Abstract: A hydraulic fracture design model that simulates the complex physical process of fracture propagation in the earth driven by the injected fluid through a wellbore. An objective in the model is to adhere with the laws of physics governing the surface deformation of the created fracture subjected to the fluid pressure, the fluid flow in the gap formed by the opposing fracture surfaces, the propagation of the fracture front, the transport of the proppant in the fracture carried by the fluid, and the leakoff of the fracturing fluid into the permeable rock. The models used in accordance with methods of the invention are typically based on the assumptions and the mathematical equations for the conventional 2D or P3D models, and further take into account the network of jointed fracture segments. For each fracture segment, the mathematical equations governing the fracture deformation and fluid flow apply.

Abstract: A workflow is provided that characterizes the hydraulic fracturability of a rock based on properties obtained from CT scanning and from non-CT based data. The characterization is based on obtaining a plurality of properties of a core sample as a function of axial location in the core sample. The workflow includes obtaining CT data from at least one CT scan of the core, obtaining heterogeneity data of the core, generating a heterogeneous rock analysis (HRA) model based at least on the obtained CT data and heterogeneity data; quantifying statistically significant distinct rock classes in the core, and assigning hydraulic fracturability index (HFI) values to each distinct rock class, as well as any HFI variation within each rock class. An HFI value is assigned to each rock class, and within a rock class, in the core and those values can be propagated to other locations in the same or surrounding wells.

Abstract: In one possible implementation an in-situ property determination system includes a displacement tool configured for use in a wellbore. The displacement tool includes four or more pads symmetrically located about an axis of the displacement tool, with each pad having a contact surface configured to contact a wall of the wellbore. The four or more pads can extend from a first position proximate an outer surface of the displacement tool to a second position in contact with the wall of the wellbore such that the four or more pads deform the wellbore into an at least approximately circular cross section. The system also includes a recordation device to record force displacement information associated with extending the four or more pads from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracture design model that simulates the complex physical process of fracture propagation in the earth driven by the injected fluid through a wellbore. An objective in the model is to adhere with the laws of physics governing the surface deformation of the created fracture subjected to the fluid pressure, the fluid flow in the gap formed by the opposing fracture surfaces, the propagation of the fracture front, the transport of the proppant in the fracture carried by the fluid, and the leakoff of the fracturing fluid into the permeable rock. The models used in accordance with methods of the invention are typically based on the assumptions and the mathematical equations for the conventional 2D or P3D models, and further take into account the network of jointed fracture segments. For each fracture segment, the mathematical equations governing the fracture deformation and fluid flow apply.

Abstract: The method of controlling the parameters of a hydraulic fracture comprises creating a matrix of relationship between initial formation, injection and fracture parameters of and a predicted increment of a hydraulic fracture path. The matrix is used for retrieving and deriving the predicted increment of the fracture path, depending on the actual initial parameters of a fracture being created. The actual increment of the hydraulic fracture path is measured and compared with the predicted increment of the fracture path. In case of a discrepancy between the actual and predicted increments, the actual initial parameters of the fracture are changed.

Abstract: A method is provided for performing a fracture treatment on a subterranean formation. The method includes acquiring subterranean formation layer geomechanical properties, which include well completion and reservoir data for the subterranean formation. The method also includes inputting geomechanical properties of the formation into a model, and simulating propagation of a network of fractures in the formation. The method further includes predicting a flow rate and pressure distribution throughout the network of fractures by solving governing deformation and flow equations, and predicting a result of the fracture treatment. The model is adjusted if the predicted result is not satisfactory.

Abstract: A method is disclosed including simulating a hydraulic fracture in an Earth formation, the formation including a multilayered reservoir, wherein a mesh overlays the hydraulic fracture thereby defining a plurality of fracture elements. The method further includes calculating and determining an influence coefficient matrix having spatially related indices, wherein the spatially related indices relate influence coefficient matrix elements to corresponding fracture elements. The mesh overlays the hydraulic fracture in more than one layer of the multilayered reservoir. In one embodiment, the method is executed on a program storage device readable by a machine tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable to perform the method.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracture design model that simulates the complex physical process of fracture propagation in the earth driven by the injected fluid through a wellbore. An objective in the model is to adhere with the laws of physics governing the surface deformation of the created fracture subjected to the fluid pressure, the fluid flow in the gap formed by the opposing fracture surfaces, the propagation of the fracture front, the transport of the proppant in the fracture carried by the fluid, and the leakoff of the fracturing fluid into the permeable rock. The models used in accordance with methods of the invention are typically based on the assumptions and the mathematical equations for the conventional 2D or P3D models, and further take into account the network of jointed fracture segments. For each fracture segment, the mathematical equations governing the fracture deformation and fluid flow apply.

Abstract: A method is provided for performing a fracture treatment on a subterranean formation. The method includes acquiring subterranean formation layer geomechanical properties, which include well completion and reservoir data for the subterranean formation. The method also includes inputting geomechanical properties of the formation into a model, and simulating propagation of a network of fractures in the formation. The method further includes predicting a flow rate and pressure distribution throughout the network of fractures by solving governing deformation and flow equations, and predicting a result of the fracture treatment. The model is adjusted if the predicted result is not satisfactory.

Abstract: A method, practiced by a Hydraulic Fracturing Simulator software, is adapted for simulating a hydraulic fracture in an Earth formation, the formation including a multilayered reservoir, a mesh adapted to overlay the fracture in the formation thereby defining a plurality of elements, the mesh and the fracture defining one or more partially active elements, the method comprising the step of: setting up an Influence Coefficient Matrix, the matrix having a plurality of numbers, the plurality of numbers of the Influence Coefficient Matrix being calculated and determined such that the method, practiced by the Hydraulic Fracturing Simulator software for simulating the hydraulic fracture, models, or take into account an existence of, the multilayered reservoir and the partially active elements.

Abstract: A method, practiced by a Hydraulic Fracturing Simulator software, is adapted for simulating a hydraulic fracture in an Earth formation, the formation including a multilayered reservoir, a mesh adapted to overlay the fracture in the formation thereby defining a plurality of elements, the mesh and the fracture defining one or more partially active elements, the method comprising the step of: setting up an Influence Coefficient Matrix, the matrix having a plurality of numbers, the plurality of numbers of the Influence Coefficient Matrix being calculated and determined such that the method, practiced by the Hydraulic Fracturing Simulator software for simulating the hydraulic fracture, models, or take into account an existence of, the multilayered reservoir and the partially active elements.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracture design model that simulates the complex physical process of fracture propagation in the earth driven by the injected fluid through a wellbore. An objective in the model is to adhere with the laws of physics governing the surface deformation of the created fracture subjected to the fluid pressure, the fluid flow in the gap formed by the opposing fracture surfaces, the propagation of the fracture front, the transport of the proppant in the fracture carried by the fluid, and the leakoff of the fracturing fluid into the permeable rock. The models used in accordance with methods of the invention are typically based on the assumptions and the mathematical equations for the conventional 2D or P3D models, and further take into account the network of jointed fracture segments. For each fracture segment, the mathematical equations governing the fracture deformation and fluid flow apply.

Abstract: A method, practiced by a Hydraulic Fracturing Simulator software, is adapted for simulating a hydraulic fracture in an Earth formation, the formation including a plurality of layers, a slip zone, which represents a debonding between adjacent layers of the Earth formation, possibly existing between the adjacent layers, the method comprising the step of: setting up an Influence Coefficient Matrix, the matrix having a plurality of numbers, the plurality of numbers of the Influence Coefficient Matrix being calculated and determined such that the method, practiced by the Hydraulic Fracturing Simulator software for simulating the hydraulic fracture, will model, or take into account an existence of, the slip zone and/or the debonding between the adjacent layers of the Earth formation.

Abstract: A method, practiced by a Hydraulic Fracturing Simulator software, is adapted for simulating a hydraulic fracture in an Earth formation, the formation including a plurality of layers, a slip zone, which represents a debonding between adjacent layers of the Earth formation, possibly existing between the adjacent layers, the method comprising the step of: setting up an Influence Coefficient Matrix, the matrix having a plurality of numbers, the plurality of numbers of the Influence Coefficient Matrix being calculated and determined such that the method, practiced by the Hydraulic Fracturing Simulator software for simulating the hydraulic fracture, will model, or take into account an existence of, the slip zone and/or the debonding between the adjacent layers of the Earth formation.

Abstract: A method and system and program storage device is adapted to continuously update a perimeter of a fracture footprint created in an Earth formation when a fracturing fluid fractures the formation penetrated by a wellbore. Two embodiments of a Volume of Fluid (VOF) software, adapted to be stored in a memory of a computer system, will locate the position of a fracture perimeter during the evolution of that fracture when the software is executed by the processor of the computer system. The two embodiments, called the ‘Marker VOF (MVOF)’ and the ‘Full VOF (FVOF)’ software, will continuously update the perimeter of the fracture footprint by updating a Fill Fraction for each tip element. The MVOF software will use a fill fraction mass balance integral equation to update the Fill Fraction for each tip element, and the FVOF software will use an integrated form of fluid flow equations to update the Fill Fraction for each tip element.

Abstract: A method and system and program storage device is adapted to continuously update a perimeter of a fracture footprint created in an Earth formation when a fracturing fluid fractures the formation penetrated by a wellbore. Two embodiments of a Volume of Fluid (VOF) software, adapted to be stored in a memory of a computer system, will locate the position of a fracture perimeter during the evolution of that fracture when the software is executed by the processor of the computer system. The two embodiments, called the ‘Marker VOF (MVOF)’ and the ‘Full VOF (FVOF)’ software, will continuously update the perimeter of the fracture footprint by updating a Fill Fraction for each tip element. The MVOF software will use a fill fraction mass balance integral equation to update the Fill Fraction for each tip element, and the FVOF software will use an integrated form of fluid flow equations to update the Fill Fraction for each tip element.

Abstract: A method, practiced by a Hydraulic Fracturing Simulator software, is adapted for simulating a hydraulic fracture in an Earth formation, the formation including a multilayered reservoir, a mesh adapted to overlay the fracture in the formation thereby defining a plurality of elements, the mesh and the fracture defining one or more partially active elements, the method comprising the step of: setting up an Influence Coefficient Matrix, the matrix having a plurality of numbers, the plurality of numbers of the Influence Coefficient Matrix being calculated and determined such that the method, practiced by the Hydraulic Fracturing Simulator software for simulating the hydraulic fracture, models, or take into account an existence of, the multilayered reservoir and the partially active elements.

Abstract: A new method for determining a pumping schedule that will produce an acceptable return on investment for a particular well includes selecting a pumping schedule, which includes an initial pumping schedule and a remaining pumping schedule, adapted for fracturing a formation around one or more perforations in the particular well. Using the initial pumping schedule, interrogate a pump data model to produce a set of fracture characteristics. A set of tiltmeter sensors and micro-seismic sensors placed adjacent the fracture in the formation will also generate a set of fracture characteristics. If the set of fracture characteristics originating from the pump data model do not substantially match the set of fracture characteristics originating from the tiltmeter sensors and the micro-seismic sensors, the pump data model must be calibrated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing, monitoring or evaluating the growth of a subterranean hydraulic fracturing procedure is disclosed. The method uses techniques of analysis that are both accurate and efficient in reducing computing resources needed to process data. A computer generated method of estimation is used to determine the dimensions and shape of the hydraulic fracture. The estimate facilitates subsequent changes in fracturing parameter selection and design to maximize well performance and production. A rigorous method of evaluation is disclosed for a multi-layered or laminated petroleum reservoir. Material balance of hydraulically pumped fluids and proppant is maintained. In addition, the energy balance between the hydraulic fracture tip and the surrounding reservoir host rock is conserved.