Abstract: A laser cutting apparatus operable in a wellbore to form radial slots in a subterranean formation penetrated by the wellbore and a casing lining at least a portion of the wellbore. The laser cutting apparatus includes a housing, a deflector system, and an optical member. The deflector system is disposed for rotation about a first axis within the housing and is rotatable about a second axis at a distance from the first axis. The optical member conducts a laser beam incident upon the deflector system.

Abstract: Techniques for fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore are provided. The subterranean formation has vertical and horizontal stresses applied thereto. The wellbore has a near wellbore stress zone thereabout. The method involves drilling the wellbore along a drilling path (the wellbore having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion), creating at least one 360-degree perforation in the subterranean formation about the horizontal portions of the wellbore, and fracturing the formation by injecting a fluid into the 360-degree perforations. The 360-degree perforations extend about the wellbore a distance beyond the near wellbore stress zone and at least twice a diameter of the wellbore starting from an axis of the wellbore. A direction of the 360-degree perforation is transverse to the wellbore axis.

Abstract: A laser cutting apparatus operable in a wellbore to form radial slots in a subterranean formation penetrated by the wellbore and a casing lining at least a portion of the wellbore. The laser cutting apparatus includes a housing, a deflector system, and an optical member. The deflector system is disposed for rotation about a first axis within the housing and is rotatable about a second axis at a distance from the first axis. The optical member conducts a laser beam incident upon the deflector system.

Abstract: A multi-phasic dynamic reservoir simulator includes a reservoir model for a karst system comprising: a plurality of caves connected via at least one conduit, wherein the plurality of caves and the at least one conduit are filled with at least two types of fluids, an exit point for a fluid to leave the karst system and at least one entry point for a fluid to enter the karst system from a surrounding rock matrix, and a set of parameters defining volumes and distributions of the at least two types of fluids in the plurality of caves and the at least one conduit; and a program having instructions for causing a processor to simulate fluid flows in the reservoir model for the karst system.

Abstract: Techniques for fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore are provided. The subterranean formation has vertical and horizontal stresses applied thereto. The wellbore has a near wellbore stress zone thereabout. The method involves drilling the wellbore along a drilling path (the wellbore having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion), creating at least one 360-degree perforation in the subterranean formation about the horizontal portions of the wellbore, and fracturing the formation by injecting a fluid into the 360-degree perforations. The 360-degree perforations extend about the wellbore a distance beyond the near wellbore stress zone and at least twice a diameter of the wellbore starting from an axis of the wellbore. A direction of the 360-degree perforation is transverse to the wellbore axis.

Abstract: An efficient and cost-effective technique is provided to perform modeling of a reservoir in a subterranean structure. A compartment model of fluid compartments in a reservoir is generated, and based on the compartment model and a geomechanical model of the subterranean structure, movement of a ground surface due to volumetric change of the compartments is calculated. Satellite measurements of the ground surface are received over time, where the received satellite measurements of the ground surface over time indicate movement of the ground surface. The movement of the ground surface indicated by the received satellite measurements is compared with the calculated movement, and based on the comparing, one or more properties of the geomechanical model are adjusted.

Abstract: A multi-phasic dynamic reservoir simulator includes a reservoir model for a karst system comprising: a plurality of caves connected via at least one conduit, wherein the plurality of caves and the at least one conduit are filled with at least two types of fluids, an exit point for a fluid to leave the karst system and at least one entry point for a fluid to enter the karst system from a surrounding rock matrix, and a set of parameters defining volumes and distributions of the at least two types of fluids in the plurality of caves and the at least one conduit; and a program having instructions for causing a processor to simulate fluid flows in the reservoir model for the karst system.

Abstract: An efficient and cost-effective technique is provided to perform modeling of a reservoir in a subterranean structure. A compartment model of fluid compartments in a reservoir is generated, and based on the compartment model and a geomechanical model of the subterranean structure, movement of a ground surface due to volumetric change of the compartments is calculated. Satellite measurements of the ground surface are received over time, where the received satellite measurements of the ground surface over time indicate movement of the ground surface. The movement of the ground surface indicated by the received satellite measurements is compared with the calculated movement, and based on the comparing, one or more properties of the geomechanical model are adjusted.