To improve the performance and reduce the cost of fracture treatments.
University of Texas at Austin
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
Location:
Austin, Texas 78713
Field work conducted on Anadarko Petroleum Corp. leases in:
Dowdy Ranch Field, Freestone County, Texas
Carthage Field, Panola County, Texas
Many operators today are using simple water frac treatments to stimulate production from tight sand formations. Water is preferred because it is generally cheaper than gel-based treatments. Most fracture simulation models however, were not designed for simple water frac treatment. This project used multiple geomechanical and petrophysical methods to analyze data from fracture treatments from the tight gas sands in the Bossier Sand play in East Texas. This information was used to update current gel-based models to better predict proppant transport, fluid leakoff, and fracture cleanup and performance of water frac processes. The improved model was then used to develop guidelines for selection of fracturing fluids and optimization of the future fracture field tests. These fracture field tests were applied to the Cotton Valley Sands, a section very similar to the Bossier Sands, in Carthage Field.
The computer modeling software developed by this project improves fracture stimulation design by better analysis of proppant transport, fluid leakoff, turbulence within the frac fluid and viscosity of the frac fluid. It is applicable for frac fluids ranging in viscosity from water to gels. This software can be used in any formation where fracture stimulation is deemed useful. Application of this software will provide a better estimate of the results of a particular frac design, thus reducing materials and equipment use and therefore reducing costs.
This project is completed.
$883,931
$419,326
NETL – Tim Grant (412-386-5457 or tim.grant@netl.doe.gov)
University of Texas at Austin – Mukul Sharma (512-471-3257 or msharma@mail.utexas.edu)
Final Project Report [PDF-3.57MB]
Technology Assessment - Prepared by Mukul M. Sharma, University of Texas at Austin & Richard Sullivan, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
Sharma, M.M., Gadde, P.B., Copeland, D., Sigal, R., Fielder, R. and Sullivan, R., 2003, The Impact of Proppant Placement on the Productivity of Tight Gas Wells, Gas TIPS, p. 19-24, Fall 2003.
Pertinent Publications:
Mahadevan, J. and Sharma, M.M., 2003, Clean-up of Water Blocks in Low Permeability Formations, SPE 84216.
Parekh, B. and Sharma, M.M., 2004, Clean-up of Water Blocks in Depleted Low-Permeability Reservoirs, SPE 89837.
Gadde, P.G., Liu, Y., Norman, J., Bonnecaze, R. and Sharma, M.M., 2004, Modeling Proppant Settling in Water-Fracs, SPE 89875.
Sharma, M.M. and Gadde, P.B., 2004, Slick Water and Hybrid Fracs in the Bossier: Some Lessons Learned, SPE 89876