Hydraulic Fracturing Avec Commentaires

Reservoir Stimulation
Hydraulic fracturing
2 Hydraulic Fracturing
Hydraulic Fracturing
Basic principles and design steps

Operational realisation
Let s Remember Darcy law
How to improve productivity?
Bypass the damage:
But what to do:
If the formation is tight (K<1 md for gas, < 10 md for oil)
If the damages are deep inside the reservoir (Damage over 1 ft)
Create a highly conductive path for the oil or the gas:
Connect multiple reservoirs
Design steps
Basic principles in fracturing

1.- Frac height prediction

2.- Frac length design

3.- Frac pressure prediction

4.- Completion design

5.- Perforation strategy

6.- Fluid selection

7.- Proppant selection

Basic Principles in fracturing (1)
A fracture is a rupture in traction mode.

The frac plan is thus perpendicular to the minimum stress

Below 500-600 m, the maximum stress is vertical
(overburden)

=> Most of the time the fracture plan is vertical
o max
o intermediate
o min
o min
oh min
ov max
The goal of a hydraulic fracture is to
increase the well PRODUCTIVITY
by creating an artificial permeable channel.
PI multiplied by 2 to 4

A frac can also
increase the reserves
by connecting thin isolated layers
Architecture : cased & perforated

(for selectivity and to
help the frac initiation)
oh min
The target reservoirs :

Hydraulic propped fracture treatment
are mainly recommended in
sandstone reservoirs,
Best case: low permeability and laminated

It is pumped in two steps :

Frac initiation & propagation with gel
Proppant placement
ov max
Basic Principles in fracturing (4a)
oh min
ov max
A fracture is characterised by :
its half length : Xf
its conductivity : kf wf
Xf
wf
kf
Basic Principles in fracturing (4b)
oh min
ov max

If the fracture propagates in radial mode, what is the
amount of proppant required to fill up the following
fracture:
Xf = 15 meters, Kfwf = 2500 md.ft (eq to 2 lb.ft)
Xf = 45 meters, kfwf = 2500 md.ft (eq to 2 lb/ft)

Xf
wf
kf
Basic Principles in fracturing (4c)
oh min
ov max

What fracture length is required for a Fcd =2 =
K formation = 10 md
Kf.wf = 2500 md.ft
How much proppant is required to create such a frac ?
What is the fracture width if the proppant permeability is
Kf = 250 D (in mm)

Xf
wf
kf
kf wf
k Xf
oh min
Acid fracture treatment

are recommended in carbonated reservoirs.

It is pumped in two steps.
Frac initiation & propagation with gel
The acid then fingers through the gel and
etches the frac faces to create an artificial
fissure.

pro : infinite conductivity
con : small penetration length
Chalk reservoirs :

Chalk flows and can plug a proppant pack.

Acid frac treatments are more suited.

They may have to be regularly repeated.

To be economically interesting, North Sea developments
include Multi fractured horizontal wells.

Multi fractured horizontal wells
oh min
Transverse Fracs Longitudinal Frac
oh min
Last application case :

in unconsolidated reservoir : FRAC-PACK.
Fracture treatment to prevent sand production
Assuming a radial shape of the
fracture,
Targeted Fcd = 1
Perforated height = 25 m
K formation = 500 mD

What should be the fracture
conductivity ?

What should be the fracture
width ?
kf = 250 D

1.- Frac height prediction (1)
The fracture height is not controlled, it is imposed.

The frac will vertically grow until reaching GEOLOGICAL barriers
of higher stress than the reservoir.

Most often shale's or shaly layers

sometimes compact & indurated layers

or high pressure layers
the gamma-ray log enables to locate the shaly layers

an Array-sonic log indicates the relative mechanical properties
contrast between layers
(Young Modulus E (Stress / strain) and Poissons Ratio v )

The exact E and v values must be measured on cores
to calibrate the Array sonic.
From the mechanical properties, some hypothesis are to be made for :
stress in the reservoir
stresses in the barriers
The frac height will be function of the stress profile best guess
Sensitivity runs will show various propagation scenarii
Only the minifrac will assess the best scenario
Radial mode
Confined mode
Height & length
growth
unconfined
height growth
Frac height is also a function of target frac length
target 1
target 2
0.7 psi/ft
0.9 psi/ft
0.8 psi/ft
Shaly sandstone
pay-zone
shale
If several pay-zones or if a thick reservoir :
the treatment is done in several fractures, with isolation in between
target 1
Shaly sandstone
pay-zone 1
shale
pay-zone 2
Sand plug
Bridge plug
2.- Frac length design (1)
Frac length is a function of the target productivity.

Some important parameters :

the dimensionless conductivity : Fcd =
represents the ratio between the channel
conductive potential and the matrix potential.
The goal is at least : Fcd > 2

the fracture skin
kf wf
k Xf
S
r
X F
fracture
w
f cd
= +
|
\

|
.
|
|
\

|
.
|
|
|
|

(

(
(
(
(
ln 2
2
2
t
between -4 et -6
Xf
wf
kf
-8
-6
-4
-2
0
2
4
0.1 1 10 100 1000
Dimensionless Fracture Conductivity
F
r
a
c
t
u
r
e

S
k
i
n

1
10
50
100
250
500
1000
X
f
/R
w

K
f
W
f
/X
f
K
i
--->
After SPE 10179
Effective Skin from Fracturing

the Fold of Increase : FOI = =
represents the production increase due to the frac.

IP =

Usual range : ln(re/rw) between 7 et 9
re = 500 to 1000 m, rw = 0.1 to 0.05 m (OD= 81/2 to 41/2)
FOI usually between 2 to 4
IP with frac
IP without frac (Skin = 0)
kh
141.2 B [ ln (re/rw) + S]
ln (re/rw)
ln (re/rw) + Sf
A technico - economic optimum has to be found between :
the cumulative production for a given frac geometry
its technical operational feasibility
the treatment cost
Xf
Net Present Value
NPV
Whats about the fracture width ?
Depends on
- Rock mechanics (Young modulus, Poison ratio)
- Fluid used to create the fracture
- The pumping rate

3.- Frac pressure prediction (1)
Breakdown pressure
Net Pressure
Bottomhole friction
+
+
Q
ISIP =
Instantaneous
Shut in Pressure
LOT
Closure pressure
(in situ stress)
Propagation pressure
=
Initial overpressure the first(s) time(s) a rock is fractured. This
overpressure later disappears. It is unpredictable, and depends
on the rock type, the perforations and the way the well is
pressurised.
The expression frac pressure can have different meanings
The stress in the reservoir is estimated

as a function of the rock type
and of the reservoir pressure
( )
o
v
v
o o
h
OB SP SP ~

+
1
Poissons ratio
measured on core
overburden
~ 1 psi/ft
Static pressure
Biot coefficient
from 0.8 to 1
The initial stress gradient can range from 0.50 to 0.9 psi/ft
and . Tectonic history
+ T
TFE Closure Pressure
data base
(sandstone)
N40
N34
N38
N39
N41
L4A4
L4A5
L4A1
K5EC2
K4A2
K6-6
L4PN1
K4A3
L4PN4-lower
L4PN4- up
REB
hassi
0.45
0.50
0.55
0.60
0.65
0.70
0.75
0.80
0.85
0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60
Reservoir pressure (psi/ft)
C
l
o
s
u
r
e

P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

(
p
s
i
/
f
t
)
sandstone North Sea
hard sandstone North Sea
Algerie
INDONESIE
The Net Pressure is calculated by the pseudo 3D simulators.

It is depending mainly on :

- the Young modulus E

- the frac width
(function of the rate and the fluid viscosity)

- the frac height and its propagation mode
Choice of rate & fluid
Q
To understand the fracture geometry, it is compulsory to interpret
the pressure behaviour while pumping and after shut-down

o1
o2
o1
o1
o2
Conclusions - Part 1
Why do you perform a hydraulic fracture
When do you need to pump proppant
When can you pump acid
Why would you perform a fracture in a high
permeability formation
What is Fcd ?
What value do you target for Fcd ?

In a non confined reservoir, what frac length
would you recommend for a 1 md formation (kfwf
= 2500 md.ft) (Eq to 2 lb/ft)
How much proppant is required ?
What will be the fracture width (kf = 250 D)
WHP

=

+ gel friction in tubing

- hydrostatic

+
4.- Completion design
= 6700 psi

1400
5400
Well Head Isolation Tool
Pressure in the annulus
to monitor leaks and
decrease tubing movements.
4000
psi
Perforation strategy

8500 + 2000 + 200 = 10 700 psi
Stress + Net Pressure + BH friction = BHTP
Completion design
(weight on packer,
locator stroke)
HHP =
Q (BPM) * WHP (psi)
40.8
4 - Completion design strategy
Determine Maximum WH pressure
When initiating the fracture
When pumping the minifrac
If a screen out occurred.
Example:
Depth = 10 000 ft
Stress = 0.85 psi/ft
P breakdown = 1,07 psi/ft
Fluid density = 1,02 SG
Friction = 1500 psi @ 20 bpm
Expected net P = 500 psi when initiating the fracture
= 1500 psi when propagating the fracture
= 3000 psi during the screen out
Determine max differential pressure and pressure to be
applied in the annulus
On casing
On tubing
On packer
Perform a Triax - analysis

5.- Perforation strategy (1)

Deep penetrating :
to by pass the stress concentration around the well

High density - high phasing : at least 6 SPF - 60 :
to likely decrease tortuosity

in deviated wells : short perforated interval (~ 2 to 4 m):
to likely prevent multiple fractures

The perforations must meet with the fracture treatment requirements
5.- Perforation strategy (2)
TORTUOSITY
This angle is due to the difficult junction
between the frac plan and the perforations

Its consequences are :

pressure increase during pumping
high risk of early screen out
poor connection between the well and the frac
resulting in a productivity decrease.
6.- Fluid selection (1)
Frac gels made great progress over the past 10 years

Create the fracture :
it must leak off the less possible in the formation
and mustnt damage it

Transport the proppant (viscosity),

but also must have the less tubing friction possible
Be stable at high temperature while pumping

Break and be cleaned out easily with low or no residue
The frac fluid must :
The first frac fluid was Napalm
(gelled gas oil, dangerous to pump)
In the 70s : water base polymeric gels
but damaging due to high leak off in reservoir
In the 80s : oil base gels
high leak off but non damaging
con : high residue in the proppant pack
also : foam base fluid (with less polymers)
Since the 90s :
Cross linked water base polymeric gels
Linear polymeric gels

Guar : chemically purified form of the natural gum
and its derivative : HPG (hydroxylpropyl guar)

The new product : CMHPG (Carbo Methyl hydroxyethyl guar)
Cross linker = heavy metal ion to rigidify the chains .

The gel builds a cake at the frac faces

The water filtration in the reservoir is thus reduced

Titanate, Zirconate (High temperature applications)

Borate : the most commonly used nowadays
LA1 LA2 LA3 LA4
LA5

LA
6

LA
7
LA12 LA11 LA10 LA8
Gel
Mixing
Tank
Sand silos
Water tanks

Acid tank
containing
KCl
LGC tanks
Brine
tanks
containing
KCl
Blender
tub
Dry
additives
To
intensifiers
8

Batch
Tank
To intensifiers
LA tanks
8
8

Conveyor belt
Auger
= flow meter
Dry
additi
ve
Hoppe
r

Mixing the fluid
Additives

(temperature stabiliser)

(fluid loss control agent)

surfactant (for fluid recovery)

oxidiser BREAKER Could be encapsulated
The selected service company proposes a fluid formulation,

as a function of the pumping program.

Some lab quality control tests are conducted to check the formulation

- compatibility with the reservoir (Clays)

- cross link time (Should be less than pipe time)

- stability while pumping

- good break with the least residues possible

BUT STILL AROUND 50% PERMEABILITY REDUCTION
ON THE PROPPANT PACK
7.- Proppant selection (1)
- size : as a function of the target conductivity : 20/40 or 16/20

careful to the perforation entry hole diameter and the frac width

- substrate type : Could be high quality sand or man made (Aluminate derivative)
They are chosen as a function of the effective stress

ceramic, bauxite etc....

- resin coating :
pro : decreases the risk of proppant flowback
con : more expensive, less frac conductivity,
Temperature limited

The proppant flowback probability is still poorly predicted.

Perforation Diameter Required To Avoid Particle Bridging
Maximum
Proppant 8/12 12/20 16/30 20/40 40/60
Concentration
LB/Gal
1 0.27 0.19 0.13 0.09 0.05
2 0.37 0.26 0.18 0.13 0.06
3 0.44 0.31 0.22 0.15 0.08
4 0.49 0.34 0.24 0.17 0.09
5 0.52 0.36 0.26 0.18 0.09
6 0.53 0.38 0.27 0.19 0.09
7 0.54 0.38 0.27 0.19 0.10
8 0.55 0.39 0.27 0.19 0.10
9 0.56 0.39 0.28 0.20 0.10
10 or more 0.56 0.40 0.28 0.20 0.10
Minimum Allowable Perforation Diameter, inch
Proppant Mesh Size
- size : as a function of
the target conductivity :
20/40 or 16/20

careful to the perforation
entry hole diameter and
the frac width

- Type: As a function of
the in-situ formation
stress

CONDUCTIVITY (md-ft) PERMEABILITY (Darcies)
Closure Stress 20/40J ordan 20/40 C-Lite 20/40Carbo-Prop 20/40Carb-HSP Closure Stress 20/40J ordan 20/40 C-Lite 20/40Carbo-Prop 20/40Carb-HSP
psi 2.0lb/sqft-252F 2.0lb/sqft-252F 2.0lb/sqft-252F 2.0lb/sqft-252F psi 2.0lb/sqft-252F 2.0lb/sqft-252F 2.0lb/sqft-252F 2.0lb/sqft-252F
2000 4215 9509 7452 7835 2000 227 500 446 515
4000 1742 8010 6031 6355 4000 97 432 377 432
6000 836 5740 4823 5404 6000 48 318 315 381
8000 333 3426 3330 4445 8000 20 195 228 325
10000 99 1919 2579 3103 10000 6 112 186 236
12000 18 919 1858 2227 12000 1 55 141 176
Median Diam. (mm) 0,560 0,723 0,655 0,697 0,560 0,723 0,655 0,697
CONDUCTIVITY VS. CLOSURE STRESS
100
1000
10000
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000
CLOSURE STRESS - PSI
C
O
N
D
U
C
T
I
V
I
T
Y

M
D
-
F
T
2,0lb/sqft 20/40Jordan252F
2,0lb/sqft 20/40 C-Lite252F
2,0lb/sqft 20/40Carbo-Prop252F
2,0lb/sqft 20/40Carb-HSP252F
`
PERMEABILITY VS. CLOSURE STRESS
1
10
100
1000
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000
CLOSURE STRESS - PSI
2,0lb/sqft 20/40Jordan252F
2,0lb/sqft 20/40 C-Lite252F
2,0lb/sqft 20/40Carbo-Prop252F
2,0lb/sqft 20/40Carb-HSP252F
- size : as a function of
the target conductivity :
20/40 (0.5 - 0.7 mm) or
16/20 (1 mm)

careful to the perforation
entry hole diameter and
the frac width

- Type: As a function of
the in-situ formation
stress

Fractured wells: what to remember
Fracturing a well is very expensive: up to 1.000.000 $
the near well bore connection to the frac is essential
for productivity
proppant flow back is very detrimental to fracture
conductivity and connectivity to well bore
proppant flow back happens at early stage, when
pack is not yet re-stressed
excessive drawdown at clean-up may (WILL?) destroy
the benefit of the frac
fracced wells MUST binned up slowly

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