The evolution of streamwise vortices in a plane mixing layer and their role in the generation of small-scale three-dimensional motion are studied in a closed-return water facility. Spanwise-periodic streamwise vortices are excited by a time-harmonic wavetrain with span wise-periodic amplitude variations synthesized by a mosaic of 32 surface film heaters flush-mounted on the flow partition. For a given excitation frequency, virtually any span wise wavelength synthesizable by the heating mosaic can be excited and can lead to the formation of streamwise vortices before the rollup of the primary vortices is completed. The onset of streamwise vortices is accompanied by significant distortion in the transverse distribution of the streamwise velocity component. The presence of inflexion points, absent in corresponding velocity distributions of the unforced flow, suggests the formation of locally unstable regions of large shear in which broadband perturbations already present in the base flow undergo rapid amplification, followed by breakdown to small-scale motion. Furthermore, as a result of spanwise-non-uniform excitation the cores of the primary vortices are significantly altered. The three-dimensional features of the streamwise vortices and their interaction with the base flow are inferred from surfaces of r.m.s. velocity fluctuations and an approximation to cross-stream vorticity using three-dimensional single component velocity data. The striking enhancement of small-scale motion and the spatial modification of its distribution, both induced by the streamwise vortices, can be related to the onset of the mixing transition.

A spanwise core instability of the primary vortices in a plane mixing layer has been identified as a viable mechanism for the generation of streamwise vortical structures far downstream of the flow partition. The core instability is excited by a time-harmonic wave train with spanwise phase variation, synthesized by a mosaic of individually controlled surface heaters flush mounted on the flow partition. The flow is visualized in planes of constant cross-stream elevation by means of a schlieren system. As a result of the forcing, the primary vortices undergo spanwise deformations that induce secondary vortical structures, the shape and strength of which depends on the magnitude of the prescribed spanwise phase variation. The appearance of small-scale structures within the large coherent vortices suggests that core instability is an important contributor to mixing.

The evolution of spanwise phase variations of nominally two-dimensional instability modes in a plane shear layer is studied in a closed-return water facility using time-harmonic excitation having spanwise-non-uniform phase or frequency distributions. The excitation waveform is synthesized by a linear array of 32 surface film heaters flush-mounted on the flow partition. A span wise-linear phase distribution leads to the excitation of oblique waves and to the rollup of oblique primary vortices. When the prescribed phase distribution is piecewise-constant and spanwise-periodic, the flow is excited with a linear combination of a two-dimensional wavetrain and pairs of equal and opposite oblique waves, the amplitudes of which depend on the magnitude of the phase variation ΔΦ. As a result of the excitation, the primary vortices undergo spanwise-non-uniform rollup and develop spanwise-periodic deformations that induce cross-shear and secondary vortices in the braid region. The amplitude of the deformations of the primary vortices and the shape and strength of the secondary vortices depend on the magnitude of ΔΦ. When ΔΦ is small, the secondary vortices are counter-rotating vortex pairs. As ΔΦ increases, cross-shear induced by oblique segments of the primary vortices in the braid region results in the formation of single secondary vortex strands. The flow is not receptive to spanwise phase variations with wavelengths shorter than the streamwise wavelength of the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability. When the phase variation is ΔΦ = ϕ, the flow is excited with pairs of oblique waves only and undergoes a double rollup, resulting in the formation of spanwise-deformed vortices at twice the excitation frequency. Measurements of the streamwise velocity component show that the excitation leads to a substantial increase in the cross-stream spreading of the shear layer and that distortions of transverse velocity profiles are accompanied by an increase in the high-frequency content of velocity power spectra. Detailed schlieren visualizations shed light on the nature of ‘vortex dislocations’ previously observed by other investigators. Complex spanwise-non-uniform pairing interactions between the spanwise vortices are forced farther downstream by spanwise-amplitude or phase variations of subharmonic excitation wavetrains.

Progressively, the oil and gas industry is producing from unconventional reservoirs with low permeability in numerous small pay zones that require close well spacing and multiple stimulations in each well. To effectively produce from such reservoirs and reduce the surface footprint, ExxonMobil has drilled multiple wells from single pads, and new technologies have been developed to efficiently stimulate the multiple pay zones in each well. ExxonMobil has developed and licensed Multi-Zone Stimulation Technologies (MZST), which are designed to efficiently stimulate wells with multiple pays zones. The technologies have been applied in fracturing tight gas reservoirs with numerous lenticular sands in the Rocky Mountains. We have also developed a technology that enables the simultaneous stimulation of multiple wells on the same or different well pads, and while drilling additional wells. The benefits of this technology include reduced environmental impact, time saving, and improved production rates. Most importantly we have demonstrated that these simultaneous operations can be conducted in a safe and responsible manner to ensure the highest standards of operations integrity. This paper introduces the method and apparatus for this technology and discusses the results from several years of field applications, including the Piceance Basin. Some specific elements of the simultaneous operations safety plan will also be provided. Introduction Worldwide, substantial oil and gas resources are contained in low permeability formations. Many of these resources are characterized by thick intervals and/or multiple reservoir targets. In addition, matrix or fracture stimulation treatments are typically required to effectively and optimally produce these resources. However, the increased geologic and reservoir heterogeneities present in these resources can lead to substantial challenges in the stimulation treatment operations and effectiveness. Over the last several decades, industry has invested substantial research in attempts to develop new drilling and completion technologies for application in tight gas sand reservoirs. Various government and industry studies indicate a vast amount of tight gas resources exist within the United States alone, with similar resources located outside the U.S. Examples of such resources are found widely distributed in the western United States, and include the Green River, Piceance, Wind River and Uinta Basins.

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractExxonMobil has developed two novel reservoir stimulation technologies that enable the rapid delivery of numerous highquality stimulation treatments within a single cased wellbore. These technologies were developed for the purpose of improving, or enabling, economic hydrocarbon recovery from formations that contain multiple stacked reservoir intervals or require the stimulation of long productive intervals. These technologies: (1) enable the stimulation of multiple target zones via a single deployment of downhole equipment; (2) enable selective placement of each stimulation treatment so that they may be designed specifically for each individual zone to maximize well productivity; (3) provide positive isolation between zones to ensure each zone is treated per design and previously treated zones are not inadvertently damaged; and (4) allow for treatments to be pumped at high flow rates to facilitate efficient and effective stimulation.