Utilizing Pseudo Well Connections to Simulate Multi-Stage Hydraulic Fracturing - Example Based On the Study of a Tight Gas Asset

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aamir Lokhandwala ◽  
Vaibhav Joshi ◽  
Ankit Dutt

Abstract Hydraulic fracturing is a widespread well stimulation treatment in the oil and gas industry. It is particularly prevalent in shale gas fields, where virtually all production can be attributed to the practice of fracturing. It is also used in the context of tight oil and gas reservoirs, for example in deep-water scenarios where the cost of drilling and completion is very high; well productivity, which is dictated by hydraulic fractures, is vital. The correct modeling in reservoir simulation can be critical in such settings because hydraulic fracturing can dramatically change the flow dynamics of a reservoir. What presents a challenge in flow simulation due to hydraulic fractures is that they introduce effects that operate on a different length and time scale than the usual dynamics of a reservoir. Capturing these effects and utilizing them to advantage can be critical for any operator in context of a field development plan for any unconventional or tight field. This paper focuses on a study that was undertaken to compare different methods of simulating hydraulic fractures to formulate a field development plan for a tight gas field. To maintaing the confidentiality of data and to showcase only the technical aspect of the workflow, we will refer to the asset as Field A in subsequent sections of this paper. Field A is a low permeability (0.01md-0.1md), tight (8% to 12% porosity) gas-condensate (API ~51deg and CGR~65 stb/mmscf) reservoir at ~3000m depth. Being structurally complex, it has a large number of erosional features and pinch-outs. The study involved comparing analytical fracture modeling, explicit modeling using local grid refinements, tartan gridding, pseudo-well connection approach and full-field unconventional fracture modeling. The result of the study was to use, for the first time for Field A, a system of generating pseudo well connections to simulate hydraulic fractures. The approach was found to be efficient both terms of replicating field data for a 10 year period while drastically reducing simulation runtime for the subsequent 10 year-period too. It helped the subsurface team to test multiple scenarios in a limited time-frame leading to improved project management.

1988 ◽  
Vol 6 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 317-322
Author(s):  
A.F. Grove

The characteristics of good energy company borrowers are strong management, integrity, diversification, flexibility, a sound financial basis and business acumen. Acceptable reasons for borrowing include requirements for working capital, plant expansion, modernisation, oil and gas field development and the manufacturing of oil tools and related products. Security for loans is based on the company's reserves, the duration of the debt and priority over other indebtedness. Most loans are evaluated on the grounds of general corporate credit, that is, the overall credit standing of the borrower.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 549-558
Author(s):  
Juwairiah Juwairiah ◽  
Didik Indarwanta ◽  
Frans Richard Kodong

The oil and gas sector is an important factor in sustainable development, so it is considered necessary to make serious changes in conducting economic analysis on the oil and gas business. Oil and gas industry activities consist of upstream activities, and downstream activities. Activities in these upstream and downstream operations have high risk, high costs and high technology, so the company continuously tries to reduce the importance of the adverse impact of these risks on the work environment and people. Thus, evaluating the factors that affect sustainable production in this sector becomes a necessity. In this research will be evaluated the economy of the oil and gas field using methods of economic indicators, among others; NPV, POT, ROR, where these factors are estimated in order to be able to estimate the prospects of the oil and gas field so that the decision that the field development project can be implemented or cannot be taken immediately. Implementation of oil and gas field economic evaluation in this study using Macro VBA Excel. From several methods of economic analysis obtained that the results of this study show high precision compared to other methods, in addition to the way of evaluation using the above economic indicators is very popular.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Galvin Shergill ◽  
Adrian Anton ◽  
Kwangwon Park

Abstract We are all aware that our future is uncertain. Although some aspects can be predicted with more certainty and others with less, essentially everything is uncertain. Uncertainty exists because of lack of data, lack of resources, and lack of understanding. We cannot measure everything, so there are always unknowns. Even measurements include measurement errors. Also, we do not always have enough resources to analyze the data obtained. In addition, we do not have a full understanding of how the world, or the universe, works (Park 2011). Every day we find ourselves in situations where we must make many decisions, big or small. We tend to make the decisions based on a prediction, despite knowing that it is uncertain. For instance, imagine how many decisions are made by people every day based on the probability of it raining tomorrow (i.e., based on the weather forecast). To have a good basis for making a decision, it is of critical importance to correctly model the uncertainty in the forecast. In the oil and gas industry, uncertainties are large and complex. Oil and gas fields have been developed and operated despite tremendous uncertainty in a variety of areas, including undiscovered media and unpredictable fluid in the subsurface, wells, unexpected facility and equipment costs, and economic, political, international, environmental, and many other risks. Another important aspect of uncertainty modeling is the feasibility of verifying the uncertainty model with the actual results. For example, in the weather forecast it was announced that the probability of raining the next day was 20%. And the next day it rained. Do we say the forecast was wrong? Can we say the forecast was right? In order to make sure the uncertainty model is correct; we should strictly verify all the assumptions and follow the mathematically, statistically, proven-to-be-correct methodology to model the uncertainty (Caers et al. 2010; Caers 2011). In this paper, we show an effective, rigorous method of modeling uncertainty in the expected performance of potential field development scenarios in the oil and gas field development planning given uncertainties in various domains from subsurface to economics. The application of this method is enabled by using technology as described in a later section.


2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Bate ◽  
Mauricio Lane ◽  
Alexey Moiseenkov ◽  
Sergey Nadezhdin

Abstract Appraisal drilling of a recently discovered Cambrian-aged gas field in Oman is indicating that the field may have significant amounts of gas locked in a challenging deep, hot, and highly pressured reservoir environment. The low porosity and permeability values of the Amin reservoir allow the classification of the reservoir as a tight gas sand. The variability of reservoir properties, both spatially and vertically, makes it difficult to standardize perforation and fracture stimulation design which, in turn, complicates delineation of a development plan for the project. One of the difficulties relates to uncertainty in vertical propagation of hydraulic fractures. Fracture height based on evaluation of radioactive tracer logs indicates that vertical barriers to fracture propagation may relate to specific geologic zones in the reservoir. The mapping of the reservoir zones into undeveloped areas of the field would allow selection of primary and secondary production targets based on the specific physical properties of the individual zones. To assume that no barrier to fracture propagation exists between separate production units may lead to attempts to stimulate them synchronously, which would be disadvantageous for several reasons, such as premature screenouts and incomplete coverage of gas-bearing layers. Reserves booking and allocation can also be jeopardized should the fractures propagate into undesired zones.


CONVERTER ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 269-280
Author(s):  
Yang Feng, Jirui Hou, Dongsen Wang, Shuting Wang, Hongda Hao, Dansen Shang, Jia Wang

Molecular dynamic (MD) simulation has been widely applied to various technical fields, especially in oil-gas field development in recent years. The MD simulation of nanofluids is elaborated from the aspect of nanofluid properties research via MD, the self-assembling MD simulation of nanoparticles at O/W two-phase interface, and the flow simulation of nanofluids in microscopic pores. Finally, theoretical guidance is provided for the application of MD in oilfield development to foster strengths and circumvent weaknesses.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Olavo de Andrada Ignacio de Oliveira ◽  
Pedro Lemos Tavares ◽  
Victor Costa da Silva ◽  
Ivan Noville Rocha Correa Lima ◽  
João Francisco Fleck Heck Britto ◽  
...  

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to present a general overview of the Buzios field development plan, projects’ features, and main achievements so far. The development plan adopted a strategy to pursue the balance between acceleration and cash flow optimization, to maximize the return on the huge investment on the block acquisition, and the risk management related to developing several Greenfield Projects simultaneously. To reduce reservoir uncertainties, a comprehensive data acquisition plan was crafted and implemented considering: (a) seismic acquisition, (b) drilling, logging and testing several exploratory and appraisal wells, (c) massive rock and fluid data sampling along the reservoirs, (d) execution of one Extended Well Test and three Early Production Systems. Additionally, the basic design of wells, subsea systems and Floating Production Storage and Offloading ("FPSO") provided flexibility to cover remaining uncertainties yet present in the Transfer of Rights ("ToR") scope, which allows up to 3,150 billion barrels of oil equivalent ("boe") to be produced. This led to technological challenges that needed to be addressed during project planning. We believe that the innovative solutions applied enhanced currently available technologies and delivered an important legacy to the offshore oil and gas industry. Finally, the results obtained so far, with the ramp-up of Buzios projects 1, 2, 3, and 4 provide evidence of the successful adopted strategy and reinforce the decision of deployment of a fifth FPSO under the scope of the ToR contract. The strong results of the asset led to the acquisition of 90% of the Transfer of Rights Surplus ("ToR+"), together with CNOOC Petroleum Brasil Ltda. (5%) and CNODC Brasil Petróleo e Gás Ltda. (5%), which now paves the way for a second wave of development, including the deployment of up to seven additional FPSOs.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zamzam Mohammed Ahmed ◽  
Abrar Mohammed Salem ◽  
Jose Ramon ◽  
Liu Pei Wu ◽  
Benjamin Mowad

Abstract Jurassic's kerogen shale-carbonate reservoir in North Kuwait is categorized as a source rock exhibiting micro- to Nano Darcy permeability and is Kuwait Oil Company's focus in recent years. Although the challenges are significant (formation creep, fracturing initiation, etc.), the efforts toward producing from unconventional reservoirs and applying experience from both USA and Canada in this field are ongoing. As a step toward development, the gas field development group selected a vertical pilot well to measure the inflow of hydrocarbon from a single fracture while minimizing formation creep (flowing of particulate material and formation into the wellbore that blocks the production). This step was required prior to drilling a long horizontal lateral wells and completing it with multiple hydraulic fractures to confirm commercial production. A comprehensive design process was executed with the full integration of operator and service company competencies to achieve the three main objectives: First, characterize the kerogen rock mechanics which allows selection of the most competent kerogen beds to prevent collapse of the hole during fracturing (creep effect) by conducting scratch, unconfined stress, proppant embedment, and fluid compatibility tests. Then, prepare a suit of strength measurements on full core samples to help in fracturing design and minimize creep effect. The second objective was to design and implement a robust proppant fracturing program that avoids the kerogen concerns after selecting the most competent reservoir unit and suitable proppant type. Third, perform controlled flowback to unload the well and attempt to establish clean inflow unlike previous attempts that failed to either suitably stimulate or prevent solids production (deliver clean inflow). After analyzing the lab test results, choosing the optimal fracturing design, and preparing the vertical well for proppant hydraulic fracturing, the treatment was performed. In December 2019, the hydraulic fracturing treatment with resin-coated bauxite proppant was successfully pumped through 6 ft of perforation interval and followed by a controlled flowback. Resin-coated bauxite proppant was specifically selected to overcome the creep and embedment effects during the fracture closure and flowback. Moreover, a properly designed choke schedule was implemented to balance unloading with a delicate enough drawdown to avoid formation failure. This paper discusses in detail the lab testing, evolution of fracturing design, treatment analysis, and the robust workflow that led to successfully achieving all main objectives, paving the way for long horizontal lateral wells. This unconventional undertaking in Kuwait presents a real challenge. It is a departure from traditional methods, yet it points toward a high upside potential should the appraisal campaign be completed effectively.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Faizan Ahmad Zuhdi ◽  
F. Hadana Rahman ◽  
Hamid Shahjavan ◽  
M. Azlan Mas’od ◽  
R. Suhaib Salihuddin ◽  
...  

Abstract The CO2 capture technology is well understood in the oil and gas industry. However, to unlock the Hydrocarbon from an ultra-high CO2 offshore field (more than 70% mol), special attention is needed to capture CO2 for a field development to be economically attractive. Therefore, the current technology inventory needs to be studied to achieve project goals and at the same time achieving Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) requirements. A hybrid of multiple carbon capture technology will help to improve the hydrocarbon (HC) loss, reduce both operational and capital cost and minimize overall auto consumption. The hybrid of cryogenic distillation (CryoD), membrane and supersonic gas separation (SGS) was studied to explore its feasibility. To enable ease of CO2 transport and handling, CO2 is preferred to be in liquid form. In order to achieve this, CryoD technology is the preferred solution for bulk removal. CryoD is also able to cater to the feed gas fluctuation and becomes a robust candidate for high variance feedstock. However, being dependant on sub zero working temperatures, the system will require larger equipment footprint and tonnage. The focus of the study is to evaluate the sensitivity impact of an operating condition on the Hybrid configuration of CryoD + membrane (CM) and CryoD + SGS (CS. Areas of focus will be equipment tonnage and footprint, power consumption and eventually cost (CAPEX & OPEX). The monetization of ultra-high CO2 gas field is then made feasible by using hybrid Acid Gas Removal Unit (AGRU) to meet sales gas specification. The CryoD + membrane technology is the preferred solution for offshore system.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marat Dulkarnaev ◽  
Nadir Husein ◽  
Evgeny Malyavko ◽  
Vladimir Liss ◽  
Viacheslav Bolshakov ◽  
...  

Abstract The new economic conditions characterised by the instability in the global oil and gas industry push market players to search for profitable and efficient ways of developing oil and gas deposits. One of the key opportunities is Enhanced Oil Recovery projects in hard-to-recover reservoirs and formations. When planning the entire scope of development operations, well interventions and surveys, it is important to follow a strategy that would help successfully overcome the geological and engineering challenges facing the operators. In this project, a geological feasibility study of the field development management was conducted with regards to the one formation of the Yuzhno-Vyintoyskoye field based on the data obtained using marker-based production surveillance in horizontal wells and flow simulation.


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