Technological and Economical Optimization of a Hydraulic Fracturing Design: Choice of Proppant, Liquid and Pump Schedule

Abstract

The aim of the work is to determine the most cost-effective design of hydraulic fracturing with a fixed mass of proppant per operation under changing geological conditions. To obtain an optimal hydraulic fracturing design, serial simulations were carried out on a hydraulic fracturing simulator with a Planar3D model for fracture geometry. The database of proppant passports and rheological properties of hydraulic fracturing fluids were used as input data. A design optimization scheme was developed for different effective viscosities of fracturing fluids and different formation parameters. Since decision-making is strictly bounded to the accuracy of the mathematical model, the mathematical model was validated in pilot tests at the Priobskoye field. Aggressive designs with increased proppant concentration were carried out in 4 wells. Rheology was interpreted from fracturing fluid tests. The reliability data was assessed by the convergence of the model wellhead and bottomhole pressures with the measured ones. A pilot project was carried out in real conditions to validate the hydraulic fracturing simulator model with maximum data collection on reservoir geomechanics, fluid rheology, proppant and reservoir properties, and the accuracy limits of the model were set. An integral concept of hydraulic fracturing design was developed based on accurate mathematical modeling, which allows you to get the maximum production output per ton of proppant. At the same time, the versatility of the proposed scheme was achieved based on dimensionless hydraulic fracturing parameters, which makes it possible to quickly recalculate the optimal design from one reservoir conditions to others.