DRILLING & PRODUCTION
The operator supplies formation data as input for mathematical modeling and to configure individual systems for optimal pressure drop and flow rates. The system applies to a variety of wellbore conditions, including those that require viscous fluid, kill pill cleanup, or multiphase flow. Also, this system has attained individual lateral installation lengths of more than 13,000 ft (4,000 m) since its introduction in 1998.
Optimizing perforating, fracturing strategy
The oilfield technology group of Hexion specialty chemicals has developed a new environmentally improved PropTrac HSM fracture diagnostics technology to determine proppant location. This patent-pending technology allows operators to optimize perforating and fracturing strategy to increase oil and gas production, according to Hexion.
The actual downhole fracture geometry can affect the economic value of a well. Having a better understanding of fracture dimensions allows operators to make more informed decisions and to optimize well completion designs to enable the wells to produce to their full potential. An example is an unconventional reservoir such as tight gas and shale. A major technical challenge in this circumstance, especially multi-zone, is correlation of post frac production performance with both the reservoir’s properties and the completion procedure.
PropTrac H is designed to optimize fracture treatments and improve results. The resin coated proppants contain a proprietary, non-radioactive tagging material in the coating. Once the well is fractured, these proppants are temporarily activated downhole with a special logging tool that identifies their location. Unlike some radioactive tracers, this technology is no longer active by the time the tool is removed from the well. The technology can also be activated repeatedly to log wells months, even years, later to determine what zones were actually fractured with the proppants.
This technology benefits are:
- No radioactive tracer materials
- Does not require the same environmental or safety precautions, permits, or regulatory compliance as radioactive tracers
- Logs can be run as often as desired during the lifetime of the well
- Proppants with a built-in tagging material in the resin coating provide more accurate results.
Some operators are using proppants as “insurance.” They are only logging the well if necessary due to lower than expected post-treatment production.
As an example, this aids engineers in calibration of their frac design model with a “real-world” proppant distribution log. Additionally, logs are provided that show where operators can perforate additional zones to potentially increase well production. It also allows users to observe how proppant distribution in the fracture may be affected by changes in flowing pressure, flow rates, or fluid entry. This technology can provide additional data for analyzing changes in production rates (such as decreases) and help explain these changes, e.g., the proppant pack shifted in the fracture. Operators can also use this information to assist in analyzing refrac options during the well’s lifetime.
Previous Page
|
Next Page
Page 2 of 3
Volume 68 Issue 9
September 2008
Add RSS Feed