Combined Video and Ultrasonic Measurements for Fracture Diagnostics – Greater than the Sum of the Parts

Tymons, Tobben; Roberts, Glyn; Troup, Duncan

doi:10.2118/212322-ms

Cited by 3 publications

References 15 publications

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Resolving Common Fracturing Issues Using Combined Perforation Imaging Diagnostics

Roberts

2023

Day 1 Tue, September 12, 2023

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Plug failures, sub-optimal stage design and variable proppant distribution across multi-cluster stages are common issues experienced during plug and perforate hydraulic fracturing. When one or more of these problems occur production potential can be significantly reduced. This case study shows how an operator in the US succesfully applied state-of-the-art fracture diagnostic methods to identify, understand and address these problems and demonstrated improved performances for all three issues in the subsequent wells. Selecting the right stage design is a crucial factor in the success of a fracturing operation. With three different designs being considered for use during a new development the operator used perforation erosion measurements on the initial well to evaluate how uniformly proppant was placed within each stage. Data was acquired using a new diagnostic service combining array Ultrasound and array Video sensors. Previously considered as competing services, with users required to select one or the other, combining both technologies and simultaneously acquiring the data provided some clear benefits and improved understanding which are discussed in detail. The combined technologies provided more comprehensive diagnostics than either sensor could deliver alone. Potential issues with missing data – due either to proppant-filled (plugged) perforations or poor optical clarity - were mitigated resulting in never before achieved levels of data completeness for both surveyed wells. This significantly improved statistical accuracy and provided unequivocal results. In the first well one of the three stage design options was clearly identified as providing better proppant distribution, with 27% higher uniformity than the second-best design. However significant low side perforation erosion was measured for all three designs and casing breaches were observed at some plug setting depths. This indicated the potential for further improvement on future wells, and a change in perforating charge type was recommended along with a review of the plug design and setting procedures. With these changes applied on the subsequent well, the expected improvements were duly delivered. This evolution of stage design was confirmed as providing the best result overall, and with a substantial improvement in uniformity than had been previously achieved in well 1. In conjunction, the revised plug setting procedures eliminated the issues at plug setting depths that had previously been witnessed. The paper aims to provide anyone targeting improved well performance by using fracture diagnostics with up-to-date knowledge of perforation imaging methods. This will allow informed decisions to be made on how to best deploy the technologies. The case study demonstrates how these methods can be readily applied to identify and resolve common fracture treatment issues, with defining optimal stage design of particularly high value. Learnings can then be used field wide to improve proppant uniformity and ultimately production.

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Resolving Common Fracturing Issues Using Combined Perforation Imaging Diagnostics

Roberts

2023

Day 1 Tue, September 12, 2023

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Perfectly Stressed Out: Surface and Downhole Imaging Relations

Hughes,

Barhaug,

Lilly

2024

Day 2 Wed, February 07, 2024

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So many guns and so many charges – how can an operator make quick design change decisions with confidence for gun and charge system performance in the wellbore? Typically, the industry tests gun and charge performance at the surface, assuming that the systems will perform similarly downhole. Through multiple studies, it has been shown that this is not always the case (Horton 2021, Roberts et al, 2022). Another consideration is the advertised performance specifications versus measured performance (Cramer et al, 2023). Many operators design their gun systems to target a prescribed perforation friction based on performance drivers like stage length, horsepower available on location, casing specs, etc. A problem arises when designing in this manner – the industry changes its mind constantly as we learn. When a design change occurs, it may be prudent to confirm how systems are performing with diagnostic tools like a camera or ultrasonic imaging. These tools are insightful but expensive, require a wellbore, and take time. This paper will explore a workflow that has the potential to increase the agility an operator can change perforation sizing for whatever hydraulic goals they are trying to achieve. In this study, a wellbore was selected to test different stage architecture configurations and tie them back to performance. The performance portion of the study will be covered in Tying Stage Architecture to Wolfcamp Performance (Barhaug et al, 2024), and the focus here is on a workflow that was spun off the main experiment. Ovintiv has a large database of downhole perforations imaged with a camera in the Permian Basin. The Company leveraged that dataset to develop relationships between similar charge performance at the surface – under no-stress conditions and how the same charges performed downhole, under-stress conditions. Once those relationships were built, a new perforation design change was executed in three steps: 1) work with the charge/gun provider to design a charge to shoot a known diameter at the surface, 2) run the newly developed charge on a horizontal development, and 3) image the new holes downhole and measure them against what the predicted hole size was.

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Experimental and Simulation Investigations of Proppant Transport and Distribution Between Perforation Clusters in a Horizontal Well

Qu,

Zeng,

Liu

et al. 2024

SPE Journal

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Summary Multistage hydraulic fracturing is widely used to stimulate tight reservoirs by means of plug and perforation technology. The proppant distribution between perforation clusters significantly impacts fracture conductivity and well productivity. Uneven slurry distribution is often the norm rather than the exception. Proppant transport behaviors and distribution characteristics are still poorly understood in a horizontal wellbore with clusters, especially at field scales. The objective is to propose an innovative and feasible method to quantitatively evaluate the distribution uniformity of proppant between clusters. In this work, we systematically investigate proppant migration and placement by means of laboratory tests and numerical simulation. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the discrete element method (DEM) are coupled to analyze proppant-fluid flow. The experimental observation and results validate the numerical model and calibrate critical parameters. The transport efficiency (E) and normalized standard deviation (NSD) are used to evaluate proppant distribution. The effects of nine parameters on the E and NSD are investigated at field ranges. The calibrated CFD-DEM model is accurate in studying proppant distribution between multiple clusters. The toe bias is the primary distribution between clusters because of the large inertia originating from high injection rates. Fluid distribution and perforation configuration are critical factors that significantly change the toe bias at the cluster level. Fluid redistribution changes proppant distribution toward the heel. The inline up pattern has the best uniformity, followed by the 180° up-down pattern. The secondary characteristic is bottom-biased within a cluster. Increasing fluid viscosity, using small and light proppants, and pumping high-concentration slurry can improve proppant distribution. The slurry diversion into perforations is hardly changed unless external conditions change. The combination of high-concentration slurry and a large bed quickly induces premature screenout at the toe-side cluster, especially when injecting large and high-density particles. Slurry redistributes toward the heel if the toe-side cluster is blocked. The investigation provides a rational and feasible method for operators to understand proppant transport between clusters and optimize pumping parameters under field situations.

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Combined Video and Ultrasonic Measurements for Fracture Diagnostics – Greater than the Sum of the Parts

Cited by 3 publications

References 15 publications

Resolving Common Fracturing Issues Using Combined Perforation Imaging Diagnostics

Resolving Common Fracturing Issues Using Combined Perforation Imaging Diagnostics

Perfectly Stressed Out: Surface and Downhole Imaging Relations

Experimental and Simulation Investigations of Proppant Transport and Distribution Between Perforation Clusters in a Horizontal Well

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