Fracture Surface Area Estimation in Hydraulic Fracturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for hydraulic fracturing in hydrocarbon production lack accurate characterization of effective fracture surface-area per cluster, leading to uncertainties in hydrocarbon rate and recovery predictions, which affects production forecasts and field development plans.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that estimate the effective fracture surface-area per cluster by integrating analytical and numerical simulation models with reservoir monitoring data, using rate transient analysis and fiber-optic monitoring to determine the total effective fracture surface-area and its non-uniform distribution along the wellbore, allowing for improved hydrocarbon rate and recovery estimates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional hydraulic fracturing methods are used, then production stimulation is achieved, but accurate characterization of effective fracture surface-area per cluster is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wellbore into multiple discrete clusters along its length, with each cluster containing multiple hydraulic fractures. This segmentation allows independent characterization of effective fracture surface-area for each cluster, transforming the previously undifferentiated total fracture area into cluster-specific measurements that can be individually analyzed and optimized.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs rate transient analysis (RTA) and fiber-optic monitoring to continuously measure production rates and pressure gradients, providing feedback that is used to update and refine the effective fracture surface-area estimates for each cluster. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of the characterization as production data becomes available, improving measurement precision over time.
2Measurement precision
If total effective fracture surface-area is estimated without cluster-specific distribution, then overall production estimation is simplified, but accuracy of production forecasts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wellbore into multiple discrete clusters, each with its own effective fracture surface-area characterization. This segmentation enables cluster-specific production forecasting that accounts for variations in fracture geometry, orientation, and conductivity along the wellbore, significantly improving overall forecast accuracy despite increased complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by recognizing that different clusters along the wellbore have distinct effective fracture surface-areas and production characteristics. Each cluster is characterized individually based on its specific geometry, orientation, and reservoir interaction, allowing tailored production forecasts for each segment rather than applying a uniform average across the entire wellbore.
3Reliability
If uniform distribution of fracture surface-area is assumed along the wellbore, then calculations are simplified, but actual non-uniform distribution is not captured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wellbore into multiple clusters and characterizes the effective fracture surface-area for each segment independently. This approach captures the inherent non-uniformity in fracture distribution along the wellbore, with each cluster's surface-area determined by its specific geometry and reservoir interaction rather than assuming a uniform average distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the effective fracture surface-area parameter to vary across different clusters along the wellbore, rather than maintaining a constant uniform value. This parameter variation reflects the actual non-uniform distribution of fractures, with each cluster's surface-area adjusted based on its specific orientation, geometry, and interaction with the reservoir formation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to determine effective fracture surface-area per cluster of hydraulic fractures of a hydraulically-fractured well by estimating total effective fracture-area associated with a wellbore and estimating relative distribution of effective fracture surface-area along the wellbore.