Use of Fracture-Mapping Technologies to Improve Well Completions in Shale Reservoirs

Michael J. Mayerhofer
Pinnacle Technologies, Houston, TX

Recent innovations in horizontal well drilling and completion techniques have been key factors to the growing success of shale gas production in the U.S. today. In particular, within the past years, significant advances have been made in the fracture completion of shale gas wells. Large waterfracs and horizontal wells along with the ability to directly measure hydraulic fracture network growth with microseismic fracture mapping have pushed the envelope in shale reservoirs such as the Barnett, Woodford and Fayetteville.

This paper will present recent case studies on different types of shale fracture completions along with microseismic mapping results of actual fracture network growth. Over two-hundred wells have been mapped in shale reservoirs with microseismic imaging and tiltmeter fracture mapping over the past several years. The fracture mapping allows for direct measurement of the fracture network orientation, height, length and width, as well as interaction with local geology such as faults and karsts. The results have been used to determine well spacing, offset well locations, refracture candidate identification, staging strategies and real-time changes to fracture treatment design and execution in both horizontal and vertical wells. The fracture mapping results generally show that the hydraulic fracture growth is very complex in shales and it is critical to measure the size and orientation of the fracture network to optimize horizontal well planning and placement. Other network parameters such as fracture spacing and conductivity are also discussed. Understanding the impact of fracture network properties on well performance is critical to successfully developing and optimizing production in shale reservoirs.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90078©2008 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas