A New Approach Solving Lateral Wells Complexity, Integrating Borehole Acoustics Reflection Survey and Facies Derived Borehole Images for a Better Completion Strategy, Wolfcamp, West Texas

Abstract

The Greater Permian Basin (GPB) formed and was divided into several sub-basins. It continued to uncover why the Midland Basin and the Delaware Basin were different based on variances in sedimentary depositions and tectonics. The Delaware Basin represents a syn-tectonic deposition; shaping the complexity of the lateral facies variation, which in turn represents a real challenge for lateral wells evaluation and completion design. The Wolfcamp Formation is the deepest in the center of the basin, measuring approximately 12,000 feet deep, concluding major sea level fluctuations outlining high frequency of depositional cycles. Identifying the depositional facies and solving the structural framework, including faults and fracture analysis, will input to the completion strategy, differentiating the reservoir quality (RQ) and completion quality (CQ) for a better fracking stage placement. This case study is approaching a new technique integrating the depositional facies, fracture identification from borehole images, Anisotropic mechanical properties with their correspondence minimum horizontal stress profile along the well combined with the compressional borehole acoustic reflection survey to reveal the dilemma of understanding the reservoir and preparing the stimulation of the well. Facies identification combined with fracture evaluation was obtained from borehole images in vertical and horizontal sections. Good correlation was observed between specific facies and fracture occurrence which will be discussed in detail in this paper. Near wellbore fracture observation might not be enough to solve for the real variation of fracture occurrence across the formation away from the borehole. The standard means of evaluating the fractures such as stoneley fracture analysis, and shear anisotropy analysis from dipole sonic may reveal the mid-near well bore events. Borehole acoustic reflection technique provides a method for fracture characterization with a larger distance away the borehole; analyzing the compressional and shear reflections generated by fractures, bed boundaries, faults, etc.… originated with the state of the art dipole acoustic tool. An integrated analysis providing detailed study of the microresistivity images and the Borehole acoustic reflection analysis, shedding light on the complexity of the lateral wells drilled in the Wolfcamp Formation is used to identify the way forward for future well stimulation within this area.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90291 ©2017 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Houston, Texas, April 2-5, 2017