Ahmed Yusuf

Date of Graduation

2016

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

PhD

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering

Committee Chair

Ilkin H Bilgesu

Committee Co-Chair

Samuel Ameri

Committee Member

Kashy Aminian

Committee Member

Brain Anderson

Committee Member

Timothy Carr

Abstract

Many of the techniques for hydraulically fracturing design were attempted in the liquid-rich Eagle Ford developments. This study shows why different results were observed due to the variation of geomechanical stresses of the rock across a play and related reservoir properties. An optimum treatment for a liquids-rich objective is much different than that for a gas shale due primarily to the multiphase flow and higher viscosities encountered.;This study presents a new treatment workflow for liquids-rich window of Eagle Ford Shale. Review and integration of data from multiple sets across the play are used as input to a 3D hydraulic fracture simulator to model key fracture parameters which control production enhancement. These results are then used within a production analysis and forecast, well optimization, and economic model to compare treatment designs with the best placement of proppant to deliver both high initial production and long term ultimate recoveries.;A key focus for this workflow is to maximize proppant transport to achieve a continuous - optimum conductive - fracture half length. Often, due to the complexity of unconventional deposition, it is difficult to maintain complete connectivity of a proppant pack back to the wellbore. As a result, much of the potential of the fracture network is lost. Understanding the interaction of a hydraulic fracture and the rock fabric helps with designing this behavior to achieve the best results. These results are used to determine optimum well spacing to effectively develop within a selected reservoir acreage.;Currently, numerous wells exist with over two years of production history in much of the Eagle Ford shale formation. Results from this study are used to compare values from field production to demonstrate the importance of employing a diligent workflow in integrating reservoir and operational parameters to the fracture design. A proper understanding and application of hydraulic fracturing modeling is achieved using the methodology presented in this study.

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