Simulation of proppant transport and fracture plugging in the framework of a radial hydraulic fracturing model

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 325-339
Author(s):  
Vasily N. Lapin ◽  
Denis V. Esipov

AbstractHydraulic fracturing technology is widely used in the oil and gas industry. A part of the technology consists in injecting a mixture of proppant and fluid into the fracture. Proppant significantly increases the viscosity of the injected mixture and can cause plugging of the fracture. In this paper we propose a numerical model of hydraulic fracture propagation within the framework of the radial geometry taking into account the proppant transport and possible plugging. The finite difference method and the singularity subtraction technique near the fracture tip are used in the numerical model. Based on the simulation results it was found that depending on the parameters of the rock, fluid, and fluid injection rate, the plugging can be caused by two reasons. A parameter was introduced to separate these two cases. If this parameter is large enough, then the plugging occurs due to reaching the maximum possible concentration of proppant far from the fracture tip. If its value is small, then the plugging is caused by the proppant reaching a narrow part of the fracture near its tip. The numerical experiments give an estimate of the radius of the filled with proppant part of the fracture for various injection rates and leakages into the rock.

Author(s):  
A. P. Stabinskas ◽  
◽  
Sh. Kh. Sultanov ◽  
V. Sh. Mukhametshin ◽  
L. S. Kuleshova ◽  
...  

The paper presents the possibilities of optimizing technological approaches for performing hydraulic fracturing operations, taking into account the transition from traditionally used chemical components of the process fluid to synthetic gelling polymers. The proposed option makes it possible to reduce the unit costs of operational activities to increase oil production both for new assets of oil and gas producing companies and for assets at the stage of industrial development. The special emphasis of the proposed technological solutions is correlated with the environmental Agenda for Sustainable Development until 2030, aimed at transforming the production processes of the energy complex to reduce the ecological footprint of enterprises. A complete set of laboratory studies confirms the prospect of industrial application of synthetic polymer systems and the feasibility of replicating this approach. The subsequent stage of scale-up of pilot tests will allow to have a basis for development and implementation of standards in the oil and gas industry. Keywords: oil; well; hydraulic fracturing; chemicals; synthetic gelling polymers.


Author(s):  
Raúl Guanche ◽  
Lucía Meneses ◽  
Javier Sarmiento ◽  
César Vidal ◽  
Íñigo Losada

Nowadays there are few methodologies related with the design of mooring systems for floating offshore wind platforms. The ones used until the moment are inherited from the oil and gas industry. Because of that, mooring loads may be incorrectly estimated. This study presents a validated methodology in order to estimate the loads of the moorings of offshore floating platforms along the life cycle of the structure. The methodology is based on an extensive laboratory test data base carried out in a wave basin of the University of Cantabria. The proposed methodology has been applied to a floating semisubmersible platform (similar to the one in Agucadoira by Principle Power). The methodology is composed by a few steps. The first step consist on the selection of the most representative sea states of a long term met-ocean data base through a selection technique named MDA (Maximum dissimilitude algorithm). Afterwards, mooring system loads and platform motion are numerically simulated. SESAM (DNV) numerical model has been used in this particular application. SESAM numerical model was previously calibrated based on the laboratory tests. Finally, based on a multidimensional interpolation technique named Radial Basis Function life cycle mooring system loads were reconstructed. A sensitivity analysis of the methodology were carried out. Based on it, it can be concluded that selecting 1000 sea states with the MaxDiss technique, life cycle mooring loads can be accurately predicted.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric L. Martin

Even though no oil and only a small quantity of natural gas is produced in Oregon, the Oregon Legislature enacted bans in 2019 on hydraulic fracturing until 2025 and on using Oregon’s territorial sea for oil and gas activities. Beyond that legislation, though, legal developments in Oregon this year concerning the oil and gas industry focused on downstream issues.


2016 ◽  
Vol 139 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Bautista ◽  
A. Dahi Taleghani

Fluid injection is a common practice in the oil and gas industry found in many applications such as waterflooding and disposal of produced fluids. Maintaining high injection rates is crucial to guarantee the economic success of these projects; however, there are geomechanical risks and difficulties involved in this process that may threat the viability of fluid injection projects. Near wellbore reduction of permeability due to pore plugging, formation failure, out of zone injection, sand production, and local compaction are challenging the effectiveness of the injection process. Due to these complications, modeling and simulation has been used as an effective tool to assess injectors' performance; however, different problems have yet to be addressed. In this paper, we review some of these challenges and the solutions that have been proposed as a primary step to understand mechanisms affecting well performance.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelvin Gregory ◽  
Arvind Murali Mohan

Environmental context There is growing worldwide interest in the production of oil and gas from deep, shale formations following advances in the technical expertise to exploit these resources such as hydraulic fracturing (fracking). The potential widespread application of hydraulic fracturing has raised concerns over deleterious environmental impacts on fragile water resources. We discuss the environmental management challenges faced by the oil and gas industry, and the opportunities for innovation in the industry. Abstract The need for cheap and readily available energy and chemical feedstock, and the desire for energy independence have spurred worldwide interest in the development of unconventional oil and gas resources; in particular, the production of oil and gas from shale formations. Although these resources have been known for a long time, the technical expertise and market forces that enable economical development has coincided over the last 15 years. The amalgamation of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have enabled favourable economics for development of fossil energy from these unconventional reservoirs, but their potential widespread application has raised concerns over deleterious environmental impacts on fragile water resources. The environmental management challenges faced by the oil and gas industry arise from local water availability and infrastructure for treating and disposing of the high-strength wastewater that is produced. Although there are significant challenges, these create opportunities for innovation in the industry.


Author(s):  
J. F. Bautista ◽  
A. Dahi Taleghani

Fluid injection is a common practice in the Oil and Gas industry found in many applications such as waterflooding and disposal of produced fluids. Maintaining high injection rates is crucial to guarantee the economic success of these projects; however, there are geomechanical risks and difficulties involved in this process that may threat the viability of fluid injection projects. Near wellbore reduction of permeability due to pore plugging, formation failure, out of zone injection, sand production, and local compaction are challenging the effectiveness of the injection process. Due to these complications, modeling and simulation has been used as an effective tool to assess injectors’ performance, however, different problems have yet be addressed. In this paper, we review some of these challenges and the solutions that have been proposed as a primary step to understand mechanisms affecting well performance.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alastair Lucas ◽  
Heather Lilles

As the “anti-frack” movement gains momentum in society and the media, the oil and gas industry is faced with increasing demand for public participation and consultation in hydraulic fracturing operations. In Alberta, public participation has taken a number of forms, occurring during both the regulatory process and hydraulic fracturing operations themselves. This article analyzes the adequacy of these public participation opportunities by outlining the current opportunities for participation and the Alberta Court of Appeal’s rulings regarding the adequacy of notification and consultation. Ultimately, the article concludes that despite a number of new regulatory initiatives, opportunities for public participation in hydraulic fracturing operations have not increased. However, the article remains optimistic that changes can and should occur, increasing opportunities for public participation and improving the timing and quality of such consultation.


Author(s):  
Wei Yu ◽  
Oliver Bischoff ◽  
Po Wen Cheng ◽  
Gerrit Wolken-Moehlmann ◽  
Julia Gottschall

This work validates a numerical model of the Fraunhofer IWES LiDAR-Buoy by using open sea measurements. Such floating LiDAR systems (FLS) have been deployed for almost twenty years, aiming at exploring the offshore wind resource with lower cost. However, the uncertainty of wind measurements from a moving LiDAR are not clear, particularly due to the wave- and current-induced motion of the buoy. Therefore a numerical model with state-of-the-art approaches in conventional oil and gas industry was developed to quantify uncertainty and understand the effect of environmental conditions on the buoy. The model was validated against data from a measurement campaign at the offshore research platform FINO 3. The results show the challenges and limitations when transferring the experience from the oil and gas industry directly because of the different geometries and the much smaller buoys used for FLS. It has been found that the position of the LiDAR is dominated by the current, which is however commonly simplified in the state-of-the-art approach; the rotational motions are significantly influenced by the wave and can be reproduced up to a certain limit.


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