Developing unconventional shale gas plays in the Middle East is starting to gain momentum in activity based on the success of unconventional shale gas in North America. A closer look at the statistics reveal that although initial well productivity in North America has increased with the adoption of new drilling and completion technologies, it is still difficult to forecast the success of a single well, as results may be quite inconsistent within the same section or across the play. This paper reviews the factors affecting well productivity and focuses on optimized completions design based on a better understanding of the stress fields in the sub-surface as well as the fracture network. Based on experience from the Barnett Shale, one of the most mature and prolific natural gas fields in North America, the paper will highlight the importance of natural fractures, offset induced fractures, faults, and internal stresses, which are increasingly important to characterize and map as infield drilling increases. A high-resolution logging while drilling (LWD) electrical imaging tool was used to acquire images on a well drilled between two wells drilled between two offset wells 600ft apart within the same section. Fracture systems, faults, and stresses in the field were interpreted and mapped to further develop completions, fracture treatments and well placements. The paper shows how LWD images were used to determine which stages had previously been fractured and to explain how production from offset wells was reduced by as much as 40%. Operators have increased well productivity by up to 20% in more than 300 wells drilled to date. Lessons learned can be applied to most conventional and unconventional plays around the world.
The Barnett Shale is one of the most mature and prolific natural gas fields in North America. It has a multi-trillion-cubic-feet equivalent upside potential but well completions are not resulting in consistent production within the same section or across the unconventional play. As infield drilling increases, collision and encroachment from well to well due from offset induced fractures, natural fractures, faults, and internal stresses are becoming more important to characterize and map. The operator and the service provider teamed up and used high-resolution images to optimize perforation placement, redesign stimulation, and stage placement. To overcome these challenges, high-resolution, state-of-the-art logging-while-drilling (LWD) imaging tools were used to acquire images on a well drilled between two 600-ft (182.9-m) offset wells. These images are also being used to map fracture systems, faults, and stresses in the field. With the knowledge obtained from these LWD images, completions are now being redesigned to incorporate this information for optimizing fracture treatments. The paper will provide examples of high-resolution images generated which were used to determine untreated formation matrix, and avoid faults for possible water production. Proper interpretations of these images and other advanced technologies have enabled operators to increase well productivity up to 20% as compared to offset wells. These advanced technologies have been implemented and used in over 250 wells with excellent results. The images will be used in the future to determine which wells would be the best candidates for recompletions. The lessons learned can be applied to most unconventional plays around the world.
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