Production Effects From Frac-Driven Interactions in the Southeastern Midland Basin, Reagan County, Texas
Frac-driven interactions (FDIs), more commonly known as frac hits, are becoming increasingly common as operators develop acreage near existing wells. These FDIs are commonly observed in an area of infill drilling in eastern Reagan County, Texas. To better understand their effects, a study was undertaken to document all FDIs observed during five years of field development in a fifteen-square-mile area. FDI frequency and intensity was found to be a function of (a) the parent well’s wellbore geometry, (b) offset direction between the parent and child well, (c) the presence or absence of a horizontal “buffer” well, and (d) distance between the parent and child wells. Horizontal parent wells received FDIs with greater frequency and intensity than vertical parent wells. Similarly, vertically stacked or directly offset parent wells received FDIs with greater frequency and intensity than indirectly offset or horizontally in-line parent wells. Horizontal parent wells commonly attenuate (or “buffer”) FDI frequency and intensity for other parent wells behind them (relative to the frac job). Distance between the parent and child well was found to have a strong negative correlation with FDI frequency and intensity but is more pronounced for vertical parent wells than horizontal parent wells. The majority of parent wells were found to receive either small FDIs or no FDI at all; thus, FDIs do not appear to pose a major risk to reserves within the study area contrary to many other unconventional plays. Although simple, the methodology was found to be a useful tool for understanding complex relationships between parent and child wells and may be applied to other development areas.
Location:
Norris Conference Centre
9990 Richmond Ave, South Bldg, Ste 102,
Houston
,
TX 77042