Integrated Data Analysis to Identify Best Practices for Non-core Asset Development in The Eagle Ford

Abstract

The Eagle Ford Shale play has undergone significant development over the last decade, with indications that there is still room for additional development. As operator's move to non-core areas there is a need for additional optimization to effectively drain these new areas. This paper studies trends emerging from a post-stimulation completion diagnostics database, comprised of over 10 years of data, to help identify factors associated with effective horizontal completions in the Eagle Ford shale. By employing data analytical techniques to the horizontal well database, critical production performance metrics and insights associated with effective completions are presented. Coupled with this, case histories are also included that illustrate techniques that have increased overall completion effectiveness in relation to proppant placement, cluster treatment efficiency, stage containment, well deliverability, wells spacing/frac size optimization, and ultimately increased production performance. The case histories also highlight the effects of completion optimization on limiting production declines as operators move into non-core acreage over time in most North American shale plays, and more specifically the Eagle Ford shale.