Hydraulic Fracturing for Sand Control in Unconsolidated Heavy-Oil Reservoirs

Wedman, M.L.; Lynch, Keith W.; Spearman, Jim W.

doi:10.2118/54628-ms

Cited by 17 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…9 These wells were arranged in 5-spot patterns around cased and perforated vertical injector without sand control. These wells produced at rates higher than the early 80's ARCO West Sak Pilot, as problems attributed with low productivity gravel packs that plagued the early 80's were corrected.…”

Section: West Sak Type Logmentioning

confidence: 99%

North Slope Heavy-Oil Sand-Control Strategy: Detailed Case Study of Sand Production Predictions and Field Measurements for Alaskan Heavy-Oil Multilateral Field Developments

Burton

Chin

Davis

et al. 2005

Proceedings of SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition

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TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractThe North Slope of Alaska has billions of barrels of heavy oil residing in largely undeveloped reservoirs. Despite this large volume of heavy oil in place, the majority of reserves development on the slope to date has been focused on light crude. However over the past 20 years Arco, BP, Conoco and now ConocoPhillips have begun to develop the North Slope's vast heavy oil resource base. Recently a sand/solids control study was undertaken by ConocoPhillips and BP in order to determine the most economic strategy for solids control and well design in future heavy oil developments.The study was integrated across companies, organizations and discipline boundaries in order to include completion, rock mechanics, laboratory research, drilling, reservoir, geological, operations, facilities and field personnel. With this diverse team, actual solids production and solids predictions were investigated from a number of different perspectives. Solids production predictions were made based on core measurements, log analysis, simulators that predict formation failure and sand production rate, laboratory core flow tests, 2 years of field shakeout data, and multiple field measurements of solids production. Probabilistic predictions were then generated based on these investigations rather than deterministic "best guesses" for the economic analysis. These different methods for predicting solids production will be discussed and illustrated in this case study.The study and ensuing strategy determined that sand management or using non-sand exclusion slotted liners and sand tolerant facilities was the highest value development scenario over the life cycle of the North Slope Heavy Oil Developments.

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Section: West Sak Type Logmentioning

confidence: 99%

North Slope Heavy-Oil Sand-Control Strategy: Detailed Case Study of Sand Production Predictions and Field Measurements for Alaskan Heavy-Oil Multilateral Field Developments

Burton

Chin

Davis

et al. 2005

Proceedings of SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition

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“…1 Since then, it has been expanded to such applications as reservoir stimulation, 2 geothermal reservoir recovery, 3 waste disposal, 4 and control of sand production. 5 The same technology has also been adapted to measure the in-situ stress field. 6 HF technology has made significant contributions to the petroleum industry since its inception.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Imaging the Initiation of Asymmetrical Hydraulic Fractures in Laboratory Experiments

Zhengwen¹,

Jean-Claude²,

Grigg³

2003

Proceedings of SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition

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TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractAsymmetrical hydraulic fractures have been observed in the field to reduce the efficiency of such stimulation treatments. Efforts have been made to investigate asymmetrical hydraulic fractures by imaging their initiation using microseismic imaging technology developed in-house. Images of the fracture initiation were generated using the located sources of microseismic events. Analyses of these images indicate that the initiation of an asymmetrical hydraulic fracture is a complex process. While asymmetrical fractures were generated under asymmetrical stress fields along the length direction, selective propagation along the height direction was also observed, as well as nonalignment and reorientation of the fractures near the borehole. Scarce distribution of microseismic events near the borehole may indicate poor connection between the far-field fracture and the borehole. Dense distribution of microseismic events near the borehole probably results from the coupled effect of fluid leakoff and stress-induced tensile fracturing. Sample PreparationThree samples of different materials: cement, Tennessee sandstone (Tenn. S.S.), and Jackfork sandstone (Jackfork S.S.), were prepared and hydraulically fractured. They were prepared as follows: Cement Block. The cement block was made following Ong's recomendations: 16 API Class H cement, silicon flour, water, defoamer, and dispersant were mixed thoroughly for 30 minutes according to the weight ratio of 100: 39: 43.2: 0.1: 0.1. The slurry was then poured into a greased steel mold. An electrical vibrator was used to shake the slurry for 30 minutes to make the slurry fill all the space of the mold homogeneously, driving out the air bubbles. After setting for two days at room temperature in a 100% humidity environment under a steel cover, the cement block was unmolded and immersed into a water tank to mature for 28 days to avoid thermally induced microcracks. 2 0 J J J J 2 0 0 J J J

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“…Another TSO fracturing method for indirect sand control 2 calls for growing a fracture upward into a less competent zone from perforations in a more competent zone below, thereby preventing any direct communication between the perforations and the less competent zone above, other than the fracture itself. Direct attempts 3,4 at preventing sand production involve using RCP and TSO fracturing. This technique relies on building as much net pressure as possible to create a halo of RCP around the wellbore or, at a minimum, to force RCP into all perforations that are not aligned with the fracture as illustrated in Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Near-Wellbore Halo Effect Resulting From Tip-Screenout Fracturing: Direct Measurement and Implication for Sand Control

Upchurch¹

2001

SPE Drilling &Amp; Completion

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The near-wellbore geometries of four fracture stimulations are evaluated to determine if fracturing soft, unconsolidated formations can result in placing proppant in a concentric halo around the casing, in addition to placing proppant in the fracture. Whether or not the "halo" exists impacts whether or not fracture stimulating is a viable means of sand control in unconsolidated formations.This paper presents the findings of an investigation to determine whether a near-wellbore halo is generated during the process of fracture stimulating a well in a soft, unconsolidated formation. The investigation delves into whether net-pressure generation has any effect on the halo's formation and, finally, whether the halo could be used by petroleum operators as an inexpensive way to control formation sand production.Results from four fracture stimulations in perfectly vertical wells are the primary data used in this investigation. In each case, all necessary steps were taken to ensure that collected data would show conclusively whether or not the halo occurred and, more qualitatively, to what extent a significant net-pressure increase resulting from a tip screenout (TSO) affected the halo's formation. All data presented here resulted from direct downhole measurements, either by bottomhole pressure gauges or by specialized azimuthal gamma ray (GR) logging tools that can directionally measure GR intensity.To date, the possible existence and benefit of the halo has been a topic of conjecture. This study represents the first attempt at directly confirming the existence and extent of the halo under actual downhole conditions.

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Hydraulic Fracturing for Sand Control in Unconsolidated Heavy-Oil Reservoirs

Cited by 17 publications

References 3 publications

North Slope Heavy-Oil Sand-Control Strategy: Detailed Case Study of Sand Production Predictions and Field Measurements for Alaskan Heavy-Oil Multilateral Field Developments

North Slope Heavy-Oil Sand-Control Strategy: Detailed Case Study of Sand Production Predictions and Field Measurements for Alaskan Heavy-Oil Multilateral Field Developments

Imaging the Initiation of Asymmetrical Hydraulic Fractures in Laboratory Experiments

Near-Wellbore Halo Effect Resulting From Tip-Screenout Fracturing: Direct Measurement and Implication for Sand Control

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