Using the online world to become informed on hydraulic fracturing: many hydraulic fracturing resources are available online to industry professionals

World Oil, August, 2005 by Lance Cole

Readers get a change of pace this month, as this Petroleum Technology Digest (PTD) is more like a column than a case study. As the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council's (PTTC's) national project manager, I frequently listen to discussions within our regional advisory groups. A recent conversation on hydraulic fracturing raised many questions, which led me to think, "Just what could I learn online in a few hours?" Well, I found plenty within two to three hours of searching/skimming/reading (but don't try this without high-speed Internet access).

PTTC. For PTTC, case studies, newsletters and workshops are key tools. Case studies are often presented in workshops, and the Petroleum Technology Digest (PTD) has a case study focus. Upon invitation, we develop articles for trade journals, and our monthly Tech Connections column in American Oil and Gas Reporter is a forum for presenting mini-case studies.

PTD. PTTC and World Oil have worked with producers and technology providers to present case studies since 1999 (www.pttc.org/case_studies/case studies. htm). Several have dealt with hydraulic fracturing aspects. Details from three are shared below, but information from all case studies is online.

Fracture mapping and modeling optimize CBM treatments (June 2004, www.pttc.org/case_studies/PTdigest06-04.htm). Anadarko Petroleum employed advanced fracture mapping technology by using new, in-well tiltmeters and fracture modeling to optimize hydraulic fracture stimulation in two coalbed methane (CBM) plays.

The plays are in Utah's Helper field and the Copper Ridge field of southwestern Wyoming. At Helper, tiltmeter data proved that single-stage treatments could stimulate the entire multi-seam interval. Savings of $35,000 to $50,000/well were realized, compared to prior multiple-stage treatments. At Copper Ridge, treatments were optimized to stay away from permeable water sands. Savings from reduced water production were $1.3 million in the first year. In addition, individual well treatment costs range from $100,000 to $150,000 less per well.

Frac modifications identified through virtual intelligence increase production (Dec. 2002, www.pttc.org/case_studies/case_studies_archived/PT-digest 12-02.htm). Occidental used Artificial Neural Network Modeling to identify changes that would improve hydraulic fracturing effectiveness in its Western Shallow Oil Zone completions at Elk Hills, California. Modeling showed practices that would improve output, including changes in pay selection and perforating practices, stimulation fluid type and volume, and breaker selection. Modeling showed that altered completion/frac procedures could double output. Implementing these changes increased average completion values by $170,000.

Solutions from the field, summaries of PTTC workshops. Through the years, experts from producers, the service sector and R&D specialists have presented insights in PTTC workshops, now totaling about 150 events annually. PTTC captures insights from many of them. For hydraulic fracturing, a prime example is the 2004 workshop developed by Dr. Jennifer Miskimmons, Colorado School of Mines. Her material, summarized online (www.pttc. org/solutions/sol_2004/533.htm), addresses such questions as: What goes into designing a frac treatment? What can't modeling tell you? How do you analyze your treatment's success?

Miskimmons leads the FAST (fracturing, acidizing, stimulation technology) Consortium at Colorado School of Mines (www.mines.edu/fast/new_page_1.htm). FAST concentrates on theoretical and laboratory developments that can be used in the field to improve stimulation design and execution. Some PTTC workshops focus on individual plays, as did a 2000 session (www.pttc.org/solutions/208. htm) in Kansas that provided insights on hydraulic fracturing practices.

Network News, PTTC's quarterly newsletter. PTTC has had, in its newsletter, "state-of-the-art" summaries that present insights on selected topics. An issue in 2001 (www.pttc.org/news/ v7nlnn5.htm) focused on "Improvements in hydraulic fracturing." Topics included diagnostics, microseismic fracture mapping, downhole tiltmeter fracture mapping, waterfracs, damage removal, and restimulation candidate selection.

Contributions to trade journals. PTTC also develops technical articles for trade journals. A good example is "Advances improve hydraulic fracturing" in American Oil and Gas Reporter's Dec. 2001 issue. This and other Tech Connections columns can be viewed online at www.pttc.org.

Society of Petroleum Engineers. SPE is the logical professional group with the most published technical info, but all engineers should still have several good, long conversations with geological colleagues. It will pay dividends in understanding individual reservoir rocks. SPE has three main gold mines--e-library papers, insights from Applied Technology Workshops and Distinguished Lecturer presentations. The e-library is great for focused topics, like the Barnett Shale website that PTTC's Texas Region built (http://www.energyconnect.com/pttc/ BSR/). There, within the Publications section, is a list of SPE papers focused on different Barnett Shale aspects, many focusing on hydraulic fracturing.