Shale geomechanics for multi-stage hydraulic fracturing optimization in resource shale and tight plays

Abstract

Systems and methods for improving production from wellbores include providing optimal fracture design parameters based on geomechanical analyses combined with geological, geophysical, and / or petrophysical knowledge. In at least one embodiment, the systems and methods include defining a well direction, defining a fracture spacing, selecting a fracturing fluid system and optimizing a fracture design, such as a complex multi-stage hydraulic fracture design. Such systems and methods can help minimize a learning curve associated with a wellbore or subterranean formation and optimize the hydraulic fracturing operation for a hydrocarbon reservoir.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION[0001]The embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to modeling oilfield formations, and more specifically relate to methods and systems for designing hydraulic fracturing operations and optimizing well production.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0002]Drilling optimization in resource shale and tight plays can be similar in some respects to that of conventional plays. However, differences may exist, such as with respect to time-dependent wellbore stability due to exceptionally long horizontal well drilling.[0003]Developing hydrocarbon formations, such as resource shale and / or tight plays, can be extensive and demanding, particularly when determining a suitable multi-stage fracture (or “frac”) stimulation design. Although drilling optimization in resource shale and tight plays may be similar to that of conventional plays in some respects, some differences exist, such as with respect to time-dependent wellbore stability because of relatively long horizontal well drilling....

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a system and method for improving production from wellbores by optimizing fracture design parameters based on geomechanical analyses and geological, geophysical, and petrophysical knowledge. The system and method can help minimize a learning curve associated with a wellbore or formation and can include determining a well direction, selecting a fracturing fluid system, and optimizing a fracture design, such as a complex multi-stage hydraulic fracture design. The technical effect of the patent text is to provide a more efficient and effective approach for designing hydraulic fracturing operations in resource shale and tight plays, which can be time-consuming and costly.

Problems solved by technology

However, differences may exist, such as with respect to time-dependent wellbore stability due to exceptionally long horizontal well drilling.

Developing hydrocarbon formations, such as resource shale and / or tight plays, can be extensive and demanding, particularly when determining a suitable multi-stage fracture (or “frac”) stimulation design.

Such technological advancements in resource shale and tight plays can present unique engineering challenges with respect to geomechanics, such as long, horizontal well drilling and completion methods that allow complex multi-stage hydraulic fracture stimulation design.

Horizontal drilling can create significant wellbore stability issues, which may be stress-induced and time-dependent, from fluid-formation interaction.

However, the Barnett design can be relatively inefficient in fields other than the Barnett shale, such as in the Haynesville, Bakken, and Eagle Ford shales.

However, this approach can require a considerable learning curve and associated costs to determine the optimal multi-stage fracturing design for one or more wellbores.

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