Evaluation of Reservoir Quality and Forecasted Production Variability along a Multi-Fractured Horizontal Well. Part 1: Reservoir Characterization

Daniela Becerra, Christopher R. Clarkson, Amin Ghanizadeh, Rafael Pires de Lima, Farshad Tabasinejad, Zhenzihao Zhang, Ajesh Trivedi and Roman Shor
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Daniela Becerra: Department of Geosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Christopher R. Clarkson: Department of Geosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Amin Ghanizadeh: Department of Geosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Rafael Pires de Lima: Geological Survey of Brazil, São Paulo 01304-010, Brazil
Farshad Tabasinejad: Department of Geosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Zhenzihao Zhang: Department of Geosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Ajesh Trivedi: Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Roman Shor: Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-23

Abstract: Completion design for horizontal wells is typically performed using a geometric approach where the fracturing stages are evenly distributed along the lateral length of the well. However, this approach ignores the intrinsic vertical and horizontal heterogeneity of unconventional reservoirs, resulting in uneven production from hydraulic fracturing stages. An alternative approach is to selectively complete intervals with similar and superior reservoir quality (RQ) and completion quality (CQ), potentially leading to improved development efficiency. In the current study, along-well reservoir characterization is performed using data from a horizontal well completed in the Montney Formation in western Canada. Log-derived petrophysical and geomechanical properties, and laboratory analyses performed on drill cuttings, are integrated for the purpose of evaluating RQ and CQ variability along the well. For RQ, cutoffs were applied to the porosity (>4%), permeability (>0.0018 mD), and water saturation (<20%), whereas, for CQ, cutoffs were applied to rock strength (<160 Mpa), Young’s Modulus (60–65 GPa), and Poisson’s ratio (<0.26). Based on the observed heterogeneity in reservoir properties, the lateral length of the well can be subdivided into nine segments. Superior RQ and CQ intervals were found to be associated with predominantly (massive) porous siltstone facies; these intervals are regarded as the primary targets for stimulation. In contrast, relatively inferior RQ and CQ intervals were found to be associated with either dolomite-cemented facies or laminated siltstones. The methods developed and used in this study could be beneficial to Montney operators who aim to better predict and target sweet spots along horizontal wells; the approach could also be used in other unconventional plays.

Keywords: along-well characterization; drill cuttings; reservoir quality; completion quality; horizontal wells; Montney Formation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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