Quantifying and Mitigating the Impact of Asymmetric Induced Hydraulic Fracturing from Horizontal Development Wellbores

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doug Walser ◽  
Shameem Siddiqui
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
The Impact

Evaluation of Hydraulic Fracturing Models and Their Limitations to Predict No-Drill Zones for Horizontal Directional Drilling

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Delara ◽  
Kendra MacKay
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Safety Factor ◽  
Standard Procedure ◽  
Accurate Determination ◽  
Strength Properties ◽  
Analytical Models ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Directional Drilling ◽  
Horizontal Directional Drilling ◽  
The Impact

Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) has become the preferred method for trenchless pipeline installations. Drilling pressures must be limited and a “no-drill zone” determined to avoid exceeding the strength of surrounding soil and rock. The currently accepted industry method of calculating hydraulic fracturing limiting pressure with application of an arbitrary safety factor contains several assumptions that are often not applicable to specific ground conditions. There is also no standard procedure for safety factor determination, resulting in detrimental impacts on drilling operations. This paper provides an analysis of the standard methods and proposes two alternative analytical models to more accurately determine the hydraulic fracture point and acceptable drilling pressure. These alternative methods provide greater understanding of the interaction between the drilling pressures and the surrounding ground strength properties. This allows for more accurate determination of horizontal directional drilling limitations. A comparison is presented to determine the differences in characteristics and assumptions for each model. The impact of specific soil properties and factors is investigated by means of a sensitivity analysis to determine the most critical soil information for each model.

Advanced Multi-Disciplinary Simulation Workflow for Well Placement, Hydraulic Fracturing and Production Optimization Applied to the Diyab Unconventional Play in Onshore UAE

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid Pourpak ◽  
Samuel Taubert ◽  
Marios Theodorakopoulos ◽  
Arnaud Lefebvre-Prudencio ◽  
Chay Pointer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Reservoir Characterization ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Production Optimization ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Well Placement ◽  
Fully Integrated ◽  
Sector Model ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The Diyab play is an emerging unconventional play in the Middle East. Up to date, reservoir characterization assessments have proved adequate productivity of the play in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In this paper, an advanced simulation and modeling workflow is presented, which was applied on selected wells located on an appraisal area, by integrating geological, geomechanical, and hydraulic fracturing data. Results will be used to optimize future well landing points, well spacing and completion designs, allowing to enhance the Stimulated Rock Volume (SRV) and its consequent production. A 3D static model was built, by propagating across the appraisal area, all subsurface static properties from core-calibrated petrophysical and geomechanical logs which originate from vertical pilot wells. In addition, a Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) derived from numerous image logs was imported in the model. Afterwards, completion data from one multi-stage hydraulically fracked horizontal well was integrated into the sector model. Simulations of hydraulic fracturing were performed and the sector model was calibrated to the real hydraulic fracturing data. Different scenarios for the fracture height were tested considering uncertainties related to the fracture barriers. This has allowed for a better understanding of the fracture propagation and SRV creation in the reservoir at the main target. In the last step, production resulting from the SRV was simulated and calibrated to the field data. In the end, the calibrated parameters were applied to the newly drilled nearby horizontal wells in the same area, while they were hydraulically fractured with different completion designs and the simulated SRVs of the new wells were then compared with the one calculated on the previous well. Applying a fully-integrated geology, geomechanics, completion and production workflow has helped us to understand the impact of geology, natural fractures, rock mechanical properties and stress regimes in the SRV geometry for the unconventional Diyab play. This work also highlights the importance of data acquisition, reservoir characterization and of SRV simulation calibration processes. This fully integrated workflow will allow for an optimized completion strategy, well landing and spacing for the future horizontal wells. A fully multi-disciplinary simulation workflow was applied to the Diyab unconventional play in onshore UAE. This workflow illustrated the most important parameters impacting the SRV creation and production in the Diyab formation for he studied area. Multiple simulation scenarios and calibration runs showed how sensitive the SRV can be to different parameters and how well placement and fracture jobs can be possibly improved to enhance the SRV creation and ultimately the production performance.

Advanced Well Completion Strategies to Improve Gas Production Deliverability in Marginal Tight Gas Reservoirs from an Onshore Abu Dhabi Gas Field

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hajar Ali Abdulla Al Shehhi ◽  
Bondan Bernadi ◽  
Alia Belal Zuwaid Belal Al Shamsi ◽  
Shamma Jasem Al Hammadi ◽  
Fatima Omar Alawadhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Abu Dhabi ◽  
Tight Gas ◽  
Production Rates ◽  
Well Productivity ◽  
Gas Saturation ◽  
Well Design ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Reservoir X is a marginal tight gas condensate reservoir located in Abu Dhabi with permeability of less than 0.05 mD. The field was conventionally developed with a few single horizontal wells, though sharp production decline was observed due to rapid pressure depletion. This study investigates the impact of converting the existing single horizontal wells into single long horizontal, dual laterals, triple laterals, fishbone design and hydraulic fracturing in improving well productivity. The existing wells design modifications were planned using a near reservoir simulator. The study evaluated the impact of length, trajectory, number of laterals and perforation intervals. For Single, dual, and triple lateral wells, additional simulation study with hydraulic fracturing was carried out. To evaluate and obtain effective comparisons, sector models with LGR was built to improve the simulation accuracy in areas near the wellbore. The study conducted a detailed investigation into the impact of various well designs on the well productivity. It was observed that maximizing the reservoir contact and targeting areas with high gas saturation led to significant increase in the well productivity. The simulation results revealed that longer laterals led to higher gas production rates. Dual lateral wells showed improved productivity when compared to single lateral wells. This incremental gain in the production was attributed to increased contact with the reservoir. The triple lateral well design yielded higher productivity compared to single and dual lateral wells. Hydraulic fracturing for single, dual, and triple lateral wells showed significant improvement in the gas production rates and reduced condensate banking near the wellbore. A detailed investigation into the fishbone design was carried out, this involved running sensitivity runs by varying the number of branches. Fishbone design showed considerable increment in production when compared to other well designs This paper demonstrates that increasing the reservoir contact and targeting specific areas of the reservoir with high gas saturation can lead to significant increase in the well productivity. The study also reveals that having longer and multiple laterals in the well leads to higher production rates. Hydraulic fracturing led to higher production gains. Fishbone well design with its multiple branches showed the most production again when compared to other well designs.

Understanding Unusual Diagnostic Fracture Injection Test Results in Tight Gas Fields - A Holistic Approach to Resolving the Data

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.N.. N. Naidu ◽  
E.A.. A. Guevara ◽  
A.J.. J. Twynam ◽  
J.. Rueda ◽  
W.. Dawson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Test Procedure ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
In Situ Stress ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Petroleum Engineering ◽  
Tight Gas ◽  
Review Team ◽  
Gas Fields ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Hydraulic fracturing is a commonly used completion approach for extracting hydrocarbon resources from formations, particularly in those formations of very low permeability. As part of this process the use of Diagnostic Fracture Injection Tests (DFIT) can provide valuable information. When the measured pressures in such tests are outside the expected range for a given formation, a number of possibilities and questions will arise. Such considerations may include: What caused such inflated pressures? What is the in-situ stress state? Was there a mechanical or operational problem? Was the test procedure or the test equipment at fault? What else can explain the abnormal behaviour? While there may not be simple answers to all of these questions, such an experience can lead to a technically inaccurate conclusion based on inadequate analysis. A recently completed project faced just such a challenge, initially resulting in poor hydraulic fracturing efficiency and a requirement to understand the root causes. In support of this, a thorough analysis involving a multi-disciplinary review team from several technical areas, including petrophysics, rock/geo-mechanics, fluids testing/engineering, completions engineering, hydraulic fracture design and petroleum engineering, was undertaken. This paper describes the evolution of this study, the work performed, the results and conclusions from the analysis. The key factors involved in planning a successful DFIT are highlighted with a general template and a work process for future testing provided. The importance of appreciating the impact of the drilling and completion fluids composition, their properties and their compatibility with the formation fluids are addressed. The overall process and technical approach from this case study in tight gas fields, will have applicability across similar fields and the lessons learned could help unlock those reserves that are initially deemed technically or even commercially unattractive due to abnormal or unexpected behaviour measured during a DFIT operation.

Influence of Oriented Perforation Design on Refracture Reorientation: Simulation and Experiment

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Minhui Qi ◽  
Mingzhong Li ◽  
Tiankui Guo ◽  
Chunting Liu ◽  
Song Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Fracture Initiation ◽  
Simulation Method ◽  
Induced Stress ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Simulation Results ◽  
Fracturing Experiments ◽  
The Impact

The oriented perforating is the essential technique to guide the refracture reorientation, but the influence of the oriented perforation design on the refracture steering radius is still unclear. In this paper, the factors influencing the refracture reorientation were studied by simulation models and experiments. The effects of initial fracture, well production, and perforations on the refracture initiation and propagation were analyzed. Three-dimensional finite element models were conducted to quantify the impact of perforation depth, density, and azimuth on the refracture. The large-scale three-axis hydraulic fracturing experiments guided by oriented perforations were also carried out to verify the fracture initiation position and propagation pattern of the simulation results. The research results showed that perforations change the near-wellbore induced stress distribution, thus changing the steering radius of the refracture. According to the simulation results, the oriented perforation design has a significant influence on the perforation guidance effect and refracture characteristics. Five hydraulic fracturing experiments proved the influence of perforating parameters on fracture initiation and morphology, which have a right consistency between the simulation results. This paper presents a numerical simulation method for evaluating the influence of the refracture reorientation characteristics under the consideration of multiple prerefracturing induced-stress and put forward the oriented perforation field design suggestions according to the study results.

Assessing the Impact of Hydraulic Fracturing on Water Resources in the Fayetteville Shale Area (Arkansas, USA)

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aziz Abouabdillah ◽  
Mauro Di Luzio ◽  
Jackson Cothren ◽  
Malcolm D Williamson
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Fayetteville Shale ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals The Impact of Hydraulic Fracturing on Groundwater Quality in the Permian Basin, West Texas, USA

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Rodriguez ◽  
Joonghyeok Heo ◽  
Kee Han Kim
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Groundwater Quality ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
Permian Basin ◽  
West Texas ◽  
Normal Probability ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of hydraulic fracturing on groundwater quality in Ector, Midland, and Martin Counties located in the Permian Basin, West Texas. Chemical fluids used in hydraulic fracturing and groundwater quality parameters (chloride, fluoride, calcium carbonate, nitrate, pH, and total dissolved solids), were statistically analyzed assuming a normal probability function distribution and through a one-way analysis of variance of the parameters. Additionally, the depth of groundwater well versus water quality analysis as well as historical analysis of groundwater quality parameters of wells were performed. The result for each county was individually examined and contrasted with the other two counties, in order to make inferences about groundwater quality and oil and gas activities for the three counties. Potential risks to human health from the abnormal levels of the groundwater quality parameters studied were also discussed based on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) standards. This research provides important information on groundwater quality in the Permian Basin and contributes on understanding the response to development in hydraulic fracturing.

Microseismic moment-tensor inversion and sensitivity analysis in VTI media

Geophysics ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-74
Author(s):  
Han Li ◽  
Xu Chang ◽  
Xiao-Bi Xie ◽  
Yibo Wang
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Focal Mechanism ◽  
Moment Tensor ◽  
Staggered Grid ◽  
Inversion Method ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Seismic Moment Tensor ◽  
Tensor Model ◽  
Double Couple ◽  
The Impact

Through the study of microseismic focal mechanisms, information such as fracture orientation, event magnitude, and in-situ stress status can be quantitatively obtained, thus, providing a reliable basis for unconventional oil and gas exploration. Most source inversion methods assume that the medium is isotropic. However, hydraulic fracturing is usually conducted in sedimentary rocks, which often exhibit strong anisotropy. Neglecting this anisotropy may cause errors in focal mechanism inversion results. We propose a microseismic focal mechanism inversion method that considers velocity anisotropy in a vertically transverse isotropic (VTI) medium. To generate synthetic data, we adopt the moment-tensor model to represent microearthquake sources. We use a staggered-grid finite-difference (SGFD) method to calculate synthetic seismograms in anisotropic media. We perform seismic moment-tensor (SMT) inversion with only P-waves by matching synthetic and observed waveforms. Both synthetic and field datasets are used to test the inversion method. For the field dataset, we investigate the inversion stability using randomly selected partial datasets in the calculation. We pay special attention to analyze the sensitivity of the inversion. We test and evaluate the impact of noise in the data and errors in the model parameters ( VP0, ε, and δ) on the SMT inversion using synthetic datasets. The results indicate that for a surface acquisition system, the proposed method can tolerate moderate noise in the data, and deviations in the anisotropy parameters can cause errors in the SMT inversion, especially for dip-slip events and the inverted percentages of non-double-couple components. According to our study, including anisotropy in the model is important to obtain reliable non-double-couple components of moment tensors for hydraulic fracturing induced microearthquakes.

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