April 27, 2016


Description

The technology of multi-stage, multi-frac horizontal wells (MFHW) is arguably the most important technology that unlocks the potential of unconventional shale gas and liquid rich shale oil systems. The fracture stimulation process involves placing multiple fractures stage-by-stage along the horizontal well using diverse well completion technologies. However, there is still a lack of understanding on how multiple hydraulic fractures would grow and develop in highly heterogeneous rock formations.

Clearly, the scarcity of adequate fracture stimulation design models has not hindered the successful application of MFHW in exploiting unconventional resources. The technology is typically appraised and continuously improved in the field - made possible because of the large number of wells employed.  This field optimisation process is not always cost effective, and the present low oil price environment acutely points to the need for competent design models that will aid in the application design and optimisation of MFHW.

It is challenging to model the development of these fractures, which are subject to the dynamic process of geomechanical stress changes induced by the fracture stimulation treatment itself, and the interaction with multiple other processes, including wellbore mechanics and fluid mechanics. For practical engineering application, we aim to capture key physical processes in computation models, at least in the ‘first-order’; apply ‘manageable’ numerical approach and rely on appropriate model calibration with field data.

The talk gives a brief overview of one such practical computation modelling approach, outlines the coupled processes that are important, and paints the vision to leverage the model and field data (e.g., injection pressures and microseismic data) to gain better understanding and improve the design of multi-fracture stimulation.  


Featured Speakers

Speaker: Dr. Sau-Wai Wong
Speaker Dr. Sau-Wai Wong

Sau-Wai Wong is Advisor for Unconventional Resources Technology in Shell’s R&D organization based in Houston, and the Principal Technical Expert on Geomechanics for the company’s worldwide operation. He started his career in Shell as a researcher in The Netherlands some 25 years ago, and subsequently took up multiple international assignments in …

Sau-Wai Wong is Advisor for Unconventional Resources Technology in Shell’s R&D organization based in Houston, and the Principal Technical Expert on Geomechanics for the company’s worldwide operation. He started his career in Shell as a researcher in The Netherlands some 25 years ago, and subsequently took up multiple international assignments in Oman, The Netherlands, Malaysia and USA. He was the Subsurface Technology Manager for Unconventional Oil and later the R&D Manager for Unconventional Gas Technology. Sau-Wai Wong is Honorary Professorial Fellow at the School of Earth Sciences, The University of Melbourne (Australia). He holds a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering and a Ph.D. in Engineering from The University of Manchester, UK.

Full Description



Organizer

Shree Krishna


Date and Time

Wed, April 27, 2016

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
(GMT-0500) US/Central

Event has ended
View Our Refund and Cancellation Policy

Location

Norris Conference Center – Westchase

9990 Richmond Ave., South Bldg., Ste. 102
Houston, Texas 77042
United States