Measurement while fracturing (MWF)

Although many measurements are taken while fracturing, the term MWF refers to nonintrusive measurements taken on surface without fracturing operations interruption.

Overview

MWF is characterized by enhanced event detectability and higher reflection depth determination accuracy. These are achieved by a combination of advanced signal processing algorithms and a tube wave velocity model based on Bayesian statistics, where each new signal is used as posterior information for decreasing uncertainty. MWF system typically have three major subcomponents:

• Pressure transducer
• Data gathering device
• Monitoring software

Pressure transducer

Hammer union pressure transmitter with full scale pressure range (0 - 20K psi) is used to conduct measurements of pressure at wellhead.

Data gathering device

Device supports transfer of high-frequency pressure data from transmitter to monitoring software.

Monitoring software

Algorithm deploys tube waves application, which appear in a wellbore at the time of pumps shut down. Generated tubes waves are propagating from a wellhead to a fracture with multiple reflections. High-frequency pressure monitoring software modern signal processing algorithms allows calculating the reflection time ("periods" of such quasi-period pulsations). Note, that this procedure is not trivial and uses non-linear methods borrowed from speech recognition techniques (cepstral processing) to determine the contribution of different reflection times, as well as data analysis methods, that allow determining the noise-free range of a signal and calculate the reflection time uncertainty.

Having the value of this pair (reflection time and reflection time uncertainty) it is possible to determine the depth of the fracture (as well as its uncertainty) if the tube waves velocity is known. This velocity depends on number of factors: the fluid composition, temperature, pressure, wellbore geometry, and so on and cannot be calculated. However, using possible (potential) fracture intervals (determined by the presence of ports) one can calculate possible velocities, each of which will correspond to a specific interval (port). Moreover, since the ports themselves have finite width, and the reflection time has its own uncertainty, the velocity will also be calculated with an uncertainty range. It is interesting to note that already this simple analysis in most cases severely limits the range of uncertainty of the depth of the fracture. Indeed, for linear gel or slick water, the velocity range 1300 - 1700 m/s covers all possible wellbore conditions. So that all intervals, which depths do not comply with this range may be excluded from consideration.

Noteworthy papers in OnePetro

G.R. Holzhausen; R.P. Gooch. "Impedance of Hydraulic Fractures: Its Measurement and Use for Estimating Fracture Closure Pressure and Dimensions." Paper presented at the SPE/DOE Low Permeability Gas Reservoirs Symposium, Denver, Colorado, May 1985. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/13892-MS

Bogdan, Andrey V., Keilers, Adam , Oussoltsev, Dmitri , and Bruno Lecerf. "Real-Time Interpretation of Leak Isolation with Degradable Diverter Using High Frequency Pressure Monitoring." Paper presented at the SPE Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition, Perth, Australia, October 2016. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/182451-MS

Klem, Richard A., Rutzinger, Gunther , Shulman, Mark , Pedam, Sandeep , Keilers, Adam , Bogdan, Andrey , and Dmitri Oussoltsev. "Sequenced Fracturing Technique Improves Production from an Underperforming Lateral: An Interpretation Based on High Frequency Pressure Monitoring." Paper presented at the SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference and Exhibition, The Woodlands, Texas, USA, January 2017. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/184827-MS

Rutzinger, Gunther , Wages, David , Shrider, James , Robertson, Daniel B., Hanzik, Cody , Bogdan, Andrey , Keilers, Adam , and Dmitry Oussoltsev. "Sequenced Fracturing Technique with High-Frequency Pressure Monitoring Improves Horizontal Injection Well Performance on the North Slope of Alaska." Paper presented at the SPE Western Regional Meeting, Bakersfield, California, April 2017. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/185738-MS

Rodionov, Yuri, Defeu, Cyrille, Gakhar, Kush, Mullen, Kevin, Mayo, J. T., Shan, Dan, Usoltsev, Dmitriy, and Efe Ejofodomi. "Optimization of Infill Well Development Using a Novel Far-Field Diversion Technique in the Eagle Ford Shale." Paper presented at the SPE/AAPG/SEG Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Austin, Texas, USA, July 2017. doi: https://doi.org/10.15530/URTEC-2017-2670497

McFall, Riley, Mullen, Kevin, Baihly, Jason, Lindsay, Garrett, and Jung Shin. "Refracturing in the Eagle Ford Shale: One Operator's Quest to Identify and Rank Candidates, Minimize Well Interference, and Understand Variability of Results." Paper presented at the SPE/AAPG/SEG Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Austin, Texas, USA, July 2017. doi: https://doi.org/10.15530/URTEC-2017-2691375

Panjaitan, M. L, Moriyama, A.. , McMillan, D.. , Dunaeva, A.. , Rutledge, L.. , Xu, J.. , Parkhonyuk, S.. , Kabannik, A.. , Korkin, R.. , Warren, M.. , and V.. Shanmugam. "Qualifying Diversion in Multi Clusters Horizontal Well Hydraulic Fracturing in Haynesville Shale Using Water Hammer Analysis, Step-Down Test and Microseismic Data." Paper presented at the SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference and Exhibition, The Woodlands, Texas, USA, January 2018. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/189850-MS

Parkhonyuk, S.. , Fedorov, A.. , Kabannik, A.. , Korkin, R.. , Nikolaev, M.. , and I.. Tsygulev. "Measurements While Fracturing: Nonintrusive Method of Hydraulic Fracturing Monitoring." Paper presented at the SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference and Exhibition, The Woodlands, Texas, USA, January 2018. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/189886-MS

Parkhonyuk, Sergey, Korkin, Roman, Kabannik, Artem, Fedorov, Andrey, Nikolaev, Max, and Fedor Litvinets. "Novel Monitoring Technology Helps to Make Informed Decisions and Maximize the Efficiency of Completion Strategy." Paper presented at the SPE/AAPG/SEG Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Houston, Texas, USA, July 2018. doi: https://doi.org/10.15530/URTEC-2018-2885828

Parkhonyuk, Sergey , Nikolaev, Max , Fedorov, Andrey , Konchenko, Andrey , and Torbjoern Vik. "Cloud-Based Solution for Advanced Real-Time Fracturing Evaluation." Paper presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, Texas, USA, September 2018. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/191680-MS

Borisenko, Alexey , Parkhonyuk, Sergey , Danilevich, Elena , Loginov, Arkadii , Butula, Kreso , Fedorov, Andrey , Tetyuk, Dmitry , Kapkaev, Aleksandr , Makhmutov, Ruslan , Tsygulev, Ivan , Ibragimov, Kenes , Letko, Ivan , Mingazov, Artur , Volkov, Alexey , Ivanov, Alexey , and Ivan Samoilov. "Dynamic Fluid Diversion with Advanced Pressure Monitoring Technique – New Era of Multistage Refracturing in Conventional Reservoirs of Western Siberia." Paper presented at the SPE Russian Petroleum Technology Conference, Moscow, Russia, October 2018. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/191710-18RPTC-MS

Kabannik, Artem , Parkhonyuk, Sergey , Korkin, Roman , Litvinets, Fedor , Dunaeva, Anna , Nikolaev, Max , and Dmitry Usoltsev. "Can We Trust the Diversion Pressure as a Decision-Making Tool: Novel Technique Reveals the Truth." Paper presented at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE, November 2018. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/193180-MS

Vidma, Konstantin , Abivin, Patrice , Fox, Derek , Reid, Mark , Ajisafe, Foluke , Marquez, Aleida , Yip, Wilson , and John Still. "Fracture Geometry Control Technology Prevents Well Interference in the Bakken." Paper presented at the SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference and Exhibition, The Woodlands, Texas, USA, February 2019. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/194333-MS

Abdrazakov, Dmitriy , Parkhonyuk, Sergey , Korkin, Roman , Nikolayev, Max , and Damir Dyussembayev. "Fracturing Perspectives in Deep HPHT Well: Comprehensive Analysis using High-Frequency Pressure Monitoring, Flowback-Rebound and Step-Rate Tests." Paper presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, September 2019. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/196018-MS

Ajisafe, Foluke , Reid, Mark , Porter, Hank , Fox, Derek , Wigger, Eric , Drouillard, Matthew , Defeu, Cyrille , Marquez, Aleida , Vidma, Konstantin , Abivin, Patrice , Ajose-Ogunlana, Damilola , and Karthik Srinivasan. "Understanding and Mitigating Depletion Effects in Infill Wells for Optimized Production." Paper presented at the SPE Liquids-Rich Basins Conference - North America, Odessa, Texas, USA, November 2019. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/197078-MS

Korkin, Roman , Parkhonyuk, Sergey , Fedorov, Andrey , Badazhkov, Dmitry , and Artem Kabannik. "High Frequency Pressure Monitoring and Data Analytics for Stimulation Efficiency Determination: New Perspectives or Potential Limits." Paper presented at the SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference and Exhibition, The Woodlands, Texas, USA, February 2020. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/199762-MS

Borisenko, Alexey , Parkhonyuk, Sergey , Zotov, Kirill , Korkin, Roman , Kiselev, Nikita Vladimirovich, Laptev, Artem , and Vitaly Tadeushevich Rapeyko. "Advanced Pressure Monitoring Technique – New Horizons of Workover in Russia." Paper presented at the SPE Russian Petroleum Technology Conference, Virtual, October 2020. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/202070-MS

Estrada, Juan David, Korkin, Roman, and Sergey Parkhonyuk. "High Frequency Pressure Monitoring of the Re-Fracturing or Continuous Pumping Operations: Case Studies." Paper presented at the SPE International Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference & Exhibition, Muscat, Oman, January 2022. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/205251-MS

Kabannik, Artem , Korkin, Roman , Demidov, Demid , Fedorov, Andrey , Khudorozhkova, Aleksandra , and Micaela Nieczkoski. "Precise Cement Displacement with a New Cement Plug Tracking Method." Paper presented at the SPE/IATMI Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition, Virtual, October 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/205691-MS

See also

PEH:Hydraulic_Fracturing