Abstract
Different techniques have been used to evaluate fracture geometry and completion efficiency including chemical tracers, microseismic, fiber optics, and production logs. Most of these methods are analyzed post-stage and are time and cost-consuming processes. This study presents a new technique using the pumping pressure and other frac data to stream real-time fracture measurements to the frac van. The current study investigates well interference with an actual field case, and the application of a real-time fracture diagnostic technique to improve hydraulic fracturing operation and well performance.
Pumping data such as treating pressures, injection rates, and proppant concentrations were used to determine, in real-time, the number and type of fractures created during the hydraulic fracture treatment. This allowed for operational adjustments to be made to optimize pumping rate and proppant concentration to maximize the number of shear fractures and increase the fracture surface area. Decline curve analysis (DCA) was then used to determine the estimated ultimate oil recovery (EUR) for each well. The well spacing of various parent-child scenarios, single, & multi-well pads were analyzed.
Production data was collected for three nearby pads in the Wolfcamp Formation. Pads had stand-alone wells, one well that was dominantly tensile fractured, and shear fractured child wells. When comparing the stand-alone well pads, the EUR of the shear fractured well was double the value of its tensile fractured counterpart. This was a result of higher stimulated fracture surface area on the shear frac well. Additional pad development in the area was evaluated for parent-child well interference. While production of shear fractured wells near parent wells is diminished, we show these wells still outperform the standalone tensile fractured well.
Live measurements of the created fracture count and type can be used to improve hydrocarbon production and reduce well interference effects. Production data demonstrate the effects of parent wells when child well stimulation is optimized.
