the criticality of well placement and design strategies during hydraulic fracturing treatment design. Results describe how a minor modification with respect to the well placement can significantly affect hydraulic fracturing operations and subsequently the productivity and feasibility.