A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Various Fracture Fluid Systems Used in Multi-Stage Fractured Horizontal Wells: Montney Formation, Unconventional Gas

Abstract

Recently, there has been discussion of the need to advance hydraulic fracturing technology from the current ‘operational effectiveness’ mode of high-rate slickwater fracture designs, to a ‘fracture effectiveness’ mode provided by optimizing designs to achieve higher recoveries and better economics. This case study shows how advanced fracture fluid system designs have increased fracture effectiveness in an area of the Montney unconventional gas play. The study focused on fifty multi-stage fractured horizontal wells in the dry gas area of the Heritage Montney Field in British Columbia, Canada. These wells were stimulated by different operators with a number of different fracturing techniques, fluid systems, etc. Wells were selected such that a sufficient variety of completion techniques were represented, and there was over 18 months of production history. A thorough review of the geology and petrophysical data within the area was undertaken in order to develop individual well descriptions for use in the production analysis (Rate Transient Analysis). Wells were history matched by varying reservoir permeability and fracture treatment properties. The results demonstrate that fracture effectiveness is a function of the fracture type and has a large effect on well productivity and economics. This case study shows there is value in optimizing fracture designs through look-back studies, and that there is a need to focus on more effective fracture treatment designs in unconventional gas development. The results of the study show the importance of fracture fluid selection as well as both effective fracture half-length and fracture conductivity in maximizing the economic returns in this area of the Montney.

Environmental Life Cycle Analysis of Water and CO2-Based Fracturing Fluids Used in Unconventional Gas Production

“…32 Membrane separation was selected as the current state-of-the-art process for removing CO 2 from CH 4 streams with low levels of liquid hydrocarbons. 27,51 The present model assumes 3 days for flaring prior to separation as recommended by industry experts. As membranes and other technologies advance, limitations due to mixed fluid quality and the associated requirement to initially vent both CH 4 and CO 2 could be reduced.…”

Minimize Formation Damage in Water-Sensitive Unconventional Reservoirs by Using Energized Fracturing Fluid

“…Successful hydraulic fracturing treatment is the key to develop Montney formation since it has ultra-low permeability (~0.001mD) and it is sensitive to water. Energized fracturing including N 2 and CO 2 energized fracturing is more and more utilized in this formation (Burke & Nevison, 2011;Reynolds, Bachman, & Peters, 2014;Taylor, Fyten, & Romanson, 2010). Statistical analysis has shown that energized fractured wells gain much higher production than those of the non-energized fractured wells in the same area (Burke & Nevison, 2011).…”

Reservoir Flow Simulation Coupled Rock Mechanics for Modeling Shale Liquid Rich Gas Play

“…of natural gas liquids, and 136.3 billion bbl. of oil (P50 estimate) and the estimate of natural gas resources in British Columbia is 450 Tcf (Reynolds, Bachman, 2014). The Montney strata consist of interbedded fine grained sandstones, siltstone and dark grey shale and can be divided into upper, middle and lower units.…”