A Novel Approach for Estimating Formation Permeability and Revisiting After-Closure Analysis of Diagnostic Fracture-Injection Tests

SPE Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (04) ◽  
pp. 1809-1829 ◽  
Author(s):  
HanYi Wang ◽  
Mukul M. Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Pore Pressure ◽  
Radial Flow ◽  
Transient Behavior ◽  
Injection Rate ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Well Test ◽  
Field Development ◽  
Flow Capacity ◽  
Special Cases ◽  
Fracture Closure

Summary Estimating reservoir-flow capacity is crucial for production estimation, hydraulic-fracturing design, and field development. Laboratory experiments can be used to measure the permeability of rock samples, but the results might not be representative at a field scale because of reservoir heterogeneity and pre-existing natural-fracture systems. Diagnostic fracture-injection tests (DFITs) have now become standard practice to estimate formation pore pressure and formation permeability. However, in low-permeability reservoirs, after-closure radial flow is often absent and this can result in significant uncertainties in interpreting DFIT data. In addition, the established methods for analyzing DFIT data make two oversimplified assumptions: Carter leakoff and constant fracture compliance (or stiffness) during fracture closure. However, both assumptions are violated during fracture closure; therefore, G-function-based models and subsequent related work can lead to an incorrect interpretation and are not capable of consistently fitting both before- and after-closure data coherently. Moreover, current after-closure analysis relies on classic well-test solutions with a constant injection rate. In reality, a “constant injection rate” does not equal “constant leakoff rate into the formation,” because more than 90% of the injected fluid stays inside the fracture at the end of pumping instead of leaking into the formation. The variable leakoff rate clearly violates the constant-rate boundary condition used in existing well-test solutions. In this study, we extend our previous work and derive time-convolution solutions to pressure-transient behavior of a closing fracture with infinite and finite fracture conductivity. We show that the G-function and the square-root-of-time models are only special cases of our general solutions. In addition, we found that after-closure linear-flow and bilinear-flow analysis can be used to infer pore pressure reliably but fail to estimate other parameters correctly. Most importantly, we present a new approach to history match the entire duration of DFIT data to estimate formation-flow capacity, even without knowing closure stress and the roughness properties of the fracture surface. Our approach adds significant value to DFIT interpretation and uncertainty analysis, especially in unconventional reservoirs where the absence of after-closure radial flow is the norm. Two representative field cases are also presented and discussed.

scholarly journals Unconventional Well Test Analysis for Assessing Individual Fracture Stages through Post-Treatment Pressure Falloffs: Case Study

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (20) ◽  
pp. 6747
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz Ellafi ◽  
Hadi Jabbari
Keyword(s):  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Hydraulic Fracture ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Well Test ◽  
Well Performance ◽  
Secondary Fracture ◽  
Design For All ◽  
Fracture Closure ◽  
Pressure Analysis

Researchers and operators have recently become interested in the individual stage optimization of unconventional reservoir hydraulic fracture. These professionals aim to maximize well performance during an unconventional well’s early-stage and potential Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) lifespan. Although there have been advances in hydraulic fracturing technology that allow for the creation of large stimulated reservoir volumes (SRVs), it may not be optimal to use the same treatment design for all stages of a well or many wells in an area. We present a comprehensive review of the main approaches used to discuss applicability, pros and cons, and a detailed comparison between different methodologies. Our research outlines a combination of the Diagnostic Fracture Injection Test (DFIT) and falloff pressure analysis, which can help to design intelligent production and improve well performance. Our field study presents an unconventional well to explain the objective optimization workflow. The analysis indicates that most of the fracturing fluid was leaked off through natural fracture surface area and resulted in the estimation of larger values compared to the hydraulic fracture calculated area. These phenomena might represent a secondary fracture set with a high fracture closure stress activated in neighbor stages that was not well-developed in other sections. The falloff pressure analysis provides significant and vital information, assisting operators in fully understanding models for fracture network characterization.

Improved Efficiency and Reliability of Hydraulic Fracture Modeling and Design with Standardized Stress Inputs for South Oil Fields in Sultanate of Oman

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruqaiya Al Zadjali ◽  
Sandeep Mahaja ◽  
Mathieu M. Molenaar
Keyword(s):  
Pore Pressure ◽  
Stress Path ◽  
Pressure Change ◽  
Injection Rate ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Path Coefficient ◽  
Variable Degree ◽  
Breakdown Pressure ◽  
Fracture Pressure ◽  
Fracture Closure

Abstract Hydraulic Fracturing (HF) is widely used in PDO in low permeability tight gas formations to enhance production. The application of HF has been expanded to the Oil South as conventional practice in enhancing the recovery and production at lower cost. HF stimulation is used in a number of prospects in the south Oman, targeting sandstone formations such as Gharif, Al Khlata, Karim and Khaleel, most of which have undergone depletion. Fracture dimension are influenced by a combination of operational, well design and subsurface parameters such as injected fluid properties, injection rate, well inclination and azimuth, rock mechanical properties, formation stresses (i.e. fracture pressures) etc. Accurate fracture pressure estimate in HF design and modeling improves reliability of HF placement, which is the key for improved production performance of HF. HF treatments in the studied fields provide large volumes of valuable data. Developing standardized tables and charts can streamline the process to generate input parameters for HF modeling and design in an efficient and consistent manner. Results of the study can assist with developing guidelines and workflow and for HF operations. Field HF data from more than 100 wells in south Oman fields were analyzed to derive the magnitude of breakdown pressure (BP), Fracture Breakdown Pressure (FBP), Instantaneous Shut-In Pressure (ISIP) pressure, and Fracture Closure Pressure (FCP) and develop input correlations for HF design. Estimated initial FCP (in-situ pore pressure conditions) is in the range of 15.6 - 16 kPa/mTVD at reservoir formation pressure gradient of about 10.8 kPa/m TVD bdf. However, most of the fields have undergone variable degree of depletion prior to the HF operation. Horizontal stresses in the reservoir decrease with depletion, it is therefore important to assess the reduction of FCP with reduction in pore pressure (stress depletion). Depletion stress path coefficient (i.e. change on FCP as a fraction of change in pore pressure) was derived based on historic field data and used to predict reduction of FCP as a function of future depletion. Data from this field indicates that the magnitude of decrease in fracture pressure is about 50% of the pore pressure change. Based on the data analysis of available HF data, standardized charts and tables were developed to estimate FCP, FBP, and ISIP values. Ratios of FBP and ISIP to FCP were computed to establish trend with depth to provide inputs to HF planning and design. Results indicate FBP/FCP ratio ranges between 1.24-1.35 and ISIP/FCP ratio ranges between 1.1 to 1.2. Developed workflow and standardized tables, charts and trends provide reliable predictions inputs for HF modeling and design. Incorporating these data can be leveraged to optimize parameters for HF design and modeling for future wells.

scholarly journals Bayesian Optimization Design of Inlet Volute for Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Radial-Flow Turbine

Machines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 218
Author(s):  
Chao Bian ◽  
Shaojie Zhang ◽  
Jinguang Yang ◽  
Haitao Liu ◽  
Feng Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optimization Design ◽  
Radial Flow ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Bayesian Optimization ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pressure Loss Coefficient ◽  
Flow Capacity ◽  
Cycle Efficiency ◽  
Total Pressure Loss Coefficient

The radial-flow turbine, a key component of the supercritical CO2 (S-CO2) Brayton cycle, has a significant impact on the cycle efficiency. The inlet volute is an important flow component that introduces working fluid into the centripetal turbine. In-depth research on it will help improve the performance of the turbine and the entire cycle. This article aims to improve the volute flow capacity by optimizing the cross-sectional geometry of the volute, thereby improving the volute performance, both at design and non-design points. The Gaussian process surrogate model based parameter sensitivity analysis is first conducted, and then the optimization process is implemented by Bayesian optimization (BO) wherein the acquisition function is used to query optimal design. The results show that the optimized volute has better and more uniform flow characteristics at design and non-design points. It has a smoother off-design conditions performance curve. The total pressure loss coefficient at the design point of the optimized volute is reduced by 33.26%, and the flow deformation is reduced by 54.55%.

Errors Associated With the Application of the G-Function Plot for Analyzing Pressure Fall-Off Tests in Water Injection Wells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Wu ◽  
Iraj Ershaghi
Keyword(s):  
Research Study ◽  
Radial Flow ◽  
Flow System ◽  
Water Injection ◽  
Reservoir Modeling ◽  
Injection Wells ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Fracture Closure ◽  
Closing Pressure ◽  
Pressure Fall

Abstract Castillo1 suggested the use of the G-Function plot based on the work of Nolte2. It has been a standard practice in the fracturing community to estimate the fracture closing pressure from a tangent to the G*dp/dg plot. In this analysis technique, the assumption is that a fracture has already developed under the high-pressure fracturing fluid. Then when the pumping is relaxed, one can estimate the fracture closing pressure. In many California waterfloods, the issue of maximum allowable injection gradient has been debated. Various solutions have been proposed to calculate a safe injection gradient. One method that has been promoted is the application of the G-function plot. In this paper, we maintain that this application can be misleading using the prescribed cartesian G function plots. We present the results of an extensive research study for analyzing pressure fall-off data using the G-Plot function. We studied a reappraisal of the G function plot using waterflood conditions where no prior fractures had formed, and no fracture closing pressure was meaningful or applicable. We show from analysis of generated data, using both numerical reservoir modeling and analytical derivations for a radial flow system, that fall-off tests analyzed using the cartesian G function can generate false indications of fracture closing where in fact, the entire injection has been based on radial flow homogeneous injection systems. We also studied systems with a pre-existing fracture before injection. We show that if such a reservoir system is subjected to injection and fall-off tests, again, one may compute a false indication of the irrelevant fracture closure pressure. We discuss how the cartesian scale used for the G function plot can be misleading for the analysis of fall-off test data.

Short-Term Production Optimization Under Water-Cut Uncertainty

SPE Journal ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Gabriela Chaves ◽  
Danielle Monteiro ◽  
Maria Clara Duque ◽  
Virgílio Ferreira Filho ◽  
Juliana Baioco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin Hypercube Sampling ◽  
Stochastic Approach ◽  
Injection Rate ◽  
Production Optimization ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Well Test ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Stochastic Solution ◽  
Water Cut ◽  
Gas Lift

Summary Short-term production optimization is an essential activity in the oil/gasfield-development process because it allows for the maximization of field production by finding the optimal operational point. In the fields that use gas lift as an artificial-lift method, the gas-lift optimization is a short-term problem. This paper presents a stochastic approach to include uncertainties from production parameters in gas-lift optimization, called the uncertain-gas-lift-optimization problem (UGLOP). Uncertainties from production variables are originated from the measurement process and the intrinsic stochastic phenomena of the production activity. The production variables usually obtained from production tests play an important role in the optimization process because they are used to update reservoir and well models. To include the uncertainties, the strategy involves representing the well-test data using nonlinear regression [support-vector regression (SVR)] and using the Latin-hypercube-sampling (LHS) method. The optimization gives a stochastic solution for the operational point. In the solved problem, this operational point is composed of the individual wells’ gas-lift-injection rate, choke opening, and well/separator routing. The value of the stochastic solution is computed to evaluate the benefit of solving the stochastic problem over the deterministic. The developed methodology is applied to wells of a Brazilian field considering uncertainty in water-cut (WC) values. As a result, an up-to-4.5% gain in oil production is observed using this approach.

Unsteady-State Spherical Flow With Storage and Skin

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (06) ◽  
pp. 804-822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey A. Joseph ◽  
Leonard F. Koederitz
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Condition ◽  
Radial Flow ◽  
Linear Partial Differential Equation ◽  
Flow Profile ◽  
Unsteady State ◽  
Well Test ◽  
Linear Flow ◽  
Dimensionless Groups ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Suitable Expression

Abstract This paper presents short-time interpretation methods for radial-spherical (or radial-hemispherical) flow in homogeneous and isotropic reservoirs inclusive of wellbore storage, wellbore phase redistribution, and damage skin effects. New dimensionless groups are introduced to facilitate the classic transformation from radial flow in the sphere to linear flow in the rod. Analytical expressions, type curves (in log-log and semilog format), and tabulated solutions are presented, both in terms of pressure and rate, for all flow problems considered. A new empirical equation to estimate the duration of wellbore and near-wellbore effects under spherical flow is also proposed. Introduction The majority of the reported research on unsteady-state flow theory applicable to well testing usually assumes a cylindrical (typically a radial-cylindrical) flow profile because this condition is valid for many test situations. Certain well tests, however, are better modeled by assuming a spherical flow symmetry (e.g., wireline formation testing, vertical interference testing, and perhaps even some tests conducted in wellbores that do not fully penetrate the productive horizon or are selectively penetrate the productive horizon or are selectively completed). Plugged perforations or blockage of a large part of an openhole interval may also promote spherical flow. Numerous solutions are available in the literature for almost every conceivable cylindrical flow problem; unfortunately, the companion spherical problem has not received as much attention, and comparatively few papers have been published on this topic. papers have been published on this topic. The most common inner boundary condition in well test analysis is that of a constant production rate. But with the advent of downhole tools capable of the simultaneous measurement of pressures and flow rates, this idealized inner boundary condition has been refined and more sophisticated models have been proposed. Therefore, similar methods must be developed for spherical flow analysis, especially for short-time interpretations. This general problem has recently been addressed elsewhere. Theory The fundamental linear partial differential equation (PDE) describing fluid flow in an infinite medium characterized by a radial-spherical symmetry is (1) The assumptions incorporated into this diffusion equation are similar to those imposed on the radial-cylindrical diffusivity equation and are discussed at length in Ref. 9. In solving Eq. 1, the classic approach is illustrated by Carslaw and Jaeger (later used by Chatas, and Brigham et al.). According to Carslaw and Jaeger, mapping b=pr will always reduce the problem of radial flow in the sphere (Eq. 1) to an equivalent problem of linear flow in the rod for which general solutions are usually known. (For example, see Ref. 17 for particular solutions in petroleum applications.) Note that in this study, we assumed that the medium is spherically isotropic; hence k in Eq. 1 is the constant spherical permeability. This assumption, however, does not preclude analysis in systems possessing simple anisotropy (i.e., uniform but unequal horizontal and vertical permeability components). In this case, k as used in this paper should be replaced by k, an equivalent or average (but constant) spherical permeability. Chatas presented a suitable expression (his Eq. 10) obtained presented a suitable expression (his Eq. 10) obtained from a volume integral. It is desirable to transform Eq. 1 to a nondimensional form, thereby rendering its applicability universal. The following new, dimensionless groups accomplish this and have the added feature that solutions are obtained directly in terms of the dimensionless pressure drop, PD, not the usual b (or bD) groups. ......................(2) .......................(3) .........................(4) The quantity rsw is an equivalent or pseudospherical wellbore radius used to represent the actual cylindrical sink (or source) of radius rw. SPEJ p. 804

CSG well testing—Santos' experience in Queensland

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 227
Author(s):  
Czek Hoong Tan ◽  
Guncel Demircan ◽  
Mathias Satyagraha
Keyword(s):  
Radial Flow ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Well Testing ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Well Test ◽  
Well Performance ◽  
Validity Of Results ◽  
Transient Behaviour ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Primary Porosity

Permeability of the cleat system is a key factor controlling the productivity of CSG reservoirs and, therefore, the commerciality of development projects. Well testing is routinely used to provide representative values of coal permeability. The authors’ experience has shown pressure transient behaviour in coal reservoirs to be similar to those in primary porosity systems, with pseudo radial flow frequently observed, and the dual-porosity signature largely absent. Despite the authors’ best efforts in test design, large permeability variation and extremely high skin factors have been seen. The authors have run variations of drill stem tests (DSTs), injection tests, and wireline tests to understand the dependency of results to test methods, and the validity of results obtained. Pertinent examples of each type of test are discussed. Finally, recommendations to reconcile well test results to actual well performance are presented.

Implications of accurate geomechanical modelling and systematic core testing for sanding evaluation and sand control decisions – a case study from Perth Basin

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 267
Author(s):  
Sadegh Asadi ◽  
Abbas Khaksar ◽  
Mark Fabian ◽  
Roger Xiang ◽  
David N. Dewhurst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Mechanical Tests ◽  
Well Test ◽  
Sand Production ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Stress Regime ◽  
Full Field ◽  
Field Development ◽  
Sand Control ◽  
Rock Mechanical Properties

Accurate knowledge of in-situ stresses and rock mechanical properties are required for a reliable sanding risk evaluation. This paper shows an example, from the Waitsia Gas Field in the northern Perth Basin, where a robust well centric geomechanical model is calibrated with field data and laboratory rock mechanical tests. The analysis revealed subtle variations from the regional stress regime for the target reservoir with significant implications for sanding tendency and sand management strategies. An initial evaluation using a non-calibrated stress model indicated low sanding risks under both initial and depleted pressure conditions. However, the revised sanding evaluation calibrated with well test observations indicated considerable sanding risk after 500 psi of pressure depletion. The sanding rate is expected to increase with further depletion, requiring well intervention for existing producers and active sand control for newly drilled wells that are cased and perforated. This analysis indicated negligible field life sanding risk for vertical and low-angle wells if completed open hole. The results are used for sand management in existing wells and completion decisions for future wells. A combination of passive surface handling and downhole sand control methods are considered on a well-by-well basis. Existing producers are currently monitored for sand production using acoustic detectors. For full field development, sand catchers will also be installed as required to ensure sand production is quantified and managed.

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