Limitations of Current Type Curves in Characterizing SRV; and Development of EFR Type Curves

Abstract

Abstract Success of the unconventional multi-fractured horizontal well revolution depends on creation of a Stimulated Reservoir Volume (SRV). Advances in stimulation technology have been geared towards creating increasingly larger SRV's. However, the techniques for evaluating the size and shape of the SRV from production data analysis have not kept pace, and need to be improved. In this paper, we review the diagnostic methods that are currently used, and share learnings obtained from analyzing hundreds of unconventional wells from different unconventional plays. We describe the existing specialized analyses, namely plots utilizing square-root of time (and other time functions), along with type curves that were developed for Compound Linear Flow. We demonstrate that even though these type curves do not account for SRV, they can still be used partially to learn about the SRV characteristics. We have studied the behavior of the EFR (Enhanced Frac Region) model and show how it deviates from the Compound Linear Flow type curves. We demonstrate that what is often considered to be linear flow is only a transition between two flow regimes and results in misinterpretation of the linear flow parameters, and consequently, of SRV properties. We have developed a new EFR type curve that helps characterize the SRV. It should provide a better understanding and interpretation of the currently accepted multi-fractured horizontal well/reservoir system, and improve the diagnostic analysis that precedes and reinforces modeling.