Pushing the Limits of Hydraulic Fracturing in Russia

Economides, Michael J.; Demarchos, A.S.; Mach, Joe; Rueda, Jose; Wolcott, D.S.

doi:10.2523/90357-ms

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…One of the clear messages is that the better the proppant the larger the indicated treatment should be and not the opposite as very conservative past practices have suggested. Similar findings have already been shown with a large set of parametric studies presented by Economides et al [2][3] , as well as in a field case study of almost a thousand hydraulic fracture treatments in Western Siberia in which Diyashev and Economides 4 provided a substantial experimental confirmation to the concept.…”

Section: Benchmarking Well Performance With the Unified Fracture Desisupporting

confidence: 82%

“…Even more, in some very progressive areas this design approach has been used to "push the limits" of today's practices in hydraulic fracturing. Economides, Demarchos et al [2][3] showed, for example, how relevant the mass of proppant is for the maximization of the productivity index. Diyashev and Economides 4 presented field case studies of almost a thousand hydraulic fracture treatments in Western Siberia, providing a very valuable experimental support for the UFD approach.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Economic and Physical Optimization of Hydraulic Fracturing

2008

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Optimization has taken several different hues in all areas of engineering. Hydraulic fracturing, as applied to petroleum wells, has had its share. In the past, and before the maturing of high-permeability fracturing and the tip screen out techniques, this well stimulation procedure was limited to low-permeability reservoirs and unrestricted fracturing. In such cases, the fracture length would be an appropriate design optimization variable against an economic criterion, e.g., the Net Present Value (NPV). This involved the balancing of incremental future revenue against the cost of execution. Also interesting are parametric studies, allowing the variation of execution variables and the detection of differences in their respective design NPV. Such differences would be useful in decisions to measure a variable or stay within reasonable assumptions. The emergence of higher-permeability fracturing and the Unified Fracture Design (UFD) concept allowed two important notions. First, there is no difference between low and high-permeability reservoirs in terms of benefiting for fracturing. Just execution issues need to be resolved. Second, and more important, for any mass of proppant to be injected in any well, there exists only one fracture geometry that would maximize production. This geometry, consisting of length and propped width (with height as a parasitic variable) can be readily determined and, if placed, it will provide the maximum productivity index. All other configurations would result in lower productivity values. This is physical optimization.In this paper we combine the two: the economic and physical. For each proppant mass we first optimize the fracture physically and then we apply the NPV criterion. We perform a series of parametric studies for a range of reservoirs and we use economic variables that differ in various parts of the world. We show how to determine the optimum fracture size. We then show how fracture treatments may be attractive in certain reservoirs in mature areas but not attractive elsewhere. We also show that for a diversified company, given the choice, few successful fractures in high-permeability reservoirs are far preferable to fracturing large numbers of wells in lower permeability fields, although the latter can be made economically attractive only through hydraulic fracturing.

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Section: Benchmarking Well Performance With the Unified Fracture Desisupporting

confidence: 82%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Economic and Physical Optimization of Hydraulic Fracturing

2008

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“…Using a set of constraints such as a limit of 1,000 psi net pressure during execution (affecting directly the resulting fracture width), a minimum hydraulic fracture width of at least 3 times the proppant diameter to prevent proppant bridging, and an injection time of no more than 24 hours; Economides et al (2004) developed a benchmarking graph for the maximum attainable J D for oil wells for a range of permeabilities, shown in Figure 3-6. This representation is significant because it suggests what extraordinary results can be achieved by pushing the limits of design and using large volumes of higher quality proppant, while still respecting operational and logistical constraints.…”

Section: Hydraulic Fracturing 87mentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural Gas Production

Wang¹,

Economides

2009

Advanced Natural Gas Engineering

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“…5. This chart is split into three sections: (1) the initial fracture design criteria, (2) the injection test analysis, and (3) the redesign of the fracture treatment based on minifrac analysis and real-time main frac analysis.…”

Section: Design Processmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Designing for performance required a change in tactics and an optimization mentality to achieve step-change results. 1,2 Production analysis suggested radical changes in fluids, breakers, job sizes, types, and tonnage of proppant, etc. In this paper, we discuss and compare the evolution of the stimulation practices and implementation of technology that matched performance to fracture design.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Diagnostic Pumping Tests To Optimize Fracturing Designs in the Harsh Environment of Western Siberia

Manrique¹,

Winkler²,

Guglielmo³

et al. 2005

Proceedings of SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition

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TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractHydraulic proppant fracturing continues to rapidly evolve in western Siberia/Russia and is seen as the most important and effective means to improve oil production from existing, as well as, newly drilled wells.Fracture treatments in Russia were traditionally small, conservative treatments with small-sized proppants and inefficient fracturing fluids. They were designed with a onesize-fits-all approach to bypass near-wellbore damage rather than provide sustained and optimum productivity. Results were acceptable for the economic models existing at that time. However, the competitive environment, production targets, and financial goals of oil-producing companies today require a change in approach.Optimization of hydraulic-fracturing treatments soon became a necessity and resulted in a design methodology aimed at improving the production performance rather than simple modification of pumping schedules. Designing for performance required a change in tactics and an optimization mentality to achieve step-change results. 1,2 Production analysis suggested radical changes in fluids, breakers, job sizes, types, and tonnage of proppant, etc. In this paper, we discuss and compare the evolution of the stimulation practices and implementation of technology that matched performance to fracture design. We describe some of the steps and practical standards implemented to improve the performance of hydraulically induced fractures.In particular, we discuss the critical importance of the minifrac diagnostics used intensively and extensively as a powerful diagnostic procedure. The diagnostic procedure became the most useful and practical tool for fracture placement and successful execution of larger fracture treatment designs with larger proppant sizes, perforating strategy, redesign of fracturing treatments on location, and continuous improvement of treatment designs and placement. The paper will examine the different pumping diagnostics performed in western Siberia and some of the reoccurring results observed. It also evaluates the consistency and specific problems encountered working around the traditional completion and operational practices in West Siberia, and best practices for performing a minifrac during extreme cold.

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Pushing the Limits of Hydraulic Fracturing in Russia

Cited by 6 publications

References 2 publications

Economic and Physical Optimization of Hydraulic Fracturing

Economic and Physical Optimization of Hydraulic Fracturing

Natural Gas Production

Diagnostic Pumping Tests To Optimize Fracturing Designs in the Harsh Environment of Western Siberia

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