Comparison of Fracture Geometries Utilizing Ultralightweight Proppants Provide Evidence That Partial Monolayers Can Be Created: A Case History

摘要

Recent successes in hydraulic fracturing with ultra-lightweight proppants have led to much discussion and many debates as to why they have been so successful. The theoretical partial mono-layer and the difficulty associated with designing and defining a partial mono-layer in-situ has led operators to examine more fundamental explanations for the success of ultra-lightweight proppants. However, based upon careful examination, highly conductive fractures associated with very low concentrations of proppants, can provide ample evidence that partial mono-layers can be created. This paper will compare four hydraulic fracture geometries from two wells located approximately 1,700 feet apart. Two fracture treatments were performed on each well, in Clearfork and Glorieta dolomites. The first well was stimulated with conventional fluids and proppants. The second well was hydraulically fractured with a 10 lb/gal brine water and an ultra-lightweight proppant at low concentrations. The objective of the side-by-side comparison was to determine optimal treatments for offset production and injection wells that were to be in-fill drilled. racture geometries for both wells were determined from fracture mapping using microseismic imaging and pressure matching utilizing a 3D hydraulic fracture simulator. Total fracture face surface area, estimated conductivities, and ffective fracture half-lengths were compared. The results of the comparisons suggest that there is strong evidence that highly conductive fractures, perhaps even partial mono-layers, can be created with the use of ultra-lightweight proppants in fluids of similar specific gravity.