Preface |
|
xi | |
Acknowledgments |
|
xiii | |
1 Introduction |
|
1 | (34) |
|
|
2 | (5) |
|
The Primary Hydraulic Fracturing Treatment Goal |
|
|
7 | (2) |
|
The Typical Concept versus the Actual Fracture |
|
|
9 | (6) |
|
Treatment Implementation Aspects |
|
|
15 | (3) |
|
Non-Stimulation Fracturing Applications and Considerations |
|
|
18 | (1) |
|
Controllable Factors Pertinent to Hydraulic Fracturing Treatment Design |
|
|
19 | (1) |
|
Treatment Design Factors Imposed by Nature |
|
|
20 | (2) |
|
A Successful Fracturing Treatment? |
|
|
22 | (2) |
|
Refracturing of Previously Hydraulically Fractured Wells |
|
|
24 | (1) |
|
Environmental Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing Treatments |
|
|
24 | (2) |
|
Disciplines Pertinent to Hydraulic Fracturing |
|
|
26 | (1) |
|
The Design Engineer's Job |
|
|
27 | (1) |
|
Hydraulic Fracturing in the Future-Let's Do It Right! |
|
|
28 | (2) |
|
|
30 | (2) |
|
Implications for the Future |
|
|
32 | (1) |
|
|
32 | (3) |
2 Overview: Important Fracture Design Aspects |
|
35 | (80) |
|
Factors Pertinent to Fracturing Behavior and Economics |
|
|
35 | (2) |
|
Preliminary Post-Fracture Production Estimates |
|
|
37 | (25) |
|
Formation Permeability Distribution |
|
|
62 | (2) |
|
Mechanical Rock Properties and In Situ Stress |
|
|
64 | (15) |
|
Fracture Propagation Behavior and Patterns-Near-Wellbore and Far-Field Regions |
|
|
79 | (1) |
|
Formation Composition and Temperature |
|
|
80 | (3) |
|
Fracturing Fluid Loss to the Formation |
|
|
83 | (3) |
|
Fracturing Fluid System Rheology, Viscosity, and Proppant Transport |
|
|
86 | (7) |
|
Propping Agents and Fracture Conductivity |
|
|
93 | (9) |
|
|
102 | (1) |
|
|
103 | (7) |
|
|
110 | (2) |
|
|
112 | (3) |
3 Rock Mechanics and Fracture Propagation: Rock Properties-In Situ Stresses, Net Fracturing Pressures, and Fracture Geometry |
|
115 | (84) |
|
Mechanical Rock Properties and In Situ Stresses in Fracture Propagation Models |
|
|
116 | (2) |
|
Mechanical Rock Properties Basic to Hydraulic Fracturing Behavior |
|
|
118 | (14) |
|
|
132 | (17) |
|
|
149 | (4) |
|
In Situ Stress and Net Fracturing Pressure Effects on Fracture Height, Width, Penetration, and Volumetric Propagation Geometry |
|
|
153 | (1) |
|
Calculating Fracture Height with In Situ Stress Profile Data |
|
|
154 | (8) |
|
Pore Pressure Effects on In Situ Stress and Fracture Propagation Behavior |
|
|
162 | (7) |
|
Interval Interface Slippage, Ductility and Fluid-Loss Confining Effects |
|
|
169 | (1) |
|
|
169 | (9) |
|
Fracture Volume Calculations from Width, Height, and Lateral Penetration |
|
|
178 | (1) |
|
Fracturing in Horizontal Wellbores |
|
|
179 | (1) |
|
Hydraulic Fracturing Studies with a Quasi Three-Dimensional Rock Mechanics (Q-3D-RM) Spreadsheet Model |
|
|
179 | (9) |
|
Summary of Data Acquisition Pertinent to Mechanical Rock Properties, In Situ Stresses, and Net Fracturing Pressures |
|
|
188 | (2) |
|
|
190 | (5) |
|
|
195 | (1) |
|
|
196 | (3) |
4 Fracturing Fluid Systems |
|
199 | (22) |
|
Design Engineer and Service Company Engineer Interaction |
|
|
201 | (1) |
|
Fracturing Fluid System Requirements |
|
|
202 | (1) |
|
Selecting a Fracturing Fluid System |
|
|
203 | (2) |
|
|
205 | (2) |
|
|
207 | (1) |
|
Base Fluid System Components |
|
|
207 | (4) |
|
Fracturing Fluid System Performance Control Agents |
|
|
211 | (4) |
|
Decision Flowcharts to Facilitate and Accelerate Fluid System Selection |
|
|
215 | (2) |
|
Particle Fraction Effect on Viscosity |
|
|
217 | (1) |
|
Comments from Outside Reviewers |
|
|
217 | (1) |
|
The Expanding World of Fracturing Fluid Systems and Additives |
|
|
218 | (1) |
|
|
219 | (1) |
|
|
219 | (1) |
|
|
219 | (2) |
5 Fracturing Fluid Loss to the Formation |
|
221 | (52) |
|
|
222 | (1) |
|
Terminology: Laboratory-Determined Spurt-Loss and Fluid-Loss Coefficient, and Field-Determined Fracturing Efficiency, Total Fluid-Loss Coefficient |
|
|
223 | (2) |
|
Determining Fluid-Loss Behavior |
|
|
225 | (29) |
|
Formation Permeability, Gel Concentration, Temperature, and Additives |
|
|
254 | (2) |
|
C VC versus Pressure Differential between the Fracture and the Reservoir |
|
|
256 | (3) |
|
Fluid System Viscosity Increase by Virtue of Fluid Loss |
|
|
259 | (1) |
|
Effect of Fluid Shear on Fluid Loss |
|
|
260 | (1) |
|
Reducing Floss into Vugs, Joints, Fissures, Fractures, Faults |
|
|
261 | (1) |
|
Pad Volumes Calculated from Fracturing Fluid Efficiency |
|
|
262 | (3) |
|
Summary of Fluid-loss Considerations for Fracture Treatment Design |
|
|
265 | (2) |
|
Data and Information Resources for Fluid-loss Behavior |
|
|
267 | (1) |
|
|
268 | (2) |
|
|
270 | (1) |
|
|
271 | (1) |
|
|
271 | (2) |
6 Fracturing Fluid System Rheology and Proppant Transport |
|
273 | (108) |
|
In-Fracture Fluid System Temperature-Wellbore to Fracture Tip |
|
|
274 | (2) |
|
Approaches to Fluid System In-Fracture Temperature Distribution |
|
|
276 | (2) |
|
Algorithms for In-Fracture Temperature Calculations |
|
|
278 | (2) |
|
Whitsitt and Dysart approach |
|
|
280 | (3) |
|
|
283 | (2) |
|
|
285 | (5) |
|
Resources for Fluid System Apparent Viscosity and Rheology Data |
|
|
290 | (1) |
|
Developing Equations for Fracturing Fluid Systems Rheology Behavior |
|
|
291 | (29) |
|
Temperature and Shear Rate Effects on Apparent Viscosity Behavior |
|
|
320 | (7) |
|
Apparent Viscosity of Foam Fluid Systems |
|
|
327 | (2) |
|
Fluid System Apparent Viscosity Increase due to Proppant Concentration |
|
|
329 | (4) |
|
Hydraulic Horsepower Injection Requirements |
|
|
333 | (5) |
|
Tubular Friction Loss during Injection |
|
|
338 | (12) |
|
Friction Loss (Turbulent Tubular Flow)-Proppant-Laden Slurries |
|
|
350 | (10) |
|
|
360 | (3) |
|
Proppant Transport In Fractures |
|
|
363 | (3) |
|
Laboratory Proppant Transport Testing Developments After 1990 |
|
|
366 | (4) |
|
Fluid System Pumping, Staging, and Scheduling Considerations |
|
|
370 | (1) |
|
Flowback-Fluid System Recovery and Cleanup Enhancement |
|
|
371 | (1) |
|
Mitigating Microcrack Gumming in the Formation |
|
|
372 | (1) |
|
Summary of Considerations for Fluid System Flow Behavior and Proppant Transport |
|
|
372 | (1) |
|
Data and Information Resources (Hard Copy, Website, etc.) |
|
|
373 | (1) |
|
|
374 | (2) |
|
|
376 | (2) |
|
|
378 | (1) |
|
|
378 | (3) |
7 Proppants and Fracture Conductivity |
|
381 | (70) |
|
|
382 | (21) |
|
Fracture Permeability and Conductivity |
|
|
403 | (11) |
|
Proppant Transport, Closed Fracture Width, and Proppant Specific Gravity |
|
|
414 | (3) |
|
Economic Perspectives of Fracture Conductivity |
|
|
417 | (11) |
|
Closed Fracture Width versus Proppant Concentration and Post-Fracture Production |
|
|
428 | (14) |
|
Proppant Selection Criteria |
|
|
442 | (2) |
|
Data Sources: Specifications for Fracture Permeability and Conductivity |
|
|
444 | (1) |
|
|
445 | (1) |
|
|
445 | (1) |
|
|
446 | (1) |
|
|
447 | (1) |
|
|
448 | (3) |
8 Fracture Propagation Computer Models |
|
451 | (54) |
|
|
451 | (1) |
|
|
452 | (1) |
|
About Model Fracturing Treatment Designs |
|
|
453 | (1) |
|
|
453 | (1) |
|
|
453 | (1) |
|
Model Development History |
|
|
453 | (5) |
|
Model Augmentations and Supplemental Features |
|
|
458 | (1) |
|
Model-Construction, Capability, Applicability |
|
|
458 | (24) |
|
Modelling Fracture Propagation Blunting |
|
|
482 | (2) |
|
Modeling-Simultaneous Multi-Interval Propagation-Vertical or Deviated Wellbore |
|
|
484 | (6) |
|
Fluid Loss and Rheology Effects |
|
|
490 | (2) |
|
Treatment Designs-Predictions versus In Situ Propagation |
|
|
492 | (2) |
|
Selecting the Appropriate Model for Design |
|
|
494 | (1) |
|
Model Design Limitations and Validation |
|
|
495 | (2) |
|
Recommended Fracturing Model Treatment Design and Analysis Practices |
|
|
497 | (2) |
|
Supplemental Comments by Outside Reviewers |
|
|
499 | (1) |
|
Fracturing Model Resources |
|
|
499 | (1) |
|
|
500 | (4) |
|
|
504 | (1) |
9 Fracture Treatment Design, Implementation, and Post-Fracture Operations |
|
505 | (46) |
|
Twelve Points to Improve Fracturing Success and Economic Returns |
|
|
505 | (4) |
|
General Treatment Design Phases |
|
|
509 | (3) |
|
|
512 | (1) |
|
|
513 | (6) |
|
Data Acquisition Programs for Pre-Fracture Treatment Design |
|
|
519 | (2) |
|
|
521 | (3) |
|
|
524 | (2) |
|
Final Economic Optimized Treatment Design |
|
|
526 | (1) |
|
Treatment Implementation Planning |
|
|
527 | (14) |
|
|
541 | (1) |
|
Onsite Fracturing Treatment Implementation |
|
|
542 | (1) |
|
Programs for Improving Economic Returns on Future Wells |
|
|
543 | (4) |
|
Fracture Design Data and Analysis Resources |
|
|
547 | (1) |
|
|
548 | (2) |
|
|
550 | (1) |
10 Pre-Fracture Treatment: Model Design Examples |
|
551 | (66) |
|
|
551 | (1) |
|
Fracturing Economic Returns |
|
|
552 | (1) |
|
About Treatment Designs: Vertical versus Horizontal Wellbores |
|
|
552 | (1) |
|
|
553 | (2) |
|
Model Approaches-Treatment Design Sequences |
|
|
555 | (1) |
|
|
556 | (2) |
|
Example 10-1 Description, Data, and Design Process |
|
|
558 | (39) |
|
GOHFER Model Treatment Design |
|
|
597 | (1) |
|
Example 10-1 Description and Design Considerations |
|
|
598 | (11) |
|
Potential for Enhanced Economics by Propping Outside the Pay |
|
|
609 | (1) |
|
Summary of Results for Examples 10-1 and 10-2, and Ideas for Redesign |
|
|
610 | (1) |
|
Considerations for Treatment Redesign |
|
|
611 | (1) |
|
Commentary on Pre-Fracture Treatment Designs with Models |
|
|
612 | (2) |
|
|
614 | (1) |
|
|
615 | (1) |
|
|
615 | (2) |
11 Fracturing Horizontal Wellbores |
|
617 | (50) |
|
|
617 | (2) |
|
|
619 | (4) |
|
|
623 | (4) |
|
Complex and Planar Fractures |
|
|
627 | (6) |
|
Well Spacing and Orientation |
|
|
633 | (1) |
|
|
634 | (4) |
|
Stress Factors Affecting Fracturing from Horizontal Wells |
|
|
638 | (3) |
|
|
641 | (1) |
|
Microseismic and Other Monitoring Methods |
|
|
641 | (1) |
|
Perforating Horizontal Wells for Fracturing |
|
|
642 | (1) |
|
|
643 | (1) |
|
Fracture Initiation and Early Fracture Growth |
|
|
643 | (5) |
|
|
648 | (1) |
|
Fracture Extension and Later Stage Fracturing Behavior |
|
|
649 | (2) |
|
Simultaneous and Sequential Fracturing |
|
|
651 | (1) |
|
|
652 | (1) |
|
|
653 | (1) |
|
|
654 | (3) |
|
|
657 | (10) |
12 Fracturing Diagnostics |
|
667 | (36) |
|
Fracturing Diagnostic Methods |
|
|
668 | (2) |
|
Near-Wellbore Vertical Fracture Extent |
|
|
670 | (9) |
|
Post-Fracture Wellbore In-Flow Production Profiling |
|
|
679 | (3) |
|
Fracture Propagation Azimuth and Propagation Geometry |
|
|
682 | (18) |
|
Commentary on Fracturing Diagnostics |
|
|
700 | (1) |
|
|
701 | (2) |
Appendix A: Fracture Vertical Height Calculations |
|
703 | (12) |
|
Descriptions and Comparisons of Figures A-1, A-2-1, and A-2-2 |
|
|
705 | (2) |
|
Utility of the Height Growth Curves |
|
|
707 | (1) |
|
Regression of the Height Growth Curve Data |
|
|
707 | (1) |
|
The hS/h Calculation Approach |
|
|
708 | (1) |
|
Calculating Relative Fracture Heights, hS/h, as a Function of f (sigma,Pf) and DeltasigmaR |
|
|
708 | (4) |
|
Preferential Downward versus Upward Vertical Growth |
|
|
712 | (1) |
|
Bounding Intervals with Multiple Layers Where sigma, E, and KIC Vary from Layer to Layer |
|
|
713 | (1) |
|
|
713 | (1) |
|
|
714 | (1) |
Appendix B: A Quasi-Three-Dimensional Rock Mechanics Spreadhseet (Q-3D-RMS) Model |
|
715 | (24) |
|
Differences between the Q-3D-RMS and Planar Three-Dimensional (P-3D) Models |
|
|
716 | (1) |
|
Q-3D-RMS Model Input Data |
|
|
716 | (1) |
|
Relative Fluid Viscosity Behavior and Retained DeltaPf/DeltaXf |
|
|
717 | (2) |
|
Well Injection Pressure (Pw) |
|
|
719 | (1) |
|
Creating and Using a Q-3D-RMS Model |
|
|
719 | (1) |
|
Fracturing Intervals in a Q-3D-RMS Model |
|
|
720 | (1) |
|
Q-3D-RMS versus Other Models |
|
|
721 | (1) |
|
Q-3D-RMS Model Vertical and Horizontal Configuration |
|
|
721 | (3) |
|
Q-3D-RMS Model Calculations |
|
|
724 | (4) |
|
Q-3D-RMS Spreadsheet Model Calculations Using Chapter 3, Example 3-15 Data |
|
|
728 | (7) |
|
Commentary about this Q-3D-RMS Spreadsheet Model |
|
|
735 | (1) |
|
|
736 | (3) |
Appendix C: Example Spreadsheet Program for Fracturing Fluid Efficiency and SIPD Type-Curve Fluid-Loss Coefficient Calculations |
|
739 | (16) |
|
Spreadsheet Calculations of Fracturing Fluid Efficiency |
|
|
740 | (1) |
|
Spreadsheet Applicable Master Type-Curves |
|
|
741 | (2) |
|
Spreadsheet Processing of SIPD Data |
|
|
743 | (12) |
Appendix D: Bibliography for Chapter 11 |
|
755 | (8) |
Answers to Selected Exercises |
|
763 | (18) |
Index |
|
781 | (30) |
About the Authors |
|
811 | |