High Resolution Geomechanical Model and its Impact on Hydraulic Fracture Height Growth. An Example from Vaca Muerta Formation, Argentina. Available to Purchase

Landing zone selection is one of the key decisions to improve productivity and profitability in unconventional plays. The optimal well placement depends on a combination of parameters including petrophysical and geomechanical properties, presence of natural fractures, and the stacking pattern of the reservoir, which drive the hydraulic fracture height growth. Vaca Muerta Formation shows a high degree of vertical heterogeneity associated to the presence of argillaceous and calcitized ash beds, concretions, calcite veins, bindstone and other limestone beds interbedded within the organic-rich mudstones. Such high level of heterogeneity affects hydraulic fracture growth, proppant placement and stimulation efficiency. Therefore, understanding the detailed reservoir stratigraphic architecture and its impact on fracture height is relevant for landing zone selection.