Predicting Lithology-Controlled Stress Variations in the Woodford Shale from Well Log Data via Viscoplastic Relaxation

SPE Journal ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (05) ◽  
pp. 2534-2546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaodong Ma ◽  
Mark D. Zoback
Keyword(s):  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Horizontal Stress ◽  
Constitutive Relationship ◽  
Woodford Shale ◽  
North Central ◽  
Multistage Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Well Trajectory ◽  
Minimum Horizontal Stress ◽  
Stress Variations ◽  
Good Agreement

Summary We report here a study of lithology-controlled stress variations observed in the Woodford shale (WDFD) in north-central Oklahoma. In a previous study, we showed that the magnitude of the minimum horizontal stress Shmin systematically varied with the abundance of clay plus kerogen in three distinct WDFD lithofacies. In this study, we demonstrate that it is possible to quantitatively estimate the observed stress variations using elastic properties determined from well logs as proxies for laboratory-inferred parameters via a relatively simple viscoplastic constitutive relationship. The modeled variations of Shmin along the two horizontal wells that encounter the three lithofacies along their respective well trajectory are in good agreement with measured values obtained from multistage hydraulic fracturing (HF). We believe that the application of the workflow described here in the context of viscoplastic stress relaxation can facilitate the understanding of layer-to-layer stress variations with lithology and thus contribute to improved HF effectiveness.

Lithology-controlled stress variations and pad-scale faults: A case study of hydraulic fracturing in the Woodford Shale, Oklahoma

Geophysics ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. ID35-ID44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaodong Ma ◽  
Mark D. Zoback
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Horizontal Stress ◽  
Strike Slip ◽  
Woodford Shale ◽  
Stress Regime ◽  
Component Content ◽  
Microseismic Events ◽  
Minimum Horizontal Stress ◽  
Stress Variations

We have conducted an integrated study to investigate the petrophysical and geomechanical factors controlling the effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing (HF) in four subparallel horizontal wells in the Mississippi Limestone-Woodford Shale (MSSP-WDFD) play in Oklahoma. In two MSSP wells, the minimum horizontal stress [Formula: see text] indicated by the instantaneous shut-in pressures of the HF stages are significantly less than the vertical stress [Formula: see text]. This, combined with observations of drilling-induced tensile fractures in the MSSP in a vertical well at the site, indicates that this formation is in a normal/strike-slip faulting stress regime, consistent with earthquake focal mechanisms and other stress indicators in the area. However, the [Formula: see text] values are systematically higher and vary significantly from stage to stage in two WDFD wells. The stages associated with the abnormally high [Formula: see text] values (close to [Formula: see text]) were associated with little to no proppant placement and a limited number of microseismic events. We used compositional logs to determine the content of compliant components (clay and kerogen). Due to small variations in the trajectories of the horizontal wells, they penetrated three thin, but compositionally distinct WDFD lithofacies. We found that [Formula: see text] along the WDFD horizontals increases when the stage occurred in a zone with high clay and kerogen content. These variations of [Formula: see text] can be explained by various degrees of viscous stress relaxation, which results in the increase in [Formula: see text] (less stress anisotropy), as the compliant component content increases. The distribution of microseismic events was also affected by normal and strike-slip faults cutting across the wells. The locations of these faults were consistent with unusual lineations of microseismic events and were confirmed by 3D seismic data. Thus, the overall effectiveness of HF stimulation in the WDFD wells at this site was strongly affected the abnormally high HF gradients in clay-rich lithofacies and the presence of preexisting, pad-scale faults.

scholarly journals Geomechanical Analysis to Avoid Serious Drilling Hazards in Zubair Oilfield, Southern Iraq

2020 ◽  
pp. 1994-2003
Author(s):  
Shaban Dharb Shaban ◽  
Hassan Abdul Hadi
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Mechanical Test ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Failure Criteria ◽  
Horizontal Stress ◽  
Wellbore Instability ◽  
Geomechanical Analysis ◽  
Safe Mud Window ◽  
Rock Mechanical Properties ◽  
Minimum Horizontal Stress

Zubair oilfield is an efficient contributor to the total Iraqi produced hydrocarbon. Drilling vertical wells as well as deviated and horizontal wells have been experiencing intractable challenges. Investigation of well data showed that the wellbore instability issues were the major challenges to drill in Zubair oilfield. These experienced borehole instability problems are attributed to the increase in the nonproductive time (NPT). This study can assist in managing an investment-drilling plan with less nonproductive time and more efficient well designing.       To achieve the study objectives, a one dimension geomechanical model (1D MEM) was constructed based on open hole log measurements, including Gamma-ray (GR), Caliper (CALI), Density (RHOZ), sonic compression (DTCO) and shear (DTSM) wave velocities , and Micro imager log (FMI). The determined 1D MEM components, i.e., pore pressure, rock mechanical properties, in-situ principal stress magnitudes and orientations, were calibrated using the data acquired from repeated formation test (RFT), hydraulic fracturing test (Mini-frac), and laboratory rock core mechanical test (triaxial test). Then, a validation model coupled with three failure criteria, i.e., Mohr-Coulomb, Mogi-Coulomb, and Modified lade, was conducted using the Caliper and Micro-imager logs. Finally, sensitivity and forecasting stability analyses were implemented to predict the most stable wellbore trajectory concerning the safe mud window for the planned wells.    The implemented wellbore instability analysis utilizing Mogi-Coulomb criterion demonstrated that the azimuth of 140o paralleling to the minimum horizontal stress is preferable to orient deviated and horizontal wells. The vertical and slightly deviated boreholes (1ess than 30o) are the most stable wellbores, and they are recommended to be drilled with 11.6 -12 ppg mud weight. The highly deviated and horizontal wells are recommended to be drilled with a mud weight of 12-12.6 ppg.

THE OTWAY BASIN: EARLY CRETACEOUS RIFTING TO NEOGENE INVERSION

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 494 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.J. Buffin ◽  
A.J. Sutherland ◽  
J.A. Gorski
Keyword(s):  
Stress Field ◽  
Normal Fault ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Horizontal Stress ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Water Flooding ◽  
Hydraulic Fractures ◽  
Vertical Wells ◽  
Minimum Horizontal Stress ◽  
Maximum Horizontal Stress

Borehole breakouts and hydraulic fractures in­ferred from dipmeter and formation microscanner logs indicate that the minimum horizontal stress (σh) is oriented 035°N in the South Australian sector of the Otway Basin. Density and sonic check-shot log data indicate that vertical stress (σv) increases from approximately 20 MPa at a depth of one km to 44 MPa at two km and 68 MPa at three km. Assum­ing a normal fault condition (i.e. σy > σH > σh), the magnitude of σh is 75 per cent of the magnitude of the maximum horizontal stress (σH), and the magni­tude of σH is close to that of av. Sonic velocity compaction trends for shales suggest that pore pressure is generally near hydrostatic in the Otway Basin.Knowledge of the contemporary stress field has a number of implications for hydrocarbon produc­tion and exploration in the basin. Wellbore quality in vertical wells may be improved (breakouts sup­pressed) by increasing the mud weight to a level below that which induces hydraulic fracture, or other drilling problems related to excessive mud weight. Horizontal wells drilled in the σh direction (035°N/215°N) should be more stable than those drilled in the σH direction, and indeed than vertical wells. In any EOR operations where water flooding promotes hydraulic fracturing, injectors should be aligned in the aH (125°N/305°N) direction, and off­set from producers in the orthogonal σh direction. Any deviated/horizontal wells targeting the frac­tured basement play should be oriented in the σh (035°N/215°N) direction to maximise intersection with this open, natural fracture trend. Hydrocar­bon recovery in wells deviated towards 035°N/215°N may also be enhanced by inducing multiple hydrau­lic fractures along the wellbore.Considering exploration-related issues, faults following the dominant structural trend, sub-paral­lel to σH orientation, are the most prone to be non-sealing during any episodic build-up of pore pres­sure. Pre-existing vertical faults striking 080-095°N and 155-170°N are the most prone to at least a component of strike-slip reactivation within the contemporary stress field.

Real-Time Wellbore Stability and Hole Quality Evaluation Using LWD Azimuthal Photoelectric Measurements

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaqan Khan ◽  
Mohammad Altwaijri ◽  
Ahmed Taher ◽  
Mohamed Fouda ◽  
Mohamed Hussein
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Horizontal Stress ◽  
Wellbore Stability ◽  
Fluid Density ◽  
Stress Regime ◽  
Borehole Breakout ◽  
Photoelectric Measurements ◽  
Minimum Horizontal Stress

Abstract Horizontal and high-inclination deep wells are routinely drilled to enhance hydrocarbon recovery. To sustain production rates, these wells are generally designed to be drilled in the direction of minimum horizontal stress in strike slip stress regime to facilitate transverse fracture growth during fracturing operations. These wells can also cause wellbore instability challenges due to high stress concentration due to compressional or strike-slip stress regimes. Hence, apart from pre-drill wellbore stability analysis for an optimum mud weight design, it is important to continuously monitor wellbore instability indicators during drilling. With the advancements of logging-while-drilling (LWD) techniques, it is now possible to better assess wellbore stability during drilling and, if required, to take timely decisions and adjust mud weight to help mitigate drilling problems. The workflow for safely drilling deep horizontal wells starts with analyzing the subsurface stress regime using data from offset wells. Through a series of steps, data is integrated to develop a geomechanics model to select an optimum drilling-fluid density to maintain wellbore stability while minimizing the risks of differential sticking and mud losses. Due to potential lateral subsurface heterogeneity, continuous monitoring of drilling events and LWD measurements is required, to update and calibrate the pre-well model. LWD measurements have long been used primarily for petrophysical analysis and well placement in real time. The use of azimuthal measurements for real-time wellbore stability evaluation applications is a more recent innovation. Shallow formation density readings using azimuthal LWD measurements provide a 360° coverage of wellbore geometry, which can be effectively used to identify magnitude and orientation of borehole breakout at the wellbore wall. Conventional LWD tools also provide auxiliary azimuthal measurements, such as photoelectric (Pe) measurement, derived from the near detector of typical LWD density sensors. The Pe measurement, with a very shallow depth of investigation (DOI), is more sensitive to small changes in borehole shape compared with other measurements from the same sensor, particularly where a high contrast exists between drilling mud and formation Pe values. Having azimuthal measurements of both Pe and formation density while drilling facilitates better control on assess wellbore stability assessment in real time and make decisions on changes in mud density or drilling parameters to keep wellbore stable and avoid drilling problems. Time dependency of borehole breakout can also be evaluated using time-lapse data to enhance analysis and reduce uncertainty. Analyzing LWD density and Pe azimuthal data in real time has guided real-time decisions to optimize drilling fluid density while drilling. The fluid density indicated by the initial geo-mechanical analysis has been significantly adjusted, enabling safe drilling of deep horizontal wells by minimizing wellbore breakouts. Breakouts identified by LWD density and photoelectric measurements has been further verified using wireline six-arm caliper logs after drilling. Contrary to routinely used density image, this paper presents use of Pe image for evaluating wellbore stability and quality in real time, thereby improving drilling safety and completion of deep horizontal wells drilled in the minimum horizontal stress direction.

scholarly journals Experimental Study of Hydraulic Fracture Propagation Behavior during Multistage Fracturing in a Directional Well

Geofluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Yongtao Zhang ◽  
Hao Jin ◽  
Bumin Guo ◽  
Shoumei Qiu ◽  
Peng Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Horizontal Plane ◽  
Fracture Propagation ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Horizontal Stress ◽  
Deviation Angle ◽  
Multiple Fractures ◽  
Multistage Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Initiation Pressure ◽  
Horizontal Stress Difference

Due to the limited space of offshore platform, it is unable to implement large-scale multistage hydraulic fracturing for the horizontal well in Lufeng offshore oilfield. Thus, multistage hydraulic fracturing technology in directional well was researched essentially to solve this problem. Modeling of fracture propagation during multistage fracturing in the directional and horizontal wells in artificial cores was carried out based on a true triaxial hydraulic fracturing simulation experiment system. The effects of horizontal stress difference, stage spacing, perforation depth, and well deviation angle on multifracture propagation were investigated in detail. Through the comparative analysis of the characteristics of postfrac rock and pressure curves, the following conclusions were obtained: (1) multistage fracturing in horizontal wells is conducive to create multiple transverse fractures. Under relatively high horizontal stress difference coefficient (1.0) and small stage spacing conditions, fractures tend to deflect and merge due to the strong stress interference among multiple stages. As a consequence, the initiation pressure for the subsequent stages increases by more than 8%, whereas in large stage spacing conditions, the interference is relatively lower, resulting in the relatively straight fractures. (2) Deepening perforation holes can reduce the initiation pressure and reduce the stress interference among stages. (3) When the projection trace of directional wellbore on horizontal plane is consistent with the direction of the minimum horizontal principal stress, fractures intersecting the wellbore obliquely are easily formed by multistage fracturing. With the decrease of well deviation angle, the angle between fracture surface and wellbore axis decreases, which is not conducive to the uniform distribution of multiple fractures. (4) When there is a certain angle between the projection trace of directional wellbore on horizontal plane and the direction of minimum horizontal principal stress, the growth of multiple fractures is extremely ununiform and the fracture paths are obviously tortuous.

Experimental Research for Breakthrough Position of Horizontal Wells in Reservoirs with Bottom Water

2012 ◽  
Vol 524-527 ◽  
pp. 1232-1235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Feng Li ◽  
Xiang An Yue ◽  
Li Juan Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Bottom Water ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Concave Part ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Heterogeneous Models ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Well Trajectory ◽  
Trajectory Models ◽  
Swept Area

Finding the breakthrough position of horizontal wells is essential to water plugging and improving oil production in bottom water drive reservoirs. Physical modeling was carried out in this paper to research the law of bottom water’s movement. The experimental results indicated that: pressure drop in wells, well trajectory and area reservoir heterogeneity were all sensitive factors for breakthrough of bottom water, and the entry points of horizontal wells were determined by the combined function of them. In different well trajectory models, the concave down part of the well cooperate with pressure drop influenced the breakthrough position. Bottom water below the heel end reached the well earliest if the concave down part located at the heel end. When the concave part located at the middle of the well, the two factors played role respectively which resulted in breaking through of bottom water at two places with larger swept area. In different heterogeneous models, permeability difference and pressure drop were both favorable factors for bottom water’s non-uniformly rise. In the model that the heel end located at high permeability part, bottom water under the heel end reached the well earliest. If the heel end was set at the low permeability part, the breakthrough of bottom water occurred at the middle of the well.

The Productivity of Horizontal Wells in an In-Line Development System in Fields with Oil Rims

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitriy Alekseevich Samolovov ◽  
Artem Igorevich Varavva ◽  
Vitalij Olegovich Polyakov ◽  
Ekaterina Evgenevna Sandalova
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Experiments ◽  
Single Phase ◽  
Analytical Formula ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Flow Equation ◽  
Development Pattern ◽  
Phase Flow ◽  
Single Phase Flow ◽  
Limited Applicability ◽  
Good Agreement

Abstract The study proposes an analytical method for calculating the productivity of horizontal wells in a line-drive development pattern in fields with oil rims. The paper presents an analysis of existing techniques and compares them with the results of detailed numerical experiments. It also shows the limited applicability of existing techniques. On the basis of the obtained solution of a single-phase flow equation for a line-drive pattern of horizontal wells, an analytical formula was obtained which more accurately describes the productivity of wells beyond the limits of applicability of existing methods. The resulting formula is in good agreement with the results of a detailed numerical experiment.

Increasing the Productivity of Horizontal Wells Through Multistage Hydraulic Fracturing Using a Working Fluid Based on a New Biopolymer System

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolay Mikhaylovich Migunov ◽  
Aleksey Dmitrievich Alekseev ◽  
Dinar Farvarovich Bukharov ◽  
Vadim Alexeevich Kuznetsov ◽  
Aleksandr Yuryevich Milkov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Russian Federation ◽  
Oil Production ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Executive Order ◽  
Bazhenov Formation ◽  
Multistage Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
The Russian Federation

Abstract According to the US Energy Agency (EIA), Russia is the world leader in terms of the volume of technically recoverable "tight oil" resources (U.S. Department of Energy, 2013). To convert them into commercial production, it is necessary to create cost-effective development technologies. For this purpose, a strategy has been adopted, which is implemented at the state level and one of the key elements of which is the development of the high-tech service market. In 2017, the Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, in accordance with a government executive order (Government Executive Order of the Russian Federation, 2014), awarded the Gazprom Neft project on the creation of a complex of domestic technologies and high-tech equipment for developing the Bazhenov formation with the national status. It is implemented in several directions and covers a wide range of technologies required for the horizontal wells drilling and stimulating flows from them using multi-stage hydraulic fracturing (MS HF) methods. Within the framework of the technological experiment implemented at the Palyanovskaya area at the Krasnoleninskoye field by the Industrial Integration Center "Gazpromneft - Technological Partnerships" (a subsidiary of Gazprom Neft), from 2015 to 2020, 29 high-tech wells with different lengths of horizontal wellbore were constructed, and multistage hydraulic fracturing operations were performed with various designs. Upon results of 2020, it became possible to increase annual oil production from the Bazhenov formation by 78 % in comparison with up to 100,000 tons in 2019. The advancing of development technologies allowed the enterprise to decrease for more than twice the cost of the Bazhenov oil production from 30 thousand rubles per ton (69$/bbl) at the start of the project in 2015 to 13 thousand rubles (24$/bbl) in 2020. A significant contribution to the increase in production in 2020 was made by horizontal wells, where MS HF operations were carried out using an experimental process fluid, which is based on the modified Si Bioxan biopolymer. This article is devoted to the background of this experiment and the analysis of its results.

Diagnostic Plots of Pressure Transient, Rate-Transient, and Diagnostic Fracture-Injection/Falloff Tests

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Craig ◽  
Thomas Blasingame
Keyword(s):  
Flow Regimes ◽  
Horizontal Stress ◽  
Test Theory ◽  
Pressure Transient ◽  
Diagnostic Plots ◽  
Diagnostic Plot ◽  
New Ideas ◽  
Characteristic Features ◽  
Pressure Transient Test ◽  
Minimum Horizontal Stress

Abstract All transient test interpretation methods rely on or utilize diagnostic plots for the identification of wellbore or fracture storage distortion, flow regimes, and other parameters (e.g., minimum horizontal stress). Although all "test" interpretations of interest are transient test data (i.e., those involving an "event"), the associated diagnostic plots are not interchangeable between such tests. The objective of this work is to clearly define the appropriate diagnostic plot(s) for each type of transient test. The work applies the appropriate transient test theory to demonstrate the applicability of each diagnostic plot along with clearly defining the characteristic features that make a given plot "diagnostic." For pressure transient testing, the material is largely a review, but for rate transient tests and diagnostic fracture-injection/falloff tests, new ideas are introduced and documented to justify appropriate diagnostic plots. Data examples are provided for illustration and application. In general, pressure transient test diagnostic plots are not misused, but the same cannot be said for diagnostic fracture-injection/falloff tests (or DFITs) where it is common to ascribe flow regimes and/or draw other erroneous conclusions based on observations from an inappropriately constructed or interpretated diagnostic plot. The examples provided illustrate both the correct diagnostic plot and interpretations, but also illustrate how data can be easily misinterpreted in common practice.

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