Challenges for Monitoring and Verification of Drill Cuttings Reinjection Performance (2002)

Challenges for Monitoring and Verification of Drill Cuttings Reinjection Performance Ahmed S. Abou-Sayed; Ahmed S. Abou-Sayed Advantek International Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Quanxin Guo; Quanxin Guo Advantek International Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Gary Wang; Gary Wang Advantek International Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar John D. McLennan; John D. McLennan Advantek International Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Karim Zaki Karim Zaki Advantek International Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Paper presented at the SPE/ISRM Rock Mechanics Conference, Irving, Texas, October 2002. Paper Number: SPE-78186-MS https://doi.org/10.2118/78186-MS Published: October 20 2002 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Get Permissions Search Site Citation Abou-Sayed, Ahmed S., Guo, Quanxin, Wang, Gary, McLennan, John D., and Karim Zaki. "Challenges for Monitoring and Verification of Drill Cuttings Reinjection Performance." Paper presented at the SPE/ISRM Rock Mechanics Conference, Irving, Texas, October 2002. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/78186-MS Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll ProceedingsSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)SPE/ISRM Rock Mechanics Conference Search Advanced Search Abstract To a certain extent, the success of drill cuttings reinjection (DCRI) has been serendipitous. Aggressive operational parties initially implemented the technique with support from far-seeing researchers. With the favorable economics incentive along with successful and safe implementations, drill cuttings reinjection has been further refined over time with established methodologies for attempting to more precisely predict placement of large solid volumes. There is a need now for verification and accurate monitoring of the process.This paper reviews standard technologies for monitoring cuttings placement; including pressure-time evaluation during and following injection using conventional methodologies, pressure transient evaluation technologies during and between batches. These techniques include interference techniques where appropriate, microseismic monitoring, tiltmeter surveys and logging methods. Future challenges and developments of each relevant technology are suggested in more detail. For example, tiltmeter methodologies have been successfully used in many situations but there remain issues in certain environments, i.e., in some layered scenarios. A good example of this relates to the difficulties that might be encountered in inverting tiltmeter data in arctic regions where DCRI takes place below an extensive permafrost layer. Another example relates to refining concepts for predicting multiple fracture geometries. Most practitioners are familiar with the disposal domain concept where batch-injected fractures are attributed to a simplified and regular three-dimensional domain, with no specific indication of individual fracture morphology. To date, precise prediction of domain geometry from pressure signatures or surface tilts has been weak. Simple methods are presented for identifying from pressure records or surface profiles the three-dimensional extent and near-well azimuths of multiple fractures. Keywords: application, pressure transient analysis, injection operation, pressure transient testing, surface tilt, multiple fracture, upstream oil & gas, verification, monitoring, hydraulic fracturing Subjects: Drilling Fluids and Materials, Hydraulic Fracturing, Well & Reservoir Surveillance and Monitoring, Reservoir Characterization, Improved and Enhanced Recovery, Reservoir Simulation, Formation Evaluation & Management, Environment, Seismic processing and interpretation, Reservoir geomechanics Copyright 2002, Society of Petroleum Engineers You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.