Understanding the Implications of Multiple Fracture Propagation in Well Productivity and Completion Strategy

摘要

The revolution of the multistage horizontal completions has made low-permeability laminated reservoirs a cost- effective business.The key to success relies on maximizing the surface area contacted,a process that requires an adequate stage isolation technique.From traditional“plug and perf”to efficient sliding sleeves,the application of a particular system is related to the number of fractures that can be propagated during a single treatment injection.This condition varies according to rock and reservoir properties,principal stresses,zonal isolation and stimulation design. This study introduces a methodology to build predictive,repeatable models that integrate reservoir characteristics (mineralogy,pore pressure,thickness)along with geomechanics(anisotropic Poisson’s Ratio,Young’s Modulus, and horizontal stresses)and fracture pressure diagnostics(pressure history match,near-wellbore pressure analysis)to predict the likelihood of propagating multiple fractures per stimulation stage.Examples of the application of this workflow to select the suitable completion mechanism are provided using multiple datasets from the Williston Basin.Additionally,a calibrated production model measures the impact of a specific zonal isolation method on well productivity. Finally,this paper concludes with a series of sensitivities to determine the influence of different reservoir and rock properties in fracture propagation and provides recommendations regarding data requirements to apply this methodology in a particular field.