--> Improved Geology-Based Geomechanical Models Using Drill Cuttings Data for Selective Fracture Stage Placement in the Montney, Duvernay and Beyond
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Improved Geology-Based Geomechanical Models Using Previous HitDrillNext Hit Cuttings Data for Selective Fracture Stage Placement in the Montney, Duvernay and Beyond

Abstract

Geomechanical profiles of wells are often used to optimize the placement of hydraulic fracture stages along a horizontal well. One common optimization objective is to maximize near-wellbore fracture performance by initiating fractures in locations where fracture initiation and growth will be easiest. This strategy relies on the availability of continuous characterization of reservoir quality and geomechanical properties along the horizontal well. However, cores and suitable logging data are often not available. Previous HitDrillNext Hit cuttings are readily available, but cuttings analyses are typically limited to chemical analyses (i.e. mineralogy and XRF). In this study we have applied recent technological advancements in nano-materials testing to measure directly the reservoir mechanical properties from Previous HitdrillNext Hit cuttings through instrumented nano-indentation tests. We present several case studies from the Montney, Duvernay and elsewhere where quantitative geomechanical profiles along horizontal wells were built using nano-indentation data from cuttings. We describe how variations in stress along these wells were calculated from the geomechanical model built with cuttings data and calibrated to stress measurements where available. First, a general work procedure is described to derive and validate a geomechanical well profile from nano-indentation on cuttings using examples of wells with log and core data available. Second, we describe the procedures for constructing geomechanical models based on Previous HitdrillNext Hit cuttings alone, including a comparison with geochemical proxy models. Last, we present examples of optimizing well stimulation with selective fracture stage placement using the geomechanical models built with cuttings-based mechanical and reservoir data. Our results showed that the Previous HitdrillTop cuttings mechanical data provided a simpler but more robust description of relevant reservoir geomechanical properties than sonic logging data or geochemical profiling data alone. This allowed for a higher degree of confidence in proposing changes to current operating practices in these reservoirs. In particular, the cuttings-based models could rigorously characterize the mechanical anisotropy of laminated zones in a way that could be tied directly to intrinsic characteristics of a given lithotype such as composition, fabric and texture.