An Efficient Hydraulic Fracture Geometry Calibration Workflow Using Microseismic Data, Geomechanics, DFN Models, and History Matching

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Alexander Leines-Artieda ◽  
Chuxi Liu ◽  
Hongzhi Yang ◽  
Jianfa Wu ◽  
Cheng Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracture ◽  
History Matching ◽  
Fracture Propagation ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Unconventional Reservoirs ◽  
Production Data ◽  
Fracture Geometry ◽  
Microseismic Data ◽  
Fracture Models ◽  
Microseismic Events

Abstract Reliable estimates of hydraulic fracture geometry help reduce the uncertainty associated with estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) forecasts and optimize field developing planning in unconventional reservoirs. For these reasons, operators gather information from different sources with the objective to calibrate their hydraulic fracture models. Microseismic data is commonly acquired by operators to estimate hydraulic fracture geometry and to optimize well completion designs. However, relying solely on estimates derived from microseismic information may lead to inaccurate estimates of hydraulic fracture geometry. The objective of this study is to efficiently calibrate hydraulic fracture geometry by using microseismic data, physics-based fracture propagation models, and the embedded discrete fracture model (EDFM). We first obtain preliminary estimates of fracture geometry based on microseismic events’ spatial location and density with respect to the perforation cluster location. We then tune key completion parameters using an in-house fracture propagation model to provide hydraulic fracture geometries that are constrained by the microseismic cloud. In the history matching process, we included the effect of natural fractures, using the microseismic events location as natural fracture initiation points. Finally, we used cutoff coefficients to further reduce hydraulic fracture geometries to match production data. The results of this work showed a fast and flexible method to estimate fracture half-lengths and fracture heights, resulting in a direct indicator of the completion design. Additionally, hydraulic-natural fracture interactions were assessed. We concluded that the inclusion of cutoff coefficients as history matching parameters allows to derive realistic hydraulic and natural fracture models calibrated with microseismic and production data in unconventional reservoirs.

Integration of Dynamic Microseismic Data With a True 3D Modeling of Hydraulic-Fracture Propagation in the Vaca Muerta Shale

SPE Journal ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (06) ◽  
pp. 1714-1738 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahdi Haddad ◽  
Jing Du ◽  
Sandrine Vidal-Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Hydraulic Fracture ◽  
Fracture Propagation ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Zone Model ◽  
Fluid Viscosity ◽  
Fracture Intersection ◽  
Vaca Muerta ◽  
Hydraulic Fracture Propagation ◽  
Microseismic Events

Summary Microseismic mapping during the hydraulic-fracturing processes in the Vaca Muerta (VM) Shale in Argentina shows a group of microseismic events occurring at shallower depth and at later injection time, and they clearly deviate from the growing planar hydraulic fracture. This spatial and temporal behavior of these shallow microseismic events incurs some questions regarding the nature of these events and their connectivity to the hydraulic fracture. To answer these questions, in this article, we investigate these phenomena by use of a true 3D fracture-propagation-modeling tool along with statistical analysis on the properties of microseismic events. First, we propose a novel technique in Abaqus incorporating fracture intersections in true 3D hydraulic-fracture-propagation simulations by use of a pore-pressure cohesive zone model (CZM), which is validated by comparing our numerical results with the Khristianovic-Geertsma-de Klerk (KGD) solution (Khristianovic and Zheltov 1955; Geertsma and de Klerk 1969). The simulations fully couple slot flow in the fracture with poroelasticity in the matrix and continuum-based leakoff on the fracture walls, and honor the fracture-tip effects in quasibrittle shales. By use of this model, we quantify vertical-natural-fracture activation and fluid infiltration depending on reservoir depth, fracturing-fluid viscosity, mechanical properties of the natural-fracture cohesive layer, natural-fracture conductivity, and horizontal stress contrast. The modeling results demonstrate this natural-fracture activation in coincidence with the hydraulic-fracture-growth complexities at the intersection, such as height throttling, sharp aperture reduction after the intersection, and multibranching at various heights and directions. Finally, we investigate the hydraulic-fracture intersection with a natural fracture in the multilayer VM Shale. We infer the natural-fracture location and orientation from the microseismic-events map and formation microimager log in a nearby vertical well, respectively. We integrate the other field information such as mechanical, geological, and operational data to provide a realistic hydraulic-fracturing simulation in the presence of a natural fracture. Our 3D fracturing simulations equipped with the new fracture-intersection model rigorously simulate the growth of a realistic hydraulic-connection path toward the natural fracture at shallower depths, which was in agreement with our microseismic observations.

How Natural Fractures Could Affect Hydraulic-Fracture Geometry

SPE Journal ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (01) ◽  
pp. 161-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arash Dahi Taleghani ◽  
Jon E. Olson
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Stress ◽  
Hydraulic Fracture ◽  
Fracture Propagation ◽  
Fracture Pattern ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Barnett Shale ◽  
Natural Fractures ◽  
Extended Finite Element ◽  
Fracture Geometry

Summary Hydraulic fracturing is recognized as the main stimulating technique to enhance recovery in tight fissured reservoirs. These fracturing treatments are often mapped by use of hypocenters of induced microseismic events. In some cases, the microseismic mapping shows asymmetry of the induced-fracture geometry with respect to the injection well. In addition, the conventional theories predict fracture propagation along a path normal to the least compressive in-situ stresses, whereas in some cases the microseismic data suggest fracture propagation parallel to the minimum compressive stress. In this paper, we present an extended-finite-element-method (XFEM) model that can simulate asymmetric fracture-wing development as well as diversion of the fracture path along natural fractures. Simulation results demonstrate the sensitivity of the fracture-pattern geometry to differential stress and natural-fracture orientation with respect to the in-situ maximum compressive stress. We examine the properties of sealed natural fractures that are common in formations such as the Barnett shale and show that they may still serve as weak paths for hydraulic-fracture beginning and/or diversion. The presented model predicts faster fracture propagation in formations where natural fractures are favorably aligned with the tectonic stresses.

scholarly journals Investigation on the mechanism of hydraulic fracture propagation and fracture geometry control in tight heterogeneous glutenites

2021 ◽  
pp. 014459872110362
Author(s):  
Mingyang Zhai ◽  
Dongying Wang ◽  
Lianchong Li ◽  
Zilin Zhang ◽  
Liaoyuan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracture ◽  
Fracture Propagation ◽  
Injection Rate ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Fluid Viscosity ◽  
Fracture Geometry ◽  
Stimulated Reservoir Volume ◽  
Reservoir Volume ◽  
Fracture Complexity ◽  
Hydraulic Fracture Propagation

The tight heterogeneous glutenites are typically characterized by highly variable lithology, low/ultra-low permeability, significant heterogeneity, and a less-developed natural fracture system. It is of great significance for economic development to improve hydraulic fracture complexity and stimulated reservoir volume. To better understand the hydraulic fracturing mechanism, a large-scale experimental test on glutenite specimens was conducted and the hydraulic fracture propagation behaviors and focal mechanism were analyzed. A three-dimensional numerical model was developed to reproduce the hydraulic fracture evolution process and investigate the effects of operating procedures on hydraulic fracture geometry and stimulated reservoir volume. A simultaneous variable injection rate and fluid viscosity technology was proposed to increase the hydraulic fracture complexity and stimulated reservoir volume. The results indicate that four fracturing behaviors can be observed, namely, penetration, deflection, termination, and bifurcating, in the laboratory experiment. Tensile events tend to appear during the initiation stage of hydraulic fracture growth, while shear events and compressive events tend to appear during the non-planar propagation stage. The shear and compressive mechanisms dominate with an increase in the hydraulic fracture complexity. The variable injection rate technology and simultaneous variable injection rate and fluid viscosity technology are effective techniques for fracture geometry control and stimulated reservoir volume enhancement. The key to improve hydraulic fracture complexity is to increase the net pressure in hydraulic fractures, cause evident pressure fluctuations, and activate or communicate a wide range of natural discontinuities. The results can provide a better understanding of the fracture geometry control mechanism in tight heterogeneous glutenites, and offer a guideline for treatment design and optimization of well performance.

Monitoring horizontal well hydraulic stimulations and geomechanical deformation processes in the unconventional shales of the Midland Basin using fiber-based time-lapse VSPs, microseismic, and strain data

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Hull ◽  
Robert Meek ◽  
Hector Bello ◽  
Kevin Woller ◽  
Jed Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Fiber Optics ◽  
Hydraulic Fracture ◽  
Single Mode ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Seismic Profile ◽  
External Pressure ◽  
Single Mode Fiber ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Fracture Geometry ◽  
Fracture Models

A variety of methods are utilized in an instrumented vertical wellbore to invert for and estimate the heights and lateral extents of the hydraulic fracture treatment. Data were acquired with externally mounted dual- and single-mode fiber optics for measuring strain, acoustics, and temperature. In addition, external pressure gauges, internal conventional tiltmeters, and geophones were also utilized. This instrumented well was used multiple times to record a number of nearby offset horizontal hydraulic stimulations and to record a time-lapse vertical seismic profile. By using multiple data acquisition techniques, we obtained a more comprehensive and accurate estimation of the hydraulic fracture geometry and the dynamic processes taking place internal to the propagating fractures. Furthermore, these data could be used to calibrate fracture models and the fracture interaction with the surrounding unconventional reservoir.

History Matching and Rate Forecasting in Unconventional Oil Reservoirs With an Approximate Analytical Solution to the Double-Porosity Model

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (01) ◽  
pp. 070-082 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Ogunyomi ◽  
T. W. Patzek ◽  
L. W. Lake ◽  
C. S. Kabir
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Solution ◽  
History Matching ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Double Porosity ◽  
Unconventional Reservoirs ◽  
Production Data ◽  
Time Space ◽  
Double Porosity Model ◽  
Fractured Horizontal Wells ◽  
Porosity Model

Summary Production data from most fractured horizontal wells in gas and liquid-rich unconventional reservoirs plot as straight lines with a one-half slope on a log-log plot of rate vs. time. This production signature (half-slope) is identical to that expected from a 1D linear flow from reservoir matrix to the fracture face, when production occurs at constant bottomhole pressure. In addition, microseismic data obtained around these fractured wells suggest that an area of enhanced permeability is developed around the horizontal well, and outside this region is an undisturbed part of the reservoir with low permeability. On the basis of these observations, geoscientists have, in general, adopted the conceptual double-porosity model in modeling production from fractured horizontal wells in unconventional reservoirs. The analytical solution to this mathematical model exists in Laplace space, but it cannot be inverted back to real-time space without use of a numerical inversion algorithm. We present a new approximate analytical solution to the double-porosity model in real-time space and its use in modeling and forecasting production from unconventional oil reservoirs. The first step in developing the approximate solution was to convert the systems of partial-differential equations (PDEs) for the double-porosity model into a system of ordinary-differential equations (ODEs). After which, we developed a function that gives the relationship between the average pressures in the high- and the low-permeability regions. With this relationship, the system of ODEs was solved and used to obtain a rate/time function that one can use to predict oil production from unconventional reservoirs. The approximate solution was validated with numerical reservoir simulation. We then performed a sensitivity analysis on the model parameters to understand how the model behaves. After the model was validated and tested, we applied it to field-production data by partially history matching and forecasting the expected ultimate recovery (EUR). The rate/time function fits production data and also yields realistic estimates of ultimate oil recovery. We also investigated the existence of any correlation between the model-derived parameters and available reservoir and well-completion parameters.

Investigation of Rupture and Slip Mechanisms of Hydraulic Fractures in Multiple-Layered Formations

SPE Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (05) ◽  
pp. 2292-2307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jizhou Tang ◽  
Kan Wu ◽  
Lihua Zuo ◽  
Lizhi Xiao ◽  
Sijie Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Hydraulic Fracture ◽  
Fracture Propagation ◽  
Propagation Model ◽  
Rock Deformation ◽  
Hydraulic Fractures ◽  
Fracture Geometry ◽  
Fracture Width ◽  
Hydraulic Fracture Propagation ◽  
Fracture Height

Summary Weak bedding planes (BPs) that exist in many tight oil formations and shale–gas formations might strongly affect fracture–height growth during hydraulic–fracturing treatment. Few of the hydraulic–fracture–propagation models developed for unconventional reservoirs are capable of quantitatively estimating the fracture–height containment or predicting the fracture geometry under the influence of multiple BPs. In this paper, we introduce a coupled 3D hydraulic–fracture–propagation model considering the effects of BPs. In this model, a fully 3D displacement–discontinuity method (3D DDM) is used to model the rock deformation. The advantage of this approach is that it addresses both the mechanical interaction between hydraulic fractures and weak BPs in 3D space and the physical mechanism of slippage along weak BPs. Fluid flow governed by a finite–difference methodology considers the flow in both vertical fractures and opening BPs. An iterative algorithm is used to couple fluid flow and rock deformation. Comparison between the developed model and the Perkins–Kern–Nordgren (PKN) model showed good agreement. I–shaped fracture geometry and crossing–shaped fracture geometry were analyzed in this paper. From numerical investigations, we found that BPs cannot be opened if the difference between overburden stress and minimum horizontal stress is large and only shear displacements exist along the BPs, which damage the planes and thus greatly amplify their hydraulic conductivity. Moreover, sensitivity studies investigate the impact on fracture propagation of parameters such as pumping rate (PR), fluid viscosity, and Young's modulus (YM). We investigated the fracture width near the junction between a vertical fracture and the BPs, the latter including the tensile opening of BPs and shear–displacement discontinuities (SDDs) along them. SDDs along BPs increase at the beginning and then decrease at a distance from the junction. The width near the junctions, the opening of BPs, and SDDs along the planes are directly proportional to PR. Because viscosity increases, the width at a junction increases as do the SDDs. YM greatly influences the opening of BPs at a junction and the SDDs along the BPs. This model estimates the fracture–width distribution and the SDDs along the BPs near junctions between the fracture tip and BPs and enables the assessment of the PR required to ensure that the fracture width at junctions and along intersected BPs is sufficient for proppant transport.

scholarly journals Study of Interactions between Induced and Natural Fracture Effects on Hydraulic Fracture Propagation Using a Discrete Approach

Lithosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (Special 4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yulong Zhang ◽  
Bei Han ◽  
Xin Zhang ◽  
Yun Jia ◽  
Chun Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracture ◽  
Fracture Propagation ◽  
Flow Simulation ◽  
Injection Pressure ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Uniaxial Compression Test ◽  
Differential Stress ◽  
Rock Samples ◽  
Approach Angle ◽  
Hydraulic Fracture Propagation

Abstract The interaction mode of induced fracture and natural fracture plays an important role in prediction of hydraulic fracture propagation. In this paper, a two-dimensional hydromechanical coupled discrete element model is first introduced in the framework of particle flow simulation, which can well take into account mechanical and hydraulic properties of rock samples with natural fracture. The model’s parameters are strictly calibrated by conducting numerical simulations of uniaxial compression test and direct tensile and shear tests, as well as fluid flow test. The effectiveness of coupled model is also assessed by describing hydraulic fracture propagation in two representative cases, respectively, rock samples with and without preexisting fracture. With this model in hand, the effects of interaction between induced and natural fractures with different approach angles and differential stresses on fluid injection pressure and fracture propagation patterns are investigated and discussed. Results suggest that the interaction modes mainly involve three basic behaviors including the arrested, captured with offset, and directly crossing. For a given differential stress, the captured offset of hydraulic fracture by natural fracture gradually decreases with the approach angle increase, while for a fixed approach angle, that captured offset increases with differential stress decrease.

A Peridynamics Model for the Propagation of Hydraulic Fractures in Heterogeneous, Naturally Fractured Reservoirs

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisanao Ouchi ◽  
Amit Katiyar ◽  
John T. Foster ◽  
Mukul M. Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Hydraulic Fracture ◽  
Fracture Propagation ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Hydraulic Fractures ◽  
Natural Fractures ◽  
Fracture Networks ◽  
Complex Fracture ◽  
Nonlocal Continuum Theory

Abstract A novel fully coupled hydraulic fracturing model based on a nonlocal continuum theory of peridynamics is presented and applied to the fracture propagation problem. It is shown that this modeling approach provides an alternative to finite element and finite volume methods for solving poroelastic and fracture propagation problems and offers some clear advantages. In this paper we specifically investigate the interaction between a hydraulic fracture and natural fractures. Current hydraulic fracturing models remain limited in their ability to simulate the formation of non-planar, complex fracture networks. The peridynamics model presented here overcomes most of the limitations of existing models and provides a novel approach to simulate and understand the interaction between hydraulic fractures and natural fractures. The model predictions in two-dimensions have been validated by reproducing published experimental results where the interaction between a hydraulic fracture and a natural fracture is controlled by the principal stress contrast and the approach angle. A detailed parametric study involving poroelasticity and mechanical properties of the rock is performed to understand why a hydraulic fracture gets arrested or crosses a natural fracture. This analysis reveals that the poroelasticity, resulting from high fracture fluid leak-off, has a dominant influence on the interaction between a hydraulic fracture and a natural fracture. In addition, the fracture toughness of the rock, the toughness of the natural fracture, and the shear strength of the natural fracture also affect the interaction between a hydraulic fracture and a natural fracture. Finally, we investigate the interaction of multiple completing fractures with natural fractures in two-dimensions and demonstrate the applicability of the approach to simulate complex fracture networks on a field scale.

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