ProgressReport_December2018.pdf

Progress Report DE-SC0015766: Development and Testing of Advanced Inter-well and Inter-Stage Pressure Pulse Analysis for Fracture Diagnostics Accomplishments 1. What are the major goals of the project? The objective of this Phase II project is to develop and demonstrate with field data a more accurate and cost‐effective technique to estimate fracture height, length, and orientation than currently available technology. First, we will perform detailed numerical modeling studies of pulse testing for a multi‐stage fracture system in horizontal wells for a range of fracture geometries and formation characteristics. Then we will apply the inversion technique to several real‐world application examples to demonstrate its validity for characterizing multi‐stage fractures. Field testing and collecting pressure pulse test data for both single‐fracture and multi‐ fracture systems from a horizontal well will also be conducted. Finally, we will compare the numerical results with field test data to demonstrate and validate the fracture characterization technique. At the conclusion of the research funded by this DOE grant, GeoMechanics Technologies will have accomplished the following goals:  Perform detailed numerical modeling studies of pulse testing for a multi‐stage fracture system in horizontal wells for a range of fracture geometries and formation characteristics;  Demonstrate inversion techniques to characterize the multi‐stage fracture system and apply the inversion techniques with several real‐world application examples;  Perform field testing and collect pressure pulse test data for both single‐fracture and multi‐fracture systems from a horizontal well; and  Compare the numerical results with field test data to demonstrate and validate the fracture characterization technique. To maintain productivity and establish accountability, four major milestones were scheduled throughout this Phase II project. A major goal during year one of this project involved the completion and submission of the first Milestone Report. The Milestone 1 Report involved a summary of findings and results from Task 2: Detailed numerical modeling studies of multi‐ stage fracture systems for a range of fracture geometry and formation characteristics. In particular, this report summarized the development of the geomechanical and fluid flow models as well as the numerical techniques to determine fracture properties. This milestone report was submitted to our project manager, Mr. David Cercone at the end of March 2018. Milestone 2 is represented as a Go‐No Go Decision Point Report and was scheduled at the end of year one. The criteria for the Go‐No Go decision point is described below: 1. Results from numerical modeling show that the pressure pulse from observation locations can be detected and analyzed within a reasonable and practical distance to injection locations. 2. The inversion technique developed is capable of characterizing the multi‐stage fracture system.