Well Completion System Using MSE Facies Mapping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current horizontal well completion strategies assume homogeneous and isotropic conditions, leading to significant errors due to geological formation facies variations, necessitating an improved method for characterizing reservoirs and optimizing well completion with reduced delays and increased efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining a well completion scenario based on mechanical specific energy (MSE) values to identify facies with similar rock strength, optimizing perforation placement, hydraulic fracturing fluid selection, and fracturing sleeve positioning, allowing for targeted well completion and recompletion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If homogeneous and isotropic conditions are assumed throughout the lateral section of the borehole, then the well completion process is simplified, but significant errors occur due to geological formation facies variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewell completion process complexityVSAvoidgeological formation characterization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral section of the borehole is divided into multiple segments based on facies boundaries identified through MSE mapping. Each segment with similar facies characteristics is completed using optimized parameters, while different segments use customized completion strategies. This segmentation allows accurate geological characterization without requiring complete customization of the entire well completion process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different completion parameters and strategies are applied to different local segments of the well based on the specific facies characteristics of each segment. This includes varying perforation densities, fracturing fluid types, and proppant selections according to local rock properties identified through MSE mapping, rather than applying uniform parameters throughout the entire lateral section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If detailed facies mapping and customized completion scenarios are implemented, then well completion efficiency and fracture productivity are improved, but the process time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewell completion efficiencyVSAvoidtime between drilling and completion phases

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Facies mapping using MSE data is performed during the drilling phase itself, allowing the geological characterization to be completed before the completion phase begins. This preliminary action enables immediate transition to customized completion scenarios without delay, as the facies boundaries and rock strength variations are already identified and mapped.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

MSE measurements taken during drilling provide real-time feedback on rock strength and facies changes. This feedback is continuously integrated into the completion scenario development, allowing dynamic adjustment of completion parameters based on actual geological conditions encountered, rather than relying on pre-drilling geological models alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10837277B2Well completion system and method

Publication Date: 2020.11.17 NEXTIER COMPLETION SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A well completion system and related methods are disclosed. The methods utilize mapped geological formation characterization data based on mechanical specific energy (MSE) values to determine a well completion scenario and executes the well completion scenario.