Subsurface DNA Diagnostics™ is a new data source for the oil and gas industry. The DNA originates from subsurface microbes present in hydrocarbon reservoirs. DNA can be obtained non-invasively to provide high-resolution subsurface information that tracks the flow and movement of oil. Using novel analysis software, this information can inform key decisions in unconventional operations at the stage, well, and field level. The workflow starts with non-invasively acquiring samples in the oilfield, extracting and sequencing the oil and rock DNA, and then applying data science analysis to develop subsurface insight.

Operators perform extensive analysis in deciding the required number and location of frac stages to increase the EUR of a well. It is therefore critical to validate the production contribution from each stage; this information is essential to understanding the reservoir performance, connectivity, and recompletion considerations. Furthermore, it is imperative to understand the effective fracture height and the vertical drainage area of the lateral. This helps define reservoir communication to improve well placement and spacing decisions in stacked lateral plays.

By presenting several case studies across U.S. shale plays, we demonstrate DNA Diagnostics’ capability to identify heterogeneity and sweet spots across a lateral. Using this diagnostic, we also deliver 4D production profiling data to track the oil production across each stage over time. Finally, we present results that show frac height estimations from several wells in the Wolfcamp using Subsurface DNA Diagnostics™