Effective fracture placement using alternate fracturing

Abstract

ABSTRACT Alternate (Out-Of-Sequence) Pinpoint Fracturing has been tested in Western Siberia and Western Canada. It aims to create fracture complexity via reducing the stress anisotropy to improve fracture network connectivity. It is initiated by fracturing Stages 1 and then 3 (Outside Fracs) followed by Stage 2 (Centre Frac). A fracture model is calibrated using Alternate Pinpoint Fracturing trials in Western Canada. The calibrated fracture model is used to evaluate Alternate Pinpoint Fracturing under various geomechanical and treatment conditions for identifying strategies in maximising its benefits. This integrated geomechanical study reveals that: (1) Centre Fracs tend to have a larger surface area and smaller conductivity versus Outside Fracs, (2) Centre Fracs tend to be narrower and shorter (versus Outside Fracs) if sufficient out-of-zone growth is attained in the absence of strong fracture height containment, making it an option for penetrating multi-stacked zones in one treatment, and (3) Where Centre Fracs are shorter or near-well fracture complexity is generated, it can be considered in treating the child wells to reduce frac hits.