Study Explores Fracture-Driven Interaction Mitigation Strategies for Field Development
Authors: Carpenter Chris 
Published: November 2024

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This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper URTeC 4055561, “Numerical Investigation of Fracture-Driven-Interaction Mitigation Strategies and Field Development Optimization,” by Ruiting Wu, SPE, Xiaolong Liu, and Lili Xu, Chevron, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

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Numerical modeling of fracture-driven interactions (FDI) using a coupled hydraulic-fracturing-propagation, reservoir-flow, and geomechanics tool has been conducted. The numerical study showed that, for the basins studied, FDI and some mitigation strategies have minimal effect on long-term parent-well productions. Parent depletion (volume and areal extent), well spacing, and child-fracture asymmetry, however, greatly affect child-well production as the result of FDI.

Introduction

Interwell FDI, also known as frac hits, has garnered recent attention given that more than 60% of new wells drilled in US unconventional reservoirs are infill drilling.

Whereas uncontrollable parameters, such as natural fractures and matrix permeability, do contribute to the effect of FDI on well production, the authors’ primary focus lies on controllable factors. Field observations have shown that tighter well spacing and smaller completion sizes tend to result in fewer negative effects on both parent- and child-well production. Additionally, fracture-fluid injection rates, the number of clusters, and cluster spacing all influence FDI effects.

Simulation Tool and Workflow

A coupled hydraulic-fracture, reservoir, and wellbore simulator was used to simulate the fracturing and production stage of the parent and child wells and related fracture-driven well interaction. The simulator simultaneously solves the equations of fluid flow, proppant transport, water/solute transport, fracture mechanics, and poroelasticity in the well, fracture, and matrix domains. Fracture propagation is calculated using the multilayer-tip-elements algorithm. Fracture elements are represented by uniformly sized rectangles. Fracture-to-fracture stress shadow is calculated with the 3D displacement discontinuity method, and the poroelastic stress responses during fracture propagation and depletion are calculated with a finite-volume method.

The tool is designed to simulate the entire life cycle of the FDI interaction.

The modeling workflow also includes calibration with field observations of fracture geometry, the pressure response at the parent well during fracturing of the child well, the water cut change at the parent well as the result of FDI, and production performance.

Field Case Study: Permian Basin

The primary objective of this study is to identify the key parameters that contribute to FDI and mitigate the negative effects of FDI. Two field case studies were conducted in two basins, the Permian Basin and the DJ Basin. In both field studies, a history match of parent and child well performance was first conducted. Then, a sensitivity study was performed on various key parameters to understand their effects on the production performance at both parent and child wells. Both field case studies are focused on the lateral FDI. The first case study is included in this synopsis.