Practical Application of In-Situ Stress Profiles

Abstract

This paper illustrates a comprehensive and economical approach to the application of reservoir data to optimize stimulation designs. The paper documents the selective application of in situ stress tests and dipole sonic logs to provide accurate stress profiles that can be used in concert with standard log and minifracture data to improve stimulation designs.:.Measured stress data on 3 wells were used to calibrate open-hole logs to provide an estimate of stress profiles throughout a 300 square mile area of the Moxa Arch. Dipole sonic log-derived stress profiles were correlated to measured stress data. Calibrated stress profiles from dipole sonic logs and the measured stress data were then, used, to develop a correlation between gamma-ray logs and in situ stress. The log-based stress data was improved with the addition of over 50 mini-fracture tests. The combination of selected stress measurements, dipole sonic logs, and mini-fracture treatments resulted in optimized stimulation designs and cost savings of over $100,000 per well.

Understanding Fracture Performance by Integrating Well Testing and Fracture Modeling

“…3). 13,14 The figure shows excellent agreement between the measured and model-predicted net pressures. Fig.…”

“…Therefore, more detailed information was gathered to better understand fracture performance. This information included measuring in-situ stress profiles 13 and directly measuring bottomhole pressure (BHP) during fracture treatments. 14 When the actual net pressures from numerous fracture treatments were history matched, the results indicated that fracture lengths were much less than previously predicted.…”

“…The integration of the fracture modeling and well test data supported the use of 20/40 sand and allowed other fracture design changes that were applied to more than 100 infill wells. [12][13][14] The cost savings were in excess of U.S. $15,000,000 during the 1992-93 infill drilling program.…”

State-of-the-Art in Hydraulic Fracture Diagnostics

“…Case History #1: Fracture Modeling & Well Testing in the Frontier Formation, Southern Moxa Arch Area. [14][15][16][17] The Moxa Arch is located in the Green River Basin in southwestern Wyoming. The Frontier formation in the southern Moxa Arch is found at depths of 11,000 to 12,500 ft and is 10 to 70 ft thick with a permeability of 0.001 to 0.20 mD.…”

The development and application of dynamic parameter database of rock-mechanics based GIS

“…It plays an importance role in design of fracturing projects, borehole stability, casing deformation, perforation sand control, optimization design, layout structure of well pattern, stratum formation fracture pressure prediction and so on [4][5][6][7]. Yet, the current experimental data of Rockmechanics and in-situ rock stress are sparsely distributed.…”