60 Years of Multi-Fractured Vertical, Deviated and Horizontal Wells: What Have We Learned?

Abstract

AbstractMultiple fracture placements in single wells have a sixty year history with first applications soon after hydraulic fracturing was patented. Fracturing technology has been applied to offshore deviated wells, sand control wells, tight gas, coal, chalks, shales and conglomerates in turn as "conventional" reservoir limits were reached and each "new unconventional" reservoir was encountered. As fracturing technology was adapted to make an "unconventional" reservoir into a conventional reservoir, the adaptations and evolutions needed became part of the technology tool box waiting for the next challenge. Each innovation improved and stretched the reach of completions and production engineering as new findings were incorporated to monitor, model, optimize and extend the ranges of fracturing use for high and low temperatures, high stress formations and a variety of other challenges.This review looks at the development of multi-fractured wells from its first application in vertical wells where one well could now do the task of three wells, to the first modern application of highly multi-fractured horizontal wells used in chalks, shales and tight oil and gas reservoirs. The technical focus is on the learning procession covering details of casing wear, cyclic pressure application, isolation mechanisms, perforation placement, well spacing and fracture spacing.The technical literature and field learnings have both been searched for applicable information with a surprising variety of engineering application details brought forth that are useful in optimizing a single well or a whole development.