Cementing Sleeve Fracture Completion in Eagle Ford Shale will Forever Change the Delivery of Hydraulic Fracturing

Ferguson, Hershal Cevera; Thomas, Colton; Wellhoefer, Benjamin; Ingram, Stephen; Montes, Matthew

doi:10.2118/158490-ms

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…The completion uses swellable packers as compartmental isolation tools and ball-activated sleeves to enable a continuous pumping operation without any stop (Ferguson et al 2012). Isolation tools provide reliable zonal compartmentalization in irregular boreholes.…”

Section: Multistage Fracturing Methodmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptation of Successful Tight-oil Stimulation Technique in Unconventional Resource Play in Western Siberia

Kaluder

Nikolaev

Davidenko

et al. 2014

Day 1 Tue, February 25, 2014

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Application of horizontal multiple-stage fracturing is becoming the standard completion technique for oil and gas developments both in shale and tight sands. This technology has proven to be a game-changer within the US oil and gas industry to the point of creating an oversupply of gas in the US. Predictions indicate that the supply of oil related to this technology could allow the US to become self-sufficient within the decade. Globally, shale and tight-sand exploration activities are also increasing. This concept was successfully suited for and applied within a Russian tight-oil play in the Em-Egovskoe license area in western Siberia.This paper provides the case history of how a horizontal multiple-fracturing completion methodology helped unlock the potential reserves in the western Siberian Em-Egovskoe tight oil field. This very heterogeneous and lenticular sand oil play was known for years for its complexity and arduous nature. The completion technique employed a proven North America multiple-stage fracturing technique using a combination of swellable packers and sliding-sleeve frac ports. The fracturing design for the Em-Egovskoe field is discussed. This design is an adaptation of an alternating hybrid fluid system composed of proppant slugs during the pad stage and a high-concentration proppant ramp in the main frac stage.The well is currently flowing at commercial rates synonymous with early production in a typical North American oil shale well. The various monitoring techniques for measuring fracturing efficiency are also discussed. A production curve fit analysis using early production data allowed the operator to evaluate how the project was being commercially realized. Results and recommendations are presented.

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Section: Multistage Fracturing Methodmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptation of Successful Tight-oil Stimulation Technique in Unconventional Resource Play in Western Siberia

Kaluder

Nikolaev

Davidenko

et al. 2014

Day 1 Tue, February 25, 2014

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“…At present there are numerous lower-completion developments being applied and field-tested, that are promising to deliver just this enhancement in efficiency. These include an increased application of new types of ballactuated cemented sleeves (Weatherford, 2012/Ferguson, 2012 and the development of very simple but effective open-hole isolation techniques (Kennedy, 2005 andWeatherford, Flip-Cup Packer, 2012); which deliver the open-hole efficiency that is desired (ball-drop actuation) along with the cased-hole accuracy (discrete exposure and distinct isolation). It is quite likely, that in the near future, that the development of these new approaches will ultimately converge on providing the most efficient solutions for the full-range of applications for multi-fractured horizontal wells.…”

Section: Completion Operationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimising Remote Unconventional Gas Exploration

Rylance

2013

All Days

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Exploration and Appraisal of Unconventional gas, in remote areas, brings with it a variety of challenges; which are not normally encountered in established development areas such as North America. These challenges include, higher cost(s), logistical issues, lack of existing infra-structure, limited well numbers to name but a few. This paper will describe some of the important considerations, technology choices and approaches that can be considered in order to optimise such a remote Exploration and Appraisal programme.There are a number of considerations, selections, choices and decisions to be made for an Exploration and Appraisal programme, which can significantly affect the results and outcome when performed in a remote environment. For example, vertical vs. horizontal wells, lower completion technology, stimulation approaches and data gathering choices. Due to a number of unique conditions in remote locations, the optimum decisions are not always obvious, nor always reflect typical practices in established areas and this paper will describe the rationale behind this and the appropriate considerations for various Drilling and Completion aspects.The author will describe, options, considerations and decision making processes based on experience from recent case histories from a number of world-wide Exploration and Appraisal operations in unconventional gas. The paper will attempt to indicate the relative importance and value associated with these decisions and their impact on the potential success of an Exploration and Appraisal programme.Unconventional gas Exploration and Appraisal programmes can be challenging to progress in established areas; and this can be compounded by several orders of magnitude when operating in a remote environment. The requirements for establishing unconventional resource assessment can be somewhat different to conventional approaches and an Appraisal programme should take this into account. This paper summarises a number of key lessons learned from a worldwide selection of Unconventional operations and distils them into a philosophy that promotes and encourages success. SPE 163987Exploration, Appraisal and Development Long before any Development actually proceeds, the Exploration and Appraisal phase(s) are performed, and it is of course the objectives, deliverables and results of these phases that will be critical in determining whether or not a Development actually proceeds. For the Development of conventional oil and gas, the Exploration phase may consist of as little as one or two wells, depending upon and definition of, the large-scale heterogeneity; confirming the trap, the reservoir conditions and the presence of hydrocarbons. Appraisal is then utilised to perform delineation, confirmation of the resource magnitude and demonstration of single well deliverability prior to the Development phase.Unconventional oil and gas however is a different matter, in part due to small scale heterogeneity, production rate variance and hence the statistical nature of a play. With such resources t...

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“…This is particularly true when trying to balance well economics with production results (Ferguson et al 2012). This is particularly true when trying to balance well economics with production results (Ferguson et al 2012).…”

Section: Challengementioning

confidence: 99%

Cemented Multi-Stage Sleeve Completion Improves Efficiency of Fracture-Stimulation in an Eagle Ford Shale Well

Fruge

Wellhoefer

Adcock

et al. 2013

Day 3 Wed, February 06, 2013

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To economically develop unconventional resource plays such as the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas, multiple complex hydraulic fracturing stages must be executed in the horizontal section of the wellbore. Traditionally, a plug and perforate (Pn-P) process has been used. However, inherent difficulties in the process often limited completion cycle time and created barriers to economic delivery of the hydraulic fracturing treatment.The Eagle Ford shale in Zavala County, Texas is similar to many high-carbonate-content oil-shale formations. As with other shale plays, the industry has preferred using cemented lateral sections as the primary means of fracture-stage isolation, coupled with the P-n-P horizontal completion technique. This paper explores an alternative completion method, cemented multi-stage sleeves (CMSS), that recently improved efficiency and reduced completion cycle time. This study discusses the process, procedures used, and lessons learned from applying this technology.The subject well design was similar to most Eagle Ford shale wells. The completion included setting a deep surface casing string at 3030 feet, and then, drilling an 8.75-in. openhole section to MD. A 5.5-in. production casing was then set and cemented into place. The well was drilled to a measured depth of 11,965 feet with a lateral section of 5,913 feet. The well was completed using 15 stages of CMSS to fracture stimulate the entire lateral section. 3.80MM lbm of proppant with 2,901,000 gallons of fluid was used to fracture stimulate the wellbore, averaging 54 bbl/min. The 16 stage stimulation operation was completed in 24 hours with continuous pumping compared to an average of 3 days for P-n-P. The discussion also will show that production was comparable to that of offset wells, thus proving the technique viable for this type of oilshale formation.

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Cementing Sleeve Fracture Completion in Eagle Ford Shale will Forever Change the Delivery of Hydraulic Fracturing

Cited by 7 publications

References 1 publication

Adaptation of Successful Tight-oil Stimulation Technique in Unconventional Resource Play in Western Siberia

Adaptation of Successful Tight-oil Stimulation Technique in Unconventional Resource Play in Western Siberia

Optimising Remote Unconventional Gas Exploration

Cemented Multi-Stage Sleeve Completion Improves Efficiency of Fracture-Stimulation in an Eagle Ford Shale Well

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