SPE Completions and Production Seminar

Ivan Lim is currently a research geophysicist and data translator at Chevron Technical Center with five years of industry experience. He holds an Engineering degree in Electronics (2013) from Multimedia University, Malaysia. He also has an MSc (2015) and PhD (2019) in Geophysics from Imperial College London and Colorado School of Mines. His main research interest is in distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) and data science.

Abstract:

Hydraulic fracturing induces a network of fractures to promote the flow of oil and gas in tight shale reservoirs. In this paper, we discuss the detection of fracture hits during stimulation to avoid reaching an observing well. Our aim is to devise an early warning system for cases where fracture interference may adversely affect production. We propose the use of image-based algorithms such as template matching and convolutional neural network (CNN) on low-frequency signals of distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) data to detect precursor events leading to a fracture hit.

Title: Driving Completion Execution Improvements Through Detailed Analysis of Acoustic Imaging and Stimulation Data

Presenter: Dave Cramer, Senior Engineering Fellow, ConocoPhillips Company

Biographical Information:

Dave Cramer is a Senior Engineering Fellow on the ConocoPhillips Global Completions Engineering staff in Houston, TX and specializes in hydraulic fracturing applications and pressure analysis.  He has published 68 technical papers and holds two U.S. patents and one provisional U.S. patent. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Colorado. Dave has been selected as an SPE Distinguished Lecturer on two occasions, in 2003-2004 and for the current 2021-2022 campaign. He was the SPE Region Director for the U.S. and Canada Rocky Mountain region from 2004-2007. His industry recognitions include the SPE International Cedric K. Ferguson Certificate (2020), SPE International Distinguished Member Award (2019), SPE International Completions Optimization and Technologies Award (2011), and SPE Denver Section Henry Mattson Technical Achievement Award (1993).

Abstract:

This study documents an ongoing analysis of frac plug integrity and inter-cluster treatment distribution using multiple datasets. It includes post-treatment acoustic imaging data from three Montney pads, in which the dimensions of 3538 perforations and casing wear patterns at 150 frac plug setting locations were determined. The analysis process features an iterative approach to improving execution performance during field appraisal – execute the design, measure performance, identify failures, and then implement an improved design. This approach identified execution performance issues that would have otherwise been undetected and provided insights that were used to inform manufacturers of necessary design improvements.

The fiber optic and acoustic imaging programs for Pad 1 indicated loss of frac plug isolation in 70% of stages. Acoustic imaging data gathered from Pad 2 indicated loss of frac plug isolation in 57.5% of stages. Additionally, the measured diameters of eroded perforations were smaller than the expected unstimulated diameter in 48% of measurements. This finding revealed a discrepancy in the perforation-charge manufacturer’s published performance information which led to unintended treatment behavior.

Building on Pad 2 results, multiple vendors were engaged to provide engineered solutions to the issues identified through acoustic imaging campaigns for potential implementation on future wells. The findings from this exercise confirmed the underperformance of dissolvable frac plug technology and the importance of verifying perforation performance by conducting surface tests that are representative of field conditions. The outcome led to modified perforation charges and dissolvable frac plugs for trial on Pad 3.

Outputs from the analysis performed on Pad 3 revealed improved performance, with confinement issues identified in only 28% of the total stages. Initial unstimulated perforation diameters were within 3.59% of the pre-job surface validation tests. Improvements contributed to better treatment conformance relative to Pad 1 and Pad 2.

• Graduated from the University of Texas with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering, 1994.


• Worked for Schlumberger Wireline in various field and management roles from 1994-2010.


• Petrophysicist – Forest Oil 2010-2013


• Petrophysics manager at QEP Resources from 2013-2019.


• In 2019, joined ResFrac as consulting engineer and am now the Director of User Success.


• I live in Morrison, CO and enjoy biking, fishing, 4 wheeling etc. in the Colorado mountains.

Abstract:

As North American Unconventional Completions operations have evolved from high quality northern white sands to regional sands, operators have continued to push the limits in balancing cost, operational efficiency, and logistics regarding proppant selection.  Chesapeake Energy has been a leader in this category, testing the limits on the ability to use mixed regional sands that bypass conventional burners (dryers) at the sand mine, safely and effectively transported from mine to frac location, and pumped downhole with no operational issues or long term production detriment.  This discussion will cover the experience of Chesapeake Energy in their evolution in delivering “wet sand” completions, from sand mine to wellhead.  We will focus on operational lessons learned throughout the process, associated ESG benefits of the process, and overall observed impact to well performance utilizing wet sand.

Bio:

Matt Mantell is a Completions Advisor for Chesapeake Energy based in Oklahoma City.  Matt’s primary area of responsibility is the Marcellus but he also assists with Chesapeake’s Eagle Ford and Haynesville assets as needed.  Matt was formerly the Completions Manager for the Southern Region overseeing the first wet sand completions at Chesapeake in 2019 and 2020 in Chesapeake’s Northern Eagle Ford (Brazos Valley) asset.  Matt has been with Chesapeake since 2008 and has worked a variety of roles from Engineering Technology to Planning and Project Management, but has spent the majority of his career in Completions.  Matt is a registered professional engineer in Pennsylvania, Texas, Oklahoma and California.