Advancement in Completion Technologies Proves Successful in Deepwater Frac-Pack and Horizontal Gravel-Pack Completions

Lorenz, Michael D.; Ratterman, Eugene E.; Martins, Jose A.; Triplett, William N.

doi:10.2118/103103-ms

Cited by 10 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 6 publications

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“…Frac pack completions are still widely used offshore (Lorenz et al 2006), but are not as common for land based operations, as high-rate water fracturing operations have become the norm. The frac pack technique consists of an intentional tip screenout of the fracture(s), which leads to a complete proppant pack in the fracture network, from the tip to the wellbore ( Fig.…”

Section: Stimulated Reservoir Volume (Srv) Vs Connected Stimulated Rmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Unique Hydraulic Fracturing Technique Using Dynamic Rock Behavior and Temporary Changes in Geomechanic Stress Anisotropy to Optimize Hydrocarbon Recovery in Unconventional Formations

Lewis

Surjaatmadja

2015

All Days

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In an effort to improve hydrocarbon recovery in unconventional formations, a new stimulation method was developed to take advantage of microtectonic forces created during the hydraulic fracturing process which modify the local stress anisotropy near the wellbore for a short period of time. Because of the temporary changes in the rock stress landscape from creating and extending an initial hydraulic fracture, a brief time window exists following that fracture creation wherein a secondary hydraulic fracture can be created in a similar location in a completely different direction. The second fracture provides direct connectivity to previously unattainable locations in the formation. As a result of the increased formation connectivity, a significant increase in well production is achievable. This new stimulation method greatly enhances the state-of-the-art in hydraulic fracturing, and challenges the industry to develop improved understanding of not only the static behavior of formation rocks, but also their transient behavior.This paper presents operational recommendations for conducting a multioriented hydraulic fracture (MOHF) treatment using abrasive hydra-jet assisted pinpoint hydraulic fracturing, a financial evaluation of the potential benefits of the MOHF process, and the results from a novel transient three dimensional (3D) geomechanics computational simulation of the creation of dual fractures in a formation. Details of the model are provided in addition to recommendations for improving the accuracy of the model for future application.

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Section: Stimulated Reservoir Volume (Srv) Vs Connected Stimulated Rmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Unique Hydraulic Fracturing Technique Using Dynamic Rock Behavior and Temporary Changes in Geomechanic Stress Anisotropy to Optimize Hydrocarbon Recovery in Unconventional Formations

Lewis

Surjaatmadja

2015

All Days

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Openhole Gravel Packing With Zonal Isolation

Barry

Hecker

Haeberle

et al. 2007

SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition

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Many current deepwater and high rate wells are being completed in an openhole environment as openhole completions provide the greatest opportunity to maximize reservoir flow potential. Current technology, however, lacks the subsurface control necessary to effectively manage the reservoir in situations where sand control is required. ExxonMobil is pioneering technologies to model well performance more accurately and to provide subsurface control during completion and production operations. The first hardware developments within this initiative build on the success of Alternate Path® and NAFPacSM gravel packing technologies and address water or gas breakthrough in openhole, multi-zone gravel pack completions. ExxonMobil affiliates collaborated with third party suppliers to design and qualify new hardware to facilitate zonal isolation, extend gravel pack reach, and simplify rig site operations. This process included engineering design, component testing, and full-scale prototype evaluation. First application of this technology is targeted for early 2008. This paper discusses newly developed sand control screen hardware that is enabling technology to perform openhole gravel packs with true zonal isolation. The equipment provides the ability to seal off bottom water, selectively complete or gravel pack targeted intervals, perform a stacked openhole completion, or isolate a gas/water-bearing sand following production. Application of the technology is expected to extend well life and ultimately increase volumes and reserves capture. Background Continued economic success in remote or deepwater environments requires delivery of high rate, high capacity, and long-life wells. In these developments, it is often necessary to drill and complete high angle wells, penetrating multiple pay intervals and incorporate sand control technologies. Reservoir conditions, wellbore geometry, and production performance expectations can all introduce significant cost and complexity that frequently limit application of traditional cased hole sand control techniques. Openhole gravel pack completions are now commonly installed to connect multiple payzones over long intervals and improve well productivity. Because openhole completions have no perforation tunnels, formation fluids can converge on the wellbore radially from 360 degrees, thus eliminating the additional pressure drop associated with converging flow and then linear flow through gravel filled perforation tunnels. The reduced pressure drop, associated with an openhole sand control completion, virtually guarantees that it will be more productive than an unstimulated, cased hole gravel pack in the same formation. Operationally, openhole techniques eliminate the need for costly cementing, perforating, and clean-up operations, the complexity of stacked completions, and in some areas an additional casing string or liner. The downside, however, is that openhole completions do not have the same level of installation flexibility and subsurface control to manage geologic and reservoir uncertainty versus traditional cased hole gravel pack techniques. Operators are particularly challenged in their ability to manage fluid inflow along the wellbore in openhole completions, including avoidance of watered-out or depleted zones during installation and shutting off unwanted water and gas during production.

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Expandable Tubulars Facilitate Improved Well Stimulation and Well Production

Durst

Ruzic

2009

SPE Western Regional Meeting

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Growing energy demand is leading the industry to re-evaluate resources found in challenging conditions such as unconventional gas formations, re-entry wells, and/or low producing wells. Cost-effective development of these resources depends on strategic application of advancing production solution technologies. To enhance production and improve recovery processes, more efficient perforating and fracturing methods have evolved along with advancements in wellbore production hardware via use of solid expandable tubulars or combinations of solid expandable and conventional tubulars.Expandable technology applied as a completion/production string facilitates increased fracturing rates, resulting in improved conductivity and enhanced hydrocarbon production. Expandable tubulars can be used in re-entry wells to isolate old perforations, allowing for new zones or new sections within zones to be perforated and stimulated. Either a combination tubular cladding system or a solid expandable system can provide an integral component in new wells or re-entry wells where low-permeability reservoirs, such as those characteristic of unconventional gas formations, require isolation and separation for selective or pinpoint hydraulic fracturing or re-fracturing.Although successful stimulation is routinely attained from hydraulic fracturing, ancillary downhole tools such as conventional completion equipment often compromise results by restricting flow and affecting pressure performance. Solid expandable systems can optimize the fracturing parameters by maintaining larger diameters and providing seals for selective multi-zone or zonal isolation purposes. These production systems can consist of either solid expandable tubulars or expandable sealing sections combined with conventional tubulars using premium connections, thus providing a superior completion solution.This paper will explain how solid expandable tubulars can be used to facilitate first-time fracturing, re-fracturing, and multi-zone fracturing, refurbishing older wells, and attaining large-diameter production/reservoir conduits. Integration and system development of this technology will be discussed. Case histories will be cited to illustrate the effectiveness of solid expandable systems in enhanced production and fracturing applications.

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Advancement in Completion Technologies Proves Successful in Deepwater Frac-Pack and Horizontal Gravel-Pack Completions

Cited by 10 publications

References 6 publications

A Unique Hydraulic Fracturing Technique Using Dynamic Rock Behavior and Temporary Changes in Geomechanic Stress Anisotropy to Optimize Hydrocarbon Recovery in Unconventional Formations

A Unique Hydraulic Fracturing Technique Using Dynamic Rock Behavior and Temporary Changes in Geomechanic Stress Anisotropy to Optimize Hydrocarbon Recovery in Unconventional Formations

Openhole Gravel Packing With Zonal Isolation

Expandable Tubulars Facilitate Improved Well Stimulation and Well Production

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