Unconventional Well Manager for Hydraulic Stimulation Planning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unconventional reservoirs pose challenges in accessing tightly bound hydrocarbon accumulations due to strong capillary forces, requiring specialized operations for evaluation and extraction.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a computer processor to analyze wellstream fluid data and target data to predict well production and refined product output, adjusting the set of unconventional wells and performing hydraulic stimulation operations to meet predetermined criteria.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hydraulic stimulation operations are performed to access tightly bound hydrocarbon accumulations in unconventional reservoirs, then extraction capability is improved, but operational complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon extraction capabilityVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of wellstream fluid data, target data, and predicted well production data before executing hydraulic stimulation operations. The automated well manager evaluates multiple parameters including production shrinkage values and refined product predictions in advance to determine optimal well configurations and stimulation strategies, reducing operational complexity through pre-planning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where predicted well production data and actual performance are compared against predetermined criteria. The automated well manager adjusts well configurations and stimulation parameters based on this feedback, optimizing extraction capability while managing operational complexity through iterative refinement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the number of unconventional wells is increased to meet production targets, then well production output is improved, but development cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewell production outputVSAvoiddevelopment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines a second set of unconventional wells that is different from the first set based on predicted refined product data failing to satisfy predetermined criteria. This selective approach ensures that wells are added or modified only when necessary to meet production targets, avoiding excessive development costs while maintaining adequate production output

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The automated well manager changes key parameters including well configuration, stimulation intensity, and operational parameters to optimize the balance between production output and development cost. The system evaluates multiple scenarios with different parameter combinations to identify the most cost-effective solution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If predicted refined product data is used to determine well configurations, then operational efficiency is improved, but data processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoiddata processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated well manager performs self-service by automatically obtaining wellstream fluid data, analyzing predicted well production data, determining production shrinkage values, and making well configuration decisions without extensive human intervention. This automation improves operational efficiency while managing data processing complexity through integrated software systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method and system enable effective management of unconventional well developments by optimizing well production and refined product output, ensuring that predicted data satisfy predetermined criteria and justify associated development costs.

Implementation Method 1

performing one or more hydraulic stimulation operations at one or more wells based on the well development plan

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic fracturing: Fracture Mechanics

Implementation Method 2

determining, by a computer processor, predicted well production data based on the wellstream fluid data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectData analysis and prediction:

Data Source

PatentUS20250163803A1Method and system for managing unconventional reservoir operations

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A method may include determining predicted well production data based on wellstream fluid data. The method may further include determining various production shrinkage values based on the wellstream fluid data. The method may further include determining predicted refined product data for the well block based on the production shrinkage values and the predicted well production data. The method may further include determining whether the predicted well production data and the predicted refined product data satisfy a predetermined criterion. The method may further include determining a set of unconventional wells for the well block in response to the predicted refined product data failing to satisfy the predetermined criterion. The method may further include determining a well development plan based on the set of unconventional wells. The method may further include performing a hydraulic stimulation operation at a well based on the well development plan.