Re-Innovating Old Technology Improves Efficiency of Proven Coiled-Tubing Stimulation

Lindsay, Sharlene Dawn; Ables, Colt; Holden, Dustin R.

doi:10.2118/158373-ms

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…The HJA acts as a mechanical isolation device to assist zonal fluid isolation. Refer to Lindsay et al (2012) and Hartley and Holden (2013) for additional details.…”

Section: Hydra-jet Assisted Fracturing With Hydra-jet Anchor (Hjaf-hja)mentioning

confidence: 99%

A New Stimulation Method to Significantly Improve Hydrocarbon Recovery Using Temporary Beneficial Changes in Stress Anisotropy

Lewis

Surjaatmadja

2015

SPE Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference

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As a result of the creation of a hydraulic fracture, transient geomechanics forces are exerted on the formation, which modify the stress landscape near the wellbore and the fracture plane. It has been observed that the potential exists for temporary reversal in the minimum stress direction, enabling a brief time interval in which a second hydraulic fracture can be created in a completely different direction. This provides hydraulic fracturing connectivity to previously unattainable locations in the formation, which can significantly improve initial hydrocarbon production and economic ultimate recovery from the formation. This paper presents a computational validation of this multioriented hydraulic fracturing (MOHF) process. A unique transient 3D computational geomechanic fracture simulator was developed to perform this study, as traditional hydraulic fracture simulations are derived using static formation properties and steady-state assumptions. The new model incorporates cohesive zone elements to represent the fracture plane and friction elements to account for plastic energy storage of the multiple formation rock layers in the model. Time lapse stress fields show distinct windows of opportunity wherein new fractures can be influenced to extend in alternate directions.This new stimulation method enhances the state-of-the-art in hydraulic fracturing. However, a deeper understanding of the transient geomechanic response in the treatment area is necessary to successfully design and perform the stimulation operation. Unfortunately, it also creates new complications with respect to industry standard hydraulic fracture models being incapable of modeling the transient response of the system. Furthermore, the availability of data related to the dynamic behavior of rocks is limited, and unique testing equipment and procedures must be developed to obtain such data.

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“…The HJA acts as a mechanical isolation device to assist zonal fluid isolation. Refer to Lindsay et al (2012) and Hartley and Holden (2013) for additional details.…”

Section: Hydra-jet Assisted Fracturing With Hydra-jet Anchor (Hjaf-hja)mentioning

confidence: 99%

A New Stimulation Method to Significantly Improve Hydrocarbon Recovery Using Temporary Beneficial Changes in Stress Anisotropy

Lewis

Surjaatmadja

2015

SPE Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference

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“…The HPAF-HJA process was developed for stimulations where sand plugs did not provide sufficient isolation from the previous fractures (Lindsay et al 2012;Hartley and Holden 2013). The details of the hydra-jet anchor BHA are not given here (see McDaniel 2014 for this), but it is sufficient to state that the HJA creates a mechanical isolation between the jetting module and the previous fractures.…”

Section: Hydra-jet Perforating Annular Fracturing With Hydra-jet Ancmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Evaluation of Coiled Tubing Fracturing Compared to Traditional Completion Techniques in Horizontal Wells

Lewis

2015

All Days

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In this time of uncertainty within the industry, operators are under increasing pressure to reduce cost and increase operating efficiency. The cost in both time and resources for hydraulically stimulating a well is a substantial part of the total expenses for the well and the economic success of the investment, as most formations being drilled presently in North America (NA) are incapable of economic returns without multi-stage hydraulic fracturing. Coil tubing (CT) deployed hydra-jet perforated pinpoint stimulation methods both aim to improve the success of hydraulic fracturing treatments and deliver increased versatility in terms of the treatment design of the well. This is achieved by specifically targeting each section of the well with a customized treatment plan and fracture placement to optimize the formation return. This paper presents a summary of various pinpoint stimulation technologies and methods. An economic comparison to a traditional plug-and-perf stimulation is provided based on total treatment time, hydraulic horsepower (HHP) requirements, and percentage of treatment time spent in fracturing, perforating, setting plugs, drilling out plugs, and other necessary activities. Using these metrics, each of the pinpoint stimulation methods outperformed the plug-and-perf operation, with the addition of a reduced capital expense for equipment on location, reduced wear on tubular and tools in the wellbore, and the elimination of the cost, international importation challenges, and health, safety, and environment (HSE) risks with explosive shape charge perforation guns.

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Evolution of a Pinpoint Stimulation Technology and the Benefits Thereafter

Hartley

Holden

2013

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The buildup of the energy services industry in recent years has led to an unprecedented amount of hydraulic horsepower (HHP) available to energy producing organizations. This, combined with the decline of natural gas prices in North America during recent months, has made the energy services market (specifically, pressure pumping) more competitive than ever. Energy services companies must not only provide HHP, but also innovative, efficient solutions and technologies to satisfy the energy producers’ hydraulic fracturing needs. Pinpoint stimulation that uses hydrajet perforating is one such technology that provides both innovation and efficiency. Historically, setting proppant plugs for interval isolation in horizontal/deviated wells by means of traditional techniques has proven to be challenging for various reasons. As energy producers began drilling more of these types of wells, they created a need for a reliable proppant plug setting technique for multi-interval Pinpoint stimulation operations. The traditional method of setting a proppant plug is by simply reducing the downhole pump rate and increasing the proppant concentration, thereby inducing a near wellbore (NWB) screenout. By starting with a proven Pinpoint stimulation solution and adding a new coiled tubing (CT) deployed bottomhole assembly (BHA), Pinpoint stimulation process efficiencies were increased in many ways, proppant plug setting being just one. The new BHA enables the proppant plug to be set while hydrajet perforating the next interval, minimizing the time and materials required. It also assists in anchoring and centralizing the hydrajetting tool during perforating operations to help ensure that the jets remain on target with the proper standoff distance. These new developments, as well as those included in the operational procedures for using this new BHA, elevate fracturing treatment efficiencies to a new level. This paper presents the development of the new BHA from its inception to its current form, including information on its operation. It also details how the new BHA can provide North American energy producers with the process efficiencies they are seeking, and how this BHA can assist energy producers in other areas of the world that are underserved in the area of HHP reach their goals.

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Re-Innovating Old Technology Improves Efficiency of Proven Coiled-Tubing Stimulation

Cited by 3 publications

References 5 publications

A New Stimulation Method to Significantly Improve Hydrocarbon Recovery Using Temporary Beneficial Changes in Stress Anisotropy

A New Stimulation Method to Significantly Improve Hydrocarbon Recovery Using Temporary Beneficial Changes in Stress Anisotropy

An Evaluation of Coiled Tubing Fracturing Compared to Traditional Completion Techniques in Horizontal Wells

Evolution of a Pinpoint Stimulation Technology and the Benefits Thereafter

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